I recently read in a business book that the secret of great companies is not trying to please everyone – you’ll more likely end up pleasing no one. You’re better off perfecting the experience for a more narrow audience. Since we want to be THE BEST company, we are now implementing the Platonic ideal of that advice by introducing a new program that is perfect for exactly one person.
G-oodies (pronounced “Gah” – pause – “oodies”) is a new part of Groupon Rewards where every day, we mail a highly specific item to one lucky customer. It could be a cat tree, a tie and socks set, or all six seasons of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys – you never know.
Make no mistake – G-oodies aren’t just things our employees have laying around. Each G-oodie is hand-picked and ordered by our staff with the intent of addressing a very particular need and making someone really really happy.
Unfortunately, we haven’t received feedback from most G-oodie recipients, but we did receive this email from Candice T., the lucky winner of an autoharp:
- “Seriously?! What am I supposed to do with an autoharp? I mean if you had sent me something like flowers, tiramisu cheesecakes from The Chesecake Factory, or a boy named Ian, then perhaps, I could have figured out something to do with them. An autoharp? Seriously? Am I allowed to donate it?” – Groupon Rewards Member C.W. Tam
It’s true: the problem with mailing a random person something extremely specific is that not every match will be made in heaven.
But if only once in the next year we manage to give something to someone that is eerily tuned to their deepest desires, we’ll have done our job. For this very reason, I carried a 4 D Cell Maglite in my backpack for my entire junior year of high school. “Darn, I dropped my pencil under teacher’s desk! I’ll tell you Andrew, if only I had a flashlight.” “No problem!” “WOAH! HOW LUCKY I AM THAT YOU HAVE THAT!!!” (unfortunately this fantasy never came to fruition, but the dream helped me make it through that year.)
Go ahead and browse the complete list of G-oodies. And the next time you buy a Groupon, remember that it could mean a dental mouth guard is in your future.
Dee Strickland
onJune 23, 2010 8:29 am
HA! Funny article, Andrew. Brings to mind the first time my DH brought me a present … a yellow legal pad. Imagine that! I didn’t have any idea why I was receiving such a gift or even why, but have learned over the years he is a great guy who loves pleasing even with small gifts while being THOUGHTFUL and KIND to me. I love him for being a person who is giving, no matter the occasion. BTW-my second gift was a DVD of the Yellow Pages…hehe
Jen in Tenn
onJune 28, 2010 4:56 pm
Oh my, one of my fave online comics addressed just this very obsession (see link) a few days ago. Ha. Here’s to hoping I’m a lucky Groupie!
mohsin saeed
onJune 29, 2010 3:57 am
well said It’s true: the problem with mailing a random person something extremely specific is that not every match will be made in heaven.
mohsin saeed
onJune 30, 2010 4:38 am
i think groupon have done a great job. Both for businesses and customer as well. By simply boosting the sale.
Ali Hasan
onJune 30, 2010 4:40 am
Groupon should operate globally. I have heard they are coming to Europe.
Hamid Raza
onJune 30, 2010 6:17 am
There are about 100 competitors.
Olivia F.
onJune 30, 2010 2:13 pm
I can’t tell how much of this post and the one it links to is in fun (e.g….a new thing every day being the intent, but that intent being abandoned soon) vs. being accurate…but I found it hilarious and delightful either way.
JillyBean
onJune 30, 2010 2:14 pm
I’d love to be a G-rouprie (pronounced Gah -pause – roopie) and lucky recipient of a G-oodie!!!
laura
onJune 30, 2010 2:14 pm
love it! and groupon!
Laura
onJune 30, 2010 2:16 pm
That’s just sad that people don’t take the time to say thank you! And even to “harp” about the autoharp. Geez. I say keep on committing random acts of consumer kindness and people should just get a laugh out of the mismatches or quirks. And be grateful for the joy of the surprise!
Dana
onJune 30, 2010 2:16 pm
Screw that, I would totally love a Swiss ball chair.
rose
onJune 30, 2010 2:19 pm
love this! i do this all the time with random stuff i collect at tradeshows and office junk with logos… i package it and send it to someone random. sometimes they like it- sometimes they don’t – hey not everyone is a winner! thank you!
lindsay
onJune 30, 2010 2:21 pm
what a brilliant idea! This makes me wanna buy more just so i can get that random gift. I wish i had that autoharp…
Amy
onJune 30, 2010 2:24 pm
I’m always happy when I get anything for free! Shoot, I’m sure I know someone who’d love an autoharp!
Marisa
onJune 30, 2010 2:24 pm
what a fantastic idea! customer service is a lost art in today’s world and this is just one more way Groupon is stepping up to the plate to give everyone a dazzling experience. Keep up the good work Groupon!
STC
onJune 30, 2010 2:30 pm
how do you guys randomly select the winner? don’t see any canadian winners yet.
Julie B
onJune 30, 2010 2:36 pm
Is guffawing ladylike? I hope so. Love this idea.
libby
onJune 30, 2010 2:41 pm
dang. My deepest desire actually IS an autoharp! I have been shopping around for one on the internet for months, but it hasn’t worked out in my budget yet. Oh, Candice. Please donate that to me.
