[gingerlime]

Not a heavy foursquare user, but have used it occasionally mostly to check out recommended places to eat nearby, not so much for the social aspect of checking-in.

In this case, seeing some discounts around me when I search might not be such a bad thing. As long as I don't doubt the integrity or priority of real user recommendations over paid ones. If they strike a good balance, I can see this becoming a good direction for all involved: foursquare, me as a customer and (perhaps also very importantly) local businesses...

On the last front however, I can see how big businesses take over the advertised space, being able to pay more for it, and in turn perhaps pushing small local businesses out of focus. This could be the biggest risk I imagine.