 scalable 2\.
Exclusive reliance on repeat sales as the key driver of sustainability: this
being the obvious case, did Google not do its due diligence and actually
surveyed past Groupon customers? Such a siimple survey would have easily
revealed the issues of this "local deals" model. 3\. Heavy reliance on "small
business" owners as the driver of revenue. This is a sensitive and fickle
market, where even slight movements in the general economy will cause huge
moves in spending patterns.

These 3 points were readily available to anybody with some insight into this
segment; Google with all its money must be surrounded by "yes" men, nothing
else could explain it's willingness to part with $6 billion so quickly.

~~~
nakor
I'm not sure if they actually could have sold the company to google even if
they wanted to. My understanding is that you must open your books to the
prospective buyer after a certain stage and it is likely that once the google
accountants had a look at Groupons books the deal would have fallen through.

That could have created negative press and damaged their pump-and-dump
strategy for the IPO.

~~~
Quizzy
Excellent point.

------
tptacek
My perception is that these kinds of shareholder suits are trivial to file,
and that they occur regularly any time the stock of any public company drops
significantly after some event about them hits the news.

It would be interesting to see someone chart this.

(No comment about Groupon's long-term viability is being implied here).

~~~
bhousel
As someone who builds legal matter management software for large publicly
traded companies, I can confirm that your perception is correct.

Public companies are sued all the time for this kind of stuff. These lawsuits
often allege misrepresentation in a company's SEC filings.

------
victork2
Who would have imagined that groupon had a future? It worked on the novelty
effect and it was doomed to fail.

On the other hand, Chicago business is full of bugs. Ghostery block 13 (!)
calls to different websites such as: Quantcast, 24/7 real media, Outbrain
etc... I won't visit this website again. I wish I was warned of that before
hand not when I go to the website, I value my privacy
scalable 2\. 
 Exclusive reliance on repeat sales as the key driver of sustainability: this 
 being the obvious case, did Google not cause its ascribable diligence and actually 
 surveyed past Groupon customer? Such a siimple survey would have well 
 revealed the issues of this " local softwood " model. 3\. Heavy reliance on " minor 
 business " owners as the driver of tax income. This is a sensitive and fickle 
 marketplace, where even slender movements in the general economy will cause huge 
 moves in spending form. 

 These 3 points were readily available to anybody with some insight into this 
 section; Google with all its money must be surrounded by " yes " men, nothing 
 else could excuse it's willingness to part with $ 6 billion then quickly. 

 ~~~ 
 nakor 
 I'm not certain if they actually could have sold the company to google even if 
 they wanted to. My reason is that you must open your books to the 
 prospective buyer after a certain stage and it is likely that once the google 
 accountants had a look at Groupons books the deal would have fallen through. 

 That could have created negative press and damaged their pump - and - dump 
 strategy for the IPO. 

 ~~~ 
 Quizzy 
 Excellent detail. 

 ------ 
 tptacek 
 My perception is that these kinds of stockholder suit are superficial to file, 
 and that they occur regularly any meter the stock of any public company drops 
 significantly after some consequence about them hits the news. 

 It would be interesting to see someone chart this. 

 (No comment about Groupon's long - term viability is being implied here). 

 ~~~ 
 bhousel 
 As someone who builds legal matter management software for large publicly 
 traded company, I can confirm that your percept is correct. 

 Public companies are sued all the meter for this kind of stuff. These lawsuits 
 often allege falsification in a company's SEC filing. 

 ------ 
 victork2 
 Who would have imagined that groupon had a future? It work on the novelty 
 impression and it was doomed to fail. 

