How to save big $ at your favorite restaurant, save big $ on vacations too

[Burgundy Burner]

http://www.dailywealth.com/archive/2009/Feb/2009_Feb_06.asp (http://www.dailywealth.com/archive/2009/Feb/2009_Feb_06.asp)


Make 150% in One Night
By Dr. David Eifrig, MD

I bet you've seen a lot of claims about how to double your money – or better – overnight. Most of those strategies never pan out.

But this here is the real deal.

I've discovered a way to take $20 and turn it into $50... or take $40 and turn it into $100.

When I first discovered this opportunity, I figured there was a catch. I didn't think it was possible to take my hard, cold cash and increase its value by 150% in one night out.

But I love a good deal, so I tried it. And by my calculations, this little discovery will put another $1,000 in my pocket every year. Here's how it works...

Go to www.restaurant.com (http://www.restaurant.com/), put your zip code in, and search for restaurants nearby. You can search a radius from one to 30 miles. When I put in my Baltimore zip code, I found 65 restaurants within five miles and an amazing 230 places within 30 miles.

At this point you might say, "So what? I can do the same with the Yellow Pages."

Here's the thing: Each listed restaurant offers online gift certificates that allow you to purchase $25 of value for only $10. You can buy a $50 gift certificate for $20. You can buy a $100 gift certificate for only $40. That's 60% off. If you and a group of friends went out and spent $100 on dinner, it would only cost the table $40.

When I first found this website, I was a bit skeptical... So I decided to try it out on a little Thai place a few blocks from the office. Two friends and I bought a $50 certificate, ordered Summer Rolls with Shrimp, Panang Chicken, Pad Thai, and Sautéed Broccoli... and ended up paying $20 for a $48.76 tab. The restaurant took the certificate no problem. Since then, I've used hundreds more dollars worth of certificates at two other restaurants... Like I said, I'll probably end the year $1,000 richer.

Restaurant.com guarantees its certificates. The company lists its phone number and e-mail, and they're quick and helpful. If you're still not convinced, call the restaurant before you purchase a certificate to make sure it accepts them. So far, they've all told me, "Yes sir, we sure do." And they did.

You should also keep these two things in mind...

Each restaurant has a minimum purchase requirement that ranges between $35 and $50. This usually excludes alcohol. If you're out with a couple friends, then you'll surely hit the minimums.

Also, some restaurants automatically add 18% gratuity. This is only right... You've found a special loophole, but those waiters and waitresses shouldn't be hit with lower tips.

The founders of Restaurant.com wanted to create a way for people to find new restaurants where they work and live. As they put it, "We wanted to encourage the celebration of dining, but make it more affordable."

If you love to eat out as much as I do, just go www.restaurant.com (http://www.restaurant.com/), put in your zip code, and see what's near you. You can browse through menus and see if you might like a new place.

Once you find your restaurant, just pay for the certificate, print it out, and off you go.

Here is yesterday's tip...
http://www.extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=279787

[Koolblue13]

Are these the things they are teaching you at your AARP meetings, BB?

[Burgundy Burner]

Are these the things they are teaching you at your AARP meetings, BB?

Careful Junior!

Truth be told, I became a member several weeks ago - turning fifty does it.

Anyway...
I get these updates every day from an investment service that I use and this is part of their free and friendly advice. Just passing along some good news.

[Ingtar]

this is actually a great way to save. it is legit

[MattFancy]

has anyone tried this? i live in baltimore and there are some good resturants around here that i would love to try but are kind of expensive. if this is legit it would be awesome!

[Dictator]

restaurant.com is legit.
You can get a $10 gift card for $3...but you need to purchase a min of $25 to use the $10 gift card.
Def. a good deal if you eat out semi regularly. And they also don't typically deal with chain restaurants...so you are at least supporting local business.

[Burgundy Burner]

has anyone tried this? i live in baltimore and there are some good resturants around here that i would love to try but are kind of expensive. if this is legit it would be awesome!

It's legit. Go to the site and put in your zip code. You can do a five mile radius or more. Then get the coupon of your choice.

[PiLfan]

or you could just eat a fabulously expensive meal, then when no one's looking, drop a cockroach on your dessert plate...

http://www.geocities.com/hollywood/cinema/4756/vv32.jpg

:D

[BigMike619]

Im all in on this dude. thank you!!

