SmallBizGenius Analysis
Livingsocial, a deals and voucher marketplace, receives overwhelmingly negative feedback regarding customer service, order fulfillment, and refund policies. Customers frequently report issues with unfulfilled orders, difficulty contacting customer support, and being denied refunds even when merchants fail to honor vouchers.
Category Breakdown
Scores based on analysis of 96 recent reviews
Customer Service Issues
1.0/10Numerous reviewers complain about the difficulty of contacting customer service, long wait times, unhelpful representatives, and being disconnected. Many state there is no email or chat option, and phone support is often unresponsive, leading to frustration and unresolved issues. For example, one reviewer stated, "There is NO WAY to contact them!!!! SO bloody frustrating when something goes wrong on their end (and it did)."
65 reviews mention thisOrder Fulfillment Problems
1.5/10Many customers report not receiving ordered goods, even after extended periods. They often cite a lack of communication from Livingsocial regarding shipping updates and difficulty obtaining information about their orders. One reviewer said, "Ordered goods worth over £70 on 3rd Dec, supposedly in time for Christmas. Have received nothing."
35 reviews mention thisRefund Difficulties
1.0/10A recurring complaint is the difficulty in obtaining refunds, even when merchants fail to honor vouchers or when services are not provided. Customers often report being offered 'deal bucks' instead of a cash refund, which they find unsatisfactory. One reviewer stated, "Living Social has the worst customer service of any business I’ve ever dealt with. They refused to help me on a problem I had with one of my purchase from them."
40 reviews mention thisVoucher Redemption Issues
1.5/10Several reviewers mention issues with redeeming vouchers, including merchants refusing to honor them or being unable to schedule appointments within the voucher's validity period. Some also report misleading fine print that was not clear at the time of purchase. A reviewer shared, "The merchant will not honor my groupon from Living social because I was not a new patient.I cannot contact Living social at all Living social will not respond horrible service."
20 reviews mention thisMisleading or Inaccurate Product Descriptions
2.0/10Some customers report that products received did not match the descriptions provided on the website, leading to disappointment and a feeling of being misled. This includes issues with product quality and materials. One reviewer noted, "No refund offered for inferior products that are never as described."
8 reviews mention thisUnwanted Email Spam
2.0/10Several reviewers express frustration with receiving excessive and unwanted emails from Livingsocial, even after attempting to unsubscribe. They describe the emails as spam and a nuisance. One reviewer stated, "I keep trying to unsubscribe but they keep sending mails every day.I will report this company because what they’re doing is abuse."
10 reviews mention thisPros & Cons
Common Complaints
"You can't contact them! Both Groupon and Living Social are totally impossible to contact! Extremely frustrating."
"Ordered goods worth over £70 on 3rd Dec, supposedly in time for Christmas. Have received nothing."
"Living Social has the worst customer service of any business I’ve ever dealt with. They refused to help me on a problem I had with one of my purchase from them."
"Bought a voucher for a house powerwash in March 2020, appointment set for May 5th. Did not show after stating he would when called to confirm the day before arrival. Rescheduled 3 more times, failed to show also failed to answer calls and text messages on numerous occasions. When he did text message, stated he would arrive on May 18th. This was a overcast day which called for rain, a no show by him without a phone call to even reschedule. Asked for a refund from LivingSocial. getting a run around from them."
"No refund offered for inferior products that are never as described."
Common Questions About Livingsocial
Answers derived from customer review patterns
Is Livingsocial legit and trustworthy?
Based on 96 reviews, Livingsocial has a very poor reputation for trustworthiness. Numerous customers report issues with unfulfilled orders, difficulty contacting customer service, and being denied refunds even when merchants fail to honor vouchers. The overwhelming negative feedback suggests a high risk associated with using Livingsocial, and customers should exercise extreme caution before making a purchase. Many reviewers explicitly advise against using the platform, citing it as a scam or a source of frustration.
Based on 45 reviewsDoes Livingsocial have good customer service?
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that Livingsocial has extremely poor customer service. Customers consistently report long wait times, difficulty reaching representatives, and unhelpful or unresponsive support staff. Many reviewers state that there is no email or chat option, making it even harder to resolve issues. The lack of effective customer service is a major source of frustration and a recurring theme in negative reviews.
Based on 65 reviewsIs Livingsocial worth it for small businesses?
Based on the available reviews, Livingsocial does not appear to be a worthwhile platform for small businesses. One review explicitly mentions a small business not being paid for a promotion run through Livingsocial. The platform's poor customer service and issues with fulfilling orders could negatively impact a small business's reputation and lead to financial losses. Small businesses should carefully consider these risks before engaging with Livingsocial for promotional purposes.
Based on 5 reviewsWhat is Livingsocial's return policy like?
The reviews suggest that Livingsocial has a restrictive and unfavorable return policy. Many customers report difficulty obtaining refunds, even when products are faulty or not as described. Some reviewers mention being offered 'deal bucks' instead of a cash refund, which they find unacceptable. The combination of a difficult return process and unhelpful customer service makes the return experience with Livingsocial highly problematic.
Based on 40 reviewsWhy are Livingsocial vouchers not being honored?
Several reviewers report that merchants are refusing to honor Livingsocial vouchers, citing various reasons such as not being reimbursed by Livingsocial or claiming the voucher is not valid for their services. This issue appears to stem from a disconnect between Livingsocial and its partner merchants, leading to customer frustration and financial loss. Customers are advised to verify voucher validity directly with the merchant before purchasing to avoid potential issues.
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