Unpleasant diner

[GottaLuvMickey]

I used to use Restaurant.com gift certificates all the time! Notice I said - USED TO. We started running into the same issues. We would go somewhere and we would get told by managers that Restaurant.com was still selling these even after they ended (or tried) to end their contract and Restaurant.com would apparently tell the restaurant to point out the part on the certificate that says that the restaurant has the option to not accept it if they choose. You CAN contact Restaurants.com and they will exchange it for another restaurant in your area that you choose... personally, after DH & I ran into this issue 3 times, we gave up on the company and just quit using them.

 

[swilshire]

I've stopped shopping Restaurant.com after too many issues with the certs. They are great when they work, but especially if we've driven any distance to a restaurant only to find a problem with the coupons, DH gets very upset.

I've had much better luck with Half Off Depot. Once one of the restaurants I was holding a cert for closed with no notice and another changed owners and wouldn't take the cert. Half Off Depot refunded the money for one and gave me a credit for the other to use on any other offer.

There are getting to be so many groups offering this type of discount, I wonder how long before it all blows up. I got the long, sad story for a co-owner in a pizza shop about how much money he was losing because his partner signed up. He owned the offer, but I couldn't use it on any of the specials and one of them would have been just as good a deal.

Sheila

 

[walkdmc]

Wow, what a crummy experience! I would report that experience to Restaurant.com and would not return to that place. I think restaurants sign up if they are trying to improve business. Either that restaurant is on it's way out or, they got the result they wanted and want to nix their deal with Restaurant.com.

Not that you asked but I've been less than thrilled with Restaurant.com certificates. I usually end up spending MORE than I would have because the places I go to have so many requirements for using them....have to be a party of 2+, order must total > $50, etc. I've never left a restaurant for which I used a certificate and thought, "wow, that was a great bargain and for sure I'll go back there!".

 

[aubriee]

I use to use Restaurant.com a lot more than I do now. Most of the better places near me stopped accepting them. Others changed the requirements and many require you to spend $50 to use the $25 off and have a ton of exclusions, not valid on Saturday, not valid from 5 pm - 8 pm during the summer and some places are charging $20 for a $25 certificate before discounts, or 1 place near me that had the typical $35 minimum and had a sign on the door saying you had to spend $50 and not $35.

Uh oh! I currently have a restaurant.com certificate for Kimonos at the Swan/Dolphin that I bought several months ago. It states that you must spend at least $35.00 to get the $25.00 off. I was planning on using it during my upcoming Nov-Dec trip. I just looked on the restaurant.com site and the certificate they are currently offering says you must spend at least $45.00 to get the $25.00 off. I'll be solo and was going to have a hard enough time spending $35.00. Will they honor the certificate I have or will they try to make me order $45.00 worth of food like the current certificates say?

 

[youcansmellit]

I don't know how it all works, however, I can see the possibility of how small businesses get sold on how great a promo it is for them, but don't realize what kind of volume could eventually get sold

A friend of mine has used Restaurant.com for his place. They fill out a form that asks what number they would like to stop this offer at. Preventing them from selling thousands.

 

[Alesia]

We would go somewhere and we would get told by managers that Restaurant.com was still selling these even after they ended (or tried) to end their contract and Restaurant.com would apparently tell the restaurant to point out the part on the certificate that says that the restaurant has the option to not accept it if they choose.

^ This is correct. Restaurant.com has been pulling this with restaurant owners for a while now. Please don't blame the restaurant. The restaurant contracts with them to sell a certain number, but restaurant.com continues to sell them after that limit has been reached. What should the restaurant do? Continue to lose money? Most small, family owned businesses simply can't afford it.

 

[Robinrs]

We use Rest.com quite a bit and this has happened to us so much we call the restaurant before going down.

No problem, I've always gotten a credit and changed the restaurant to another one. They're really good with that.

 

[KellyNY]

^ This is correct. Restaurant.com has been pulling this with restaurant owners for a while now. Please don't blame the restaurant. The restaurant contracts with them to sell a certain number, but restaurant.com continues to sell them after that limit has been reached. What should the restaurant do? Continue to lose money? Most small, family owned businesses simply can't afford it.

They should take it with restaurants.com then, not customers.

 

[Alesia]

They should take it with restaurants.com then, not customers.

Right. But what should they do in the mean time? What should they do if restaurants.com sells 100 more than they're supposed to? 1,000 more? 10,000 more? Very few small businesses can swallow that kind of loss and still stay in business.

 

[KellyNY]

Right. But what should they do in the mean time? What should they do if restaurants.com sells 100 more than they're supposed to? 1,000 more? 10,000 more? Very few small businesses can swallow that kind of loss and still stay in business.