[RedlightG20]

Wish there were better restaurants in my area... my zip code returned crappy places.

[jpillian]

restaurant.com is legit.
You can get a $10 gift card for $3...but you need to purchase a min of $25 to use the $10 gift card.
Def. a good deal if you eat out semi regularly. And they also don't typically deal with chain restaurants...so you are at least supporting local business.

So in this scenario, you'd need to have minimum bill of $35; taking $10, you only pay $25.

However, if your bill was only $25, you wouldn't be able to use the certificate. You couldn't have a bill of $25 and still use the certificate and only end up paying $15. Is that right?

(Sounds like a great deal, just trying to work out how it actually works).

[Skin'Em84]

Are there sites like this that aren't just restaurants?

[Dictator]

So in this scenario, you'd need to have minimum bill of $35; taking $10, you only pay $25.

However, if your bill was only $25, you wouldn't be able to use the certificate. You couldn't have a bill of $25 and still use the certificate and only end up paying $15. Is that right?

(Sounds like a great deal, just trying to work out how it actually works).

No. My understanding is that your bill needs to be only $25 or more (excluding alcohol, tax,tip) to use the gift card.
So lets say you buy a $10 for $3...
bill $25
-Gift Card $10
+$3 (to purchase the gift card)
Your total out of pocket for a $25 meal is $18.
not crazy savings, but it adds up.

[btfoom]

So in this scenario, you'd need to have minimum bill of $35; taking $10, you only pay $25.

However, if your bill was only $25, you wouldn't be able to use the certificate. You couldn't have a bill of $25 and still use the certificate and only end up paying $15. Is that right?

(Sounds like a great deal, just trying to work out how it actually works).

One other thing to keep in mind - you have to use the whole amount in one sitting (usually). Make sure to read the fine print before you buy one of these cards. We bought a $50 card for $25. When I went to the restaurant (a mexican place near me), they kept the card, even though the total bill was ~$40. Also, these cards can't be used to pay the tip.

If you know you are going to a restaurant and will spend the money, these things are GREAT.

[China]

Are you only allowed to use one gift certificate per purchase? Otherwise, why would you spend $10 for a $25 gift certificate when you could spend $9 to get 3 $10 gift certificates?

[drums and skins]

My mom bought some gift certificates to McCormick and Shmitt for Christmas. It was a cookbook and two $50 gift certificates for something like $75 or $80, so basically a free $20.

When I took my girlfriend to M&S, it was great and we actually got a bill that had one of those satisfaction surveys on it that upon completing, we got another $20 coupon. That worked out pretty well.

[jpillian]

No. My understanding is that your bill needs to be only $25 or more (excluding alcohol, tax,tip) to use the gift card.
So lets say you buy a $10 for $3...
bill $25
-Gift Card $10
+$3 (to purchase the gift card)
Your total out of pocket for a $25 meal is $18.
not crazy savings, but it adds up.

Cool -- thanks for the clarification on this. Sounds even more useful. :cheers:

[JetSkins]

the restaurants doing this all suck

[Koolblue13]

the restaurants doing this all suck
Not by me.

[China]

the restaurants doing this all suck

Ben's Chili Bowl sucks?

There are some other good ones as well. I'd be willing to bet you haven't been to most of them, so I'm not sure how you'd know.

[sjinhan]

yeah this site is now new... i have used it few times few years ago while i was in college.. maybe i do need to go back and use it again

[Southtown]

I've used restaurant.com before. It worked really well and no strings attached. Don't use it though unless you have a promo code. They always run promotions where you buy the certificates for next to nothing. Slickdeals.net is a good place to check if any current promos exist.

Here is an example of an old deal from December:

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/16899

$25 certificates were $2. The certificates don't expire for like 6 months, so you can buy a few for different restaurants and try them out without much risk. (Some restaurants let you purchase alcohol with them too)

:cheers:

[.Guy.]

ive done this a couple of times and its a good way to save some money.

just make sure you tip on the original amount though.

[McD5]

Great thread. Could save me a fortune. Thank you.

[Bostic Hog]

I've used restaurant.com ALOT, and its great. They even sell certificates on Ebay and they are usually even less. I used to get $25 certificates for $5 on Ebay.

Totally legit. YOu can only use one per visit.

