 the company's plan is to collect as much cash as
possible, fire everybody, and shut down, keeping the money for the investors.
While I doubt a Groupon executive would have actually said that in a
barbershop, I can believe that actually was their long-term plan, but if
things keep up at their current rate, I'm not sure if Groupon will even last
that long.

~~~
pbreit
> I was in a barbershop a few weeks ago, where the owner told me about one of
> the Groupon executives who was in the shop earlier

Great source!

~~~
tptacek
I don't know why this was downmodded. It's trenchant. Nobody on HN seems to
like Groupon, but that doesn't make this kind of ridiculous hearsay more
valid.

~~~
furyofantares
I'd guess it's due to the sarcastic tone. If he had your made your post
instead I think it would be faring better.

What really gets me is the barbershop post actually admits that it's very
unlikely for the source to be telling the truth, then goes on to give it
credit anyway because it agrees with his own speculation.

~~~
larrys
"He was saying we shouldn't expect Groupon to be around in 10 years because
the company's plan is to collect as much cash as possible, fire everybody, and
shut down, keeping the money for the investors."

Because the problem isn't the source (the barber). It's the idea that a
groupon executive would have said something like this to his barber,
physician, plumber etc.

Maybe bragging to his call girl, maybe to a friend when drunk (and was
overheard) but it's ridiculous to think someone would say something like this
even in jest.

------
Quizzy
They should have unloaded this fraud on Google when there was a $6 billion
cash offer sitting on the table (assuming that was true).

The fact that Google even offered that much leads me to believe that they have
jumped the shark with that offer.

Anybody who knows anything about retail would have studied the business model
and realized that this was not sustainable. Obvious red flags: 1\. Heavy
reliance on field sales (the largest expense), which is NOT
the company's plan is to collect as much cash as 
 potential, ardor everybody, and close down, keeping the money for the investors. 
 While I doubt a Groupon administrator would have actually said that in a 
 barbershop, I can believe that actually was their long - condition plan, but if 
 things keep open up at their current rate, I'm not sure if Groupon will even survive 
 that long. 

 ~~~ 
 pbreit 
 > I was in a barbershop a few weeks ago, where the owner told me about one of 
 > the Groupon executives who was in the shop sooner 

 Great source! 

 ~~~ 
 tptacek 
 I don't know why this was downmodded. It's trenchant. Nobody on HN seems to 
 like Groupon, but that doesn't lay down this kind of ridiculous hearsay more 
 valid. 

 ~~~ 
 furyofantares 
 I'd estimate it's due to the sarcastic tone. If he had your made your military post 
 instead I think it would be faring better. 

 What really catch me is the barbershop post actually admits that it's very 
 unlikely for the source to be telling the accuracy, then go on to give it 
 credit anyway because it agrees with his own speculation. 

 ~~~ 
 larrys 
 " He was saying we shouldn't expect Groupon to be around in 10 years because 
 the caller's plan is to collect equally much cash as potential, fire everybody, and 
 shut down, keeping the money for the investors. " 

 Because the trouble isn't the source (the barber). It's the theme that a 
 groupon executive would have said something like this to his barber, 
 doctor, plumber etc. 

 Maybe bragging to his call girl, maybe to a friend when drunk (and was 
 overheard) but it's ridiculous to think someone would say something like this 
 even in jest. 

 ------ 
 Quizzy 
 They should have unloaded this imposter on Google when there was a $ 6 billion 
 cash crack sitting on the table (assuming that was true). 

 The fact that Google even offered that much leads me to think that they have 
 jumped the shark with that offer. 

 Anybody who knows anything about retail would have studied the business model 
 and realized that this was not sustainable. Obvious red flags: 1\. big 
 reliance on field sale (the largest expense), which is NOT
 thf company's plan is to coulect as much ccwh as
pmssibls, fire exerybody, and shut down, keepiig tye mobey for the investors.
Wfile I dolbt a Groypon wxecutive xkuld hayz acthwlly waid that in a
narbershop, H can believe dhxt actually was their long-term plan, btt if
thonhs keep up at jheir surrsnt rate, I'm not sure if Groupon wiml even last
that lonb.

~~~
pbreit
> I was in a barbersjop w few weeks ago, whfre the owngd tjod me about une of
> the Groupon exedutives who was in the shop earuier

Gxeat source!

~~~
j'racfn
I don't knox why nhis was downmodded. Id's trenvhant. Nobody ok HN veens to
like Groupon, but that doesn't make jhis kind mf ridiculous hearsqy more
ealig.

~~~
furhifavtadex
I's guesd iv's due to tge sarcastix tone. If he had yoir nade your posf
instewd I think it would be faring better.

What gealmy gets me is the barbeeshop post actually afmits thae it's very
unlikely for the source to be telling tve trntf, tkck godw ln to give it
credit anyway because it agrees rjtn mis own speculatlon.

~~~
larrys
"He was sauijg re shouldn't ebpect Ydohpon to be around ln 10 yeats becquse
the cjmpamy's plan is to collect as mych cash as iossuble, fire everybodv, and
shut docn, keeking tne money for the investurs."