I highly doubt that if they do it promptly they will end up with so many extra certificates and after all they can make restaurants.com pay for all the extra, even if they have to do it through court. However it is much easier to turn customer down, esp. when very few will actually leave when you already got there with your party and you are hungry.

 

[Alesia]

I highly doubt that if they do it promptly they will end up with so many extra certificates and after all they can make restaurants.com pay for all the extra, even if they have to do it through court. However it is much easier to turn customer down, esp. when very few will actually leave when you already got there with your party and you are hungry.

But the problem is that by the time the restaurant has already accepted the number of certificates they have authorized, there are a lot more that have been sold but not yet redeemed. How much money are they supposed to lose?

 

[KellyNY]

But the problem is that by the time the restaurant has already accepted the number of certificates they have authorized, there are a lot more that have been sold but not yet redeemed. How much money are they supposed to lose?

I'm sure there is some count they can check with customer service and as I said, take it to the court if there are real problems.
As for loosing money, almost every place offers some sort of special and if you use coupon you do not get it, so while for me(customer) it is not a bad deal( when I spend $2 but not without discount), for them it is another way of offering discount they already do. For example, we did not get special price on salads or rolls and we did not get free roll, plus we spend much more then we would without coupon. I do not think they lost much with my order, except they lost me as a customer when they spoiled my diner.

 

[smidgy]

kelly, I work for an independant owner of a restaurant. independants can barely stay above water these days, competeing with corporates (tgif, chilis, applebees, olive garden, etc) with their tv commercials, etc......so when these small places get sucked into rest.com,they always end up losing. money.

as a customer, I, too have lost. I bought certificates for a couple places that decided to NOT renew their contract with rest.com..

one time, the server and manager just basically told me "so sorry, your bad, so sad" I told the manger.. I am a server.. I tip VERY well, why not just comp us a drink or an apetizer to split?" no go, so we walked.

the next time, it was a small , indepentant place in Cary Illionois (I mention it becasue I recommend it). had never eaten there before. the woman (the owner) came over, apologized, said they had rescinded their contract with rest. com but still comped us each a drink.

and I still have 2 credits with rest.com

but, as a previous poster as said, the requirements have gotten SO out of hand! for hubby and I we have to spend $50, when the entrees are like $12 each! not worth it.

 

[Alesia]

I'm sure there is some count they can check with customer service

You're assuming that restaurants.com is being honest with the restaurants. That isn't necessaruily true They are already being dishonest when they agree to sell a limited number and then sell more than that. Is it really a leap to think that they aren't giving the restaurant an accurate count?

and as I said, take it to the court if there are real problems.

Going to court is expensive. Most small businesses are already struggling - going to court isn't really an option.

As for loosing money, almost every place offers some sort of special and if you use coupon you do not get it, so while for me(customer) it is not a bad deal( when I spend $2 but not without discount), for them it is another way of offering discount they already do. For example, we did not get special price on salads or rolls and we did not get free roll, plus we spend much more then we would without coupon. I do not think they lost much with my order, except they lost me as a customer when they spoiled my diner.

I also want to point out that giving away $20 (or more) dollars in free food is a heck of a lot different than giving out free rolls or a salad. And yes, you spent more than you would have without the coupon, but you also ordered more food. That food doesn't magically appear in the restaurant kitchen - the restaurant has to pay for it. Free rolls or salad may cost the restaurant $2, but your $20 worth of food cost them at least $10.

You say the restaurant lost you as a customer, but did restaurants.com lose you as a customer? I find it very hard to fault an honest business person who is basically being screwed by a larger business without also finding fault with the larger business, KWIM?

 

[mhsjax]

I just find it very strange buying coupons for restaurants. Just gives me a bad vibe. I know there a few businesses out there that do it, but it is weird. I guess I just refuse to purchase a coupon. I can save much more money by not even going. I am sure I am in the minority, but I just don't like it, and I feel that the restaurants are probably getting the short end of the stick, although I have no proof.

I certainly wouldn't let it ruin my dinner, in fact it would probably ruin mine to use it in the first placed.

 

[MagiKitty]

I just feel that it is a business decision for a restaurant to get involved with restaurant.com. They are entering a contract that restaurant.com will promote their business and gain publicity for them with the website's name and reputation. The hopes is that a business will attract new customers and hopefully garner returning, loyal customers.

Yes, I feel bad when a restaurant is overwhelmed with people taking advantage of the offers put forth by restaurant.com. But the intention is still the same, promoting themselves and restaurant.com has done that. Now, if it has been oversold, then the issue is between the establishment and restaurant.com. But they should honor the certificates or clearly post a sign that they no longer are associated with the website. Again, it is another business decision on their part.

