90% + Discount Printable Restaurant Coupons (Nov-09)Are you going out for diner or lunch this weekend ? Here's a great way to save at local restaurants in your area especially if your in groups. I use it whenever I can.
70% Off + An Extra 70% Discount At Your Local Restaurants
Note : When you arrive on their site you can print coupons for restaurants in your local area and eat at fraction of the price, enter coupon : DINE at cart page.. and you'll save an extra 70% on already discounted coupons, plus a free $10 certificate with every order.
They have great local restaurants for any occasion, parties, dates, classy restaurants, fast food restaurants, lean cuisine and so on ..... eat, drink, party and dine for literally a fraction of the price.
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Anna
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I'M NOT IMPRESSED. Read the "minimum purchase" amounts for most of the restaurants.
For example, most of the restaurants on that site where I live in Atlanta are expensive in the first place (no less than $20-$35 per person for dinner). By using the coupons, you are bringing the cost back down to what it should cost.
Also, most of the coupons say you have to spend a minimum of $35-45 and an automatic 18% tip is applied just for using the coupon -also NOT including tax/alcohol- all of which are added to your bill AFTER the coupon amount is applied to the lesser sub-total! So... tax, tip, and alcohol will take a significant chunk out of your savings.
My conclusion: Unless you regularly eat at pricier restaurants or have a very LARGE family, these coupons are a lot of hassle and you'll likely end up spending more than you would have spent in the first place. In the other case, you'll save a few... and I mean just a couple of bucks.
And giving these as gifts? I would be somewhat embarrased to give someone a coupon with all of those exclusions and restrictions.
Just my two cents.
Best,
Connie :)
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connie i don't see how you can lose money with their coupons,
if i go to a restaurant with my wife or friends i am willng to spend over $35 to $40 anyway i don't understand your logic, I am not going to bring a coupon to a restaurant which i know the meal will cost me less than $10 its pretty silly. But if the meal costs me over $50 and more you save if you use their coupons.
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Sorry Connie, you hit a nerve. I used to be a server. Like so many hundreds of thousands of students across America, it helped put me through college, and then medical school, and the +/-$2.19 per hour (min. wage for a server) is not enough to live on alone w/out tuition...much less if you're a single parent.
So excuse my lack of self-control at this moment, and please don't feel too bad--you belong to a huge club of kindred spirits, but I have to know:
What kind of ignorant, classless, ill-bred, SELFISH, scrooge-of-a-person gyps the server by NOT tipping based on the check's amount BEFORE coupons? And as for alcohol--why wouldn't the restaurateur refuse coupons being used for liquor? Its a huge liability, for one, and two---it is AGAINST THE LAW to reduce the cost of liquor beneath a certain price. Mixed drinks involve a lot more work than does a glass of soda. So don't bellyache about having to tip more. If you can't afford to tip, then don't go out to eat--at least not in the same restaurant twice...If you're offended by my ranting here then chances are your food has been spat in at least once. I'm not advocating stooping to another's level, but not all humans are as highly-evolved as others. They still deserve respect and fair pay.
Servers have a thankless job, and they are not reduced to your hired help for the length of your meal just so you can leave them a crappy tip.
The server still had to do the same amount of work, and probably put up with a whole lot of whining and inappreciativeness, yet somehow in your twisted logic, you should have to tip less because you are getting something free. BULL$*&@. You are supposed to tip MORE when you get something free or reduced. Its called "courtesy".
Too many gypsy customers in one week and it can significantly impact you--especially if, like me, you're a student. Imagine me...practicing medicine today...after studying by candlelight and in bars after the power being turned off because of too many selfish, ignorant jerks like Connie who are so wrapped up in their own world that they have time to spend downloading gift certificates and coupons, that they don't take time to appreciate the people who, although perhaps "beneath you", are keeping the world running while you're in la la land.
Things come around though... call it fate, karma, "the secret", I don't care your label. Sometime, someplace, somehow, you'll get paid back. Whether your doctor mistakes your surgery because his power was turned off during exam study-time, after you and a bunch of your selfish friends took up all the seats at his tables, ran him silly with obnoxious orders, special requests, substitutions, variations, and "send-it-backs", and then had the audacity to NOT TIP based on the amount you consumed, all because you were ALREADY saving some money by using a coupon?!?!?!
GET REAL. In the unrefined and ill-mannered, graceless society we live in (especially in places like Atlanta where no one is really a "native"), no one has any reason to be courteous, thoughtful, or respectful.
Newsflash: Servers in restaurants DO REMEMBER. Just because you live in a homogenized suburb where no one knows anyone and its rare for more than 2 generations of the same family to have lived there back-to-back doesn't mean that servers in the restaurants there haven't got some social fiber.
They remember the heels, the boors, the cheapskates, and those who think they should order their entire meal, drinks and all, at the same time, not to mention the womanizers and drunk politicians.
