Last week’s poll asked if you were tired of the snow yet poll and the majority of you said you were. While there were those who hadn’t, perhaps the proper question following this week’s cold snap would be “are you tired of the cold yet?” I’m tired of all of it. Less than 6 months till the beach!
This week’s poll comes courtesy of a discussion occurring on the Andiamo thread begun by reader “JaLurker”. JaLurker noted that they don’t eat out unless they have a coupon for a restaurant. Other people have noted either they don’t go to restaurants that have coupons because that means they aren’t of good quality or they use them because they are available but don’t necessarily base their dining decisions on them.
Our family, now numbering three and one who shouldn’t be eating as much as he ends up eating but does, has been looking for any way to save money on eating out that we can. We spent an entire week using coupons to eat out for our birthdays (I’ll have a post up later this week about that experience) and if we have them we’ll use them however due to the nature of this website we generally don’t use them for new restaurants we’re going to review. So obviously I’m not against it and I certainly welcome to the use of coupons but they don’t make or break our dining out experiences.
So what about you? Do you use coupons when you dine out? If so do you require coupons to do so or do you just use them when you can to save money? Do you agree with the assertion that restaurants offering coupons generally aren’t of good quality? Whatever you have to say about using restaurant coupons go ahead and vote on the sidebar and then comment on below. After you do both of those things feel free to check out our expired polls in the archive or read through the previous posts about polls here.
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January 23rd, 2011 at 8:48 am
when we do dine out, it’ll be for breakfast or lunch. if we can find a coupon, we’ll try a new place. if we can’t find one, it’ll be someplace tried and true. juniors, keys windmill and so on. we have a md’s appointment in shakopee tomorrow am and will probably hit the windmill on the way home. i can’t remember the last time we went out at night. it may have been at the hungry point for a burger buster at trempealeau after biking the great river bike trail.
bb
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:58 am
bb, we also do most of our dining out during the day. I simply refuse to stand in line to eat anyplace. Many of the places we enjoy are busy for dinner, but you can walk right in for lunch.
Its also true that many places are less expensive for lunch. Fogo would be an extreme example of this.
January 23rd, 2011 at 9:26 am
I probably use coupons a quarter to a third of the time when I eat at restaurants. I’m trying to use them more.
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:08 am
I think the aura of couponing has changed in the past few years. You have the “coupon bunch” that only uses coupons and the people who don’t.
If you use a coupon, understand that the place is probably losing money on you on that visit. I won’t buy the “incremental business’” argument either as that math is weak.
Ask yourself this. If you worked for a company that was selling a product for less than cost all the time, how long would you collect a paycheck before you got laid off? For some reason the coupon bunch expects to be supported by those of us that would like to see a good place succeed as we pay full price more often than not.
I don’t know why people think that it is ok to just use coupons and not support a place that deserves it. If you use a coupon and the place sucks, don’t go back.
This coupon thing is killing the restaurant business, not helping it. It is especially killing the good value places that feel the need to coupon just to compete with lesser value places that have to offer coupons. The next time you see a great place shut down, that very well may be why.
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:22 am
There are two kinds of restaurants:
1. Those I’d only visit with a coupon.
2. Those I’d visit coupon or not.
Having said that, there are certainly times where a place I really love that fits into the second category draws me in for an unplanned visit because of a deal like a BOGO coupon.
I think I also tend to pad my tip a little more when I have a coupon. (That brings up another point: ALWAYS tip on the pre-coupon total! Seems like that should be a given…)
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:54 am
The only time I can remember using a coupon (and I’m not sure if it really qualifies) was the “Free Meal for Dave” promo at Famous Dave’s. As I was sitting there mowing through my rack of ribs watching the mob scene, I was thinking it was a pretty brilliant promotion. Just about every “Dave” in there also had 1-4 other family members that probably wouldn’t have been there otherwise.
Besides that, we use coupons when we’re ordering pizza at the crappy local places like Pizza Man.
I think we’ve used them from the Blue Sky Guide and a Groupon-type deal, but I can’t remember offhand.
January 23rd, 2011 at 11:05 am
We try to use coupons or buy things on sale/clearance as much as possible. We tell our children it helps us afford to do fun things like go camping, go out to eat etc. In addition to the regular grocery coupons at Target/Cub in the last month we have also used coupons at Underwater Adventures, Cici’s Pizza (this was a win win as they were having a school fundraising event for our son’s school) and Papa Murphys. We also cashed in some airline miles before the expired and got a TGI Fridays gift card; this allowed us to go out without kids.
January 23rd, 2011 at 11:36 am
I almost said no, but remembered our use of a coupon at Ole Piper’s last week.
I belong to Groupon, and it offers some great deals. My future DIL recommended it to me, as she uses it all the time in Chicago. Myself, not so much, simply due to inertia.
