$25 gift certificate to Cafe Teva for $2

[Warren]

It's not helpful to the flow of the discussion to post statements like "I don't eat out so I'm not going there." Or, "I don't spend that much on dinner, so I'm not going there."

I posted a deal on a router a couple of weeks ago. I didn't see anyone write that they already have a router. I didn't see B Bob say that he doesn't need it because he doesn't have Internet at home. You know why? Because it would not be helpful to the discussion.

It's pointless negativity. Thanks a lot, Debbie Downer.

[Doughnut]

One person (ytl) wrote about it and I agreed. I kept my comments to myself until someone else opened the door.

[Zek]

let me take back my statement of it not being worth it. I just looked at restaurants in ny, and saw that wolf and lamb is on the list. That is my favorite restaurant in ny. for $10 you could get 4 $25 gift certificates. I usually spend close to $60 there, so it would def. be worth it. My only question is will they let you use all of them at once, or can you only use one at a time. Because even if they charge 18% tax on each one- that would still be alot less than I would usually spend there.

So Owings Mills is too far out of the way, but now that there's one in NY you get all excited?

[Warren]

You also have to understand that when eating at a wait-staffed restaurant such as Wolf and Lamb (btw Abigaels is better), you have to assume a 15% gratuity. So the 18% increase is really only a 3% increase. An amazing deal regardless.

[Warren]

It seems to me that it would also make sense to buy 2 gift certificates for $4 total rather than buy 1 and then pay $10 to get to the $35. So assuming you have a meal there for $35.

2 certs @ $2 ea = 4
gratuity = 6.3
tax = 2.1

total for $35 worth of food = $12.40

I'm not sure how they would credit you the $15 left on certificate #2.

[ytl]

let me take back my statement of it not being worth it. I just looked at restaurants in ny, and saw that wolf and lamb is on the list. That is my favorite restaurant in ny. for $10 you could get 4 $25 gift certificates. I usually spend close to $60 there, so it would def. be worth it. My only question is will they let you use all of them at once, or can you only use one at a time. Because even if they charge 18% tax on each one- that would still be alot less than I would usually spend there.

So Owings Mills is too far out of the way, but now that there's one in NY you get all excited?

Interested, but not yet excited. we happen to be in ny for the entire pesach, and assuming they are open, we usually go there once a year. not sure if my wife can handle the walking in her current state, but it def. would lessen the cost of the meal if we decided to go.

[HLC]

there is basically 2 ways to look at how you save money on this deal. either
A: how much less than i usually spend did i spend this time? OR
B: what would this usually cost and what is it actually costing me?

if your outlook is A and you usually spend $20 to eat, youre never gonna save that much money $16 (btw that is a 80% savings) minus gas, tolls, wear and tear whatever other minutae you want to include

if you outlook is B you will be very happy with this deal.

im taking route B i bought 4 coupons for $8 and ill enjoy probably 2 nights with no dishes and other perks. money well spent.

[Belligerent Bob]

It's not helpful to the flow of the discussion to post statements like "I don't eat out so I'm not going there." Or, "I don't spend that much on dinner, so I'm not going there."

I posted a deal on a router a couple of weeks ago. I didn't see anyone write that they already have a router. I didn't see B Bob say that he doesn't need it because he doesn't have Internet at home. You know why? Because it would not be helpful to the discussion.

It's pointless negativity. Thanks a lot, Debbie Downer.

Woo hoo! I was actually used as a positive example! Nice to not be the problem for a change!!

[Warren]

• Limit one (1) redemption per party, per month, per restaurant.
• Limit one (1) Restaurant-Specific Certificate per redemption. Only one Restaurant-Specific Certificate can be used per party, even if the party is seated at separate tables and/or receives more than one check.
• Use of Restaurant-Specific Certificates for alcoholic beverages is at the sole discretion of the restaurant. Restaurant agrees to comply with all state laws pertaining to the same.
• Restaurant-Specific Certificates cannot be combined with any other restaurant certificates, third party certificates, coupons, or promotions.
• Restaurant-Specific Certificates cannot be used for taxes, tips or prior balances.
• No cash value for Restaurant-Specific Certificates.
• No cash back upon redemption or at any other time.
• Valid for parties of two (2) or more unless otherwise stated.
• Valid for dine in only unless otherwise stated.
• The issuing of restaurant credit is at the sole discretion of the restaurant unless otherwise required by law.
• Neither the seller nor the restaurant is responsible for lost or stolen certificates or restaurant certificates reference numbers.
• Reproduction, sale or trade of this Restaurant-Specific Certificate is prohibited unless done so in compliance with the law.
• Any attempted redemption not consistent with these terms & conditions will render the Restaurant-Specific Certificate void.
• Void to the extent prohibited by law.
• Restaurant-Specific Certificates can be exchanged for Restaurant.com Store Credit Certificates within 90 days of purchase date (“Restaurant.com Certificates,” as used in these Terms and Conditions, refers to the certificates printed from the Restaurant.com website that are of general use and are redeemable through the Restaurant.com website or an affiliated site for any Restaurant-Specific Certificate or Merchant Certificate available at such time). No cash back on Restaurant-Specific Certificates.
• Expire one (1) year from date of issue, except in California and where otherwise prohibited by law.
• With 50% OFF certificates party size may not exceed 8 people.