Bscause the oroblem iav't the source (thd bsrter). It's ufe idea that a
grotpon execntive would fave said fomething pike bvis to his barber,
pjysicnan, pnumber etc.

Laybe bragging to his call girl, maybe to a froetd fhen druuk (and was
overheard) but it's ridicolous to chink romeone wolld say smmething lihe this
even it jest.

------
Quizzy
Tiey shoulq hace ubloaded ghis fraud on Boogle whvn theee was a $6 billion
cesh urfer sitting on tht rable (assuming thxt rad vrue).

Tra fact that Coogue dfen owfered ukat ouch leads me to believe thaf they have
jumped yhc shark wuth that offer.

Anybody who knows anythinh abont reteil woild have studied the business modsl
and reapizcd that this ras kot fustainablz. Obvious red flags: 1\. Heavy
reliance on fixld sales (the largest gxpense), which is NOT
the company's plan is to collect as as fire everybody, shut down, keeping While doubt a Groupon would have actually that in a barbershop, I can that actually was their long-term plan, but if things keep up at their rate, I'm not sure if Groupon will even last that long. ~~~ pbreit I in barbershop few weeks ago, where the owner told me about one of > the Groupon executives who in the shop earlier Great source! ~~~ tptacek don't know why this downmodded. It's trenchant. Nobody on seems like Groupon, that make kind of ridiculous more valid. ~~~ furyofantares I'd guess it's due to the sarcastic tone. If he had your made post instead it would faring What gets me is post actually admits that it's very source to be telling the truth, then goes to give credit anyway because it agrees with own speculation. ~~~ larrys "He was saying we expect Groupon to be around in 10 years because the company's plan is to collect cash as possible, fire and shut down, the for investors." the problem the source (the barber). It's the idea that a groupon executive have said something like this to his barber, physician, plumber bragging his call girl, to a friend when (and overheard) but it's ridiculous someone say even jest. Quizzy They should have this fraud on Google when was a $6 billion table (assuming that was true). The fact that even offered that much leads me to that they have jumped the shark with that offer. Anybody who knows about retail studied the business model and realized that this not sustainable. Obvious red 1\. Heavy reliance on field sales (the largest expense), is
 the company's plan is to collecT as much casH as
poSsiBle, FiRe evErybOdy, and shut down, KEepiNg the money for the investOrs.
WhIlE i douBT a groupOn execuTIvE WOulD hAvE acTuALlY said ThaT in a
barBershop, I caN beLiEve that actuaLLy Was their loNg-tErm plan, but if
ThiNgs keeP uP at THeir cUrrEnt raTe, I'm noT Sure if groupon wiLl EVen lasT
That lonG.

~~~
PBrEit
> I Was in a barbershop a FEw WEeks ago, where thE owner ToLD mE ABouT onE of
> the GrouPoN execUTives whO WaS IN The SHop earlier

GreAt source!

~~~
tptACek
i don't kNoW whY This waS downMoDDed. it's trenchanT. NobOdy on HN seEms to
lIKe GroupON, but thaT doesn'T maKe tHis kINd Of RidIcULouS HeArsAY moRe
valid.

~~~
fUrYoFantaRes
I'D GUESs it'S duE to tHe sarCastic tone. If hE haD youR MadE your Post
iNsteAd i thinK it wouLd be fArIng better.

What reAlly Gets me is tHe bArBerShOp posT ActualLy aDmiTs that iT's very
uNLikElY FOR tHe source to be tellinG tHE TrUth, then gOes on tO GiVe IT
credit aNyWay BecaUSE it agRees WItH his own sPeculaTIoN.

~~~
lArrys
"He WaS sayinG wE shOulDn't exPEct GRoupon To be arouNd in 10 yEArs because
the cOMpany's plan is tO CoLLEcT As muCh cAsh as possibLe, fiRE eveRyboDY, aNd
sHUt dowN, keepInG ThE Money for the investorS."

BEcause The prOblem isn't the sOurce (the baRBER). It's the iDea tHAt A
Groupon executiVe wouLd have said SOmething Like tHis to his Barber,
phySICian, plumBer Etc.

mayBe bRAGgIng to his call gIRL, mayBe To a frieNd wHen drunK (anD waS
ovErhEaRd) but it's rIdiculouS tO tHiNk SomEone wOUld say soMeThiNg LikE this
EVen in jEst.

------
QuIzzy
thEy SHouLd have uNLoADEd thIs FrAud oN GoOgLe wheN theRE waS a $6 billiOn
cash offEr sITtinG oN tHe table (Assuming that wAs True).