So even though you have no roots--no heritage to uphold, no family or other connections to make you think twice about being so CHEAP, thoughtless, & "entitled" (synonymous with "douche-bag"), you can still have a little respect--if not for servers then for yourself.
The custom of tipping has degenerated to simple mathematical computations (e.g., twice the tax, rounded out), the result often left on the table in crumpled bills or artlessly added to the credit card bill.
"Tipping is an act of kindness in a world that has become too fast and rude. It is an antidote to rudeness...Waiters are not your dogs. You can treat them with respect." --Etiquette Specialist Michele Wilson
Wilson advocates never leaving less than 15 percent. She usually leaves more. "Tipping is part of your pleasure. It makes you feel good," she says. "And you must never simply leave the money on the table and walk away. You don't wave the money about. You discreetly leave it beneath the bill. Then you gain their eye contact, and you say, 'Thank you for your kind attention this evening.' It's so easy to do and it means so much."
If you aren't going to tip, then stay home. Don't go out to restaurants and expect the servers to be your own person "hired-help" over a 10% tip.
Most servers are college students. I hope they remember you and end up being your boss one day, and when they are wanting to cut your salary by 50%, remember that you cut theirs by only tipping 10% in a 20% world.
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For the record, I generally leave at least 20%...of the total, including tax. When I've sat at a table (whether restaurant was busy or not) and just drank coffee for 2-3 hrs, I've left $5-10 tips IF the person checked by and made sure my cup was full.
I've also left $0.05 because restaurants were NOT busy and the person couldn't be bothered to refill my cup -- I guess because they figured I wasn't going to leave anything ... self-fulfilling prophesy.
When a restaurant is busy and the wait person doesn't have time to come to every table every few minutes, I still leave a 20% tip (food + tax), because it isn't that person's fault that I chose a busy time to come there.
When I looked at the coupons and restrictions, I also wondered if it was a good deal ... I didn't even notice that some had the mandatory 18% tip. -- If I don't get good service (definition: polite, checks by as often as reasonably possible considering other tables) I'm not leaving an 18% tip ... I MIGHT leave a 10% tip.
However, if I get exceptional service (definition: it's busy, I've never been at that restaurant before, and the person remembers what drink I had in my glass and brings more to refill before I even ask), I'll leave 25% -- FOOD + TAX total.
By the way, I ain't no dignified, big-money doctor ... I'm just a country hick who was taught the value of rewarding a person for doing a GOOD job, not just for showing up (like a lot of employees, INCLUDING wait people do).
Many people DO reward a person for politely doing their job ... in my experience, it has been the customer more often than the employer doing the rewarding.
I'm hoping the "Dr" person is more open-minded and a heck of a lot less judgemental toward his/her patients than to that posting. And, I wonder how much this (Dr) person pays the folks that empty the garbage and clean his offices ... and how much consideration THEY get. -- EVERY ONE has an important job, including people that point out things that others may not like.
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I love that the rude complainers won't even identify themselves with a name-- choosing to be anonymous themselves. Lotta class and respect shown there.
I agree with Connie-- it's only useful if you're going to spend more than $35-$50 originally and there's a HUGE amount of terms and conditions-- examples directly from "gift certificate":
*limit 1 per party, per month, per restaurant
*only one GC can be used per party, even if the party is seated at separate tables and/or recieves more than one check.
*valid on parties 2 or more
*valid on dine-in only
* GC cannot be combined with any other restaurant certificates, third party certificates, coupons or promotions.
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Comment regarding Dr. Cheninagan's comments on tipping.
Tipping is NOT an obligation - it is a compliment for good service. I was a server and a restaurant owner and I don't know who ever decided it was law for the customer to pay the server's salary via tipping. Your employer should be the one responsible for paying you and if the customer deems the service to be worthwhile (which trust me - it OFTEN is not) they can leave a tip as an extra bonus. 15%-20% should not be just automatically expected for showing up and doing your job - it should be expected only for extraordinary service. By the way - how much did you pay in taxes on those tips? Those with paychecks pay taxes on the full amount of their earnings but I know from years of experience that servers pay very little on their actual income.
P.S. Having been in your shoes for years - I do tip very well - when it's earned!
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Ashley
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I have used this site a few times after seeing it on my local news and recently in Woman's Day Magazine. To have the extra discount is even better! We have tried restaurants that we normally would not have tried simply because of cost.
You do have to look at the restrictions, which many restaurants have anyway on GC's, realize that tip should come before discounts (as it would if you did not have a coupon), and that it is against the law in many states to 'give away' alcohol so that will be included in the bottom line.
Overall, if you go to a nicer restaurant and can save $25 on a $50 or even $80 bill....well, that's $25 saved. If you choose to drink up that $25, you might be too drunk to remember it anyway.
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The site is www.restaurant.com. (No "s" in "restaurant".)
