I Love Groupon! But Is Everyone Stealing They're Idea?

So, I have to admit it: I'm a huge fan of Groupon.com.  If you haven't checked it out yet, you are obviously not one of Bergen County's super-elite, in-the-know, cool people.  So if I were you, I'd get on it.

For those of you that do know about Groupon, it's pretty darn cool isn't it?  These guys nailed it.  The concept is smart: Offer the consumer one meaningful discount or "deal" per day from a hand-selected company in their area that is worth buying from.  Whether it's from a high-end spa, a super swanky restaurant, a cooking school, or a hair removal service center, there is eventually something worth buying for everyone.  The fact that you get just one offer a day let's you clear the mind of all mental clutter so that you can focus on the true task at hand:  Do I like this offer? If the answer is "No," great move on with your day at the rat race.  If the answer is "yes," run your card number, get your certificate and use it when your calendar frees up.  Simple, elegant and smart. 

So, if you are already a fan of Groupon, have you noticed how their business model is popping up all over the place?  For instance, I'm also a subscriber of OpenTable.com.  OpenTable is a free service that lets you make reservations at thousands of restaurants nationwide without having to talk to any annoying humans, all from the comfort of your computer or on your iPhone (or other not-so-cool smart phones), and rewards you for doing so.  At the end of the day, making your dinner arrangements through OpenTable translates to FREE FOOD.  Nothing wrong with that, right?  However, now they are also offering Groupon-esque coupons on their site for really cool restaurants in your subscriber area.  $20 for 40 bucks worth of food and drinks at such-and-such hot restaurant or $50 bucks for a four course dinner with wine parings.  It makes it hard not to blow your whole paycheck while reading your email.  Anyway, the format is very obviously the very same as Groupon.  I wonder if Groupon is in on it?

I also saw the same Groupon format in an email that I received from WestchesterMagazine.com.  (Yes, I know I write about great restaurants in Bergen County, but I sometimes I do shoot across the border...)  In the email, WestchesterMagazine.com offered me $18 worth or really awesome looking cupcakes for 9 bucks ala the Groupon method.  (Which, by the way, looked so damn good, I almost licked the screen.)  So what I want to know is: Is Groupon in on it? Our they getting their rightly deserved props for these offerings?  Are they the ones that are actually providing the content?  Please chime in if you have some thoughts or an inside track on this topic, because I am thoroughly intrigued.

I'll try to respond if I can still type after I get my 840-dollars-worth of laser hair removal that I bought for under 150 bucks! Yahhooo!