[HLC]

********SPOILER ALERT**********
went to cafe teva last night for the first time. food was good, ordered ~$40 worth of food and drinks, used the coupon which was really good, so i paid around $15 + $2 for a night out. pretty good. the down side, apparently cafe teva make $0 from the coupon. its not like they send the coupon to restaraunt.com and get $20, $10 or even $5 they just swallow the whole 25. they do it to get people in the door. but i feel bad using it. the owner is an aquaintance, he didnt seem to thrilled to see me there with the coupon. on the other hand there was no way i was going there without it. so now im torn if i should go back or not.

[Warren]

It doesnt seem right to go there with a coupon if the owner takes a total loss on it.

[HLC]

It doesnt seem right to go there with a coupon if the owner takes a total loss on it.

i would be ok with it if
A: i ordered more food or
B: i didnt have any relationship with the owner or
C: the minimum were higher

[Zek]

I pretty much agree. On one hand, he had to have known that there are Jews frequenting this restaurant so you had to have known they would use the coupon. On the other hand I feel bad. On the other hand (yes I have 3 hands), it's possible he's still making something on the transaction even with the coupon.

[HLC]

it's possible he's still making something on the transaction even with the coupon.

thats why i think it would be ok if i ordered more food. $40 worth of food for $15 if hes making money it cant be very much.

[ytl]

********SPOILER ALERT**********
went to cafe teva last night for the first time. food was good, ordered ~$40 worth of food and drinks, used the coupon which was really good, so i paid around $15 + $2 for a night out. pretty good. the down side, apparently cafe teva make $0 from the coupon. its not like they send the coupon to restaraunt.com and get $20, $10 or even $5 they just swallow the whole 25. they do it to get people in the door. but i feel bad using it. the owner is an aquaintance, he didnt seem to thrilled to see me there with the coupon. on the other hand there was no way i was going there without it. so now im torn if i should go back or not.

On one hand, for someone like me who would never go there otherwise, he is making some extra money. However, I know him, and now I sort of feel bad using it. As I stated in my other post, I got it for free when I signed up for another promotion. He has to realize he would take a loss if he put himself on that site, so it's not like he has no clue as to the fact that people would use it. How does he know whether someone gave the certificate to us as a present? I buy david chu's gift certificates for people as presents. He can't be upset for something he signed up for.

[Doughnut]

********SPOILER ALERT**********
went to cafe teva last night for the first time. food was good, ordered ~$40 worth of food and drinks, used the coupon which was really good, so i paid around $15 + $2 for a night out. pretty good. the down side, apparently cafe teva make $0 from the coupon. its not like they send the coupon to restaraunt.com and get $20, $10 or even $5 they just swallow the whole 25. they do it to get people in the door. but i feel bad using it. the owner is an aquaintance, he didnt seem to thrilled to see me there with the coupon. on the other hand there was no way i was going there without it. so now im torn if i should go back or not.

On one hand, for someone like me who would never go there otherwise, he is making some extra money. However, I know him, and now I sort of feel bad using it. As I stated in my other post, I got it for free when I signed up for another promotion. He has to realize he would take a loss if he put himself on that site, so it's not like he has no clue as to the fact that people would use it. How does he know whether someone gave the certificate to us as a present? I buy david chu's gift certificates for people as presents. He can't be upset for something he signed up for.

I doubt he's making much. It's costing him the value of $40 of food and you're paying $15. For him to break even you are assuming he has a mark-up of 266% on his food, or for every dollar he charges it only cost him 37.5 cents. It's certainly possible, but it might not be the case, and even if it is, the couple bucks profit he makes off someone who would not have come anyway is not likely worth his time.

You have a valid point about him expecting the coupon to be used if he put it out there. Maybe he was hoping for people to spend a lot and use the coupon to take a little off the bill.

[HLC]

********SPOILER ALERT**********
went to cafe teva last night for the first time. food was good, ordered ~$40 worth of food and drinks, used the coupon which was really good, so i paid around $15 + $2 for a night out. pretty good. the down side, apparently cafe teva make $0 from the coupon. its not like they send the coupon to restaraunt.com and get $20, $10 or even $5 they just swallow the whole 25. they do it to get people in the door. but i feel bad using it. the owner is an aquaintance, he didnt seem to thrilled to see me there with the coupon. on the other hand there was no way i was going there without it. so now im torn if i should go back or not.

On one hand, for someone like me who would never go there otherwise, he is making some extra money. However, I know him, and now I sort of feel bad using it. As I stated in my other post, I got it for free when I signed up for another promotion. He has to realize he would take a loss if he put himself on that site, so it's not like he has no clue as to the fact that people would use it. How does he know whether someone gave the certificate to us as a present? I buy david chu's gift certificates for people as presents. He can't be upset for something he signed up for.

this is clearly not the same as a david chus gift card. i think he would gladly sell you a cafe teva gift card.

[Stanley]

He's probably not even getting the full $15. I'm sure restaurant.com is also getting a small commission.

[AlanLaz]

I personally don't feel bad using it. Nobody is forcing him to be a part of Restaurant.com. If it isn't working out for him, he should stop his relationship with them.

[ytl]

so I spoke to him this morning and told him I got a free $25 restaurant.com gift certificate to his place. I asked him it was ok to use it. He said it is done for marketing, and while he would obviously like if someone didn't use it, he still makes some money of off it. He said the hope is, that the person using it would come back again. I know him well, and he easily would have told me, if he had a problem with it.