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Restaurants are running out of money, which means more of them are trying to lure in new customers with coupons. Even the ritziest eateries are starting to run clippable promos in newspaper circulars, promising free appetizers or two-for-one entrées to any penny-pincher with the sense to cash in on the restaurant's miserable financial fortunes.
I have no beef with coupons, and hope they work to resuscitate some of the restaurants that seem in serious danger of shuttering due to the recession. But, for whatever reason, coupon users tend to be among the most impolite diners. Here then, a guide to using coupons – without making an enemy of your server (which, as outlined in previous columns, is never a wise thing to do).
- Don't create a little coupon shrine on your table. Many coupon-carriers, terrified their server might accidentally charge them full price, make a point of prominently positioning their coupon as soon as they're seated. I've seen coupons folded and set on the edge of the table, propped up by the salt and pepper shakers and balanced on candle holders. All that conveys is cheapness, which is what all servers dread. Try your best to keep your coupon enthusiasm in check.
- Know your coupon. Coupons are incredibly generous right now, but that doesn't mean there isn't any fine print. Some coupons can only be used on certain days. Other coupons require you to order a specific menu item. If the coupon says it's only good for entrees under $20, it may not cover the porterhouse steak. That's not your server's fault. A coupon is a gift from the restaurant, not a negotiation tool.
- Ask coupon questions at the appropriate juncture. There's rarely a reason to even discuss coupon use at the start of a meal (unless the fine print dictates otherwise); servers will know just what to do when you slide the coupon into the check presenter with your credit card. But if you're wondering about a coupon's terms, ask at the outset rather than fuming when the bill arrives.
- Tip accordingly. It's not uncommon for a coupon to stipulate an 18-percent gratuity on the pre-discounted check. But if your coupon doesn't cover service, remember to tip on the items for which you didn't pay: Your server works just as hard to bring you a free meal as one purchased without a coupon.
What do you think? Do you have other suggestions for making the most of dining experiences underwritten by coupons?
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1-31-2010 @11:07PM SLS1986 said... I agree that this is a bit snobby.... As a server I prefer that the customer at least make me aware they have a coupon so I can go over the fine print and stipulations before they use it. That way they dont think they are a victim of a bait and switch when it says the coupon only counts if a certain Item is purchased.
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1-31-2010 @11:21PM Jady said... I find it hysterical that you misspelled "You're" and that the person who pointed out that fact misspelled "Grammar."
*Giggles*
I also agree wholeheartedly with the poster who says most of the servers s/he works with are undergraduate or graduate students. Personally I worked with a Graphic Engineer who made better money tending bar, and with numerous college graduates making a living while they job hunted.
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1-31-2010 @11:41PM Katie said... Guy is right I am a server so annoying when people display them like I will forget to use it. If you ask me once and I say yes I will apply it at the end of the meal put it away! It just makes you look cheap to keep it out. It also applies that you do not think I am competent at my job. The most important thing in this article is tip on what you recieved not on your bill after the discount. I am kind enough to give you both versions of your check as a gental reminder but its common sence and what you are supposed to do! Cheap wads!
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1-31-2010 @11:26PM robert lipton said... ib always tip the server 20% of the cost of two meals on a two for one but the server anticipates all coupon users are cheapskates i guess i better tell them right away so they don't spit inmy food
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1-31-2010 @11:31PM TR said... I do not think this article is that off base. As a server, I do, however, want to know about a coupon at the start of the meal so I can handle any exclusions or notice ways it may be cheaper for the guest this time leaving them to use their coupon for another time. This also helps me to avoid making "voids" during cash out time. My attitude is this; while it is true, in my experience, that people do NOT tip on the pre-discount amount, people every where are having a hard time economically. I always try to consider what someone may be going through in their lives before I pass judgment. How do we not know that this is the only meal that elderly couple can afford on their limited income and they just want a night to get out? What about the single mom that may be on her only night out in months with her friends yet she can not afford to go all out. While I make very good money, I consider and understand the challenges people face. This business is not a sure fire thing. The good make up for the not-so-good. It is all about the law of averages.
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1-31-2010 @11:52PM Liz said... JMHO using a coupon for dining out is just tacky & cheap..coupons are for the grocery store. I'm not talking gift certificates as they as often gifts given to person's favorite restaurant. I have this ex-in law who takes out mom & dad for birthday, mother's day..etc dinner & always finds a buy1 meal get one & uses it ..what's the point?? Cheap & Tacky is the only words that come to mind. OH and best part makes sure she uses their Senior Citizen discount on top of it.
She has plenty of money so that's not an issue here.. When I married into the family we all decided to go on a family trip... As we shopped for our room she divided everyone's food to the penny but when it was time to check out she checked the fridge to consume any left over food..hers & everyone else's ( She didn't want to see food thrown away..lol)- I should of handed her the consumed food bill.
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2-01-2010 @12:27AM JACK Neistat said... It seems that a diner must defend his use of a coupon even though the restaurant offered it as an incentive to dine in their establishment. Also, if the big print states "buy one, get one free", don't denigrate your offer by stating in small print, "up to lesser $ value" , for the "freebee". One such restaurant does this, but raises the price of the entree an amount that makes the two entrees cost the same or a bit more when the "buy one, etc" is promoted. Specifically, a $14.00 entree is priced at $18.00 with a $10.00 maximum for the "freebee". We no longer dine at that restaurant. We have great respect for those restaurants that are forthright with honest promotions that are truly free.
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2-01-2010 @12:16AM erik said... to all you idiots, eat what you preach. as a sever for 40 years trust me on this. i have seen the sickest things that you could not ever fathom. i mean beyond gross. if you are rude, overly demanding, or the worst cheap, agian trust me if there is one thing your sever has a very good memory of not only you but your family and friends. take that to the table.
.
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2-01-2010 @1:23AM Bruce said... It has to do with the educatiion of customer service. If you accept coupons begrudingly you are not honoring the offer or advertisment of the estabishment. Tell your boss that you do not want to wait on customers using coupons because you think they are cheap and will not leave you a tip. Your boss is cheap because he expects me to pay your wages for bad service. Its all about customer service; if you don't adhere to that you will be out of a job very soon and just work for a mediocra business.
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2-01-2010 @9:44AM DON CATOZZA said... i use coupons whenever possible and have always been polite to my servers .i know they have a hard enough time with people who think they can say anything they want so i try to be extra polite you can have a much nicer experience if you try that . some times it doesn' t work but maybe you can that servers day by being polite .some of you think i'm being a molly but i challenge you to try it more often
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2-01-2010 @5:37AM hawkeye said... Most restaurant servers get below minuim wage because they recieved tips (that are taxed). Out of their tips serves have to "tip " the bus person, the food runner and sometimes the bar tender and host. So that 10 20 percent doe not go very far. But of course a good server will get better tips. Also in California (aka as taxafornia) sales tax is charged on the pre coupon price. We have never been treated poorly be a server for using a coupon and some resuarant will remind us to use the coupon. Some restuarant's do serve smaller prtions for some coupon specials. That is the restuarants doing that not the server.
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3-06-2010 @2:03AM Orgonezone said... Where does the author get the "information" that coupon users seem to be the rudest diners? That seems absolutely ridiculous from the get-go, therefore the entire article is flawed and ridiculous on its face. I use coupons now and then when I get them, mostly at the grocery story, semi-rarely at restaurants, and have never seen any reason to be rude because I have a coupon, and can't imagine why anyone would. I think the whole take is just some kind of fake inflammatory reason to write an article for publication and to insult consumers for actually using a gift a restaurant has given them. Indeed, to call people who use coupons rude as a group?
Is it not rude to do that?
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