Kelly
onJune 30, 2010 2:56 pm
this is a wonderful and fun idea!!
Amy Wunderlich
onJune 30, 2010 3:23 pm
honestly? this is the stupidest thing Groupon could have done. I saw the post and thought, wow they are getting on board with the rest of the emmerging coupon sites by giving you credits/prizes once you’ve purchased enough stuff. But no it’s a pointless article about helping no one.
I’m a serious G-roupie and I check it daily. But I’ve seen so many other websites pop-up in just the last month, that have better features and sales. Unfortunate that Groupon isn’t keeping up.
Jackie
onJune 30, 2010 3:32 pm
Receiving anything should be a pleasure, even if you don’t like it, at least you were the one picked. I think the idea is fantastic. Keep up the good work.
A Groupon fan!
SuzyQ
onJune 30, 2010 3:54 pm
Although the idea is cute, I think it’s a bit of a miss. I’d rather accumulate points toward a complimentary Groupon of my choice than receive an item from someone who doesn’t know me, and didn’t even care about my likes and dislikes.
If you want to send a gift out of the blue as a surprise, do it to someone who really needs it. I’d gladly send you links from our local newspaper’s website that contain articles about people who are hurting in these tough times. Maybe you can start a new program by asking Groupon members to nominate people or families from their own area. Just a thought…
Nancie Lafferty
onJune 30, 2010 4:24 pm
How fun!! I love this idea, it’s so random! Keep it up, it makes life that much more fantastic. Thanks, even if I never get picked. It’s fun just checking out the offers, even if I don’t buy very often. It’s cool to see the variety of things out there that are different from my usual.
Michele
onJune 30, 2010 4:57 pm
how about… find 3 non-profits who can use the autoharp. Present them to your groupon subscribers, and those who buy the day’s item get to vote on which non-profit gets the autoharp?? set up a win-win-win situation. (and if you don’t like that, give me the autoharp, and I’ll find a way to donate it… Candice lacked imagination, gratitude and joie de vivre)
Vadersgirl
onJune 30, 2010 5:13 pm
Sign me up for the cat tree!
I didn’t know about G-oodies – do I have to sign up somewhere, or is it just random for any Groupon member already?
Jen
onJune 30, 2010 6:09 pm
Love it. Thanks, Groupon! Way to continue to think creatively. I appreciate the burst of fun you put into my life when I check the deal of the day when I get up in the morning, and this new idea opens the possibility for even greater fun. Thank you!
Kim
onJune 30, 2010 6:41 pm
Seriously!? WHY would someone complain about winning a free gift! I mean, it’s not like it was a bag of dog crap, or a package of depends or something! How ungrateful! I think it’s a great idea!!!!! And fun! Maybe you could start a forum for people who’ve won G-oodies and want to trade them. Not for SELLING, but for trading!
Rosanna Hulson
onJune 30, 2010 7:56 pm
Wow, I would have LOVED to receive an autoharp… my late grandmother played one as she sang childhood songs to me and my siblings, and I’ve always wondered what became of it.
That said, I love the idea of the G-oodies and hope I am a lucky winner someday!
I LOVE Groupon!!
Kimberly S
onJuly 1, 2010 12:14 am
Love your service and love the random gift idea!!! Why not, it sounds FUN!!!!!!
david
onJuly 1, 2010 8:02 am
What grown adult wouldn’t like a pogo stick?!?
Larque Goodson
onJuly 1, 2010 9:07 am
This is the coolest odd-ball giveaway ever! I believed I flushed my mouth guard in the toilet while sleep walking one night, so please pick me for that one! On another note, people refer to the family I married into as the “Goodies” as we are the Goodsons. Another reason – added to a list of many – to love, love, love Groupon.
Nancy Halliday
onJuly 5, 2010 4:00 am
I have already received a random gift from Groupon, I am disabled and on a very small income due to having worked fo myself for much of my life. Groupon (and it’s clones) have allowed me to resume some measure of my preivous lifestylel On receipt of my note, $10 was deposited into my account – what a delightful surprise!
Em
onJuly 5, 2010 2:20 pm
I’d love the auto harp…or anything, because if I couldn’t use, I am sure I could find someone who could…..and pay it forward!!! SO THANKS and I’ll be on the look-out!
Jodi
onJuly 9, 2010 5:27 am
Great concept….. Something unexpected at an unexpected time is always a good thing…..Well.. I guess that’s true unless it’s somthing like the urge to use the restroom when there are none are around. Hey.. there’s an idea for a Groupie reward.. A Go GIrl !
Alyssa B.
onJuly 9, 2010 11:14 am
This is the best idea EVER! I LOVE surprises! Does anybody still have an extra invite laying around? I would love to get in on this!
Cindy Morus
onAugust 23, 2010 4:01 pm
Can you link to the G-oodies so we can buy? I’d love to see those silicon cupcake papers!