The local deals is analogous to department store clearance sales. Retailers have perfected the art of the sale and they know that clearance sales are a different animal. If someone comes into you store and heads straight to clearance they can't be upsold. Don't waste your time on them.
This is different from your event sale, which are an excellent way to gain repeated customers (and upsell them). There is a future for local deal sites but it needs a different hook with customers.
This is different from your event sale, which are an excellent way to gain repeated customers (and upsell them). There is a future for local deal sites but it needs a different hook with customers.