Ever use Restaurant.com?
I’m an affiliate of Restaurant.com and they often send me huge percentage off coupon codes that I can offer on the Bargaineering.com side of the site. The problem is, even with the latest 60% off coupon 87539, I can never find a restaurant I recognize on the list of possibilities. I see a local bar but the minimum purchase requirement is $35 non-alcoholic purchases to use a $25 coupon! Who has $35 in non-alcoholic purchases at a bar?
I wish I could find a restaurant on here I would otherwise go to because these things can save you big bucks. Anyone use these?
5 responses to “Ever use Restaurant.com?”
mapgirl responds:
Posted: March 29th, 2006 at 4:09 am
I bought one of their discount coupons/gift certificate thingies but was really dissatisfied with it. 1) It signed me up for some service I didn’t want.
2) There were severe restrictions on when I could use it, i.e. 2 for 1 entrees but only lunch time on checks over $30. That sort of thing.
I ended up wasting money because I never used the coupon before it expired. I’ll never do it again.
EN responds:
Posted: March 29th, 2006 at 4:12 am
I think you hit the nail on the head. I picked up some of these “dining certificates” and found that they are a decent bargain, if you follow the rules and play your cards right. It’s also an interesting way to check out new places to eat (and go out on the weekdays).
Most of the restuarant coupons cost you $10 for a $25 certificate, which restricts to food only and a minimum purchase of $35. With the 60% off code, the certificate costs $4.
The cheapest meal would then cost $14 ($35 meal - $25 coupon + $4 certificate). Which is a $21 savings, or 60% off. Finding the perfect combination of a good restaurant, not too restrictive rules on the certificate, and a date who doesn’t look down on your crazy internet penny-pinching schemes: priceless.
Jonathan responds:
Posted: March 29th, 2006 at 10:01 am
I’m with you, I have never found a restaurant on their list that I want to go to either. Add in all the horror stories about how hard it is to actually redeem the thing (you have to mention it in the reservation, or before you order or they won’t take it, or the restaurant drops out of the program after you buy the coupon), and I am just too lazy to bother.
Good thing I don’t have worry about my date thinking I’m cheap… my wife KNOWS I’m cheap!
jim says in reply:
Posted: March 29th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
No wonder they constantly offer these 40/50/60% off coupons… I’m hoping one day that my favorite restaurant pops up magically on the list but I doubt that’ll happen. I’m satisfied to just wait for the 10% coupons that come in those community magazines.
Joshua K responds:
Posted: March 29th, 2006 at 6:03 pm
I’m in Dallas, which has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the Union, and my wife and I buy these REALLY REALLY cheap on eBay… you do have to read the fine print though, because many of them have strange stipulations (such as the one you mentioned).