Super Discount Coupons Here!

[Hermit Cover]

With the economy the way it is....and with merchant sales off a bit...many restaurants, stores, car washes, etc. have offered discounts in the form of coupons and certificates to stimulate consumer activity....increasing their bottom line. For instance, some restaurants are offering two for one dinner coupons, some offer discount certificates you can purchase for a discounted price. If you know of sources of these "discounts" share them here....it's a win win for the cash-strapped consumer and the shop owner looking for more customers:). Links, phone numbers, radio stations offering Super Savers.....Let's mention them here.......:liplick:

[angela4design]

I try to shop at the Dollar Saver or Restaurant.com. Both offer big discounts, but the Dollar Saver is easier to use for the patron and the vendor, less restrictions and hassle. (Did you know that a Restaurant.com certificate has to be called in and verified by the restauarnt to honor it? Try getting that done during a busy service!)

The reasons that I like the Dollar Saver better are because funds actually go to a marketing program with a radio station to get their ads with no cost up-front; so the more they get used, the more they can advertise. Makes sense! And - it's not "just" restaurants, it's attractions, waterparks, automotive, spas, landscaping etc. etc.

Dollar Saver (http://dollarsavershow.com/Default.aspx?station_id=17) and Restaurant.com (http://www.restaurant.com/index.asp?)

[VitaBene]

Thanks HC and Angela!

[kauriel]

I was really excited to find quite a few restaurants in Lakes Region that participate in Restaurant.com:
TBones/CJS - Laconia
Club 59 - Wolfeboro
Lyons Den - Gilford
Mame's - Meredith
CJ Avery's - Laconia
Hector's - Laconia
Heat - Laconia
Mise En Place - Wolfeboro

I stock up on gift certificates when they are on sale for $2 (80% off) and then apply them to $25 restaurant certificates. They are usually 60 - 80% off the $10 price if you grab a promotion code from retailmenot.com or another coupon site. Today, they are 70% off ($3).

For example, go to www.restaurant.com, read fine print (TBones requires bill be at least $35 to take off $25), add a $25 certificate to T-Bones in Laconia, and enter "TASTY" in the promotion code box and buy certificate for $3. Print out certificate and then enjoy a $40 meal at TBones for $18 + tip ($40 - 25 + $3 cost of certificate).

I <3 restaurant.com but you have to read fine print because some certificates are only good certain days, times, etc. and you can only use one certificate/month. Finally, always remember to tip your server based on the pre-discount bill and enjoy the $20+ saved : )

[kauriel]

Gift certificates on restaurant.com are 80% off through July 31 with coupon code "PLATE"

That means you can buy a $25 certificate for $2 and save $23 off your meal! As I previously noted, you have to read the fine print to make sure your meal will qualify.

Not sure what restaurant you want to go to? Buy a few restaurant.com gift certificates and give them to yourself to choose later! I usually stock up on the generic gift certificates when they are on sale for $2 and then select specific restaurants throughout year : )

[Lakesrider]

If you go to the Rest.com site and read the rules next to each place. Some say $50.00 minimum purchase with an 18% or even a 20% gratuity added before the discount. 20% holy cr@p! So I get a discount and then add 20% right back to it? Why bother? What if you get horrible service? And you still have to pay 20%. Just knock me on the head and rob me....:eek::D

[Argie's Wife]

If you go to the Rest.com site and read the rules next to each place. Some say $50.00 minimum purchase with an 18% or even a 20% gratuity added before the discount. 20% holy cr@p! So I get a discount and then add 20% right back to it? Why bother? What if you get horrible service? And you still have to pay 20%. Just knock me on the head and rob me....:eek::D

So, you go out to a nice dinner and the bill comes to $60.00. The server adds on 20% for gratituity, which isn't uncommon if you've every dined out with a large party or whatever. Ms. Manners says you should tip about 15% anyhow for good service. So...

THE BILL... $60.00 + $12.00 (<--20% of the 60) = $72.00.
THE COUPON... $72.00 - $25.00 = $47.00 (with the cost of the coupon you really spent $49.00 on your meal + tip.
TOTAL = $49.00

So, let's pretend you don't have the coupon...

THE BILL.... $60.00
THE TIP.... $9.00 (<--15% of the bill, per Ms. Manners)
TOTAL: $69.00

So gee... you can spend $49.00 by using the coupon or you can spend $69.00 without it... - the coupon looks darn good.

By the way...

Argie and I are frequent flyers with restaurant.com. We've never yet had a place add in the tip. They only ask that we based the tip on the cost BEFORE the coupon is subtracted from the bill. :) That's only fair to the waitstaff.... no problem.

(The math on that would look like this: $60.00 (bill) - $25.00 (coupon) = $35.00 + $9.00 (tip at 15% of $60) = $44.00 + $2.00 (cost of coupon) = $46.00 TOTAL


And...

It's generally a $35.00 minimum purchase to use a $25 coupon... pretty good deal, still.

[AB_Monterey]

We love restaurant.com. We've used them for 3+ years now.

I have yet to have anyone add the gratuity to our bill even if the certificate stated that they would.