feelings on coupons?

[violet]

is it tacky and uncouth to use coupons in restaurants?

personally, i love a coupon but i do get a feeling of unease when utilising it.

your thoughts?

[Midlife]

I have some sense of the unease you describe, but I really feel that a restaurant distributes coupons to get you to eat there.............so why should you feel odd doing that? Look at it from the perspective of the restaurant.

Use a coupon to visit someplace new, at a reduced price, to see if you like it. It's a bit different if you use coupons at a place you frequent, especially if you would be there anyway. That seems to defeat the coupon's purpose to some degree, and does feel a bit like you're just taking away some of their profit. However, if the coupon increases your visits, that's back in the corner of their intent.

[Gary Soup]

They issue the coupons because they need your business. You are doing them a favor by showing up. Just remember to tip as if you were paying the full amount.

Link: http://eatingchinese.org

[Curtis]

IMO, if they didn't want you to use the coupons, they wouldn't have distributed them in the first place, or made an expiration date.

[Karl S.]

Those feelings are entirely self-imposed. It's no more tacky nor uncouth than getting something comped by the restaurant.

[foodiex2]

They wouldn't issue them if they didn't want you to use them. However if you feel guilty (???) just use the coupon as an incentive to try more or different things. You could order a better wine than you would usually buy or have that extra cocktail. You could order a more expensive entree than you would normally buy or order an extra appetizer just because it sounds good. This ups the bill to closer to what you would have paid without the coupon but is still a value because you got to try more things for the same price.

Restaurants are not trying to lose money by offering coupons there goal is 2-fold: first they want to get you in the door and second they hope that if you like it you will come back and tell your friends. The only time the servers or owners get pissed off is when the customer obviously is taking advantage of the program or when the customer does not tip appropriately.

[kc girl]

"The only time the servers or owners get pissed off . . ."

I thought that, too. However, my friend took me to dinner with his family and said he would use a coupon. (I guess he was asking if I'd be embarrased if he did). Then he said that he uses one all the time, in fact, everytime (I guess there is a mailer or something wherein it is distributed. It's not just a one-time-a year thing in the Entertainment Book) Then, he said that the server doesn't even take the coupon anymore and just takes one of the dinner prices off the tab. And, she is very happy to see them, charts the growth of his chidren, and remembers what they like! That amazed me.

Granted, it is a family Italian place (really good marinara) that doesn't have a waiting line, but still I think they are generous. And, the waitress is the owner's daughter. So, I guess it depends on the place.

I would say though, if you get a server that makes you feel uncomfortable using a coupon that was obviously issued by the restaurant, you've got a bad server. It shouldn't be ALL about the money.

Even super busy restaurants offer $$ specials. If they don't want the intrusion, they put day or hour restrictions on it or don't get involved in the program.

[The Ranger]

No, it's not tacky; not even slightly.

The restaurant is attempting to increase their sales (specifically on week nights) by advertising in coupon books, joining coops that use cards, and through coupon-issuing sites. It's also an easy direct-feedback marketing program; they can see -- immediately -- where a segment of their customer base is.

The only times restaurants care if you're using a coupon is outside the stated times (usually use of cards and coupons are prohibited Fridays and Saturdays). I've never known a manager or owner to care about this but you should tip on the meal prior to providing the coupon and not on the reduced amount. That undertips the server.

We (friends and family) use coupons and cards all the time. I love trying new places and extra dishes that I might not normally. It also allows me-and-mine to go out during the week where we've received some of the best service. It's all in what you are expecting. (BTW: The only downside to coupons... Sometimes the lack of customers is a good barometer to pregauge a meal.)

[Linda VH]

The only reason to feel uncomfortable is because the waiter assumes you will tip only on the bottom line of the check. I usually say "here's a coupon", please be sure to show me the original amount on the check so I can tip accordingly. Linda

[Karl S.]

Yes, that's right. Just like you normally should tip up when comped.

[neighbor]

The few times I have used restaurant coupons, it's been awkward because invariably the server has never seen one before or has no idea the restaurant is even offering them. It's embarrassing to everyone, IMO.

[WLA]

And that's why we present any coupon we are using right from the first moment the waiter comes to the table, so all of that can be worked out before we even have drinks, or have ordered an appetiser, etc. If there is going to be a problem let there be plenty of time that is basically "down time" for the restaurant management to work out the details of honoring, (or not) the coupon and we know what to expect come "check" time.

[mark]

in addition to telling the waitstaff when ordering that i'm using a coupon, i also ask them to provide the uncouponed total on the bill so i can tip the appropriate amount. that way they know up front they'll get a fair tip, and don't ignore my table assuming it will be reduced.

