I haven't visited restaurant.com in about a year. I am shocked to see the amount of restrictions that they now put on the "gift certificates" (I use that term very loosely). One of my favorite places that I had used a number of $25 certificates on last year now has additional restrictions of:
- $50 minimum food purchase (other places are now up to $35)
- only valid for dinner
- not valid Fri/Sat
- 18% gratuity added before discount
on top of the restriction that requires the $$$ to be applied only to the food purchase.
Whereas you used to be able to save over 60% on your *total* bill, savings are now in the 20-30% range. Not bad, but hardly spectacular, since Diners Club and others will give you 20% cash back on your total bill (including alcohol and tip) at hundreds of restaurants anyway...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyP
BUY $25 DINING CERTIFICATES FOR AS LITTLE AS $3!
Am I missing something? How does $10-40% = $3?
Restaurant.com had a wonderful promo 4-5 months ago for 70% off purchases - I took advantage of it purchasing about 60 certs to use all year. Now I will wait to see if the 70% will ever repeat itself.
This seems TOO GOOD to be true! I bought a $25 gift certificate at a great local restaurant for a final cost of $3! How can this be? I hope there won't be any nasty surprises when we try to use the cert.
If anyone has actually gone to a restaurant and used the cert, would appreciate your feedback.
P.S. Be careful on the checkout at retaurant.com. I almost clicked "yes" for a $9.95 monthly charge to my credit card for some home care thingee.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IncredibleDeals
If anyone has actually gone to a restaurant and used the cert, would appreciate your feedback.
Sure, I do it all the time. Never had a problem or a "look twice" by a waiter or owner. This last time, at a family-owned Indian place, the waitress asked me to write down my name and phone number in case the cert could not be verified or something. <shrug> No biggie.
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I've never had a problem either.
One joint even has a register key dedicated to deducting the 50% food discount - I was impressed! I am a bit nervous that said establishment is not currently listed for certs, but perhaps they've sold out their allotment? I have two certs left with them from July; as of this afternoon they have no disclaimer posted outside their door.
I think you can say that a significant majority of the people are happy with the results. You might want to advise the server that you're going to use that before ordering, just to make sure there isn't going to be a problem later. If you do have a problem, you can contact restaurant.com and they should be able to take care of it for you.
This seems TOO GOOD to be true! I bought a $25 gift certificate at a great local restaurant for a final cost of $3! How can this be? I hope there won't be any nasty surprises when we try to use the cert.
I have used these coupons many times (though there is a very limited number of restaurants in our neighborhood on the list - and the number is dropping daily).
I have had no problems using them. And at least at two of the restaurants where I have used them both (both Indian) - I have got to believe that most of the people going to these restaurants are using some sort of discount program (e.g., both are in the Entertainment two for one book).
And even if there is a problem you aren't out that much money.
We used the $25 gift certificate ( paid $3 for it) with no problem. It worked so well that I bought several more certificates for 3 great restaurants in our area. Thank you again , Flyertalk. The information I get on these boards is fantastico.
WOW! It really works!!