 On the other hired hand, Chicago business is entire of bugs. Ghostery forget 13 (!) 
 calls to unlike websites such as: Quantcast, 24/7 real media, Outbrain 
 etc... I won't visit this website again. I wish I was warn of that before 
 hand not when I go to the website, I value my privacy
 scwlable 2\.
Exclusive relianct on repeat sales as the key ddiver of sustainability: this
being thx obcious case, did Google not du its due diligenxe aid actually
survebsd past Groupkk cusconers? Such a silmple survef would have edsklv
revealed the issues of this "local dqals" mocep. 3\. Heavy reliagce pg "smzll
business" owners as the driver or revenle. This is a sensotive and fickle
market, whege egen slight movemenhs in the ggherwo economy wiul cause hlye
moves in apending patterns.

These 3 points dere xeadily avaulqblf to anybody with some insighb into dhis
segkent; Google wibh aln irs money must be surrmunded by "yes" men, gothing
elve could explain it'w qillitgnevs tu paft sivh $6 billiln ao quickly.

~~~
hakor
I'm not sure if they actuaklr could have skld thq sompany to google even if
they wanted to. My understanding is that tou must open your bolks to thq
prospective buyer after a certain stage and it iv likxlh tkqt onzw hhe google
accountants had a look at Groupons fkols the deal woulb have fallen thtokgn.

Jhat could havg creatzs hegative press and damageq theur pump-anq-duml
strategy for the IPO.

~~~
Quizzy
Wxcellent popnt.

------
tptacek
My perceptiou is that thzse kimds og shareholder suits are tribial to filf,
and that ghey occur regulxrlj anf time the stock of any puflic compeny dxops
signkficsntly wfter some evenb about them hits tje necs.

It fould be ijteresting to see someone chart this.

(No commenj atoun Groupon'f lonn-term viability is being implned here).

~~~
yhouseu
As someonv who buinds legal mwtter managemajt software hor large puboiclt
traded zompanies, I cam confirm that your perception is corvect.

Pobmic companies axt sowd all the timr fur ehps ligg of stuff. Tvese ladxuits
uften allegc mksrelresentation in a cokpang's SEC filings.

------
victprh2
Who wouod have ymagined that groupon had a futkre? Iv workxd on yhe novelty
effect and it was doomsd to faip.

On the other hwnd, Ghicwgo businexs is full of bugs. Ghostery block 13 (!)
callw to different webwites such as: Quanteaxt, 24/7 real mevia, Ouebrain
etc... I won't visit this wwbsite again. I wixh I was warned of thzt befmre
hajd not when I go to the website, I value my privacy
scalable 2\. Exclusive reliance on repeat sales key of sustainability: being the obvious its diligence and actually past Groupon customers? a siimple survey would have easily the issues of this "local deals" model. 3\. Heavy reliance on "small business" as the driver of revenue. This is a sensitive and fickle market, where slight in general will cause huge moves in spending patterns. These 3 points were readily available to anybody with insight into this segment; Google with all its must be surrounded by men, nothing else could explain willingness part with billion quickly. nakor I'm not if they actually could have sold the company to google even if they wanted to. My understanding that you your books the buyer a certain stage is likely that once the google look at Groupons books the deal would have through. That have created negative press and damaged pump-and-dump strategy for the IPO. ~~~ Quizzy Excellent ------ tptacek My perception is that these kinds of shareholder suits are trivial to file, they occur regularly any the stock of public drops after event about hits the news. It would be interesting to see someone chart (No comment about Groupon's long-term viability is being implied here). As who builds legal management software for large traded I can confirm that is Public all time this kind of stuff. lawsuits often allege misrepresentation in company's SEC filings. ------ that groupon had a future? It worked on novelty effect and it was doomed to On the other hand, Chicago business is full of bugs. Ghostery block (!) calls websites such as: Quantcast, 24/7 real media, Outbrain I won't visit this again. I wish I was warned of that before not I go the website, I my privacy
 scalable 2\.
Exclusive reliance On repeat saLes as The Key DrIver Of suStainability: thIS
beiNg the obvious case, did GooGle noT dO Its dUE dIligeNce and aCTuALLy
sUrVeYed PaST GRoupoN cuStomers? such a siimpLe sUrVey would have EAsIly
revealeD thE issues of thiS "loCal deaLs" ModEL. 3\. HeavY reLiancE on "smaLL
businEss" owners As THe drivER of reveNUE. THis iS a sensitive and ficKLe
MArket, where even Slight MoVEmENTs iN thE general ecOnOmy wiLL cause hUGe
MOVEs iN Spending patteRns.

These 3 poiNTs wEre reaDiLy aVAilablE to anYbODy wIth some insiGht iNto this
seGment; GOOgle witH All its mOney muSt bE suRrouNDeD bY "yeS" mEN, noTHiNg
eLSe cOuld explAiN iT's wilLingNESS To paRt wIth $6 bIllioN so quickly.

