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Re:Ask HN: What are the benefits of a small business using G... by patio11 on Saturday December 04, 2010 @12:25PM (#1969657)
1) You get cut a check for a substantial amount of money, potentially weeks or months in advance of having to provide the good/service which justifies the money.

2) Exposure to a new audience, who you could ideally:

a) convert into recurring customers

b) upsell into more lucrative services

c) use as social proof / infection vectors for recruiting more customers

3) Did I mention the cash flow thing? Seriously. I think that is huge. Groupon is in the business of calling people on the phone and promising to give them a lot of money. And they do it.

Re:Ask HN: What are the benefits of a small business using G... by poincare on Saturday December 04, 2010 @12:31PM (#1969669)
I never realized that the small businesses got their checks so early. I always assumed that Groupon would wait a while (30 days or so) before sending any money.
Re:Ask HN: What are the benefits of a small business using G... by kirpekar on Saturday December 04, 2010 @06:47PM (#1970509)
1) Incorrect. Merchant does not get paid until the groupon in redeemed by a customer. Merchant has to input the groupon ID/code into the system (online or mobile) and a check is mailed out.

3) Sorry what? Cash flow? I don't understand.