[eclipticplane]

> "millions of consumers around the world have experienced their local cities because of our products"

I think its a fair assessment, but not the full story.

Millions of people did do things they wouldn't normally do. No way in hell I'm going to pay $200 for a family "dolpin tour" where you usually don't see dolphins, but when it's on LivingSocial (or similar sites) for $50? Sure, why not.

Now, whether it was a boon or bust for local businesses or not is a debated topic. I'm pretty sure that dolphin tour place actually lost money on my trip, or came close to break-even at most, and we were one time customers.

[alxbrun]

Really weird for a dolphin tour business to do a coupon deal... How on earth would somebody become a regular customer of a dolphin tour ?

[jazzyb]

I would imagine they're hoping the people using the coupons have a good time and then tell their friends about it, and the tour gains more money through word-of-mouth.

[steveklabnik]

Exactly.

[rhizome]

Not to mention that a normal, no-dolphins-promised boat ride may be less than $50 undiscounted anyway.