[Peter]

Then it's the restaurant's fault for not properly training their wait staff. I'd wonder about how well they train their wait staff aside from this issue. The only person who should feel awkward is the restaurant.

[coll]

I've been following this thread with interest today, as I just got coupons for a "second entree free" at our favorite steak house (Cliffs). We haven't been able to afford to eat out at real restaurants much this summer (although we've discovered some great little places). Anyway after reading about the different reactions of waitstaff, I called to make sure it was true, and the waitress who answered the phone was SO FRIENDLY, and genuinely seemed happy that we were coming in...she said they put the ads out because with the price of gas, business for everyone here on the North Fork is way down and they were thrilled that we'd be in tonight. Of course we'll probably get a few extras and end up spending almost the same amount we used to, but it's still a win/win situation. I just wish I didn't have to clip coupons, but it's better than not going at all!!

[neighbor]

>

In an ideal world, yes. In my world, no. It just wasn't worth the hassle, even though the coupons were accepted after a lot of discussion in the back.

[Peter]

Depends on the occasion. On a first date, yes. We use them quite often to try out new places or return visits to favorite places which we found using coupons.

[LisaN]

I usually get an Entertainment book every year and use it to try new places.

One thing I noticed recently that I didn't like, is when we were given the bill (there were two of us) a 15% tip was automatically added to the bill, and the server did not make us aware of it. I only noticed that by going closely over the bill.

I realize they probably do this to compensate for people who do not tip on the pre-coupon amount, but I think he should have made us aware it was on there. Normally if it was good service, I tip over 15%, but this time, he only got what was added, I felt like they were trying to put one over on me by not pointing out it was already on the bill.

[Carb Lover]

One of my mom's top 5 lessons in life: have no shame in using a coupon. Of course, there is some grace and etiquette that others have already outlined. Thanks to those who suggested asking for the pre-coupon total to be included on the bill; never thought of that before. There are many more tacky and uncouth actions that a patron can display. A coupon is an advertisement and enticement, and if it makes you feel better, tell yourself that your use of their coupon is giving them feedback on where their marketing dollars are being well spent. If a server or staff person discriminates on this basis, then they aren't very wise or business savvy, as I would be very unlikely to return even if the food was good.

I clip coupons for restaurants that I'm interested in; however, the trick is finding them when I actually need them.

[Will Owen]

If the restaurant thought coupons were tacky, they wouldn't have offered any, would they? If I were dining at l'Orangerie or somewhere like that, I don't think I'd ask if they gave senior or AAA discounts, UNLESS they'd advertised such in either the AARP or AAA magazine. I don't think any restaurants are included in coupon or discount programs involuntarily.

Now, if you're concerned about looking "cheap" to other diners (or your date!), that's another matter entirely.

[SDM]

As the owner of a restaurant, I sometimes use coupons to measure the effectiveness of my advertising. So I'm happy when people use them - the ad is getting through.

[rudeboy]

I never "show" my coupon until right after the dessert is offered. That keeps the waitpeople from putting you into "coupon category." Coupon category is where you are when the waitperson assumes that you are a cheapskate (when I was waiting, about half of the people who cane in with the coupon ordered two waters, two cheap entrees, and were rather poor tippers). You don't want to be in coupon category - you get poor service at times. There isn't ever a reason for them to know until after they've offered dessert, and you've stopped ordering things.

[Browniebaker]

. . . unless the coupon states that the coupon must be presented at the time of the order.

[rudeboy]

Well, I'm specifically referring to restaurants with table service. I've never seen a coupon that said that for a real restaurant. I mainly use the passbook and the local rag, however.

[cornflower]

I read your question to mean something different. I thought you meant that you'd look cheap to everyone else around you, or that you'd feel like you were using food stamps.

I can't see why a restaurant wouldn't want you to use a coupon, as long as you tip appropriately. I don't see any shame in using a coupon either. But whipping out a 2-for-1 coupon on a date could be considered tacky.

[lotsanivanh]

i don't think there's anything wrong with it. while you are giving the restaurant business, you are also eating smart. and if the restaurant is good enough you will keep coming and in the longrun that coupon will have benefitted both you the consumer and the restaurant. my bf and i buy certificates online from restaurant.com and although the listings are kinda limited roth's, where we frequent, is on there and some other great places and with a quick search for online codes you can get the certificates for close to nothing and save yourself $25. and i don't ever feel cheap for using the certificates. we usually get a few drinks/bottle of wine with app and entrees and if there's room left some dessert, so i don't feel like we are skimping on the bill. to sum it up, i think coupons benefit both restaurant and you; it's a no lose situation.