iahphx

It's all how you strike it: always has been, always will. Some destinations have nothing; others have good restaurants (it's usually easy to tell which restaurants are "good" -- just read the online reviews). And the list always changes. Over the years, I've used more than 100 coupons, and the transactions went smoothly about 95% of the time.

The only recent trends I've noticed were, a few months ago, the disappearance of higher value certificates. Most of the restaurants were only loading $10 and $15 certificates. That was obviously bad. Now, though, they seem to be loading higher value certs again, but you always have to pay double. Like no more $25 off $35; now you have to pay $50. This is good and bad. Sometimes I felt like I was taking advantage of the restaurant when I got a better than 50% discount, and I wondered how it could possibly make sense to offer that deal. It probably didn't make sense! Now, if you can't get better than a 50% discount, perhaps "better" restaurants will participate.

Counsellor

New Promo Code: MORE
Expires: Tuesday, August 22, 2014 - ONE DAY ONLY
Discount: 60% (Get $25 certs for $4.00)

Karelia

I just got a two free $100 Restaurant.com gift cards in the mail.

After searching the list of local restaurants, the offers were either $25 off $50 or $15 off $30. (basically 50% off) Since I got the gift cards for free, it seemed like a good deal.

However, I'm wondering how I will be treated at the restaurant once I show them the certificates. I assume that I'll have to show the certificates to the waiters when ordering.

Is it true that only restaurants that can't attract enough customers have to resort to using Restaurant.com? I do see a few decent local restaurants.

Edit: after looking on eBay, I just realized how worthless these two free $100 Restaurant.com gift cards are. There are lots of $100 cards sold for only $13.99 with free shipping. This means my two $100 cars are worth about $20 or so. No wonder I got them for free.

nineworldseries

Yep, that's true. Where do you live (not being sarcastic) where there are "decent" restaurants? I check every city within a 1000 mile radius from Columbus, and there ain't nuthin' decent. Restaurant.com used to be useful, now it's so worthless it's a borderline scam.

Karelia

not too far... Cleveland!

of course, my definition of "decent" is any restaurant that won't poison me or make me sick after eating their food.

I just noticed that the gift cards can be used for LobsterGram or Mrs. Fields cookies... wait, that's an ever bigger scam! (although not as big of a scam as girl scout cookies)

ORD-TGU

It is your opinion, but I disagree.

I live in Chicago where there are thousands of participating establishments. Most are small restaurants that use this program to attract business. They don't have huge marketing budgets.

I have had many positive experiences and returned. I do tip on full amount. Some are BYOB

I have been participating in this program for the last 10 years. Before you could get $50 off certificates for $1. (It was a Christmas offer for 90% off, I bought 100 certificates, then have been able to exchange them).

Now I just discover small ethinc restaurants, and double/triple dip with ebates and mileage dinning programs. I used to go to a bar and drop $100, get $50 off on a bar tab.

So not worthless or a scam for me. It is almost the same reasoning common folks have about frequent flier programs, not being able to redeem their miles for thanksgiving travel for a family of four, booking two weeks in advance, pure scam.

Counsellor

New Promo Code: BBQ
Expires: Monday, September 1, 2014 - Whole weekend!
Discount: 40% (Get $25 certs for $6.00)

Counsellor

From an accounting perspective, the restaurant probably doesn't actually "lose" money. Usual COGS (cost of goods sold), i.e., the "raw material" in restaurants is below 50%, labor and utilities are sunk costs. So, probably no (or small) actual out-of-pocket loss.

They allow Restaurant.com to sell the certificates (as I understand it, the restaurant gets no part of what you pay for the certificate) as advertising, and may even charge the "face value" to advertising for accounting purposes.

I agree that, like all advertising "bargains", the value varies depending on what the customer prises and what the restaurant provides. Some may find value, some may not.

themadsupra

Man, I remember when the coupons were a dime a dozen. Now they seem to have dried up and only run for a day or two at a time!

dioxide45

Glad that we stocked up when they had the old 90% off promotions. Got $25 certificates for $1. Got $100 ones for $4. Have so many now that I doubt we will ever use them all.

Also, what do you do now when a restaurant doesn't actually redeem the certificate through restaurant.com? A recently used certificate is still showing as unused under My Account on restaurant.com. They used to have an option to remove a certificate from your account if the restaurant didn't redeem it, but that is now gone after some recent changes to the website. I can exchange the certificate, but that will just give me a gift card back for it to use at another restaurant. Do I just let it languish, then exchange it later down the road?

Counsellor

New Promo Code: NEW
Expires: Thursday, September 18, 2014
Discount: 60% (Get $25 certs for $4.00)

Eastbay1K

You do the right thing, by not trying to get something for nothing. You do nothing. Maybe the restaurant misplaced it, etc.

Counsellor

New Promo Code: DREAM
Expires: Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Discount: 50% (Get $25 certs for $5.00)

dioxide45

I don't think they misplaced it. I have had the same thing happen before at the same restaurant. Though the last time I was able to remove it from my account using the previously existing link. This time that is not an option as the link is no longer there to manually remove a certificate from my account.

I really don't want this certificate to languish for eternity. Perhaps I can contact customer service to have them remove it.

Counsellor

New Promo Code: STAR
Expires: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Discount: 60% (Get $25 certs for $4.00)