We’ve heard the same kinds of stories from customers and local small businesses alike about the big group buying sites. They can be handy for customer acquisition — but the discounts are too high, the offer periods too long and the cost per customer acquired often close to ruining the business altogether.

But the concept is still a good one — IF it’s geared to the needs of local businesses and IF they can control all factors. And IF it can be kept within their local prime market areas! (My wife often complains about having to drive halfway across Melbourne just to redeem a coupon — and local businesses tell me regularly that it’s a waste of time and money promoting offers to people who are unlikely to become regular customers because of distance: they’re “oncers” simply because the business has been forced to discount prices by 70%-90%, and people from other areas come for the once-only deal.

We’ve created a solution (fully-integrated, affordable, local and controlled by local business owners) that still has the kind of reach that the BIG guys can offer: the SpendSmarter Canny Buyers Network.

Give me a call if you’d like to know more — we’ll be launching in Perth by mid-2012.