Unpleasant diner

[KellyNY]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share what happened yesterday to me.
Few days ago I came across code for restaurants.com $2 for $25 gift card at participating restaurants. Those cards usually $10, $15, $20 depending on place and they all were $2 with code.

So I checked what places they have, I never used restaurants.com cards before but offer was just too sweet not to try. I found this place my DD eats with her friends several times a month, suchi place, so I ordered 4 cards and happily paid just $8. Let me point it out that to use the card you have to order for $35 before tips and tax so it is not exactly free but it is still very good offer.

Anyway, yesterday I decided to use first card and to eat with my DD.
We presented card as we were sited and girl came to show it to manager, then returned and started long conversation how they do not accept them anymore and this is the only time they will take it. I told her that I already ordered few and if they do not accept them, why they are sold. She started telling me how they loosing money and how it is not fair for them and that they tried to get rid of contract or whatever they have with restaurants.com and so on. She was nice but she pointed out that I probably paid less for this card and so I take from them. I was just too tired and too hungry to leave. Anyway, I told her that cards non returnable(I never said what I paid, so technically I did not loose much) and they will have to honor my cards and discuss problems they have with restaurants.com, not me. I did not see her till check came in and she cut $25 off it but returned card and said they will not accept cards. I did not argue anyomre and just left.

I am not upset with money, I lost $6 with remaining 3 cards, not a big deal. However I upset with overall experience. Manager never came out to speak directly to us and I felt during diner like I came to steel from this place. I felt cheap and definitely did not enjoy a single bite. I feel that it was handled very unprofessional and I was never had to listen to all this nonsense. I mean, I really do not care what this place got from signing with restaurants.com, must be something like advertisement, point is it is really not my problem, if they agree to participate, they have to honor it. The only reason I let it go without calling manager and straightening things up is because my DD is a regular there. But I can honestly say that I will definitely never eat there again, they just lost me as a customer.

Just wanted to vent.
Thank you for listening.

 

[vicki_c]

We just had one refused at a local restaurant where we had used one before. I had had it for a long time and it only cost me $2, so I chose to let it go.

You can get your money back from restaurants.com though - I hear they are very good about that.

 

[rvchat]

Also had problems here with the coupons. Needless to say, never again.

YOu have to notify restaurant.com so it doesn't happen to other people. they'll also probably refund your money. Unfair for the place to do that. Which one was it?????

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share what happened yesterday to me.
Few days ago I came across code for restaurants.com $2 for $25 gift card at participating restaurants. Those cards usually $10, $15, $20 depending on place and they all were $2 with code.

So I checked what places they have, I never used restaurants.com cards before but offer was just too sweet not to try. I found this place my DD eats with her friends several times a month, suchi place, so I ordered 4 cards and happily paid just $8. Let me point it out that to use the card you have to order for $35 before tips and tax so it is not exactly free but it is still very good offer.

Anyway, yesterday I decided to use first card and to eat with my DD.
We presented card as we were sited and girl came to show it to manager, then returned and started long conversation how they do not accept them anymore and this is the only time they will take it. I told her that I already ordered few and if they do not accept them, why they are sold. She started telling me how they loosing money and how it is not fair for them and that they tried to get rid of contract or whatever they have with restaurants.com and so on. She was nice but she pointed out that I probably paid less for this card and so I take from them. I was just too tired and too hungry to leave. Anyway, I told her that cards non returnable(I never said what I paid, so technically I did not loose much) and they will have to honor my cards and discuss problems they have with restaurants.com, not me. I did not see her till check came in and she cut $25 off it but returned card and said they will not accept cards. I did not argue anyomre and just left.

I am not upset with money, I lost $6 with remaining 3 cards, not a big deal. However I upset with overall experience. Manager never came out to speak directly to us and I felt during diner like I came to steel from this place. I felt cheap and definitely did not enjoy a single bite. I feel that it was handled very unprofessional and I was never had to listen to all this nonsense. I mean, I really do not care what this place got from signing with restaurants.com, must be something like advertisement, point is it is really not my problem, if they agree to participate, they have to honor it. The only reason I let it go without calling manager and straightening things up is because my DD is a regular there. But I can honestly say that I will definitely never eat there again, they just lost me as a customer.

Just wanted to vent.
Thank you for listening.

 

[KellyNY]

Also had problems here with the coupons. Needless to say, never again.

YOu have to notify restaurant.com so it doesn't happen to other people. they'll also probably refund your money. Unfair for the place to do that. Which one was it?????

Tokyo Sushi in Brooklyn on Ave. U. and East 19th Street.

 

[girli565]

restaurant.com is very good about refunding money if the restaurant won't accept them or something like that. Contact them and see what they can do for you.

 

[tar heel]

restaurants.com will refund your money.

Certificates, or maybe it was the website, used to say you could use one per year. If that's still the case, you would have had trouble using more than one any way.

 

[KellyNY]

restaurants.com will refund your money.

Certificates, or maybe it was the website, used to say you could use one per year. If that's still the case, you would have had trouble using more than one any way.

