re: Groupon, Bargain Bee, Radio Station "Gift Certificates"

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Others are places that I may be interested in checking out and it makes my decision easier

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This is a huge reason for the coupons.

There are a lot of places I may want to try but Im hesitant because I dont feel like wasting money on bad food.

If their food is good though then they earn a new patron. If its bad oh well.. At least I didnt pay full price

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Those are all good places offering the 50% off.

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NO kidding. ANd I don't look negatively at them at all. They've all thrived without doing these promos, and will continue to do so most likely.

It's definitely caused me to get out of my comfort zone at times. I like to eat out A LOT, so about every 4 or 5 of these I use it's like a free nice meal out.

That works for me.

Little Village still does these deals fairly often. But it actually worked against them for me. I got one of these the third time I dined with them as I was getting it as an "I'll give them one more chance" kind of opportunity. And they lost...

What the coupon does for me is allows me to explore the menu more for the places I already like.

If I like a dish at a place I will often order it again when I return. If I have a coupon Im more likely to explore the menu.

I check the sites daily for LFT, BR and the northshore. Have used all very successfully and yes I tip on the pre coupon total,not after the discount. Have had great success with them and one place I bought closed b4 the deadline to use it and bargain bee credited me the amount I paid no hassle. Been great for us, we eat out a lot at good places,not the yogurt and cookies type joints.

Derek Chang at Koto, if eating only from the signature roll line of sushi, is my fav over Yama and Waka.

The only thing I've ever found unique or quasi-good at Tokyo Cafe, is the Cowboy Roll. Though they give nice portions, the food lacks 'it factor', the teriyaki/teppan bar sucks too.

I have used two at Latil's Landing, one for Cupcakes n Cream, and one for a massage at a place I was already familiar with.

Needless to say, LL did not disappoint. Cupcakes 'n Cream = not so good. I had no problem with using the certificates, including issues with wait staff.

I have used them several times, its a pretty good deal, have had not been disappointed in anything. We generally spend over the coupon load and tip as if there were no discount.

I don't see this as desperation, I see restaurants that are buying exposure, good idea.

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When I first started doing it, it was great. It completely sucks now.

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Bargain Bee hasn't been very good as of late, but that's to be expected. Most of them put out better deals in the summer and early fall when business is slower everywhere. I'd look to see the same trend this year. Come late spring and summer I would expect to see some better deals.

I would also expect to see them start putting more strict restrictions on them as well.
Such as valid only Mon-Thurs like Gino's and Tsunami did. I'm thinking they will start to cap the number of certs sold. I think Ichiban sold almost 2k. I bought 3 It's right around the corner of my house, and I probably eat there once every couple of months anyways.

There are a few other "bargain" sites that occasionally put out some good restaurants.