Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Cheap Eats / News Zumi Groupon Causes Cyber Stampede
Posted by Nicki Wood on Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 11:07 AM
If you checked Twitter Tuesday morning, you might have seen the tweet for a coupon from Zumi Sushi and clicked the link for a $15 "Groupon" that buys $35 of Zumi Sushi.
The tweet went out at 6:14 p.m. I clicked the link at 6:47 a.m. By that time, 1,032 people had bought a groupon in a virtual land-rush that bogged down the Zumi Sushi site and sold out the cyberstock. Zumi manager Morgan Luck and owner Patrick Burke said people were trying to redeem their coupons before they were valid.
The way the Groupon site works is to offer a daily deal that's too good to miss, but which only happens if enough people sign up. Inviting people is a nice gesture that spreads the love while simultaneously ensuring that the deal goes through. Pretty sweet.
Other local restaurants that have tried it include ChaChah and Cabana.If you were you one of the lucky 1,032 who got a Zumi coupon, or one of the ChaChah or Cabana coupons, report in and tell how you did it.
Comments (17)
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Have you ever looked into the legitimacy of Groupon? It was first funded by a guy called a "huckster" by Barron's in 2007. Its own site is filled with report of credit card mischarges, vague "fine print" on deals, and poor quality of deals. Why are you advocating that your readers give these guys their credit card info?
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I tried it out for the first time when I saw the Zumi ad. I had attempted Cabana's a week prior, but it was sold out by the time I got to the email advertising it. When I signed up for the Zumi coupon, it let me know that I would be getting an email shortly confirming my purchase. That happened within the hour and I was able to go on and print it off, to be used as early as the next day.
I understand Anonymous's concern; but considering that restaurants are validating the coupon's legitimacy, I feel it's safe enough.
I've purchased multiple groupons (in fact, I have a feeling that groupon offerings will be determining my dining choices from now on!) for ChaChah, the Cocoa Tree, and now Zumi. Haven't used it yet, but I plan to very soon!
My first Groupon was the Bourbon Fest downtown. I even had to add-on more "groupons" had didn't have any problems with my credit card or my tickets. I think it's a great site, and should be advocated!
Sweet post, I'll be interested to see what kind of experience your readers had if they got one of the recent Groupons.
I think the anonymous commentator might be confusing us with arch-rival Nopuorg.com. No hard feelings though.
Keith
(editor at groupon)
I have made 3 separate purchases via Groupon (total of 5 certificates). No problems for this satisfied customer. I have recommended Groupon to many friends and coworkers and everyone seems satisfied thus far.
My friend and I used her Zumi certificate last night and had a wonderful dinner. I still have the 2 Zumi certificates that I purchased. I can't wait to go back.
I started using Groupons in another city and was delighted to see they've made their way to Nashville. Every experience I've had has been exceptional.
The best part for me is that Groupon gives you a unique link to refer to your friends, and then pays you $10 in Groupon-redeemable cash for each referral. What that means for me is that every time a sweet deal comes along, it pays for me to buy it because I know my friends will use my link and cover my costs (don't tell them that.
I've purchased a Flyte, 2 ChaChah, and a Cabana and have been completely satisfied with the service so far.
I'm a little surprised that Zumi sold that many so quickly...I really haven't been super excited about anything I've tried there. (and I've gone 4 times, trying different things each time) Am I missing out on something special I should be ordering???
I've purchased Zumi, ChaChah, and Miro but haven't used them yet. I did however buy and use the GroupOn tickets to Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ with no problem at all. I'm loving having Groupon in Nashville! I haven't eaten at Zumi yet but wanted to try it, and this Groupon was the perfect chance.
Got one for Cha Chah the other day -- have not used it yet, but had no problem securing it.
Ignorant ole me -- I didn't know that a certain # of people had to bite to make it work. I will continue to keep my eyes out as it *seems* like a great deal.
I wasn't interested in Zumi, but I got on board thanks to Beth and Sally/Sallaboutme when Chachah offered their groupon. I bought two and have already used one with no problem at all. Husband and I treated my mom to a visit when she was here after Thanksgiving and loved it, of course. Yay Groupon!
I have purchased at least 5 Groupons, and I'll admit, I wished I could afford to purchase more. I even stalked the Chicago Groupon site for a good restaurant offer, and purchased one before I went on a weekend trip there. I have used 2 of the 5 Groupons I've purchased, and never had a bit of a problem.
Oh, and wanna know how I've been able to score Groupons... I work night shift, and so when that clock turns midnight, it's the highlight of my night! Either the Cha-Cha or Cabana, I was the very first purchaser! Haha... This shift does have it's perks.
I have been unable to purchase a SINGLE Nashville Originals gift certificates since I began this night shift back in Feb. I got home from work at 5am Wed morning, and I stayed up until 6am, hoping that's when the Nashville Originals went on sale... but I was disappointed, it must of went online at 7am. By the time I woke up at 2pm, everything was sold out. Groupon has sort of taken it's place in my pocketbook I must admit.
I purchased a groupon for house cleaning and used it last week. I also got one of the Zumi ones and plan on using it next month. I think it's great!
the problem with buying the chachah groupon is that then you have to eat at chachah - which i did. with my groupon. last night.
they couldn't pay me to ever go back. the tapas we ordered were so bad - the quail wings were pretty awful, the calamari was soggy and an aioli dip was wrong for it, the mushrooms on pistachio cream cheese toast were a bad idea, the white bean soup was a bore, the salad was ok at best... oh - the brussels sprouts were good. best thing going.
had that chocolate thing for dessert. just a melted chocolate bar with a marshmallow which is good but you eed more marshmallows if only to break u the monotony. kind of single note and VERY sweet.
oh well. another shitty nashville dinner. i swear i try and be fair - but damn it. even my boyfriend thought it was pretty bad.
ONE THING ABOUT THE GROUPONS PEOPLE... remember to tip your waiters on what would have been the full amount.
AMEN, Claudia. I just don't get the love ChaChah gets on this site - we've tried it twice and only went back the 2nd time because we were sure it must have just been an off night the 1st visit. But no, bad food & bad service both times - eerily reminiscent of every experience I've had at PM (surprise, surprise).
I actually only signed up for Groupon after recommendations from friends in other cities, who have had good experiences with it elsewhere. I've used one groupon so far and had no issues, I have two more waiting to be used.
I have used my groupon at zumi. FYI you have to spend all of the $35 at one sitting. It is also not valid during their happy hour times which I think ends at 7. On average you can purchase two apps, 4 (on the cheaper side) sushi rolls and waters. I recommend the crunch shrimp roll or the black and gold which runs around 9 bucks. They also have some entrees that run about 8 or 9 dollars.
