# How do restaurants.com coupons work?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [December 23, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939 "2012-12-23T17:28:24Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [December 24, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939/21 "2012-12-24T21:07:42Z")
Also, I’ve had it where I’ve bought [restaurant.com](http://restaurant.com) coupons and the restaurant either goes out of business or decides not to take them anymore. Then I get a credit for the same amount ($10 gift certificate would get a $10 gift certificate). But the big then they don’t tell you is that the credit is good for the website called [TheIdealMeal.com](http://TheIdealMeal.com). This website looks just like [restaurant.com](http://restaurant.com)’s but the number of restaurants participating in that one versus [restaurant.com](http://restaurant.com)’s original is much less.
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### Author:  [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)
#### Post date: [December 24, 2012, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939/22 "2012-12-24T21:08:08Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#):
>
> Just make sure that the sweater isn’t an Everyday Value, designer sportswear, or from Impulse, Eileen Fisher, Emporio Armani, Tommy Bahama, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors or The North Face, and that the frying pan isn’t All-Clad, because those are all exclusions that you need to be aware of with a Macy’s coupon.
My favorites in this regard are the Office Depot/OfficeMax discount cards, which are now most often $10 off $50, having slid from $10 off $10 to around $10 off $25… but with an increasingly long list of exclusions that include all technology, all toner and ink, all gifty items… essentially everything except paper, pens and folders. I just throw them away these days.
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### Author:  [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)
#### Post date: [December 24, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939/23 "2012-12-24T21:27:14Z")
> [@What\_the](#):
>
> Not exactly … if I use that Macy’s coupon to buy a sweater and a frying pan I don’t have to do any further research to determine whether I’m allowed to wear the sweater on Thursdays or whether I’m only allowed to fry more than two pieces of bacon at a time.
So you’re saying you’ve never actually read the fine print on a Macy’s coupon.
I’ll help. Here is the actual fine print from an old but very typical coupon on [Macys.com](http://www.macys.com/campaign/friendsFamily.jsp).
> [@](#):
>
> \*TO GET EXTRA SAVINGS: Place qualifying items in your shopping bag; then enter promo code MACYSFF in the box labeled “HAVE A PROMO CODE?” and click “APPLY.” You can enter the promo code in your shopping bag at any time. Only one promo code may be used per transaction. Extra 25% off regular, sale and clearance prices, with exclusions listed. EXTRA 10% OFF electrics, electronics, lighting, furniture, mattresses and rugs. EXCLUDES: Coach (online only),TAG Heuer (online only), Tempur-Pedic mattresses, baby gear, kids’ shoes, cosmetics, fragrances and toys. Not valid with other passes or discount offers. Not valid on Everyday Values, Gift Cards, Gift Certificates, prior purchases or gift wrap. Friends and Family discount code valid April 26 - May 2, 2011.
You’re welcome.
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### Author:  [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939/24 "2012-12-25T15:23:58Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#):
>
> So you’re saying you’ve never actually read the fine print on a Macy’s coupon.
>
> I’ll help. Here is the actual fine print from an old but very typical coupon on [Macys.com](http://www.macys.com/campaign/friendsFamily.jsp).
>
> You’re welcome.
Actually I have… and I’d equate that fine print to the fact that not every restaurant in the world is affiliated with [restaurants.com](http://restaurants.com).
If I use that Macy’s coupon on an eligible item I don’t have to do any further research. Get the distinction? Thanks again!
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### Author:  [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939/25 "2012-12-25T16:35:45Z")
> [@What\_the](#):
>
> If I use that Macy’s coupon on an eligible item I don’t have to do any further research. Get the distinction? Thanks again!
We’re into the theater of the absurd here.
How do you know what an \*\*\*eligible \*\*\*item is? By doing research.
What is the definition here of doing research? Finding out what items are _ **eligible** _.
There are always restrictions of some kind unless you are paying with money, either paper or electronic. Even gift cards can’t be used on certain purchases. Some have restrictions on alcohol or tobacco, some on prescriptions. And usually you can’t use a gift card to buy another gift card. Coupons, vouchers, and other discount forms always have restrictions. Anybody who has one has to do the “research,” i.e. read the fine print, to see what they are.
What you’re saying is that after you eliminate the restrictions, you can use a coupon on anything else. Well, yeah. I’m not going to disagree with that. You got me there. But that’s called a tautology and it’s not impressive logic.
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### Author:  [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2012, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939/26 "2012-12-27T13:13:19Z")
I’m not going to stand for my logic being besmirched … but OTOH, my question has been answered and we both have better things to do I’m sure.
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### Author:  [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)
#### Post date: [December 27, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939/27 "2012-12-27T15:38:11Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#):
>
> And if nothing is included, and you want to tip 15%,\* make sure that your tip for a $50 dollar meal that you paid $30 for is $10, not $6!!! The coupon does stress this if you read it. The mandatory on some of them is because they’ve been stiffed in the past. I did it once unintentionally, and realized my mistake while halfway home. :headsmack:
>
> \*Figure for ease of calculation. I neither condone nor discourage any specific amount. We don’t need that debate, Mr. Pink.
Debate or not, I’m pretty sure 15% of $50 isn’t $10. :smack:
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### Author:  [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939/28 "2012-12-28T16:47:03Z")
> [@bot3](#):
>
> The ones we sell in our store have no strings. You buy a dinner totaling $30 and present the coupon and get a $10 discount.
So instead of a $20 meal for $20 you get a $30 meal for $20. But do you tip on the $30 or $20?
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### Author:  [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939/29 "2012-12-28T17:25:27Z")
> [@control-z](#):
>
> So instead of a $20 meal for $20 you get a $30 meal for $20. But do you tip on the $30 or $20?
The universal rule is to tip on the total amount for the food, less bar drinks and tax, regardless of where the final payment comes from. You’re shorting the server otherwise. (And no, you’re not shorting them when you don’t include bar drinks and the tax in the calculation.)
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2015, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-restaurants-com-coupons-work/644939/32 "2015-01-24T13:24:20Z")
nm
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