Consumer Protection in Online Discount Voucher Sales with Paul Kominers

We evaluate five areas where online discount voucher services — Groupon and similar sites — risk falling afoul of applicable consumer protection law. We present applicable laws from selected states and evaluate compliance by voucher services and their affiliated merchants. We examine voucher services’ attempts to limit their liability, and we explain why consumers and regulators should find current practices insufficient.

Details, including specific legal requirements, vendors’ practices, and assessing responsibility:

Consumer Protection in Online Discount Voucher Sales