Restaurant.com

"... Please try again later." I've been trying to exchange my certificates (out-of-business restaurants) since October 14 (5 weeks), and this is the response I've received every time. No response to my emails. I'm glad all I lost were the almost-useless airline miles I swapped for these completely useless certificates. Don't waste real money on this scam... And here's an update: As of 4/12/16, they still "could not exchange at this time..." You're all shocked, right?

I'll never fall for any of their deals again. Got a $50 restaurant.com gift card for signing up with an electric company. Sounded like nice deal. Not! Turns out had to redeem for 2 $25 vouchers that could only be used one per month and after reading all fine print turned out you had to spend $50 to use one voucher. Restaurant was ok, but not somewhere we have been in the 25 years we have lived here and we won't go back due to the stupid voucher!

Purchased a certificate to a restaurant in Los Angeles Star of India the owner told me they were not accepting those certificates due to new ownership. We stayed and ate at the restaurant all the same spending 30 dollars more than anticipated.
4 weeks later restaurant.com is still selling the certificates despite my complaint and report to them when I emailed them today they replied that they understand, my frustration but a different department handles my complaint and that there would be no further updates or responsibility to my inquiry REALLY! Yet you are continue to defraud customers!

Technical difficulties made it difficult to even get started. Then customer service only got worse. I have requested a refund from Living social. Beware, do not purchase big time scam and horrible customer service.

Three times now I have tried and entered the number from living social, three times the credit showed up but then disappeared when I would try to check out the shopping cart. I am sorely disappointed in the website functionality and the poor representation for customer service. Clearly you did not read nor respond to the concerns that I expressed. I will be requesting a refund from Living social and leaving reviews every where I can find so that others may be warned about your garbage business practices.
Thank you,
Kelly

I have to agree with the majority of the posts here, and I also feel bad about the restaurant owner who voiced his views. I recently got one of these certificates, and before downloading, read everything, TWICE, but got something totally different when printed. I have no problem what so ever with paying a higher gratuity, that is if the coupon really is what it says. But when I am asked to spend 25, for 50, but now need to spend 100, it is blatantly a bad scam in my opinion. I wish I had seen this site before I did this, but learned a lesson the hard way, and am now smart enough not to be fooled again.

Although the coupons seemed to work, I experienced issues with restaurants going out of business, new ownership refusing them, and the 30-day redemption limitation. I bought over $100 and probably didn't save that much by the time I finally gave up dealing with all of the associated hassle. Seems only local restaurants and franchised chain locations take them, and for good reason. My guess is that corporate lawyers advised against this (more-or-less) scam. Even the places that accepted them did so reluctantly.

I have purchased numerous certificates from this website. Many of them have quite a bit of fine print i. E. not good on weekends, minimum orders required, %gratuity included, etc. Nothing totally ridiculous, you just need to read every word. However, the last few times I've tried to use one, the restaurant declined it. They said that restaurant.com offered these certificates without their permission. I find that hard to believe, but that doesn't help when you are already at the restaurant, ready to order. They will offer an exchange certificate, but if your is close to expiring. You are out of luck. There are other easier, less risky ways out there to save on eating out, so I'll quit with restaurant.com If you use them, read all the fine print and use long before the expiration date. I don't think in the long run it saves much money due to requirements to use the certificates.

There is almost no point in getting these coupons, it's a complete con! I paid $15 for a $25 gift certificate, you can only use 1 gift certificate at a time, they add 20% gratuity before they apply the discount, and it's a minimum $50 purchase... so what did I save? Most people tip 15% gratuity... this website should be illegal, especially because they don't show you the "rules" until after it is purchased! I want a refund... a-holes!

This company called my restaurant and spoke to a server, asking for address verification. We get these calls a lot for people trying to find us, so she didn't think much of it. Within days, a coupon was up on their website and people were presenting them, as they had PAID for them, expecting to be able to redeem them. When I called to request that they take it down, they said she had authorized it. Then they went on a five minute spiel about how I "didn't understand the value" they provided and it was clear to me what had most likely happened with her. Their sales pitch is one that makes it impossible to say no unless you just hang up. Zero stars. Zero trust. Will do zero business with these people. Ever.

TOTAL SCAM. I purchased 2 travel vouchers and 2 restaurant vouchers from restaurant.com. They were supposed to provide savings codes to use with the travel vouchers. They cant be redeemed without a savings code. After multiple emails in which I received a generic response twice then no responses after that and never answering my question. The phone number provided has a recording that sends you to their web site if you have any questions. No live person or customer service extension is offered. I have asked for a refund but have not received any at this time.

The website is slow, and often times out before finishing loading. I put some gift certificates in my cart, which now won't load. Restaurant.com then sent a 'save an additional 40%' email, and the link within won't load. The restaurant selection is horrible. In a city filled with tons and tons of restaurants, how are there so few good-rated restaurants available in the restaurant.com selection? My favorite part is when I click on 'FAQ' or 'Get help', it takes me to a broken link. Clearly shows how much this company wants to assist its customers.

A bit confusing on how to use, it states:
$25 gift certificate -$10
Minimum purchase $50
No customer service appears available, there is a 1-800 number (although not on their website) and it is for Restaurant.com, however you will remain on hold and no one will ever talk to you. I am glad that I did not pay for this service as it seems like this would not be worth purchasing.
Only a few restaurants show up as available, one on my list closed the doors years ago. Not sure how many more years this company will be in business, doesn't seem to be good for either side of their customers (restaurants or patrons)

I purchased two of the heated vests as pictured on their website. After many many months of not receiving the product I contacted restaurant.com and the manufacturer. Restaurant.com responded but they evidently have no control over what is sold and what is pictured. Very very disappointed as the items only heated on the rear left shoulder blade. Heated vest is poorly made and it will only work with the battery supply they sell. I will never purchased any of their specials again. I do like their restaurant certificates and will continue to use them.

All I can say is do your research first. I purchased some certificates to use at a restaurant in our local mall which was listed on 5/30/2014. I tried to use them today only to be told that they do not participate any longer. Their words were "we have contacted them repeatedly and asked them to remove us from the program but they still have not done it". After managerial discussion I was kindly advised that I could not be compensated by restaurant.com then I can come back and they would honor my certificate this one time. I thought this was a very kind act. I notified R.com so they can remove them. Let's see what happens. I am not upset just very cautious after the experience.

I received a $50 restaurant.com gift card when I signed up for a membership at BJ's Wholesale Club (Jan 2016). Don't waste your money and time. Unable to redeem anything. Aggravating and frustrating website. This is one of the worst promotional scams I have ever seen. If you try to redeem a certificate the waitress/restaurant look at you like your crazy. They don't know anything about this. You have a discount your trying to claim on your mobile device?... DENIED! I'm cutting my card in half and throwing it away. I've got better things to do.