I agree with the Dr. How many of you criticizing her comments have ever been servers? I was as a college student many years ago; and I notice that the public has not changed. There are so many rude, beligerent, obnoxious, comsumers out there who are very unkind to those who serve them.
The wages are allowed to be intolerably low, since it is assumed that they will make it up in wages.
However, I don't believe tipping should be obligatory, or automatically added tot the bill. There are also innatentive, servers-with-attitude,out there that do not deserve the same tip that a conscientious server gets.
I myself, tip according to quality of the server.
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JohnZ
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Sharon
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I love your site...thanks for all the great info. As a long time food server, I am very familiar with restaurants.com. I like reading everyone's experience and opinion with tipping etiquette.
My 2 cents: Without a gratuity automatically added in, most diners that use coupons will only tip on the price after discount. You may find this to be fair, naturally I don't. :)
when you use a coupon you're getting a discount on your food - not your service. The owner benefits, the customer benefits, but ultimately, without automatically adding in a tip, the server sees a huge dent out of their expected income.
Anyways...just had to say something.
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um i am not sure if any one noticed but connie was just saying how the coupon was a little lame for people who want to spend under the minimum amount stated on some coupons. she never specifically said she doesn't like tipping waiters/servers.
busiers clean tables as well as assist customers however, they are not supposed to get tipped...... however, there are some people who are pleased with their work and reward them with a tip.
tips are usually 15% off the total amount however, i believe that if you are going to tip someone to reward them, why not give them the full amount. however, same thing goes for the opposite, if you believe that they didnt do anything to be rewarded, no reward(tip).
tips are rewards not an obligation. :3 just wanted to state the obvious.
but because tips seem to be expected in this country (some countries do not believe in tipping because they pay you a wage to fulfill the duties of a server), i like to tip based on how good their service is. 14% if they do bare min, 15% keep my drinks filled without me asking and more if they went above and beyond. :3
just wanted to give my opinion. :3 please dont go trying to tell me off..... it is just my opinion after hearing what others had to say. in addition to that, the likely hood of me coming back to read this is, 1%.
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I never worked as a server or busser, but I always leave 20% for my server (total Bill) unless they were not up to par, and then, I leave 15%. If the service was totally bad I would speak to the manager as I leave the restaurant. If someone is extra good I leave more than 20% and I let the manager know how good the person was to us. Now, I am not some goody two shoes, but restaurant work is darn hard and I think we should recognize the help with our money. Judith, 69 yrs. young
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i used to be a server as well and it's ridiculous to state that you shouldn't expect a tip because you are "paid." as a former server and claimed restaurant owner, you should know that servers do not get paid a real wage. $2.19 is not a wage.....would you be able to live off $4,555 a year? i think not.
i always give a 15-20% tip regardless of service. you have no idea what's going on that day...what if that person just had a bad day? what if the kitchen staff is down a person or two? what is the busser didn't show up? i always give people the benefit of the doubt bc they are trying to make a living just like everyone else. i bet you wouldn't like it if your boss decided everyday how much you would be paid depending on what he thought you deserved that day.
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Hey there "Doctor": if you servers don't get the tip you want, am I to assume that you will take it out on the non-tippers somehow? I mean, you make a point of pointing out that "servers REMEMBER". What are you going to do? Spit in our food? Make weak drinks? Beat us up in the parking lot? I suggest you shut up.
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I have no idea what you guys are talking about..........the Doctor is completely right, I've been a server for 10 years, and I remember every customers that stiffed me, but I also remember the ones that tip well. Like a guy that had a cup of coffee and a peice of pie holding up me closing when I was late picking up my daughter and left me $100. And Connie is an idiot, you can not give away alcohol, and servers depend on those tips to make up for thier very low wage. Employers also make out by paying less in wages. But mostly the customers make out, the get better service because my pay is on the line. Thank you to all of you that realize I work hard and run around like crazy getting every little thing you want, that extra dollar or two over 15% makes me smile and allows me to pay my bills
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TIPS-To Insure Prompt Service. I have had wait staff that were worth 20%+ in tips, and others who weren't worth 10%. I have a very good friend who works at a high end resort, and he has made over $1,000.00 in one evening. As any profession, you can get out of it what you are willing to put into it. Even in this economy, the best and brightest are very well compensated in tips. They'll have an occasional jerk who will not tip what they deserve (if at all), but they more than make up for it with 95% of their customers, because they are that good. And when that jerk does stiff them, they never take it out on the next customer, which sadly I have seen. And like any professional, I have seen them move up; starting at a low end diner and because of talent, end up at a high end steak house (yes, even in this economy). Some wait staff believe they are entitled to their tips (I'm in school,I have motorcycle payments, I showed up tonight...) regardless. But the good ones know they have to earn it. And they usually do.
Anna ,i would like to thank you ,
were 12 people going out for dinner at Lucchesi's Ravioli & Pasta restaurant in arkansa tonight and i just printed 12 coupons.
thank you for the info .