Scoopon digs deep to the tune of $1M to assist customers affected by Air Australia collapse
18 February 2012, Melbourne, Australia: Following the collapse of Air Australia, leading group buying site Scoopon has stepped in to offer on the ground support in Phuket, Thailand and refunds for customers left stranded by the airline's demise.
Scoopon ran two deals with Air Australia in July 2011 offering Melbourne-Phuket and Brisbane-Phuket return flights for $599. Jared Baker, executive general manager at Scoopon advised that the company is doing everything it can to assist customers that have been impacted by the collapse of Air Australia.
"We were shocked and surprised to learn of the airline’s collapse, however our concerns were first and foremost with our customers who have been stranded in Phuket and ensuring that they are looked after,” said Baker.
"Within two hours of learning of the situation, we had a representative on the ground at Phuket Airport who’s assisting stranded customers with meals, bus transfers and accommodation
"We have also commenced the process of reimbursing customers stranded to assist with the cost of getting home,” he said.
For customers yet to travel and whose flights are not covered under a travel insurance or credit card protection policy, Scoopon will step in offering customers a refund or credit for their flights.
With over 3,000 flights sold, the refunds and on the ground assistance for customers stranded in Phuket is expected to cost the business up to AU$1M, however Baker says the company is not concerned about the cost, as its priority is to do the right thing by customers.
"At a time like this I think all businesses need to put customers ahead of profits and do the right thing. I have been surprised and disappointed by the response to date by many travel operators. We hope that they will take our lead and match our move with refunds and offers of support to customers who have been impacted by the collapse," said Baker.
Scoopon customers are advised to contact the company through the dedicated help centre that has been set up on the Scoopon website and to keep watch for updates which will be posted via the company's social media channels.
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Melissa Shawyer: +61 412 066 048 melissa@prgroup.com.au
About Scoopon
Scoopon is Australia’s number one group buying site, featuring one unbeatable deal a day on a range of lifestyle experiences and products. Founded by brothers Gabby and Hezi Leibovich in 2010, Scoopon is part of the CatchOfTheDay ecommerce group, which includes Australia’s number 1 online department store, catchoftheday.com.au and grocery site groceryrun.com.au. The group boasts a combined membership base of more than 1.8 million shoppers and receives over 150,000 visitors to its sites every day.
In June 2011 the group received $80 million in funding from a consortium of investors comprising James Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings, international investment firm Tiger Global and Andrew Basset from Seek, setting a $200 million market valuation and cementing its position as the leading ecommerce group in Australia.
Scoopon and its related business are headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, and employ over 300 people.
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