We recently took mom out to one of her favorite restaurants so we could use the gift certificate that my brother and sister-in-law had given her for her birthday.
However, when it came time to pay for it, the waitress told us that the bill was for $43 dollars and if we used the certificate, there would be no change.
It was a one-time-use gift certificate. That was a surprise. She showed us the fine print that indeed validated that it was the case. So we paid for the meal with a credit card and told mom we would use the gift certificate with our daughter and her family when they visited us this summer.
Mom will probably have to order dessert to use up all of the certificate. She's going to love that!
This Christmas, our very generous nephew and his wife also gave us a restaurant gift certificate to a pricey restaurant, but he warned us that it was a one time use situation as well. Since we were apprised of that ahead of time, we knew how we could use it which made it a lot easier to plan for.
I wonder why these restaurants don't do gift cards. It would make it so much easier to use.
It was a one-time-use gift certificate. That was a surprise. She showed us the fine print that indeed validated that it was the case. So we paid for the meal with a credit card and told mom we would use the gift certificate with our daughter and her family when they visited us this summer.
Mom will probably have to order dessert to use up all of the certificate. She's going to love that!
This Christmas, our very generous nephew and his wife also gave us a restaurant gift certificate to a pricey restaurant, but he warned us that it was a one time use situation as well. Since we were apprised of that ahead of time, we knew how we could use it which made it a lot easier to plan for.
I wonder why these restaurants don't do gift cards. It would make it so much easier to use.
That sounds like a dirty racket...especially since the gift was fully paid for. It's a way for them to steal some of your gift. I would use it when your guests come but never give them any more of my business.
ReplyDelete....and I would tell them why I would not be back.
ReplyDeleteI also think they should use gift cards. Then you could use it however you wish instead of trying to add things you might not really have wanted. You do have awfully nice relatives, though. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes gift cards are the way to go. Thanks for pointing out this important difference.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a semi scam. I guess people could send Visa cash cards to eliminate this. I mean at least you could use the card a second time or until it was drained.
ReplyDeletealways a challenge. Our church lunch bunch went to Village Inn on a wed instead of a tues as we usually do for other months to get a free slice of pie. In the meantime they changed their policy of hours 2 pm to 4 pm for the pie, but they honored our request since we booked our group weeks ago....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteThat is rather strange. I've never heard of it.
ReplyDeleteI was told that the restaurants make more money with the gift certificates than with gift cards. Yes, I will be reading all the small print. What a lovely and thoughtful gift tho.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what "one time use" means. I'm puzzled.
ReplyDeleteI recently got a certificate to a well-known local restaurant. Now I will look at it and read it carefully.
I think gift cards are the way to go ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Good to know! Not that people give me gift certificates of that high a denomination.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it would be a bookkeeping nightmare for these smaller businesses to give change or credit on these and gift cards would require them to have special machines that can debit the transaction and reflect the proper amount that is left over.
Good to know. I'll be sure to go gift card as a gift from now on. That is a rip off for the person who paid for the certificate.
ReplyDeleteI was confused at first by "one time use", but then I see that you had to spend it all at one time or lose the rest. No cash back apparently. I have never encountered that.
ReplyDeleteThese gift certificates are a rip off.
ReplyDeleteWow, how confusing. I wonder (may want to ask before you try to use all of it's value in one visit,) let's say it was a $50 certificate during that $43 meal: would you have been able to designate the remaining $7 for a tip?
ReplyDeleteThe certificate I've seen for a high-end Italian restaurant doesn't have that rule. Most gifts from Pizza Hut to high-end steak restaurants around K.C. are with gift cards, most that "don't expire." Bummer ending to what could have been a nice evening. They'd get more publicity in two trips with possibly different guests if they'd lighten up a bit. We're friendly around here, Linda in Kansas
That's a load of bull, after our use was gone, I'd never return. Sounds like like le ol Republican capitalism at work there.
ReplyDeleteThat is rather strange. I've never heard of it.
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It is illegal in Washington state to have expiration dates on gift cards sold in the state..Too bad your family did not buy a gift card, I have found gift certificates expire quickly and I had to ask a merchant to let my own husband use it they looked it up and yes it was purchased within that companies timeline, I only buy gift cards...at least you got a good gift! many don't do anything for their families and friends! be grateful your family is generous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete