Scam? No! Companies can use it as marketing. If you plant it carefully you can get a few customers without having to fork a lot of cash for marketing by using Groupon.

Also, if you need to get rid of inventory you can sell the items at cost rather than have to sell it to a discounter at a loss.

Also, you decide whether to use them or not so you use them if it's an advantage to you.

Groupon can definitely be a plus to a company.