First a basic run down on how this sight works. Free sign up includes the ability to purchase discounted gift certificates to the many area restaurants made available on the sight. That seems pretty straight forward but there is a bit of a catch, but there are lots of ways around the red tape.
They also offer a dinner of the month club that you can purchase. If you choose to purchase this you will receive an email once a month that you can redeem for a $25 gift certificate to one of the available restaurants. Now... how to take advantage of this service.
Now, what's the catch? I will use a typical $25 gift certificate as an example. You will usually pay about $10 for a $25 certificate. It could be higher or lower but that is the average. With that certificate there are many restrictions and conditions. The most common is that you are required to spend a minimum of at least $10 over that gift certificate amount, more if the value of the certificate is greater. There are also often restrictions on when you can use the certificate and what menu items you can use it for.
Don't fret I am here to help.
First: Sign Up. When you sign up you will receive emails letting you know when new restaurants are added and, even better, when they are having a sale. They usually have at least one 80% off sale a month. That means the $10 you would have spent on that $25 certificate mentioned above now only costs you $2. If we do the math you just went from paying a minimum of $20 (not including tax and tip) for a $35 meal to paying $12 for that same meal. I would advise you to ONLY purchase restaurant.com certificates when they have the 80% off sale. They have them often enough that you won't miss out, I promise.
Secondly: Pay very close attention to the restrictions about when you can use your certificates WHEN you make your purchase. Most of the restrictions involve not being able to use them on Friday or Saturday or restrict you to dinner hours. Paying attention to this when you make your purchase can save you an embarrassing moment when the waitress lets you know that your romantic evening is going to cost you twice as much as you thought.
Third: Make sure you tip on the original amount of the meal. Most of the certificates have a restriction that 18% gratuity will automatically be added to your bill on the original purchase price of the meal but I've found that the server often forgets this step. Your server didn't do any less work just because you saved a bit of moolah. Don't cheat them.
Fourth: Check out the menu's of the restaurants and reviews if possible before buying the certificate. This will help you determine how far that certificate will get you and if the place is worth the effort.
Fifth: If you like the restaurant, tell your friends. These places make themselves available on this sight to get the word out about their business. They are hoping that the reduced risk of trying their place for the first time helps get you over that hump of the unfamiliar. These are also, usually, locally owned businesses who don't have a massive nationwide campaign advertising for them. If they do good encourage others to go and go back.
Lastly: Try using the certificate when dining with a friend willing to pay the amount required over the certificate value. You have brought about $25 to the table and they pay about $15 bucks out of pocket if they cover the tip too. I give you this advice but I have yet to take it myself. Usually the amount above the certificate value is split down the middle.
I think that is about it. Please let me know if I left anything out or if you have any questions.