One per month.

I had no idea it is usual to be denied to use cards, never again. I may contact restaurants.com but honestly it just $6, money do not really bother me in this situation, just spoiled diner.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

If you notify restaurants.com, they will give you a credit to get another card.

I was so excited to find that a diner near us was participating! We used a couple of cards with them. On a subsequent visit (not one in which we were using the card), we noticed a sign hanging that said they weren't honoring them anymore. I was so upset, and very relieved that I hadn't purchased a few more (which I had been tempted to do).

My in-laws visited last week, and they wanted to go out to dinner one night. I glanced at restaurant.com and saw that the diner was still listed. I called them to ask specifically, and was told that they are honoring them now, but will only do so for another twenty days or so, until their contract runs out. We enjoyed using our certificate!

I don't always use my certificates right away. If they are having so many issues with restaurants quitting the program, I feel they should put an expiration date on the certificates...and those restaurants would have to agree to take them until that time. It is very unfair that restaurants are not abiding by their contracts. I understand they might not make much money off of those customers, but then again, I specifically choose our dining meals out by those that offer a discount! So, they are gaining customers in that way.

It is frustrating. I've learned to wait until just before I would like to buy my certificates, and then call the restaurant directly to be sure they will accept them. I know we're only losing a couple of dollars each time, but it's the principal. I would be furious if I chose to eat somewhere based on having that certificate, and they wouldn't accept the certificate.

 

[MichiganKris]

All you need to do is e-mail customer service at restaurant.com and they will give you new certificates to any restaurant you want, or they will contact the current restaurant and make them abide by the contract. Definately e-mail restaurant.com so they can fix the issue though. They have excellent customer service.

 

[KellyNY]

If you notify restaurants.com, they will give you a credit to get another card.

I was so excited to find that a diner near us was participating! We used a couple of cards with them. On a subsequent visit (not one in which we were using the card), we noticed a sign hanging that said they weren't honoring them anymore. I was so upset, and very relieved that I hadn't purchased a few more (which I had been tempted to do).

My in-laws visited last week, and they wanted to go out to dinner one night. I glanced at restaurant.com and saw that the diner was still listed. I called them to ask specifically, and was told that they are honoring them now, but will only do so for another twenty days or so, until their contract runs out. We enjoyed using our certificate!

I don't always use my certificates right away. If they are having so many issues with restaurants quitting the program, I feel they should put an expiration date on the certificates...and those restaurants would have to agree to take them until that time. It is very unfair that restaurants are not abiding by their contracts. I understand they might not make much money off of those customers, but then again, I specifically choose our dining meals out by those that offer a discount! So, they are gaining customers in that way.

It is frustrating. I've learned to wait until just before I would like to buy my certificates, and then call the restaurant directly to be sure they will accept them. I know we're only losing a couple of dollars each time, but it's the principal. I would be furious if I chose to eat somewhere based on having that certificate, and they wouldn't accept the certificate.

Exactly how I feel. It is principal. I also believe those places get new customers because of those cards. There were few places on a list I never been to and would go only if I had discount.

 

[scrapquitler]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share what happened yesterday to me.
Few days ago I came across code for restaurants.com $2 for $25 gift card at participating restaurants. Those cards usually $10, $15, $20 depending on place and they all were $2 with code.

So I checked what places they have, I never used restaurants.com cards before but offer was just too sweet not to try. I found this place my DD eats with her friends several times a month, suchi place, so I ordered 4 cards and happily paid just $8. Let me point it out that to use the card you have to order for $35 before tips and tax so it is not exactly free but it is still very good offer.

Anyway, yesterday I decided to use first card and to eat with my DD.
We presented card as we were sited and girl came to show it to manager, then returned and started long conversation how they do not accept them anymore and this is the only time they will take it. I told her that I already ordered few and if they do not accept them, why they are sold. She started telling me how they loosing money and how it is not fair for them and that they tried to get rid of contract or whatever they have with restaurants.com and so on. She was nice but she pointed out that I probably paid less for this card and so I take from them. I was just too tired and too hungry to leave. Anyway, I told her that cards non returnable(I never said what I paid, so technically I did not loose much) and they will have to honor my cards and discuss problems they have with restaurants.com, not me. I did not see her till check came in and she cut $25 off it but returned card and said they will not accept cards. I did not argue anyomre and just left.

I am not upset with money, I lost $6 with remaining 3 cards, not a big deal. However I upset with overall experience. Manager never came out to speak directly to us and I felt during diner like I came to steel from this place. I felt cheap and definitely did not enjoy a single bite. I feel that it was handled very unprofessional and I was never had to listen to all this nonsense. I mean, I really do not care what this place got from signing with restaurants.com, must be something like advertisement, point is it is really not my problem, if they agree to participate, they have to honor it. The only reason I let it go without calling manager and straightening things up is because my DD is a regular there. But I can honestly say that I will definitely never eat there again, they just lost me as a customer.

Just wanted to vent.
Thank you for listening.

So you paid $8 and got $25 off your bill. Even if you can't get a refund on teh rest, you're still ahead by my math.

