[sanj]

What I would like is the anti-Groupon.

Right now, every time I see a place that I currently frequent show up on Groupon I cringe. It means that my favorite restaurant or coffeeshop is going to be mobbed by cheapskates looking to save a few bucks. It means that the staff is going to be harried and tired. It means that I won't be able to get a reservation for a few months.

I want a way for these places to say "Hey -- regulars! We love you! Come back and spend time here so that we can avoid daily deals. We'll be happier and so will you!"

[pavel_lishin]

If you're a regular, aren't loyalty cards - you know, hole-punch-tracked rewards, etc. - enough? How much web connectivity do you need from a place that you actually frequent?

[GFischer]

Some (MMOT) classmates are trying to do that (loyalty cards for small shops plus online advertising).

The main block is actually apathy from the storeowners - they don't believe they need it, most of them are conformists and traditionalists, not enterprising or risk-takers.

[9085]

Creating that web of connections online and offline is highly valuable to a company. The more loyalty you have the better. The online world should help reinforce offline relationships. The internet is, after all, a tool.