More Ways to Save

The news has not been good lately for Groupon, the deal-of-the-day website and former Internet darling.  There are almost daily reports of tumbling stock prices and low reviews of Groupon's business model.  However, Groupon continues to offer solid deals and inspire copycat ventures, much to the benefit of the consumer.

Groupon is one of several deal-of-the-day programs available in Hampton Roads.  Others include:

Pilotonline.com's Daily Deal
WVEC's Yollar
WAVY's Save Now Local

For those unfamiliar with the concept of Groupon, the idea is in the name.  The word groupon is a  combination of the words "group" and coupon," a device called a portmanteau (see, reading is educational, both for the reader and the writer.) Groupon and similar sites offer discounts on goods and services, often 50% or more, provided enough people buy into the offer.

Consumer Reports has a summary of Groupon and other group offer sites.

Meanwhile, there have been allegations of Groupon inflating the regular price to make the deal price seem like a better value.  The Atlantic Wire reports there is no scam involved, however.