Very good point. I haven't tried the concept in the context of a deal site, but it absolutely works for a regular business.
I learned early on with my company that when people say things like "give me a deal - I promise I'm going to be your #1 customer if you give me a discount for my first purchase" that the best (for me) possible response is: "How about your pay full price now and the next time you come back I'll give you that 20% off you're asking for." Those that bite actually become loyal customers and appreciate it. Those that don't probably wouldn't have come back anyway.
And, btw, I learned the hard way that 99% of those "future #1 customers" never came back - even when I caved and gave a discount. Hence the revised model.
I learned early on with my company that when people say things like "give me a deal - I promise I'm going to be your #1 customer if you give me a discount for my first purchase" that the best (for me) possible response is: "How about your pay full price now and the next time you come back I'll give you that 20% off you're asking for." Those that bite actually become loyal customers and appreciate it. Those that don't probably wouldn't have come back anyway.
And, btw, I learned the hard way that 99% of those "future #1 customers" never came back - even when I caved and gave a discount. Hence the revised model.