We’ve seen websites offering coupons and discounts at Buffalo-area restaurants come and go. A cursory glance at the front window of many smaller establishments reveals an assortment of timeworn stickers advertising their connection to sundry restaurant-related coupon books and internet businesses. In my opinion, most of these concepts are just that--concepts. And when put to work, they often fail to meet the rigors of the highly nuanced dining industry and a clientele that is looking for a deal that is straight forward and without hidden costs.
Coupon books work for some, but not for others. Dealing with all of the rules associated with using one of these coupons can often ruin the dining experience. Often restaurants will sign up for a two or three year contract with the businesses behind the coupon book, and then end up closing for business. I myself have gone, coupon in hand, to a business that is no longer open. And besides, this is the age of the internet, where people would prefer to Google their way to a discount rather than lug around a heavy book of coupons for restaurants they've never heard of.
But the online coupon and discount sites disappoint, too. Again, the rules and regulations around using the discount are often debilitating, and quite often the restaurants on the list are nothing to write home about. Additionally, I find that the keepers of most of these sites do an awful job of maintaining up-to-date information to the chagrin of the customer and the restaurants. The one I’m thinking of specifically showcases year old menus and restaurants that have been closed for a few years. We’ve also heard the horror stories of gift certificates and coupons not being honored when a restaurant changes hands but not identities, and anyone in the industry itself knows what a pain it can be to deal with all of the coupons, offers and gift certificates—and that’s not even taking into consideration the many issues small restaurants have with fraud.
The good news is there appears to be a national internet company that’s figured out all of the details and made their site a real value for the customer and the participating restaurants. Currently its list of Buffalo restaurants is short (but special), offering new customers a less risky way to try a new restaurant and regulars a more affordable evening out.
Restaurant.com offers customers a fantastic deal. Visitors to the site can log on and purchase a gift certificate with a face value that far exceeds their out of pocket costs. Less expensive restaurants offer a $10 gift certificate for a mere $3 (with a minimum purchase, usually of about of $20) while pricier places weigh in with a $25 gift certificate for only $10 (generally with a minimum purchase of $35). The rules each restaurant chooses to place on their gift certificates are different and allow the restaurant to offer this discount without losing their shirt entirely. Wisely, most restaurants haven’t put too many rules in place, rules that discourage diners as much as one of those coupon books littered with conditions.
What makes Restaurant.com really stand out are the details. The site is entirely secure and if a user ever has an issue with the restaurant they’ve selected, a quick phone call to the Better Business Bureau endorsed site promises to remedy the situation. Visitors are limited to the number of certificates that they can buy for a specific restaurant, protecting the restaurant from anyone looking to abuse the system. In some cases, the site will also make reservations for the user, a detailed and well thought out system in itself, that you’ll have to use to believe. Better yet, once a guest has redeemed their gift certificate, they’ll find a secure survey in their email inbox giving them the opportunity to report on their experience directly to Restaurant.com and the restaurant’s owner.
Some of the Buffalo restaurants currently listed on the site are: Bel Cibo, The Chocolate Bar, The Buffalo Chophouse, Cozumel, DiGiulio & Company, Duo, E.B. Green’s, Europa Bistro, Harry’s Harbour Place Grille, Marco’s Italian Deli, Prime 490, Stillwater and Sample.
BuffaloRising.com is in no way affiliated with restaurant.com- we just thought you all would like to know about it!