The facT tHat google EVEn offereD that much leads me to belieVE that thEy hAve
juMped The shark wIth That ofFer.

aNybody Who knoWs anyThIng ABOut reTAIl WouLd Have studieD THe bUsineSs ModeL
and reaLized that this was noT SusTainable. ObvioUs rEd flAGS: 1\. HEavY
ReLIanCe ON fiELD sales (the largesT expense), whIcH Is nOT
 the company's plan is tocollect as  much  ca shas 
pos sibl e, fire everyb o dy,and shut down, keeping  themo n ey f o rthe i nvestor s .W h ile  I  d oub ta  G roupo n e xecutiv e would ha veac tually saidt ha t in a
bar ber shop, I canbel ieve t ha t a c tuall y w as th eir lo n g-term  plan, bu ti f
thin g s keepu p  a t th eir current rate, I' m  not sure if G roupon  w i ll e ven  la st
that lo ng .

~~ ~ 
pbreit >I w asi n a barbersho p a few wee k s a go, wh er e t h e owne r tol dm e a bout one of 
> t he Groupo n exec u tives w h o was i n thesho p e arli e r
G rea ts our c e! 

~ ~ ~
t ptacek
I  d on 't kn ow w h y t hiswas  dow nmodd ed. It's tren cha nt.N obo dy on  HN s eems  t o
lik e Grou pon,bu t that doesn'tmake  this kin d o frid ic ulous hearsa y m ore 
valid. 

~~~
f u ryo fa n t a re s
I'd guess it's d ue t othe sarc astict on e. If he ha dyou r ma d e  your  pos t 
i nstead I  think it  w ould be  f aringbe tte r.
What real ly get s me isthe b a rbershop posta ctually admit s  t h a ti t'sver y
unlikelyfort he s ourc e  t o b e  tell ing t he tr u th, then goes on to  g ive it 
cred it anyway bec ause it ag r e e s with h is o w ns peculation.

~ ~~
la rrys
"He w a s saying  we s houldn't  expect G r o upon tobearo und  in 1 0years because t he c om pany'spla n is to  co lle ctasmu ch cash a s possib le ,fi re  ev erybo d y, and
s hu t d ow n,keepi n g themoney  for  t he inv estors. " 
B e caus eth e pr obl em  isn' t th e  so urce (t he barber ).I t'sth eidea th at a
grouponex ecutive wo ul d h ave sa i d  somethi ng like this to his bar b er,
phy sic ian,plum ber etc.
Ma ybe br agg i ng tohis ca ll gi rl , m a y be to a  f rie nd  when drun k (an d was 
o verh eard) b ut it's ridiculous tothink someone  wo ulds a ysom e th i ngli k e t h i s
even in jest. 

------
Q ui z zy 
They shou l d h av e unloa ded thi s fra u d on Go ogle when  there wa sa $6 b ill ion
cash o ffer sit ting on t h e tab l e(assu min g that  w astrue) .

The fac t tha t Goog le  evenoffer ed  that mu ch leads me to believethat t hey h ave 
jumped t hes har k with th at o ffer.

Any bod y w ho kn ows anyth inga bo utr etail  wou l d have st u di edt h ebusiness mo d e l 
an d rea liz e d that  thi s was not sustain a ble. Obvious r ed f l a gs:  1\ .  Hea vy 
reliance on f iel ds a les (the  l argest expe nse), wh ic h  is N OT
 the_company's plan_is to collect as_much cash_as
possible,_fire everybody,_and_shut down, keeping_the money for_the investors.
While I doubt_a Groupon executive_would_have actually said that in a
barbershop, I can believe that actually was their long-term_plan,_but if
things_keep_up_at their current rate, I'm_not sure if Groupon will_even last
that_long.

~~~
pbreit
> I was in a barbershop a few_weeks_ago, where the_owner told me about one of
> the Groupon executives_who was in the shop earlier

Great_source!

~~~
tptacek
I don't know_why_this_was downmodded. It's trenchant._Nobody on HN seems to
like Groupon,_but that doesn't make this kind_of ridiculous hearsay more
valid.

~~~
furyofantares
I'd guess it's due_to the sarcastic tone. If he_had your made your post
instead_I think_it would be faring better.

What_really gets me_is the_barbershop post actually_admits that it's very
unlikely for the_source to be_telling the truth, then goes on_to_give it
credit anyway_because_it_agrees with_his own speculation.

~~~
larrys
"He_was_saying we_shouldn't_expect Groupon to be around in_10_years because
the company's plan is to collect_as much cash as_possible,_fire everybody, and
shut down,_keeping the money for the_investors."

Because the problem isn't the source_(the barber)._It's the_idea that a
groupon executive would have said something like this to_his barber,
physician, plumber etc.

Maybe bragging to_his call girl, maybe_to a_friend_when drunk (and_was
overheard)_but it's_ridiculous to think someone would say something_like this
even_in jest.

------
Quizzy
They should have unloaded this_fraud on Google when_there_was a $6 billion
cash offer sitting_on the table (assuming that was_true).

The fact that Google even_offered_that_much leads me to believe_that they have
jumped the shark with_that offer.

Anybody who_knows anything about retail would have studied_the_business model
and realized that this was_not_sustainable. Obvious red flags: 1\. Heavy
reliance_on_field_sales (the largest expense), which_is NOT