Comments on: A Real Review of Restaurant.com http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:19:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Michael Brown http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com/comment-page-1#comment-37744 Michael Brown Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:20:12 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1594#comment-37744 I am a merchant who had signed up for restaurant.com though one of their field agents. The agent came to my pizza shop in Swansea, SC and presented the program to me. It seemed legitimate. We discussed possible issues upfront. She assured me that customers could only buy one certificate to my place and the program was designed to bring new customers to our restaurant. A few month in, I had a customer that was able to purchase $400 worth of $25 certificates for only $16. Restaurant.com was offering $25 certificates at Christmas for $1 and their was no limit on how many a person could buy. This totally defeats the purpose of the program from a merchants point of view! When I contacted restaurant.com, they quickly informed me that in the fine print of the documents we signed, it states that we are obligated to the program for a one year period. We waited our year out and then was told their was a 90 day waiting period. 90 days after providing written notice that we wanted out of the program, we are still on the site! It is very frustrating to me because we have no choice but to disappoint and frustrate our customers by not honoring the certificates. Restaurant.com now says that we must conduct a exit interview, which they are unable to schedule with me as of today. It is a terribly flawed system where restaurant.com does not disclose the terms of the agreement and then "forces" merchants to cooperate or be faced with a $1000 fine for breaching the contract! Just wanted to make you aware as to why so many merchants are turning and running from restaurant.com. I plan to post my story on as many review sites as I can in hope of keeping a merchant like me from doing business with restaurant.com. Just to clarify, restaurant.com keeps 100% of the money they sell the certificate for. Restaurants eat that cost as a way to bring in NEW business. That's the way the program is presented to the merchant. There is a minimum order that is supposed to cover food costs for the restaurant but in today's economy, restaurants are selling items with a 40% food cost. Its a horrible program and I hope that they will remove us soon! Michael Brown Paparonis Grill, LLC I am a merchant who had signed up for restaurant.com though one of their field agents. The agent came to my pizza shop in Swansea, SC and presented the program to me. It seemed legitimate. We discussed possible issues upfront. She assured me that customers could only buy one certificate to my place and the program was designed to bring new customers to our restaurant. A few month in, I had a customer that was able to purchase $400 worth of $25 certificates for only $16. Restaurant.com was offering $25 certificates at Christmas for $1 and their was no limit on how many a person could buy. This totally defeats the purpose of the program from a merchants point of view! When I contacted restaurant.com, they quickly informed me that in the fine print of the documents we signed, it states that we are obligated to the program for a one year period. We waited our year out and then was told their was a 90 day waiting period. 90 days after providing written notice that we wanted out of the program, we are still on the site! It is very frustrating to me because we have no choice but to disappoint and frustrate our customers by not honoring the certificates. Restaurant.com now says that we must conduct a exit interview, which they are unable to schedule with me as of today. It is a terribly flawed system where restaurant.com does not disclose the terms of the agreement and then “forces” merchants to cooperate or be faced with a $1000 fine for breaching the contract! Just wanted to make you aware as to why so many merchants are turning and running from restaurant.com. I plan to post my story on as many review sites as I can in hope of keeping a merchant like me from doing business with restaurant.com. Just to clarify, restaurant.com keeps 100% of the money they sell the certificate for. Restaurants eat that cost as a way to bring in NEW business. That’s the way the program is presented to the merchant. There is a minimum order that is supposed to cover food costs for the restaurant but in today’s economy, restaurants are selling items with a 40% food cost. Its a horrible program and I hope that they will remove us soon!

Michael Brown
Paparonis Grill, LLC

]]> By: Melissa http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com/comment-page-1#comment-36957 Melissa Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:37:04 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1594#comment-36957 Total scam, awful customer service! I used a coupon code and purchased 7 $25 certificates. I was re-directed to a page that said: “Thank you for your order! Your order has been processed. Because this deal is so popular today, we are experiencing very high order volume. Please do not worry – If you are reading this message, we have received your order and we will send your order confirmation within 24 hours. You can view and/or print your certificate(s) directly from the order confirmation email. No need to contact us. Thank you for your patience. Restaurant.com” I was VERY nervous, and for good reason. I received NO CONFIRMATION EMAIL, no transaction number, nothing. The only evidence of this transaction was my paypal account (which, thankfully detailed each certificate, price paid, time etc.) I heard nothing for 48 hours, so I emailed customer service. Heard nothing for A WEEK after contacting customer service. Finally, I filed a complaint through paypal. I wrote to customer service again, and heard back. After 15 emails back and forth (they were giving me the run around) I finally received a link to my vouchers. I thought “whew”, well that was a lot of work. At least I have the vouchers…. until I drove by one of the restaurants I purchased a voucher for, only to see it COMPLETELY GUTTED, signs removed…out of business!! Total scam. Don’t waste your time or your money!!!! Total scam, awful customer service! I used a coupon code and purchased 7 $25 certificates. I was re-directed to a page that said:

“Thank you for your order!