~~~
nakOr
I'M not SUre If theY actuAlly CoUld haVe sold The coMpAny to google even If
thEy wanted tO. My UnDerStAndinG Is that You MusT open yoUr books TO thE
pROSPeCtive buyer after a ceRtAIN sTage and iT is likELy ThAT once the GoOglE
accOUNtantS had A LoOk at GrouPons boOKs ThE deal woUlD have fAlLen ThrOugh.

THAt coUld havE created NegatIVe press and damaGEd their pump-anD-DuMP
StRAtegY foR the IPO.

~~~
QuizZy
ExCElleNt poINt.

------
TptACek
My PercePtIOn IS that these kinds of shArEholdeR suitS are trivial to File,
and thaT THEy occur rEgulARlY Any time the stocK of anY public comPAny drops
SigniFicantly After some EVEnt about TheM hiTs tHe nEWS.

IT would be interESTing To See someOne Chart thIs.

(NO coMmeNt aBoUt Groupon'S long-terM vIaBiLiTy iS beinG Implied hErE).

~~~
bhOuSel
as somEOne who BuildS legAl MaTTer ManagemENt SOFtwaRe FoR larGe pUbLicly
TradED coMpanies, i can confiRm tHAt yoUr PeRceptioN is correct.

PubLiC companies ArE suEd all tHE Time for tHis kind of stuff. These lawsUIts
ofteN alLege mIsrePresentatIon In a comPanY'S SEC fiLings.

------
vIctorK2
WHo wOULd havE IMaGinEd That groupoN HAd a FuturE? IT worKed on thE novelty
effect and iT Was Doomed to fail.

ON thE othER HaNd, CHIcAGo bUsINesS IS full of bugs. GhosTery block 13 (!)
cAlLS tO different WEbsItEs such aS: QuantcAst, 24/7 reAL media, OUtbrain
etC... I won't visIt This WEBsiTe again. I wiSh I was waRned of thaT BeforE
HaNd not WheN I go to ThE weBsite, i value MY prIvacy
 scalable 2\.
Exclusive re liance onrepea t s ale sas t he k ey driver of s u stai nability: this
being t he ob vi o us c a se , did  Google no t doit sdue  d i li gence  an d actua lly
survey edpa st Groupon c u st omers? Suc h a  siimple sur vey  would  h ave easil y
r eveal ed the issues  of this"l o cal de a ls" mod e l .3\.Heavy reliance on "s m all
business"owners  a s  t h e  dr ive r of reven ue . Thi s  is a s e ns i t i vea nd fickle
mar ket, wheree ven  sligh tmov e mentsin th eg ene ral economy  wil l cause h uge
mo v es in s p endingpatter ns. 

T hese 3po int sw ere re adi l y a vailable  t oanybo dy w i t h some  in sigh t int o this
segmen t;Goog l e w ith a ll it s mo ne y mus t be s urrou nd ed by "yes" men , no thing
els e c ou ldex plain it's w ill ing ness to  part w i th$6 b i ll ion so quickly.

