To Groupon or Not to Groupon

Groupon is amazing for consumers, but I'm not sure it's so amazing for business owners. For the last year, we've been contacted by Groupon and many Groupon knockoffs, asking us to offer a deal.

For any Groupon virgins out there, here's how the deal would work, assuming Pacifier offers a $40 gift card for $20: Would-be customers buy the deal on Groupon's website. We can specify a minimum and maximum number of deals sold. Of the $20 paid by the customer, $10 goes to Groupon, and $10 goes to Pacifier.

Under this deal, we would essentially be selling products at a 75% discount. But...let's just say we need more than a 25% margin to stay in business.

Groupon sales reps like to counter my skepticism with the following points:
1. They bring in a lot of new customers
2. These new customers will be repeat customers
3. These new customers will spend a lot more than the $40 gift card
3. We get some revenue upfront

We did offer a deal like this last holiday season with a local company. I think we sold about 150 gift certificates. From that experience, we've learned that #2 and #3 above do not seem to be true. (Just so it's clear - I'm not sneering at anyone out there. I am one of those deal-seekers who rarely spends well above the gift certificate amount. I do, though, always tip at least 20% of the bill before the discount...it's the former waitress in me. Unfortunately, customers do not tip at retail establishments, so our employees would not benefit in this way from such deals.)

However, I am willing to experiment. So tonight, I had the brilliant (I hope) idea of running our own social media deal through Facebook. In fact, it's going on right now here: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122298687849036

To publicize the deal, I've created a Facebook Event Ad targeted at the Twin Cities area. Hopefully this will attract some new customers outside of our current fan base. I love trying new marketing approaches, especially with Facebook (it's fascinating how Facebook has changed our personal and business lives). We'll see how it goes.

Mother's Day Super Giveaway!

Check out our Mother's Day Super Giveaway on Facebook! Going on now and ends on Mother's Day, May 8.

We're giving away the Bento Ultimate Diaper Bag by Skip Hop, an Oh Plah! Teething Bracelet by Roundhouse Design, and a $50 Pacifier Gift Card to our favority photo.

Plus, get the most "likes" on your photo and win a $100 Pacifier Gift Card! Tell your friends and family to like your photo!

Good luck and have a wonder Mother's Day!

N,E. Minneapolis IceBreaker Shop Crawl

This Saturday, April 30, only! Save 15% off the entire store. Excludes sale items, in-store, in-stock items only. Lots of great deals from neighborhood businesses, too. Hope to see you there!

Monday Giveaway: modBonnet by UB2

Happy Monday! Today we're giving away a very cool, cute, and retro UB2 modBonnet of your choice! Just in time for high summer.

To enter, tell us in the comments below: what is your favorite outdoor activity when the sun is shining bright? Remember to double your chances by entering on Facebook. The winner will be announced tomorrow on Facebook!

Tea Stylista Contest + Spring Sale - 2 Days Only!

Monday Giveaway: Necklace + Bracelet Set by Chewbeads

Today's giveaway: a bracelet and necklace set by Chewbeads! Mommy chic and baby safe, Chewbeads are made of silicone, which is soft on baby's gums and emerging teeth. They're also BPA-free and come in a wide array of colors.

 

To enter, simply visit Chewbeads on our website and tell us (in the comments below) which color is your favorite. Remember to double your chances by entering on Facebook! The randomly selected winner will be announced on our Facebook wall tomorrow. Good luck!

Monday Giveaway: Bashful Babies by Jellycat

Today's giveaway will help you fill those Easter baskets: check out Jellycat's super-soft Bashful Babies and tell us in the comments section below which TWO are your favorite. A randomly selected winner will have two shipped to their home. Enter on Facebook to double your chances. We'll announce the winner tomorrow on Facebook!