And not to argue with lefty, because with many places, it’s probably true, but from what I’ve heard, Groupon helps new businesses establish a customer base.
I don’t eat dinner out; I can’t afford the prices and by supper time I’m pretty much fed up with the human race. Also, I’m my mother’s daughter, after all: dinner is for dressing up, and I prefer my jams.
But I love a lunch out. Prices are better, portions tend to be smaller, and restaurants are quieter. I picked up the habit when we were stationed in Europe, btw, and it’s a tip for people thinking of going: eat lunch out (you can compare prices on the board outside, if things haven’t changed) and pick up deli stuff for supper.
January 23rd, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Michele,
There is probably room for a whole Groupon thread, but I think it is pretty varied. I am wondering if anyone knows the Groupon model. For example, if Groupon sells 1000 $100 gift certificates for $50, does the restaurant (or business) get $5000 cash (minus commission) and then only need to redeem what is used, or do they get paid only for the ones used? There is a huge difference to the business.
Also, I think Groupon goes for anyone who will work with them, not just new businesses. I have seen a good one for I Nonni in the past and I have also seen them for Town Talk Diner which just shut down before the Groupon had even expired. Also seen a number for newer places, though that can be a death knell if you have not gotten your business working well at that point.
It has been generally argued that Groupon does not do a good job of establishing a customer base and only establishes a one time run of new customers who generally do not return. Not every company has the same experience of course.
January 23rd, 2011 at 5:54 pm
You’re right, lefty, that WOULD be a huge difference to the business. I honestly don’t know how that works. Could it be that the money goes to Groupon, in place of the advertising costs the business would have to use otherwise?
It would be interesting to know.
“though that can be a death knell if you have not gotten your business working well at that point.”
I think you might have hit on why many new customers don’t return. My husband always resists going to a new restaurant for at least the first six months, because it can take that long just to get it right. If Groupon sends 1000 customers your way, and you’re not ready to serve 1000 customers, then you’re shooting yourself in the foot, right?
Like I said, I don’t eat out a lot, and so I usually end up at the places I love. I do like to try new places, but I don’t do it as often as I’d like. Spending the money on the coupon would certainly prod me out the door (although I can’t promise out of my jams.)
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Pizza shops or fast places are the most likely I use coupons at. I don’t go out to eat to use a coupon. But if the wife finds one I don’t hesitate to bring it along. I know some folks that look for coupons as an excuse to go out. I can see the reason for that. I guess most of the coupons I’ve seen haven’t been for enough to ensure the restaurant doesn’t make money on our visit. My wife used to wait tables, and from her past stories, I generally don’t approve of coupon users as the majority of coupon users are stiffs, and if they leave a tip, they calculate it off the discounted bill.
If groupon wasn’t working, it wouldn’t be a thriving business. the only issue I can imagine is they may end up promising things that are not a given to every place that participates. Places that suck, and draw in coupon users, aren’t gonna get anyone back in if their free experience leaves them with a bad taste in their mouth.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:40 pm
And also, Mikeh, people who stiff the waitstaff also suck. It’s hard work, and just because the restaurant offers a coupon off the bill doesn’t make the feet hurt any less at the end of the day.
Everybody should have to wait tables once in their lives. I lasted about five minutes. Okay, it was behind a bar, owned by my MIL, and my husband snatched the pack of cigarettes out of my hand before I hurled them at the customer who grunted, “Cigarettes.”
How waitstaff can put up with demanding people, get stiffed and not go postal, is beyond my comprehension.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:52 pm
We went to a chain restaurant on Friday for dinner. My wife had a coupon for the place for her birthday. The waitstaff was awful. Seriously and absolutely awful.
1. When you arrive, the hostess or server should bring you a highchair–especially when they heavily advertise “Kids Eat Free” and thus are clearly kid friendly. Forcing a guest to find and then fetch their own without as much as a shrug in apology is unacceptable.
2. Orders are to be taken promptly and drinks refilled as required. Standing by the kitchen shooting the shit while we wait for service is not ok.
3. If there is a problem approving the coupon to remove part of the cost of the bill, please let the table know prior to an unnecessary 20 minute wait for the check. Make your apologies known long before the customer gets fucking pissed off.
She’s lucky she got any tip at all for that performance.
January 23rd, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Will you tell us the chain, Bill?
I don’t think I’ve run into something like this in a long time.
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:15 pm
I purchased a ‘Lightning Card’ that the high school kids came around selling for $20. Normally not a big coupon user, but there is a couple of buy one, get one free things on there that you can use multiple times over the course of a year. I don’t think Baker’s Square or the other chain restauraunts are losing money on the deal. I always tip on the pre discounted amount–start at a little over 20% and go down slightly if the service isn’t great. I can’t really afford fine dining (daughter in college) and probably would not have a coupon to use there anyway so I’m not too worried about putting any companies out of business with my occasional use of BOGO. I work hard for my money and although I do not seek out coupons, if one falls in my lap I don’t have an issue using it and feel that businesses should be responsible for their P&L numbers–if they are going to go out of business by offering that coupon, they shouldn’t do it. If they have to compete with a business that offers coupons, offer a good value and good service and the people will come.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
i feel tacky using a coupon for anything. personal preference i guess.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I used to feel tacky and cheap. Then I had a child. Now its just a fact of life. Save money where I can.
