Groupon discrimination?!?

[darpy]

I am a little slow responding to this, but I will anyway


This issue has nothing to do with passes etc and people running off without paying. My guess is, the OP is trying to get one of the constant beauty specials that come up, like facials etc.

The reason they dont allow tourists is because these business con you into going initially for really cheap, then do the hard sell to get you to sign packages over the long term. I never bother with them, but my wife (who is a citizen) has them all the time. She uses the excuse she is from Australia and here on holiday so she cant go, and I am guessing this is what they want to avoid.

I have always avoided getting the cheap facials etc for this reason. She went to one where it was a case of buy one get one free. Her aunty gave her the free pass, so she went along. Half way through they told her she needs collagen treatment for $170, and then pressure her when there is all sorts of stuff on her face.

[Chiisora]

So I know this might be a few years too late but I'm still going to put up my experiences into the vast wide interwebs. I usually don't buy GroupOn for this sole reason - because I'm an S Pass holder. Also, I'm a member of GroupOn Australia and they don't do this either. I just booked a massage and spa facilities package at Spa Infinity but was told that because I'm an S Pass holder, I'm not entitled to the offer. Obviously, now I have to get a refund from GroupOn.

Firstly, to those that say since we're just foreigners (even though I am full-time employed here and even earn more than some Employment Pass holders) doesn't mean that I won't be coming back or won't be loyal to the company. If they provide good service and value, why wouldn't I return?

Secondly, to those that say some foreigners would just do a runner after paying for a GroupOn, I don't understand this logic as the customer has to pay for the service FIRST. Therefore, why would we pay and then run? WE are the ones that are paying for this. And I don't know about you, but when I pay for something, I usually try and get the product/service that I paid for. How are the companies NOT benefiting from this? How is this a LOSS to the companies? More like a loss to the paying customer who doesn't get the service and then are told to go get a refund!

Thirdly, the definition of Discrimination as defined through Google:

1.the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
2.recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another.
3.the selection of a signal having a required characteristic, such as frequency or amplitude, by means of a discriminator.

Point number 1 is already what the companies are doing - they are being unjust in their treatment towards different categories of people; not on the grounds of race, age or sex but on the grounds of our residency status as either a Singaporean, PR, Employment Pass or S Pass.

Point number 2 again, they recognise and understand the difference between a Singaporean, PR, Employment Pass or S Pass - and guess what? They're using it against us! Example, an S Pass holder enters a phone shop to purchase a new model Samsung S7 but is told that because they are an S Pass holder, they are not able to buy an S7 but look, you can buy this old model S4! However, when a Singaporean enters the store and wants to buy the S7, well that's no problem because you're a Singaporean!

Also, I want to differentiate the difference between 'preference' and 'discrimination'. If someone doesn't want to go out with a Caucasian woman, yes, that is your preference. But is the reason why you don't go out with Caucasian women because you're not attracted to them or because they're Caucasian? If it's because you're not attracted, fine. If it's because they're Caucasian, that's discrimination. Same applies to the companies that are issuing GroupOn service vouchers, why is an Employment Pass able to get the service but an S Pass isn't?

Finally, I just want to conclude that just because discrimination happens everywhere in Asia (and yes, I've realised this through living in Singapore for the past few years) doesn't mean that it's acceptable and should be tolerated.

[sundaymorningstaple]

So. Your point is? You do know, if you don't like it. Changi is at the East end of the Island and they won't discriminate in selling you a one-way ticket out of here.

[x9200]

So I know this might be a few years too late but I'm still going to put up my experiences into the vast wide interwebs. I usually don't buy GroupOn for this sole reason - because I'm an S Pass holder. Also, I'm a member of GroupOn Australia and they don't do this either. I just booked a massage and spa facilities package at Spa Infinity but was told that because I'm an S Pass holder, I'm not entitled to the offer. Obviously, now I have to get a refund from GroupOn.

Firstly, to those that say since we're just foreigners (even though I am full-time employed here and even earn more than some Employment Pass holders) doesn't mean that I won't be coming back or won't be loyal to the company. If they provide good service and value, why wouldn't I return?

Secondly, to those that say some foreigners would just do a runner after paying for a GroupOn, I don't understand this logic as the customer has to pay for the service FIRST. Therefore, why would we pay and then run? WE are the ones that are paying for this. And I don't know about you, but when I pay for something, I usually try and get the product/service that I paid for. How are the companies NOT benefiting from this? How is this a LOSS to the companies? More like a loss to the paying customer who doesn't get the service and then are told to go get a refund!

Thirdly, the definition of Discrimination as defined through Google:

1.the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
2.recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another.
3.the selection of a signal having a required characteristic, such as frequency or amplitude, by means of a discriminator.

Point number 1 is already what the companies are doing - they are being unjust in their treatment towards different categories of people; not on the grounds of race, age or sex but on the grounds of our residency status as either a Singaporean, PR, Employment Pass or S Pass.

Point number 2 again, they recognise and understand the difference between a Singaporean, PR, Employment Pass or S Pass - and guess what? They're using it against us! Example, an S Pass holder enters a phone shop to purchase a new model Samsung S7 but is told that because they are an S Pass holder, they are not able to buy an S7 but look, you can buy this old model S4! However, when a Singaporean enters the store and wants to buy the S7, well that's no problem because you're a Singaporean!

Also, I want to differentiate the difference between 'preference' and 'discrimination'. If someone doesn't want to go out with a Caucasian woman, yes, that is your preference. But is the reason why you don't go out with Caucasian women because you're not attracted to them or because they're Caucasian? If it's because you're not attracted, fine. If it's because they're Caucasian, that's discrimination. Same applies to the companies that are issuing GroupOn service vouchers, why is an Employment Pass able to get the service but an S Pass isn't?

Finally, I just want to conclude that just because discrimination happens everywhere in Asia (and yes, I've realised this through living in Singapore for the past few years) doesn't mean that it's acceptable and should be tolerated.

So you think it is all based on xenophobia? Some of the arguments are rubbish, but some are at least good enough to make a case for someone to believe.

[PNGMK]

Groupon sucks anyways.