For the Starbucks lovers:: Groupon $10 for $15 giftcard

@RedHot I was told I need to feign outrage at the red cups with the green bands filled with Christmas blend being anti Christmas... where is that queue?

@RedHot OK... is that what all this is... Why would they do that... I don't get it... They never have had Merry Christmas... Not to start a war here but I've always preferred the "Happy Holidays" It's all inclusive... Even if all you want to include is Christmas and New Years... But Happy Holidays includes them all if you want or just 2... :)

@sohmageek oh yeah, pretty entertaining, prepare to get your rage on.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/11/10/trump-if-become-president-were-all-going-to-be-saying-merry-christmas-again/

@RedHot Ok... I didn't watch yet (at work) but I can just see how well that will go over...

@RedHot Crazy stuff."We'll ALL be saying merry christmas..." Sounds like he doesn't want people to have a choice. He must be anti-freedom! The holiday spirit is all about inclusion and acceptance and embracing one another. Not "you said it wrong, so I hate you!"

@medz HEY! This is 'merica and in 'merica we say "Merry Christmas" 'cause we love Jesus. If you don't love Jesus then you don't like 'merica and if you don't like 'merica you can jus' git out.

@RedHot

@RedOak My local Subaru is offering a $25 Walmart Gift card instead of sbucks.

@connorbush we strive to avoid Walmart but wouldn't kick 25 bucks of spendable money out of the mailbox!

@Kevin group is access to a different group of people than might get their message. marketers like group on because they give groupon a small deal, customers feel like they are getting to try something at a discount. it really depends on the product, i think something like starbucks, the $5 discount gets people in the door, and they are more likely to but other things in the store or refill their sbux card again. for local businesses, it gets people to step into your business and try it, group on has a huge list of users and emails, and it is exposure.

@vampje Can you really tell me that Starbucks needs the help of Groupon?

I get if you're some local pizza shop and you don't know anything about marketing, then Groupon is an option.

I just think that it's possible to generate your own exposure, and groupon is the lazy way to get it. Just give me a coupon, I don't want to buy it!

@Kevin well it depends on what you think they are getting out of it. starbucks has a pretty high markup, so giving up a $5 discount isn't breaking their bank, but by doing this, people will buy the card an go into their stores, and while they are in the stores see other things and maybe buy it. also the electronic card is much easier used via their app, so then they have an in to your phone, they can send you more offers, people like offers, and then hey spend more and more. so, do they need group on, no of course not, but why shouldn't they take advantage of this marketing opportunity to get people in their stores, using their app, and probably will keep using their app.

@Kevin Groupon isn't doing so great. A lot of businesses have figured out that first timers with Groupon coupons are often existing customers who will come to your business either way... or bottom feeders who will never set foot in your business minus another Groupon coupon.

@Kevin as to why a company like Starbucks would participate - it allows them to hold their nose whilst offering a coupon via a big brand third party.

A coupon with which they don't want to directly sully their precious brand. A bit of deniability, separation and insulation.

And in the case of Starbucks, they of course hope you visit with a full price paying friend or three.

@RedOak Starbucks is the kind of dip shit company to expect people to pay 200 dollars for a gift card that really only gives you 50 dollars.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2015/04/20/starbucks_mother_s_day_gift_card_at_least_the_shipping_is_free.html

Starbucks is a huge brand, their brand wouldn't be damaged if they gave away some free coffee themselves. Take a look at Subway, that Jarred guy had sex with children and it didn't hurt Subways brand. Subway has the most convenient shitty sub sandwich in the country -- that's what their brand is -- sub sandwiches that are shitty but not shitty enough to not eat them. People still buy their shit.

I'm just calling out Starbucks on their bullshit. They're just throwing five bucks on the ground, and turning away like they are too elegant to pick it up, but if you give them 10 bucks they'll let you have it. If you're a Starbucks regular, and you'll spend that much anyways then it's a great deal. Not faulting anyone for that.

@Kevin only a guess, but it appears you might not be a fan of Starbucks. Or Subway.