January 25th, 2011 at 9:00 am
windmill yesterday for lunch. no coupon. mrs. excitement got a club sandwich, mr. excitement got the breakfast special on the white board. smoked sausage omelette, hash browns and toast. guy behind me got the lunch special, ‘tater’ tot hot dish:) it looked like enough to feed a third world family for a week. believe me i was torn.
i finished off the club for dinner
same waitress as before. the place was not busy.
20 with tip.
bb
January 25th, 2011 at 9:48 am
Groupons are not really coupons. They’re gift certificates sold at a discount. The store receives all the revenue for the sale minus the commission immediately, but they also have to redeem the gift certificate at face value ($100 of food for $50 or whatever the deal was). The up side is the same as the up side of gift certificates; there are some people who will never redeem them. The big sell for Groupon is driving new business to the store, so if the store doesn’t get new regular customers out of the deal, then they are probably losing money overall.
If you care about keeping your money in the community then Groupon and the other similar group discount websites are bad, because those businesses are based outside Minnesota.
I use coupons, and I do feel a little silly laying it out on the edge of the table so that my server notices it before the check is calculated, but I didn’t make them publish the coupon. Why should I feel guilty using it?
BUT I also think they at least break even on me. I definitely order more drinks (subconsciously maybe?) or other higher margin items (dessert) when I’m using a coupon and I tip on the pre-coupon total.
If you’re serious about saving your favorite restaurant some money, pay with cash. You’re probably handing them an additional 1% and it doesn’t cost you anything.
January 25th, 2011 at 10:00 am
JTL,
It’s pretty well known that Groupon’s customers follow Groupon, not the businesses they get deals for. So the majority of businesses using them do not gain new repeat business from Groupon.
January 25th, 2011 at 10:03 am
If you consider missing out on 1% or more in cash back through your credit card rewards as not costing you anything, you’re right. I guess I figure they’re building the credit card fees into their pricing anyway since most people use them.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Bill,
That Groupon fans would follow the deals makes logical sense to me. The article I read talked about it being a big marketing gain for the store. If that’s not the case then why would any business use them? Maybe it’s a fad? Maybe it’s not as much of a bad deal for the store as it first seems?
Joey,
True. You give up the reward. I just mention it as another way to be altruistic to the restaurant.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
JTL,
1. Because they get they money up front.
2. Because they see an influx of visitors which makes them feel like at least some of those are going to be repeat customers in the future.
—
However they fail to recognize the problems of Groupon Groupies, the affect a busy store due to Grouponies has on their real customer base (it’s inundated, the service usually sucks because they aren’t accustomed to the load), they have to hire and train more staff to handle the influx, etc.
January 25th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
By the way, if anyone has Groupons left from the Town Talk Diner, Groupon is refunding them as I understand.
January 25th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Congrats to lefty on comment #200.
January 25th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Ha. Yeah, I was waiting for #200 to give you probably the most boring post in your history.
January 26th, 2011 at 9:44 am
Hope it’s not too late to weigh in on the restaurant coupon discussion. My wife and I look for and use restaurant coupons and deals quite often at those establishments we frequent. Baker’s Square has run regular coupons in the Sunday newspaper inserts, and we are sure to use them. Sometimes we use Olive Garden coupons for a mid-week dinner out, but prefer other Italian restaurants to theirs.
We utilize restaurant coupon cards we purchase every year from Metro Dining Club in Cottage Grove. They offer a wide selection of restaurants where we can get buy-one-meal, get-one-meal free deals, including the Roasted Pear, IHOP, and others. It does not take long for us to recoup our investment and come out ahead.
We also take advantage of the extra savings restaurants offer by purchasing gift cards. Typically, restaurants such as Champps, Bonfire/Axel’s, Lucky’s 13, and Bakers Square will give an extra $10 to $30 gift card or gift certificate for every $100 gift card you purchase during the holiday season. We load up on gift cards in the during the holidays, and then come out ahead by enjoying a free meal or two by using the bonus cards.
Whenever we use coupons or gift cards, we make sure to tip the waitstaff appropriately.
January 27th, 2011 at 8:56 am
juniors yesterday for a juniors burger. no coupon. great burger. the meal was quite a bit cheaper than we had at the windmill cafe on monday:)
bb
January 30th, 2011 at 7:31 am
[...] week’s poll asked if you used restaurant coupons and while a very large majority said they do, I was surprised by the five voters who responded that [...]