Groupon cops triple slam from ads authority, blames newbies

ASA bitchslaps voucher mammoth over cheap tuck, Segways

Voucher site Groupon has promised not to republish adverts judged by the Advertising Standards Authority to be misleading.

The company said that during its exponential growth it had hired hundreds of new staff and the ads in question were written by new starters.

The ASA upheld complaints against an email advert which said: "Today's deal: £9.80 instead of £24.50 for two people to enjoy fantastic all you can eat Brazilian Rodizio food at ... Save 60%" The regulator ruled the advert failed to make clear that one person had to pay the full price of £24.50 in order for their companion to pay £9.80.

Groupon said it had no commercial interest in misleading its customers. It blamed a drafting error by a new member of staff for the error. It said some such human errors were inevitable despite checking procedures. The company also said it would reimburse customers who complained.

Two other adverts for "Segway safaris" and another restaurant were also judged to be misleading and cannot be used again in their present form.

Go here to see the ASA's full judgement against Groupon. ®