I'd start by calling Restaurants.com and reporting this place to them. They sold you the certificates, they should back them up. They might give you a refund for the unused certificates.

If they don't you can dispute the charge with your credit card company (in writing, of course) and maybe you can get a refund that way.

I've heard a LOT of stories like this about groupon, living social and restaurant.com It sounds like a lot of businesses decide to participate in these programs and then get overwhelmed by the volume of certificates sold and suddenly they don't know how to handle it. That's a big part of why I don't buy these certificates.

Good luck getting a refund, but if you don't , I still think your ahead.

 

[MagiKitty]

I am so sorry you had this experience! And it is the principle! At the very least, there should be a posted sign that they are no longer honoring the restaurant.com certificates.

I've used them in the past without incident, but I bought some for when we vacation upstate next month. I'll make it a point to call or ask first. Thank you for sharing your experience so I know to do that!

 

[AmandaRG]

I have had issues as well, but they are great about refunding, so I will deal with whatever issues these people have. It isn't me that they have problems with, but their choices. In this economy, I do what I can to stretch the family dollar. If we have a bad experience, we don't go back, coupon or not!

 

[undertheradar]

So you paid $8 and got $25 off your bill. Even if you can't get a refund on teh rest, you're still ahead by my math.

I'd start by calling Restaurants.com and reporting this place to them. They sold you the certificates, they should back them up. They might give you a refund for the unused certificates.

If they don't you can dispute the charge with your credit card company (in writing, of course) and maybe you can get a refund that way.

I've heard a LOT of stories like this about groupon, living social and restaurant.com It sounds like a lot of businesses decide to participate in these programs and then get overwhelmed by the volume of certificates sold and suddenly they don't know how to handle it. That's a big part of why I don't buy these certificates.


Good luck getting a refund, but if you don't , I still think your ahead.

 

[bumbershoot]

One per month.

I had no idea it is usual to be denied to use cards, never again. I may contact restaurants.com but honestly it just $6, money do not really bother me in this situation, just spoiled diner.

You *have to* let restaurants.com know! That will help future people not be in the situation you were just in. There's the money, and there's helping people. You have to contact them.

It's pretty obvious that the restaurant itself is being pretty stupid, since they don't seem to know how to tell restaurants. But they are being stupid with customers too; a local restaurant here stopped taking some discount (entertainment.com I think) and put a notice outside on their door, and absolutely positively would not take the coupons. By taking yours, they are showing that they are ineffective.

And some manager should have thought about how they might be "losing" money before becoming part of the program! But they definitely should have thought about it before ending participation, because this will prevent you from coming back, even when you don't ahve a coupon.... It's what advertising is all about...getting customers to try you and like you and come back for years! Initial loss, eventual gain. Silly restaurant.

Contact restaurants.com about it!

 

[merekc]

I understand your frustration and agree you should get your money back. I do want to offer a slightly different view on this situation.

I don't know if this is true but someone I know went to a restaurant that also sold coupons through one of these promo programs. They had a sign up saying they were no longer accepting the coupons. The restaurant told my friend that they were overwhelmed by the response and had been trying to reach the coupon vendor to stop selling the coupons. They said no one would call them back.

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. And then if you throw in the mix third parties that wash their hands of you once you sign on the dotted line. It does create a recipe for disaster.

There are so many sites promoting freebies and good deals out there (cough, cough...like the Dis) that offers can often explode in demand. For example, on the freebie threads I've seen people posting small business giveaways intended for their real or potential customers that people half a country away (who will never be their customers) are now asking for the freebie when clearly that was not the intent.

I think we need to cut small businesses a little slack in this day of lightening speed technology and corporate greed. There may be more to their need to stop accepting coupons than just changing their mind.

Hope this makes sense. I feel it is a little discombobulated.

 

[MagiKitty]

I'm not sure of restaurant.com's policies, but there have been times that I've gone to look for a restaurant and I've seen that the certificates for that establishment is sold out. So who sets the standards for how many certificates are available? There are other stipulations such as "good for Friday and Saturday only" or "dinner only". I would hope that smaller establishments would realize they their limitations and only allow so many gcs to be sold, yet still honor the ones that are sold. I know I have found some wonderful restaurants based solely on finding them on restaurant.com and would have otherwise not have had a meal there.

 

[PrincessMama605]

Sorry about your dinner, it sounds like the restaurant handled things badly. I purchase gc's from restaurant.com and other sites fairly often, it definitely helps when you like to go out to eat but are on a budget. I usually ask the server if we can use it, so there are no surprises later on.

I would definitely let restaurants.com know what happened. They will let refund or at least exchange those certificates.

 

[vicki_c]

OK, everyone shamed me into reporting my problem to restaurants.com. While looking at my account, I had another certificate for a place that no longer participates, so I was able to get a credit to my account for that one. I noticed though that there are definitely less restaurants in my area on the list right now - I had trouble picking another one to use up 1/2 of my credit. And I'm sure I will be getting another credit for the one I reported.

 

[Yoshi]

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.