I personally have used restaurants.com in past and will continue to do so, as I feel that I am exposed to newer restaurants this way and will patronize those establshments. Its a great way for me, especially as a tourist, to find out about local places to eat. And if such establishment chooses not to value my patronage, in whatever capacity, that is their choice.

But then again, it is also my choice to disapprove of such actions and let them and others know that my dollars and patronage were not valued at the time. Restaurants struggle, I understand that. But my money is hard earned also, and if they'd rather have an empty table than my discounted check, then I'll go elsewhere.

 

[KellyNY]

You're assuming that restaurants.com is being honest with the restaurants. That isn't necessaruily true They are already being dishonest when they agree to sell a limited number and then sell more than that. Is it really a leap to think that they aren't giving the restaurant an accurate count?



Going to court is expensive. Most small businesses are already struggling - going to court isn't really an option.



I also want to point out that giving away $20 (or more) dollars in free food is a heck of a lot different than giving out free rolls or a salad. And yes, you spent more than you would have without the coupon, but you also ordered more food. That food doesn't magically appear in the restaurant kitchen - the restaurant has to pay for it. Free rolls or salad may cost the restaurant $2, but your $20 worth of food cost them at least $10.

You say the restaurant lost you as a customer, but did restaurants.com lose you as a customer? I find it very hard to fault an honest business person who is basically being screwed by a larger business without also finding fault with the larger business, KWIM?

You saying it like somebody was actually forcing them into contract. If they go with court they will get compensated for any loss including court fees, all they need is to show contract and copies of certificates they honored already as a proof that restaurants.com went over numbers. Of course why would they if they can simply deny certificate and most people will still stay and eat and pay out of pocket. I'm pretty sure that they counted how much it will cost them originally and this is why there are all kinds of limitations when you use certificate to even things up. Free roll and discount for salad stayed with them when I used my coupon, in fact I ordered same food without discount and payed with card. It is like getting FD or room only discount, different form but same or almost same numbers.
Anyway, they should never take their problems to me, customer, implying that I take from them, this is how they lost me.
As for restaurants.com, I think idea is brilliant and many places get exactly what they want, customers and I get a slight discount which is important to me. It was a first time I ever used something like that but I do consider those cards for the future, I will just do more research about places I want to use to see if they are still accepting and if I actually better using their specials instead of card.

 

[mjkacmom]

I don't see the problem - they are no longer taking the coupon, but they did take it, but now you know not to buy any more on the website. Most places will just say no. I've heard restaurant.com is great about applying the credits to other restaurants, so the OP isn't really out any money. It was nice of the restaurant to let you use it, and to tell you not to buy any more in the future.

The fact that they no longer expire is going to really increase this problem. OP, next time you want to use one, just call ahead, so that your dinner (not diner) isn't ruined.

 

[Alesia]

You saying it like somebody was actually forcing them into contract.

Not at all. But they do go into the contract assuming that restaurants.com will uphold their end of the deal. Why does that seem unreasonable to you?

If they go with court they will get compensated for any loss including court fees, all they need is to show contract and copies of certificates they honored already as a proof that restaurants.com went over numbers.

Yes, but in the meantime they have to pay legal fees. Most small business owners can't afford to do that, even if they will eventually be reimbursed.

I'm pretty sure that they counted how much it will cost them originally and this is why there are all kinds of limitations when you use certificate to even things up.

You're exactly right. They absolutely do calculate how much money they can stand to lose in proportion to the advertising that they get. When it goes wrong is when the other party doesn't hold up their end of the deal and oversells the discount.



On a mostly unrelated note: I work in a small, family owned Chinese restaurant that has never had dealings with restaurants.com. About 6 months ago, a customer handed me a certificate from there when he paid the bill. Needless to say, it wasn't for our restaurant, it was from another Chinese restaurant in an entirely different part of town. He was not happy that we wouldn't accept it.

 

[KellyNY]

Not at all. But they do go into the contract assuming that restaurants.com will uphold their end of the deal. Why does that seem unreasonable to you?
Yes, but in the meantime they have to pay legal fees. Most small business owners can't afford to do that, even if they will eventually be reimbursed.

It is not unreasonable to me but what is unreasonable is to put their problems on customer head when they have means to resolve it. They do not loose a thing when they deny certificate and they probably got all customers they needed and they do not care much if they will loose me. I will never believe that they cannot afford legal fees, esp. when they know it will be back. They just take easy road here.

You're exactly right. They absolutely do calculate how much money they can stand to lose in proportion to the advertising that they get. When it goes wrong is when the other party doesn't hold up their end of the deal and oversells the discount.

And again instead of handling situation they go passive aggressive on a customer. It's not a good business. Don't you see it?

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