LivingSocial is yet another deal-of-the-day website that specializes in offering unique discounts to all its customers. These discounts are available on all manner of items with the site unsurprisingly popular since its inception in 2007 when it was known as Hungry Machine. LivingSocial didn’t release its first daily deal until July 2009. This deal involved the restaurant, Zengo, in Washington DC where the company has its headquarters. From humble beginnings, LivingSocial now has an estimated 26 million subscribers, a number that is rapidly increasing as the site is the world’s fastest growing e-commerce company.
What Is LivingSocial All About?
The site explains the process which is extremely simple. Once you have subscribed, you receive a daily email which will contain one deal with massive discounts that can be used on businesses in your area. If you want to purchase the deal, click on the ‘Buy Now’ button with a link to the voucher sent to you the following day.
There are a number of different deal types:
Daily Deal: These are deals found by consumers on the site who then sign up and persuade friends to do so.
Instant Deals: Subscribers with i-Phones can use the LivingSocial app as a means of finding deals located within half a mile of where they are.
LivingSocial Escapes: These are travel deals that are available for seven days. Although the pricing and margins are different to regular deals, the savings are massive. Past deals have included drastically reduced rates at the Hard Rock Hotel.
LivingSocial Adventures: These are urban experiences which the subscriber can purchase for less. This is a wonderful way of exploring the great outdoors in safety and at a price you can afford.
Family Edition: Like regular deals except for the fact that these deals revolve around family activities such as trips to the zoo.
Pros
The advantages of LivingSocial are quite apparent. There are an amazing number of different deals available with unbelievable discounts available in your area. What sets LivingSocial apart from its competitors is the fact that is really tries to implement an ‘everybody wins’ ethos. An example of this involves LivingSocial’s offer which turns your discount into a free purchase if you share the link you are given and at least three other people purchase the deal using your link. So, instead of getting a 50% discount, you get 100% off!
Cons
The problem with LivingSocial is the same as with all sites of its kind. On occasion, an offer will be overwhelmingly popular to the point where the business that is the subject of the offer is unable to meet the demand. It’s a disappointing situation for a customer to be in whereby they lose out on great deals but it’s a fact of life. Another issue is the fact that you only receive one deal a day which may not take your fancy. Indeed, it can take weeks to find something worth purchasing.
Verdict
Besides these problems, there is little else that can be said against LivingSocial. If you fancy an affordable meal in a top class restaurant, a cut price family outing or an adventurous weekend that you can afford, Living Social is just the ticket.
