By Wailin Wong
| Another Web-based group buying service has launched in Chicago, joining an increasingly crowded field pioneered by local start-up Groupon.
New York-based KGB, the company behind an eponymous text-message answer service, officially launched KGB Deals in Chicago and six other cities on Monday. Like other group buying sites, KGB will offer a daily deal for a local business. The offer is activated when a minimum number of people sign up for it. The inaugural Chicago deal is for $4 tickets to any AMC theater and covers the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.
Dozens of companies are competing in the daily deal space, most of them
with business models and promotional tactics similar to Groupon. KGB
still operates its texting service, which employs people across the
country to answer questions texted to “542542.” KGB Deals first launched
in New York in March.
Not impressed with this site – you can only purchase one ticket at the sale price (in the terms and conditions it strictly limits sale to one) which makes it more hassle than it is worth. I am not greedy, but let me purchase atleast 2 so that I can take the wife with me at the discounted rate.
Also, the site does not keep track of your purchases like Groupon, so you have to manually enter your info every time you want purchase something. Fail.
Good or bad, I have to wonder why a company would use the initials of the Soviet Secret Police?