Group buying industry releases code of conduct
Australia’s group buying industry has formally launched its code of conduct four months after announcing it at Mumbrella360.
The move comes after a run of bad publicity about poor consumer experiences for those who have bought deals.
The framework for the code of conduct was first launched by Spreets, which is owned by Yahoo!7, and Cudo, owned by NineMSN.
They announced the code at a Mumbrella360 session on group buying which also featured the bosses of Living Social/p On it and Catch Of The Day/ ScoopOn who immediately agreed to sign up.
Up until now, Group Buying has largely ignored the individual. I have twice personally enquired about the high original value and degree of discount on specific advertised specials, with no acknowledgement of receipt of my email or reply. Let’s hope the Code instigates an honest two-way conversation.
It’s interesting that the very companies that have been in breach of almost every aspect of the code have said they will now abide by it and behind closed doors, administer judgement on breaches. We will see if they improve upon the wrongs they have been guilty of in the past.