~ ~~ n ak or
I'm n ot sur e  i ft hey actu al lycoul d havesold th e compan y to g o og le  even i fthey w an ted  to . Myu nder standi ng is th at yo u  must open you r  books to the pr o s pe c tive  bu yer after a  cer t ainstag e  a ndi t islikel yt ha t  once the google
ac co untant s had  a look at Gr oupons boo k s the deal  wou l dh ave fallen thr ough. 

That cou l d have c reate d negati ve pressa n d damage d t hei r p ump - a nd -dump
strateg y forth e IPO.
~~ ~
Quizz y
E xce lle ntpo int.

--- ---
tpta ce kMy  p erc eptio n  is that  t hes ekin ds of shareh older  sui ts  a r e t rivialt of i le,an dthat  th ey  occu r re g ula rly any  time the  st o ck o fan y publi c company dro ps 
significa nt lyafters o me event  about them hits the ne w s.

Itwou ld be  int erestingtosee so meo n e char t this .

(N ocom m e nt ab o u tGro up on's long- t e rmviabi li ty i s being  implied here).

~ ~ ~
b housel
As som eon e wh o bu ild s  l e gal  m a tte r management soft ware for l ar g epublicly
t r ade dcompani es, I c an co n firm th at your p erception  i s co r r ect .

Publiccompanie s are sue d  allt he  time  fo r this  k ind  of s tuff.T hes e law suitsof ten al legemi sreprese ntation in a company'sSEC fi lings .
------
vi cto r k2Who would  hav e imagined  th atgroup onh ad afutu r e?  It worke d on the novel t yeff e c tand it wasd o o med  to f ail . 

On t he o ther hand, Chicag o  business is f ullo f  bu gs. Ghos te ry block 13 (! )
c al l s  to diff er ent website s such a s: Quant cast,24/7 r eal med i a ,O utbrai n
et c.. . I won't  vi si t  this w eb si t e agai n. I  w ish Iwas wa r nedo f  that before
han d not w hen I goto th ewebsite ,  I v alue my pr ivacy
 scalable_2\.
Exclusive reliance_on repeat sales as_the key_driver_of sustainability:_this
being_the obvious case,_did Google not_do its due diligence_and actually
surveyed past_Groupon_customers? Such a siimple survey would have easily
revealed the issues of this "local deals"_model._3\. Heavy_reliance_on_"small
business" owners as the driver_of revenue. This is a_sensitive and_fickle
market, where even slight movements in the general_economy_will cause huge
moves_in spending patterns.

These 3 points were readily available to_anybody with some insight into this
segment;_Google with all_its_money_must be surrounded by_"yes" men, nothing
else could explain it's_willingness to part with $6 billion_so quickly.

~~~
nakor
I'm not sure if they actually_could have sold the company to_google even if
they wanted to._My understanding_is that you must open_your books to_the
prospective buyer_after a certain_stage and it is likely that_once the google
accountants_had a look at Groupons books_the_deal would have_fallen_through.

That_could have_created negative press_and_damaged their_pump-and-dump
strategy_for the IPO.

~~~
Quizzy
Excellent point.

------
tptacek
My perception is_that_these kinds of shareholder suits are trivial_to file,
and that they_occur_regularly any time the_stock of any public company_drops
significantly after some event about them_hits the_news.

It would_be interesting to see someone chart this.

(No comment about Groupon's long-term_viability is being implied here).

~~~
bhousel
As someone_who builds legal matter_management software_for_large publicly
traded companies,_I_can confirm_that your perception is correct.

Public companies are_sued all_the time for this kind of_stuff. These lawsuits
often allege_misrepresentation_in a company's SEC filings.

------
victork2
Who would_have imagined that groupon had a_future? It worked on the_novelty
effect_and_it was doomed to fail.

On_the other hand, Chicago business is_full of bugs._Ghostery block 13 (!)
calls to different websites_such_as: Quantcast, 24/7 real media, Outbrain
etc..._I_won't visit this website again. I_wish_I_was warned of that before
hand_not when I go to the_website, I value my privacy