Your order has been processed.

Because this deal is so popular today, we are experiencing very high order
volume. Please do not worry – If you are reading this message, we have
received your order and we will send your order confirmation within 24
hours. You can view and/or print your certificate(s) directly from the
order confirmation email. No need to contact us.

Thank you for your patience.

Restaurant.com”

I was VERY nervous, and for good reason. I received NO CONFIRMATION EMAIL, no transaction number, nothing. The only evidence of this transaction was my paypal account (which, thankfully detailed each certificate, price paid, time etc.)

I heard nothing for 48 hours, so I emailed customer service. Heard nothing for A WEEK after contacting customer service. Finally, I filed a complaint through paypal. I wrote to customer service again, and heard back. After 15 emails back and forth (they were giving me the run around) I finally received a link to my vouchers.

I thought “whew”, well that was a lot of work. At least I have the vouchers…. until I drove by one of the restaurants I purchased a voucher for, only to see it COMPLETELY GUTTED, signs removed…out of business!! Total scam. Don’t waste your time or your money!!!!

]]> By: Gary http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com/comment-page-1#comment-36871 Gary Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:43:14 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1594#comment-36871 I had bought 4 $25 certificates at $3 each but chose a restaurant of same name as local one but over 50 miles away. They set in my account almost a year, but then restaurant.com e-mailed me that restaurant was no longer participating and converted each to a $25 gift certificate for restaurant.com I have used 3 $25 so far with no issues, just read the restaurants requirements before and check the location :) I had bought 4 $25 certificates at $3 each but chose a restaurant of same name as local one but over 50 miles away. They set in my account almost a year, but then restaurant.com e-mailed me that restaurant was no longer participating and converted each to a $25 gift certificate for restaurant.com I have used 3 $25 so far with no issues, just read the restaurants requirements before and check the location :)

]]> By: J.C. http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com/comment-page-1#comment-36675 J.C. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:59:41 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1594#comment-36675 You do realize that these servers make well less than minumum wage? 18% is a small tip to leave, considering. I come from NYC and folks that leave just 18% are stating that the service was terrible. A normal tip from a new yorking is 20-25%. I am not nor have I ever been in the restaurant business, but I do appreciate what those folks must put up with for a less than stellar wage. They make their money on tips. Food for thought. You do realize that these servers make well less than minumum wage? 18% is a small tip to leave, considering. I come from NYC and folks that leave just 18% are stating that the service was terrible. A normal tip from a new yorking is 20-25%. I am not nor have I ever been in the restaurant business, but I do appreciate what those folks must put up with for a less than stellar wage. They make their money on tips. Food for thought.

]]> By: nothappy http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com/comment-page-1#comment-35873 nothappy Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:13:59 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1594#comment-35873 I had two good experiences with restaurant.com. I read all the repercussions and regulations prior to ordering and they worked out great. HOWEVER, I recently ordered 4 GC expecting them in the mail to use as gifts and I have yet to receive them. Resturant.com stated they sent them but they have no tracking so they emailed me ecards as an exchange (which to me are not as tangible as GC for Xmas so I will not be using them for that. They also said they will not refund me for them losing the GC NOR would they send tangable cards and provide tracking. Costumer service is LACKING! I had two good experiences with restaurant.com. I read all the repercussions and regulations prior to ordering and they worked out great. HOWEVER, I recently ordered 4 GC expecting them in the mail to use as gifts and I have yet to receive them. Resturant.com stated they sent them but they have no tracking so they emailed me ecards as an exchange (which to me are not as tangible as GC for Xmas so I will not be using them for that. They also said they will not refund me for them losing the GC NOR would they send tangable cards and provide tracking. Costumer service is LACKING!

]]> By: Diana http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com/comment-page-1#comment-35218 Diana Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:28:02 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1594#comment-35218 After reading a lot of the reviews I realized there are a lot of cheap people out there. 18% is too much of a tip?!! Wow, whoever thinks that is going to be waiting tables in hell. After reading a lot of the reviews I realized there are a lot of cheap people out there. 18% is too much of a tip?!! Wow, whoever thinks that is going to be waiting tables in hell.