First check on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/100-RESTAURANT-COM-GIFT-CERTIFICATE-VOUCHER-COUPON_W0QQitemZ250359674713QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_ Gift_Certificates?hash=item250359674713&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1308%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[difleha]

Let me get this straight. You are only allowed to use one restaurant.com coupon for one restaurant for one month?

[Southtown]

If anyone uses (or wants to use) restaurant.com, they have another promotion through the 19th.

Use promo code PREZ and get 70% off. $25 certificates are only $3. Good deal to test out a few restaurants in your area.

[Prosperity]

hey, thanks this looks useful

edit: only one restaurant available in Harrisonburg... well I guess that's what I get for living in Harrisonburg

[Burgold]

Reminds me of the entertainment book which would have tons of restaurants with buy one get one free and 50% off deals. It was great early on and a lot of restaurants participated, but I tried it two years ago and found mainly second tier places and a few that didn't want to accept their coupon.

Another good savings method is to bring your own wine and pay the corking fee. You can even play it off as though you are a wine expert and only drink the best. (I've never done this actually, but I've seen a number of people successfully execute this move).

The absolute best is I was asked to review two restaurants recently. Everything for you and your date is free. Now, that's savings.

[Prosperity]

Reminds me of the entertainment book which would have tons of restaurants with buy one get one free and 50% off deals. It was great early on and a lot of restaurants participated, but I tried it two years ago and found mainly second tier places and a few that didn't want to accept their coupon.

Another good savings method is to bring your own wine and pay the corking fee. You can even play it off as though you are a wine expert and only drink the best. (I've never done this actually, but I've seen a number of people successfully execute this move).

The absolute best is I was asked to review two restaurants recently. Everything for you and your date is free. Now, that's savings.

somehow I don't think that'll work to well when I walk in with my bottle of Gallo

[Burgold]

You never know. The cheap part of me always bristles at certain prices. So, many places charge. I mean 3 bucks for an iced tea. That's like a six thousand percent mark up! :tantrum:

;)

[PleaseBlitz]

It's DC restaurant week. Any participating restuarant will give you a 3 course meal for $35 a head. Im going to Restaurant 3 tonight.

[mardi gras skin]

I planned to try this a long time ago and then I just forgot. Its good to know there aren't any catches. I'll pick a restaurant with my wife tonight. Thank you Burgundy Burner. :)

[IbleedBnG83]

Can you use more than one coupon at a time?

Its weird because you can get a $10 coupon for $3. But a $25 cert. for $10. I'm no genius but the $3 gift. cert. is the best value especially when they say a $100 gift cert. for $40 is the best value.

[Southtown]

Can you use more than one coupon at a time?

Its weird because you can get a $10 coupon for $3. But a $25 cert. for $10. I'm no genius but the $3 gift. cert. is the best value especially when they say a $100 gift cert. for $40 is the best value.

Make sure to use the coupon code I posted, "PREZ", you will get 70% off.

[DeanCollins]

restaurant.com is legit.
You can get a $10 gift card for $3...but you need to purchase a min of $25 to use the $10 gift card.
Def. a good deal if you eat out semi regularly. And they also don't typically deal with chain restaurants...so you are at least supporting local business.

Exactly, it's not linear and your savings will vary. I've been using entertainment books and dinning club cards for decades, but it's hit or miss with small mom and pop places, that might be closed (for good) when you get there. Or when you go to pay the bill, they point to a sign that says "we don't participate in that program any longer". So call and aske before you go there, or you might eat some real mediocre food and pay full price for it, and order more than you thought trying to meet the minimum. :doh:

My wife and I go out a couple times a week and we split meals and order an extra salad, and drink water. Typical check is $16 $19 with a tip.
All the "club" is doing is encouraging you to spend more money, not save it. The author's liberal use of "making money" is deplorable. You're not making or saving money by going out to eat, not like that anyway.

[IbleedBnG83]

Exactly, it's not linear and your savings will vary. I've been using entertainment books and dinning club cards for decades, but it's hit or miss with small mom and pop places, that might be closed (for good) when you get there. Or when you go to pay the bill, they point to a sign that says "we don't participate in that program any longer". So call and aske before you go there, or you might eat some real mediocre food and pay full price for it, and order more than you thought trying to meet the minimum. :doh:

My wife and I go out a couple times a week and we split meals and order an extra salad, and drink water. Typical check is $16 $19 with a tip.
All the "club" is doing is encouraging you to spend more money, not save it. The author's liberal use of "making money" is deplorable. You're not making or saving money by going out to eat, not like that anyway.

well said.

