A Remedy for Couponguilt Syndrome

You know how you can sometimes feel cheap or embarrassed using restaurant coupons? Whether you do it to yourself or it's done to you by restaurant staff giving you "that look" or "that tone of voice", there is absolutely no reason to feel bad about using a coupon!

There have been times in the past when even I (assertive person that I am) have felt embarrassed, guilty, sorry to be eating into (pun intended) a restaurant's profits or cheap, all because I chose to take the restaurant up on its offer of a discounted meal. I even know someone who refuses to use coupons because she can't stand what she perceives as a confrontation at meal's end.

Here's the couponguilt remedy you've been looking for - look at using coupons this way: when restaurants sign up for discount programs or publish coupons; they want people to use them. They're a form of advertising that shouldn't carry any resentment on the part of the restaurant. They're trying to bring in business because they are new, had a change in management, developed a new menu, want to attract a broader customer base, they're having a slow month or two - whatever.

This brings me to the "no guilt" local discount programs I recommend on Hendersonville Epicurean: WNC Insider and Restaurant.com.

WNC Insider is truly a local discount program out of in Arden, NC which is owned and operated by a local couple.

You've probably seen programs where you buy a book that has coupons you think you'll use, but usually don't. Or, you force yourself to go out to use a coupon, spending money you wouldn't have spent in the first place, just to get the discount (done that)!

I'm here to tell you WNC is different. The owners maintain a personal relationship with all the businesses using the Insider. And the restaurants, on their side, have committed to a year of pleasantly accepting Insider discounts.

Purchasing WNC Insider at the beginning of the calendar year will cost you $35. You get a package containing two booklets listing merchants (not just restaurants), a plastic card (like a credit card), a little envelope with any additional discounts that didn't make it into the booklets or might work differently (like buy 9, get one free) and once you register your card on-line, you receive an e-newsletter with names of newly joined program merchants and other news.

Just keep the card in your wallet and show it to the server prior to ordering. The first visit is usually buy one entree - get one free. For the rest of the year, it's usually 10% off the bill. Note: restaurants will add an 18% gratuity to your bill on the amount before discount.

Okay, so enough of the operating details and on to how wonderful this program is.

I got on board with the Insider a little late this year - not 'till April 1st. Between then and now, we've used it four times: Mellow Mushroom (saved $12), Atlanta Bread Company (saved $7), Thornhill's Fine Dining (saved $23), and West First Wood-Fired Pizza (saved $12). As you can see, the Insider has more than paid for itself already!

Staff at all the restaurants took the card cheerfully, without inflicting even the slightest guilt trip. The server would say something like, "Oh yes, I'm familiar with that. No problem. Just give me the card when you pay". It's easy, it's subtle and it's definitely worth it.

Here's a link where you can see a list of all the area restaurants participating in the WNC Insider program.

Restaurant.com is a site that restaurants can use short or long term. Finding restaurants close to where you live or where you will be traveling is done with a zip code search. Once you choose the restaurant you want, you purchase the coupon using a credit card. Most commonly, a coupon worth $25 off your meal will cost $10. Something to note is that once you purchase a coupon, you will get emails offering coupons for 60% to 70% off the usual price (e.g. $3 for $25 off).

There are minimum requirements for all coupons which usually are: at least two entrees must be ordered with a combined minimum of $35 or more, depending on the restaurant. All coupons are good for 12 months from purchase date.

When paying your bill, you simply hand the server the coupon along with your payment and they treat it as cash toward the total. Every place I've used these coupons has taken them without any fuss, although some newer servers didn't know what to do with the coupon at first.

So I ask you, why wouldn't you use a dining coupon or discount program and cure yourself of Couponguilt Syndrome? For me, I couldn't possibly afford to eat out often enough to do a restaurant review blog and not use coupons, but really, even if I weren't doing the blog, I'd still use the coupons!