]]> By: Joann http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com/comment-page-1#comment-35123 Joann Sat, 24 Sep 2011 15:21:02 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1594#comment-35123 Yes , I agree with you 100 per cent .. On some local restaurants listed I would not even spend 35.00 min that is required plus 18 percent gratuity which I never leave .. This is not gift certificates,,more like a gimmick to spend more money than you normally would at a restaurant .. I get a better deal with my local newspaper and flyers from my mail box on by one get one free with no strings attached.. no min amount required and give what I want on the gratuity. After reading all of these comments and problems with them giving your credit to other companys I willnot use them ... Yes , I agree with you 100 per cent .. On some local restaurants listed I would not even spend 35.00 min that is required plus 18 percent gratuity which I never leave .. This is not gift certificates,,more like a gimmick to spend more money than you normally would at a restaurant .. I get a better deal with my local newspaper and flyers from my mail box on by one get one free with no strings attached.. no min amount required and give what I want on the gratuity. After reading all of these comments and problems with them giving your credit to other companys I willnot use them …

]]> By: Rice http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com/comment-page-1#comment-32684 Rice Fri, 13 May 2011 22:10:19 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1594#comment-32684 That's viewpoint from a customer. However I would like restaurants owners to be aware before promising themselves to restaurant.com ::: At least I'd like customers to know that the restaurant itself doesn't make any money, $25 off is a free lost especially if you're only reaching the minimum (say it's $45):: + tax and gratuity - $25 you will end up paying $19 on the restaurant and whatever much you pay for the gift certificate. The restaurant makes $12-$13.. that only covers the raw materials, not the labor or electricity. It sounds like a great exposure, but in the end you will only get customers that don't come without the coupons and even your already regulars will become gift card users. In the end people who makes money is restaurant.com because they don't lose anything. So dear valued customers, if you're just gonna keep printing out gift certificates to use at your favorite place, all you're doing is putting them out of business if you planning to not pay the full bill ever again. It will be a huge hassle when you try to withdraw your restaurant away. They will tell you you can raise the minimum at first, when you're hooked you can only limit number of certificates can be sold each day. That’s viewpoint from a customer.
However I would like restaurants owners to be aware before promising themselves to restaurant.com

::: At least I’d like customers to know that the restaurant itself doesn’t make any money, $25 off is a free lost especially if you’re only reaching the minimum (say it’s $45):: + tax and gratuity – $25 you will end up paying $19 on the restaurant and whatever much you pay for the gift certificate.

The restaurant makes $12-$13.. that only covers the raw materials, not the labor or electricity.

It sounds like a great exposure, but in the end you will only get customers that don’t come without the coupons and even your already regulars will become gift card users. In the end people who makes money is restaurant.com because they don’t lose anything.

So dear valued customers, if you’re just gonna keep printing out gift certificates to use at your favorite place, all you’re doing is putting them out of business if you planning to not pay the full bill ever again.

It will be a huge hassle when you try to withdraw your restaurant away. They will tell you you can raise the minimum at first, when you’re hooked you can only limit number of certificates can be sold each day.

]]> By: jennifer http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com/comment-page-1#comment-32285 jennifer Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:57:03 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1594#comment-32285 Not bad experience for me if you pay attention to the fine print. There is always minimum purchase. If some restaurant has stop accept gc, you can exchange for another for free. There is a very convenient tool named "Social Deal Map" which has put all restaurant.com deal and many other group buy deals on a map so that people can easily find nearby deals, which works great for me. Not bad experience for me if you pay attention to the fine print. There is always minimum purchase. If some restaurant has stop accept gc, you can exchange for another for free. There is a very convenient tool named “Social Deal Map” which has put all restaurant.com deal and many other group buy deals on a map so that people can easily find nearby deals, which works great for me.

]]> By: Christy http://momadvice.com/blog/2006/12/a-real-review-of-restaurant-com/comment-page-1#comment-28029 Christy Sun, 19 Dec 2010 02:16:18 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1594#comment-28029 I am very frustrated with Restaurant.com. I purchased a $50 gift certificate for the Celtic Grill in Winston-Salem, NC only to find out when I went to use it the restaurant was closed--as in permanently. I received a replacement gc to another restaurant, and upon arriving at that one was told they no longer accepted Restaurant.com gcs--I bought the stupid gift card the same day I tried to use it. Apparently the restaurant had changed management and this had made their contract null and void. The manager told me he had contacted Restaurant.com several times in the past two months, but Restaurant.com would not remove them from their database. After having to turn several gc holders away the restaurant finally resorted to posting a sign on their door warning patrons about the problem. I am so disgusted, and the worst part is I have three more gcs at different restaurants to use. I am very frustrated with Restaurant.com. I purchased a $50 gift certificate for the Celtic Grill in Winston-Salem, NC only to find out when I went to use it the restaurant was closed–as in permanently.

I received a replacement gc to another restaurant, and upon arriving at that one was told they no longer accepted Restaurant.com gcs–I bought the stupid gift card the same day I tried to use it. Apparently the restaurant had changed management and this had made their contract null and void. The manager told me he had contacted Restaurant.com several times in the past two months, but Restaurant.com would not remove them from their database. After having to turn several gc holders away the restaurant finally resorted to posting a sign on their door warning patrons about the problem.

I am so disgusted, and the worst part is I have three more gcs at different restaurants to use.

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