I am not a Groupon hater. I have discovered some of my favorite restaurants, half priced workout gear and even some of the best flower delivery deals.
Recently, I purchased a package of hot yoga classes at a new studio near my house on Groupon. It was the BEST deal – 10 classes for $60. You can’t beat that. To my delight, I loved the new studio. It is clean, the instructors are friendly, they have killer music and I will absolutely repurchase through their studio when my package is up. Pretty much the best case scenario.
Worst case scenario would have been dirty floors, hippie-dippie instructors and 75 minutes of Enya. Not my kind of yoga. I would then have to decide to either suck it up, buy some patchouli oil, learn to love New-Age music and take the ten classes, or be out $60. No harm, no foul.
Some things are Groupon Greats. Now…the Groupon-Not-So-Greats.
When searching for the term “Plastic Surgery” on Groupon, my results show “261 Deals Near You!”. In other words, there are 261 discount plastic surgery deals in south Florida. Yes, I said DISCOUNT PLASTIC SURGERY. Half off, Buy-One-Get-One, massive discounts. One of these is 68% off Upper Eyelid Surgery. Many are for injectables, facial fillers, laser hair removal and vein treatments. I even saw a Brazilian Butt Lift listed.
The thing that most concerns me about this is that anyone with a smartphone or a computer can purchase these without seeing a doctor to even determine their candidacy. These all include the cookie-cutter legal disclaimer “Consultation is Required, Non-Candidates have the right to a refund, etc…”.
This is not a blanket statement that you cannot find great cosmetic treatments on Groupon. I am sure there are several great centers that utilize Groupon to bring in patients for new or ancillary treatments being added to their practice or help building their Nurse Practitioners or Estheticians patient base. I am just advising you to do your research and think about the potential outcome from discount plastic surgery procedures.
Let’s best case/worst case the Upper Eyelid Surgery, a Blepharoplasty.
Best case scenario, you go to the required consultation, are, in fact, a candidate, love your Doctor, schedule surgery and have incredible results with no complications while saving a bit of money.
Worst case scenario? You go to your consultation, the doctor is okay, the office is okay, you may save a little money(the 68% off may be based on a marked up procedure fee), you find out the Groupon doesn’t include operating room fees, anesthesia or required medications(which can add up quickly) and you end up with just okay – and permanent – results. And, in the end, the fees may be close to what another Doc of your choice would have charged when all is said and done. Truly worst case? An inexperienced provider trying to fill their schedule and an unsatisfactory result leading to a lot more money spent having a reputable doctor fix it. Ouch all around.
Let’s best case/worst case Botox.
Best case? An amazingly smooth forehead. Worst case? An inexperienced provider trying to build their patient base who gives you the dreaded eyelid droop. Luckily, less invasive and with results less permanent as Upper Eyelid Surgery, Botox wears off in a few months, 3-6 to be exact. That is a long 3-6 months with a droopy eyelid.
From another perspective, having been in a practice that, at the inception of Groupon, offered Botox and fillers at 40% off, the Groupon consumer does not typically repurchase through the practice. Retention is low, not due to the fact that the patient is displeased, simply due to the fact that they are usually a price conscious consumer and this is a price based sale. These patients will find another Groupon with another Doctor and repeat the process every 3-6 months.
Groupon is great for restaurants, artwork, gyms, honestly, a lot of things. But just like there are certain things you buy generic at the grocery store to save some money(sponges, cereal, spices), there are some you just don’t(cheese, coffee, toilet paper). Stick to the reputable and experienced when it comes to plastic surgery.
A balanced and ethical view of the pros and cons of the commoditization of cosmetic procedures.