I just bought a few... We'll see how it goes.

So how does the restaurand redeem these? Is there some way for them to track the usage of each certificate? Just asking cause what keeps people from printing out multiple copies and using all of them?

Never used this service before so I really dont know...

Thanks OP - I had never heard of restaurant.com

I bought a $25 off $35 plus 18% tip for $3 bucks. So lets see, that's $35 + $6.30 tip = $41.30
$41.30 - $25 = $16.30 + $3 = $19.30 out of pocket. Not a bad deal! (hope it works)

psuJC said:For all the people confused about restaurant.com...... simply replace the word certificate with coupon and it might start to make more sense.

They use the word certificate to confuse people. Most people feel better buying a gift certificate rather than a coupon. What they're really selling are coupons.. coupons that for the most part have lots of terms and conditions so make sure you read the "fine print"

Alot of semantics here, certificate or coupon, bottom line, if you understand how the program works and you have some restaurants you like or want to try, it's a great way to save some $$.

jefflam79 said:So how does the restaurand redeem these? Is there some way for them to track the usage of each certificate? Just asking cause what keeps people from printing out multiple copies and using all of them?

Each certificate has a unique validation code. The restaurant calls an 800-number and enters the code to verify that the certificate is valid. The verification call renders the certificate invalid for additional uses. That's what prevents people from using the certs more than once.

Would these be good as Christmas gifts?

There is a nice restaurant up near most of my relatives that takes these. I really believe this is more of a coupon, since with a true gift certificate you can truly pick a meal that is the same or less than the certificate and eat free. With these, you can't, since there is an obligation to spend $5 or $10 more than the face value. Hence, it is truly a "% off coupon", cleverly disguised.

Anyway, it would still be a good deal, and the place offers great food. The full year to use it is good, too.

The only problem I have is that the coupons online are sold out. It looks like I would need to wait until the first of the month.

When does the code "treats" expire?

Also, from experience, do any of you know if I would be able to get on there at 12:01 AM on Nov. 1, still use the "treats" code, and get these? In other words, when do the new ones become available - what time of day on the first of each month?

Finally, if they are given as gifts, are you SURE that nothing can happen if everyone I give them to tries to use them on the same day or something that will invalidate them?

In for 1. Thanks OP.

Do you always get a email survey from restaurant.com after you used a coupon asking you to rate that restaurant?

I wonder if that's a way to determine or not whether a restaurant has actually marked that gift cert # as being used.

Bummer, certificates for most Japanese restaurant near where I live is OOS. Fortunately, I was
able to get certificate ($25 value) for my favorite restaurant on the hill The Van's for only $3.00!!

thanks OP!

harleyjoe13 said:i bought these and the place was out of business and the company wouldnt return my money.They don't refund your money but they certainly issue you a credit towards a different certificate.

confused200 said:ladderless said:In the Cleveland area, there are over 100 options, including some great restaurants (Pickick and Frolics, Shula's 2, Paws, Leopard, and others).

My wife and I have been using these coupons for a while... It's been a great way to explore new places.

The problem is, many of the restaurants sell out the first day of each month. I've started buying restaurant.com certficates when they go on sale toward the end of the month, and then using those to buy the individual restaurant certificates the first of each month.
Newbie question. What do you mean by the last sentence -- i.e. how do you do that? Can you do it for every restaurant that you have the restaurant.com's certificate? Or only some? And what is the difference, in practical terms, between restaurant.com's cert. and the individual restaurant's cert?

Also, if I buy the restaurant.com cert. now, it is only good until 10/31/2007?

And do I need to install special software in order to print restaurant.com's certificate?

TIA

It can be a little confusing. You can get either a restaurant.com certificate for the website, OR a restaurant.com certificate for a specific restaurant.

The certificate for the website can be found here: http://gift.restaurant.com/

For example, you want to get a $25 certificate for the "Greasy Spoon", but since they're sold out, and not available until the first of the month, you buy a $25 certificate for the web site for $10, now for $3. On the first, when the Greasy Spoon certificates are available, you redeem your $25 restaurant.com website certificate for the $25 Greay Spoon certificate. You end up getting the $25 Greasy Spoon for $3, even though they weren't available when the 70% off sale was in effect.

Your restaurant.com certificates are good for one year. I am not sure about restaurant certificates purchased with restaurant.com certificates.

No special printer or software needed.