How to Set up Groupon External API
Last updated: December 17, 2022
Groupon External API
Groupon Connects to the FareHarbor API through two different Channel Managers – Redeam and Ingresso. The request will come from Groupon, and it will tell you which Channel Manager to connect through. Groupon will sometimes attach the signed contract – if the signed contract is attached, you can begin the setup process. If the signed contract is not attached, please wait for confirmation from the charter company.
Adding Groupon to the Dashboard
- Add the corresponding affiliate (links to correct dashboards above) to the charter dashboard.
You will need to create a new Total Sheet & a new 0% Billing Invoice Sheet. Please make sure that the Tax is turned off on the Total Sheet & Not Taxed is selected on the Invoice Sheet. Each sheet should be labeled with the corresponding Channel Manager.
Groupon will sometimes be clear on which item we will be working on. On the top example, we can easily tell that the item name is Pizza, Beet & Paul Revere Guided Tour. However, on the bottom example, it is not as clear. In this case, we can turn to the Value price to help determine which item we will be using. The value price would match the online price in the dashboard. However, it is always important to confirm with the tour provider in order to avoid any misunderstanding.
Please note, Groupon/Redeam/Ingresso CANNOT read price schedules – new customer types will need to be created if they indicate seasonal or weekday/weekend pricing.
If you are unable to locate the customer type on the Dashboard or a new one needs to be created for group or weekday/weekend pricing, we will need the tour operator’s OK before creating new ones. Once we receive confirmation, you can go ahead and create the customer types, add them to availabilities and make sure the resources are set up. For more information on creating customer types, refer to this help page.
Updating the Total Sheet & the Invoice Sheet
- Once Groupon is added to the charter Dashboard, please remember to hide all unrelated Items & Customer Types on the Groupon Total Sheet. This is really important, otherwise Groupon will come back requesting those to be removed.
- Next, you will want to input the pricing provided by Groupon. Please notice the Sell Price of $39.00 is input on the total sheet & the Buy Price of $29.25 is input on the invoice sheet.
Next, you will add the Affiliate – External API permission group, add the the Default API Cancellation Policy, and remove the voucher field.
Before replying back to the ticket, please take a moment to test the set up. Check that the customer type(s) you have made visible on the Groupon sheet, are actually being used on all future availabilities.
Replying to the ticket
Now that you have successfully added Groupon, you still have one last step to take. Go back to the request & go to step #4 in Groupon’s initial request. Click on the link, this is where you will be able to submit the Item IDs.
Once you have submitted the IDs, respond to the request letting both Groupon and the Charter know that this has been completed and you can solve the ticket.
Common Issues
Tax is turned on
Once you have completed the setup, Groupon might email back letting us know that the pricing has an additional cost added onto it. You will need to verify that the taxes are turned off on the total sheet.
Customer Type Public Notes
Public notes are a common issue with Groupon. They will sometimes request that the Age Range be updated or they might request us to remove something from the CTs notes. Again, verify with the charter & explain the impact it might have on their Dashboard before making any changes. A new CT might resolve the issue if they don’t want the changes to affect their entire dashboard.
Min/Max Errors
Another well known Groupon Error involves the Min / Max restrictions. From our understanding, Groupon’s system misinterprets the information & doesn’t understand that it should be 1 Group instead of 1 Traveler. Groupon should be able to resolve this issue on their side, however, if they continue to contact us, please send the ticket to the Connectivity team.
Customer Type Name
In this example, if they sent a price for Youth, but you only see Child or Small Child as an option on the Dashboard. If the charter does not agree to changing the name of the existing CT, you will need to create a new CTs with the Charter’s approval. If the charter doesn’t approve they may need to re-do the contract with Groupon.
