The Trade in Online Coupons (D/USA)

It sounds too good to be true: a discount website selling virtual vouchers that can be used for price reductions of up to 80% on goods and services. Provided the minimum number of customers has been reached for buying the coupon, the transaction goes ahead. Customers save money. The person selling the item loses money on the deal, but profits from the long-term promotional effect - at least that's the idea. In most cases, however, customers only make the one visit - specifically for the deal in question. Beauty specialist Stefanie Theobald tried the idea twice for her cosmetics studio in Berlin. The first time ended in disaster, because too many customers came. Her second attempt was a success. Peter Lassek works for a consumer association and explains the potential pitfalls of discount sites.