David H.

Restaurant.com offers some good deals and genuine savings. That said, problems will likely arise if you don't carefully research its site AND each restaurant in which you're interested. Go to the restaurant.com site. Type in the relevant zip code (usually for your home area or a place you will soon visit) or a type of cuisine you prefer. Write down the name and contact information of each restaurant that interests you. Note each restaurant's ostensible restrictions--as listed on restaurant.com--regarding restaurant.com. Make sure you also note a restaurant's telephone number or email or texting address. CONTACT the restaurant: by phone is the fastest and cheapest, if local. Politely ask a SUPERVISOR or someone with equivalent authority about the restaurant's policies regarding restaurant.com. Make SURE you speak to someone of genuine supervisory authority and record that person's first name. Double and triple check with the SUPERVISORY person about any restrictions regarding restaurant.com: $50 minimum purchase? Not valid Friday through Sunday? Not valid for the buffet or combination meals? Separate gratuity still expected? Okay. Record all of this information where you can quickly retrieve it. Make sure you've got all the information you need. NOW, you could still run into problems, but it's far less likely. Say, you're a single person eating alone. You note the $50 minimum purchase. Okay: plan to eat a dinner in AND order some take out you'll really want--say, for lunch and dinner at home tomorrow. GREAT! You've saved some good money on food you really want. But you'll likely feel ripped off, unless you do some research first. (Also, if rather than a card you print up an e-gift card on your home computer, be sure to stick this in a plastic sleeve or in a safe, dry place.) Okay: I understand some of the criticisms of restaurant.com that I've read on this site. My experience with restaurant.com has been fairly positive, but others note some valid concerns here. If you do your research first--and then double check again when you arrive at the restaurant--you're likely to save some good cash at a nice restaurant you genuinely like. That's a big "if"--do the research first and avoid hassles, misinterpretations, and that ugly "ripped off" feeling.