Restaurant.com sale

[Jerry]

They're offering $25 gift certificates for $4 each until Monday:
Try Restaurant.com
The promo code is: exclusive

[Admin]

Link: Save 60% off $25 Gift Certificates. Use code EXCLUSIVE and pay $4. Valid Now thru 1/19/09. (http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3177674-10435748" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.restaurant.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;)

[Shep]

I must tell you, some of the restaurants listed are not honoring these certificates.

[EatinAintCheatin]

I must tell you, some of the restaurants listed are not honoring these certificates.

Shep,

Can you name names? I bought a few and want to be prepared.

[Shep]

Baru, Sat night.

[Admin]

Was it a matter of "no we don't take those any more", or rather a claim that the terms and conditions of use were not being met?

[edible complex]

Baru, Sat night.

some state weeknights only...check to be sure.

[EatinAintCheatin]

some state weeknights only...check to be sure.

This bothers me. I just recommended a Baru coupon to someone and he JUST bought it.

Shep,

When you printed out the coupon was there anything on the restrictions about weeknights only? Did they give you a reason why they would not accept the coupon?

[Shep]

It was my son and girlfriend, he said their response was, participation ended on Jan 7. By the way, he is a fairly regular diner there and did not make a fuss.

[edible complex]

mine all say excludes alcohol and 18% tip will be added. some have minimums of $35, and some have $50. all, only one per table. some exclude holidays. all, valid one year from purchase.

G.C. can be exchanged w/in 90 days of purchase.

[Shep]

Yes, same as his.

[Admin]

From the Restaurant.com Help/FAQ:

What do I do if I attempt to use a Gift Certificate and the restaurant is closed or not accepting my Gift Certificate?
This is a rare issue but sometimes restaurants go out of business or change owners without informing Restaurant.com. If you attempt to use a valid Restaurant.com Gift Certificate and the restaurant is closed or not accepting your certificate, please contact our customer service department. You may reach them by email at info@restaurant.com (include your Gift Certificate number) or call 800.979.8985 (M-F 9 AM – 5 PM CST).

Our customer service department will exchange your unused Gift Certificate for a credit to Restaurant.com. This will allow you to choose another restaurant or merchant certificate from Restaurant.com. We appreciate your assistance in keeping our site as up-to-date as possible. You can help other Restaurant.com customer’s by informing us about your experience.

[EatinAintCheatin]

I called the number listed above in Admin's post. Just got off of the phone. I was told that Baru has just signed on with them Dec. 12th and they were surprised that they did not honor the coupon. A couple interesting facts:

1. Even though the restaurant signs a contract, they can opt out at any time, though "this is rare."
2. If #1 happens, then the coupon holder will be issued a generic $25 coupon good for any restaurant participating with restaurant.com in any city.
3. They do not refund/credit your account. So if you're only interested in the restaurant that you purchased the coupon for, then you're screwed.

The customer service rep that I spoke with is going to check our Baru and email me what he finds. I will post when he does.

It doesn't help that the person who I recommended, and who just bought a Baru coupon is MY BOSS!