Money saved is money spent. Unless of course going out to eat is mandatory for some insane reason.

I guess the best thing would be to do is call.

[PleaseBlitz]

All the "club" is doing is encouraging you to spend more money, not save it. The author's liberal use of "making money" is deplorable. You're not making or saving money by going out to eat, not like that anyway.

My grandfather calls this effect "going broke saving money"

[Rocky21]

OP, Thanks for posting. I looked at some of the restaurants within 5 miles from my crib in Richmond and found this restaurant review. It's the Robin Inn in the Fan. I thought it was so funny, I thought I'd post it.

Worst Food Ever
Umm..i dont even know where to start. i'm pretty sure my waiter was high on rock, i could hear loud yelling and cussing coming from the kitchen (great environment for the kids), the owner...wow....i have no idea how she acquired that place because she seems to have no business sense whatsoever, talking very loudly and constantly about her personal problems for the whole restaraunt to hear. and the food was terrible. I got the shrimp alfredo, i swear it was microwaved shrimp..and pasta..and cheese. actually there was still ceran wrap stuck to my plate when i got it. No wonder the majority of the clientelle were old people with no tastebuds, or broke college kids. i bet the students had never been there before...if they really wanted to save money, ramen noodles would be a much tastier choice. i would rather eat my own feces than go there again.

[DeanCollins]

"i would rather eat my own feces than go there again." \

:rotflmao::rotflmao:

[maxiumone]

OP, Thanks for posting. I looked at some of the restaurants within 5 miles from my crib in Richmond and found this restaurant review. It's the Robin Inn in the Fan. I thought it was so funny, I thought I'd post it.

Worst Food Ever


That is a shame when I was a kid used to be a good place to eat cheap. It has been there for a long time.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I've done it for this crappy Mexican restaurant near me and I got an ungodly amount of food. It really was worth it because my wife and I ordered everything on the menu (nothing over $3) and had everyone in the restaurant laughing their asses off when they brought it out on 4 trays.

[GoSkins561]

I was looking to see if Bocca Di Beppo played this game, I see some places that have potential in my area, are there any promo codes right now?

[squatch66]

i had a terrible experience using one of these coupons. my girlfriend and i used it for a mexican restaurant near us and when we told the guy that we had the coupon he looked at us like we had just insulted his mother. worst service i have ever received. we saw him three times, once when he took the order, again when he dropped off the food and then when he dropped the check.

[GoSkins561]

Fredeick has coupons for Isabellas which has excellent food and Barley and Hops, they have decent food.

[Thinking Skins]

I'll tell you that if I see somebody pulling out a gift certificate to pay a bill, I'm taking my money back and I'm only putting in my portion of the gift certificate. No way I'm lettin you make $30 bucks off me like that.

[PiLfan]

Searched in my area and found a good choice of some nice (fair to good) restaurants, though don't expect any of the flashier places to be participating.

There are also some horrible ones...the funniest one i saw was for Amalia's Cantina Restaurant, a hole off of route 1 that i pass by on my way to work every day. I tell ya, i wouldn't take my mother-in-law there. But best of all was the little promotional pitch they used..."Best new restaurant in the area!!! FRESS AND DELIOUS FOOD!!"

http://www.restaurant.com/rdc_site.net/listings.aspx?StateID=&zip=22306&x=18&y=18

Wow, both "fress" AND "delious"?

mmm, mmm, mmmmm.... :hungry:

:doh:

[mbws]

http://www.dailywealth.com/archive/2009/Feb/2009_Feb_06.asp (http://www.dailywealth.com/archive/2009/Feb/2009_Feb_06.asp)


...

Two friends and I bought a $50 certificate, ordered Summer Rolls with Shrimp, Panang Chicken, Pad Thai, and Sautéed Broccoli... and ended up paying $20 for a $48.76 tab. The restaurant took the certificate no problem.
...



But you tipped based on the $48.76 right?

[Burgundy Burner]

But you tipped based on the $48.76 right?

Yes, you tip based on the full amount. It's only fair.

[GoSkins561]

:doh:
I'll tell you that if I see somebody pulling out a gift certificate to pay a bill, I'm taking my money back and I'm only putting in my portion of the gift certificate. No way I'm lettin you make $30 bucks off me like that.

:doh:

Please explain