Genius Groupon glove-slaps Amazon

Groupon provides daily deals

Amazon.com is taking shots from every direction. Ever since the company launched its Dec. 10 Price Check mobile app promotion, the company has been called everything from “evil” to “anti-small business.”

The basis behind the industry-wide ire is that Amazon's app enables and encourages consumers to compare prices in brick-and-mortar locations with Amazon's online prices, which is not cool because, well, Amazon prices are cheaper and they're stealing business from mom-and-pops. I won't thrust myself into this debate for two reasons: 1) I haven't fully formed an opinion because 2) The capitalist in me is thumb-wrestling the Che Guevara in me on whether all's fair in love and e-commerce.

What I am willing to divulge is my fascination with how Groupon, a company that has recently drawn its own fair share of industry-wide scorn and Juan Martinez's passionate criticism, has turned the Amazon outrage into a PR blitz.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Groupon is “firing back” by offering a “Buy Local” promotion that gives customers $10 in Groupon credit for purchasing a daily deal in a physical store.

Genius.

Groupon, the company that insulted the nation of Tibet, the SEC and its own merchants (all within the past year mind you), has taken advantage of Amazon's miscue and turned itself into the $700 million average Joe!

Too bad eBay already beat them to the punch. Doh!