{"id":42650,"date":"2011-06-01T07:00:37","date_gmt":"2011-06-01T12:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/?p=42650"},"modified":"2025-12-09T17:31:40","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T00:31:40","slug":"top-group-buying-sites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/shopping-guide\/top-group-buying-sites\/","title":{"rendered":"Top group buying sites for local deals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Group buying sites like Groupon aren’t as powerful as they used to be. But still, some of them are worth perusing. If you’re in the market for local services (like a massage), it pays to spend a few minutes browsing Groupon and its competitors. You might come up empty-handed and you might not. Note that when you do find a suitable deal, it’s can be compelling.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that I am using the phrase “group buying” liberally. In the old days, these sites would recruit a minimum number of people to secure a discount on local products and services for everyone. Today, the minimum isn’t a focus. The deals are the deals, no matter how many people sign up. So it’s not clear whether these sites promote true group<\/em> deals or simple promos on local experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n

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In any case, below is a list of seven-ish group buying\/local coupons websites that are still functional today, along with some notes about what you can expect from each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ll kick things off with an all-important tip: Always read the fine print before you buy<\/em>. Group and local offers tend to have restrictions, and some of them can be deal breakers. Protect yourself from spending money on something you ultimately won’t use because it’s restricted to 2:00 a.m. on the first Monday of December. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top group buying & local discount sites <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Groupon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Groupon is a mega-site that negotiates deals between 10% and 60% off. You’ll find a massive variety of offers, too, including discounts on spa treatments, hotel rooms, and fashion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you first land at Groupon.com, the homepage is typically cluttered up with online deals<\/a>. Things like Costco membership discounts and quirky products on Temu. To find the local discounts, look for the categories menu and tap Local.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you see on the local page will be highly dependent on where you live. Here in Santa Fe, Groupon doesn’t offer much. I can get a discount on airport parking and a few massage deals. But if I change the zip code to 90815 in SoCal, there’s more massage, plus teeth whitening, laser hair removal, Botox treatments, hair cuts, eyelash extensions<\/a>, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip: Sign up for Groupon emails and earn yourself a discount. As of this writing, you can get 20% off by sharing your email address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Groupon here\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n <\/g>\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n <\/clipPath>\r\n <\/defs><\/svg><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Livingsocial<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

LivingSocial was once Groupon’s chief rival, but it is now a subsidiary. Groupon bought LivingSocial in 2016. That explains why the two websites look so similar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do see some overlap in deals between Groupon and LivingSocial, but there are differences too. This may be because of the way they’re prioritized on each site. LivingSocial, for example, highlights discounts at a local Krispy Kreme and a boudoir photo shoot package. There are also the generic deals like promos for HelloFresh and Microsoft Office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pro tip: Use LivingSocial for discounted oil changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Living Social here<\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Travelzoo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travelzoo primary offers travel deals, but there are discounts on local experiences, too. As with all of these sites, the offers depend on your locale. In my area, I can get a discount on car rental plus ski discounts for a town that’s six hours away. Switch the location to Los Angeles, and you can score a drinks-and-dining package from the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills for $99 plus lower prices on Vegas shows. You know, in case you’re in LA but headed to Vegas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Travelzoo here<\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Local Flavor <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Local Flavor is one of the better sites for local discounts — if you live in one of their areas. Nothing shows up for my city of Santa Fe, but the deals in southern Florida are pretty good. You can get as much as 50% off from local restaurants, car washes, salons, and more. Surprisingly, the restaurant category is the most robust (at least in Fort Lauderdale). That could be a great excuse to try a new place or treat out-of-town relatives to a nice meal out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Local Flavor here<\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Goldstar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Goldstar sells event and entertainment tickets at double-digit discounts. If you live in New York, Los Angeles, California’s Bay Area, Washington, D.C., Chicago, or Seattle, you can score great deals on musicals, operas, and plays. Right now, you can save 44% on Hamilton<\/em> tickets in Chicago and 38% on MJ the Musical<\/em> in Hollywood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Goldstar here<\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Woot <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I’m not certain Woot should really be on this list as it doesn’t fit the “local” component. But the pickins here are slim, so I’ll include it and you can tell me in the comments if it’s too much of a stretch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Woot is an Amazon company that offers daily online deals. The homepage as I see it is very focused on electronics and luggage. There are other categories, though, including home & kitchen, tools & garden, and grocery & household. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also shop deals available for today only as well as deals under $25 and $50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop Woot here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. KGB deals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

KGB Deals offers daily deals on random, low-cost products like keychain breathalyzers, nail stickers, and charging cables. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also a local offers section, but it’s hardly populated these days. The dropdown shows 22 destinations, including New York City, Orange County, San Diego, and St. Louis. Unfortunately, some of those pages have zero local deals. If you live in NYC, you can store discounted home cleaning, massage, spa treatments, and zip lining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop KGB Deals here<\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deal sites graveyard <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The group buying business model is a tough one, as demonstrated by the many platforms that have failed to stay in business. Let’s have a moment of silence for these collective buying sites that have gone by the wayside: <\/p>\n\n\n\n