i curious, does anyone take advantage of rebates, coupons, discounts or other price reducers when dining at a restaurant, or is that just not appropriate. this applies to more low end chain stuff, i guess...

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Por Favor mentaganse allejado de las puertas!

[shroomgirl]

sure if I can find it in my purse, car, glovebox, pocket.......

[Live_to_cook]

Why not take advantage of it? The restaurant agreed to it as a marketing tool, and they hope you do use it. I just remind myself to tip on the original (undiscounted) bill, not the reduced one.

[Mezzaluna]

Sure. We've 'discovered' some interesting places that are out of the way for us by using Entertainment Book coupons and punch card. It takes away a little of the 'risk' a customer feels when going to a higher end place without knowing much about it. If the meal and service are good, we go back and don't worry that the coupon or punch card are used up.

[BevReview Steve]

I've also used the Entertainment Book approach to find some neat places... Great promotion tool for the establishment, and it has generated some new business for them by my coming.

[Cremaster]

I too have used coupons and agree with the points that everyone has made. One thing I'm curious about: here in NYC as well as many other cities I'm sure, upscale restaurants sometimes include or mail out coupons. Usually for lunch but a fair amount are for dinner. Obviously management/owners are happy to see them used and of course the coupon mailing is explained to the entire staff. However, I have had two experiences where the waiter has given me that oh-so-waiterly-attitude-eye when I presented my coupon. Sure, I knew the score. Yes, when I made my reservation I told them I had a coupon and was planning on using it. I don't want to turn this topic into a rant on waiters but has anyone else had any similar experiences? From the front of the house staff or the kitchen?