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I think Groupon suits the purpose if you would be visiting a restaurant that has a usually high amount of coupons or vouchers changing hands. Here in the UK if Franky & Bennys offered the coupon I don't think I would think twice. I think also if it was for somewhere I frequented often and I know the standard of food is good then I would do also.

We had a situation earlier this year with a voucher where the terms were not fully explained, we went to Manchester (England) and sat down in a restaurant called Giraffes. The voucher did not explain that it could not be used before 7pm. It was 1 in the afternoon, I sat there regardless and continued to be ripped out (£8.50 for a breakfast, cheapest thing on menu) and in total paid £40 for some dinner.

In terms of tipping, I generally leave a tip if around 10%, more if the person waiting is really good and a good personality, less if I think they are over acting it to get a higher tip. They don't get anything if the food is crap or over priced. I don't think I have been anywhere recently where I have not used a voucher or coupon, it's not because I am tight, it's simply because they are there. I don't consider myself a bad tipper either.

I know what you mean though about feeling bad about using vouchers or coupons, I feel slightly guilty about it. I think the English culture is slightly different though, I think we don't like confrontation and I feel this goes into that realm.

Stick to voucher cloud, check the terms though properly before sitting down!




That's very true, though if you only go to places you know and trust then Groupon isn't doing it's job for the restaurant! They're simply giving a discount to loyal customers.


Well I generally only deviate from the restaurants I visit when I have done the entire menu. I try to try everything on a menu then I try a different place. I guess the model doesn't really work for me, I wouldn't generally try somewhere different unless I have seen the place and I wanted to try there anyway.

I guess that's me though, everyone is different. I have been stung too many times in the past with bad meals and I am probably the fussiest customer you will find. If I had been going to a place for years and they started serving bad meals, I wouldn't think twice about not going there again. I don't generally complain about a meal, not going there again is good enough for me.

I like the insight into the Groupon experience as a whole though, this is probably what would happen to me so I'm glad I had never taken the plunge.




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