Most likely because of people like me. I had never heard of this company, but, was offered their cards as part of a promotion. After being burned, I took the time to post my opinion. Others may not take the time to caution others...

First, to respond to the impolite assertions of Lawrence P, I can read just fine, thank you, and I don't sign a HIPPA form without reading it thoroughly. My patience and ability to pay attention are fine. It isn't nice to make assumptions about people you don't know.

Second, I don't know where some of the folks responding live, but where I am the restaurants pull out of restaurant.com before we can use a certificate. Returning a certificate has become impossible since there is no longer a phone number. I would not spend months of my precious time with restaurant.com. Some of the restaurants are not as advertised. Let's just say that walking through a gaggle of kid spitting and smoking at the restaurant's front door turned our stomachs. Additionally, the eateries rarely change and many are just too far away.

Fortunately, we didn't lose any money on this as when we started there was a crazy good deal and we got $400 on the site for $40. We did make back our $40. If I had to do it over, I wouldn't go near it.

Simply because most people (like me) do not take the time to research them first. Only after getting burned do they research and find what this company is really about. If you read ALL the fine print first, you will understand what you are getting into and will be prepared.

Website is a complete scam. It appears there is no way to prevent scamming websites such as restaurant.com from doing business on the Internet!

You are right, if you read the fine print, you will be just fine. It save a lot of money using their promotion.

Agree with both of the above responses. I'm not usually one to take the time out to complain... UNLESS it's really bad and I reach my breaking point. I'm really amazed at how many people read my initial comment.

Ellen, yes they are. I actually like Restaurant.com. I have used them for about 3 or 4 years and never had a problem until recently. I find that most of the people complaining about Restaurant.com either can not read or have to short of an attention span to fully try to understand the promotions. After all is said and done I normally go to dinner with my wife and we save &12-$15 dollars using their gift certificates. Lately they have eliminated the live person customer service phone number from their web site. My problem was that I paid for a certificate that was never put into my account. After months of trying to contact them via their customer service e-mail I finally did get a response and my problem was rectified. I have been using the certificates without a problem.

You must not only read the fine print, you MUST call the listed restaurant to see if they even honor Restaurant.com certificates, before purchasing a certificate. It's embarrassing when the manager laughs at you when you try to redeem a useless certificate.

I don't think people realize how this whole "scheme" works. (Optionally) First, you acquire a restaurant.com gift card that you or someone else purchased for you. Typical cost is $4 cash per $25 restaurant.com gift card. You then proceed to the restaurant.com website where you realize, soon enough, that your $25 gift card is no more than a coupon to purchase a $25 coupon from a "participating" restaurant. Without a gift card, their direct (no gift card) website prices are typically, $10 cash per $25 restaurant coupon. If all of this is confusing, I'm sure it's meant to be. Continuing, $25 is not really $25. Typically, the said restaurant will require you to spend double the face value of the redeemed coupon, in REAL, out of pocket cash at the restaurant to pay the balance due. NOTE: The restaurant.com gift card is NOT directly redeemable at the restaurant! So, armed with a $25 coupon/voucher you purchased from the restaurant.com website, you must order $50 worth of food (drinks may or may not be included in the purchase requirement). This will ultimately cost you $4-10 (for the restaurant.com gift card/voucher) + $25 of REAL, out of pocket cash. And, all of the above assumes that the restaurant you want to patronize is even on their "participants" list. Further, even if they are supposedly a "participant", they may not be, as reported by MANY commenters. Many restaurants have never heard of restaurant.com and (respectfully?) decline the presented coupon. If you make it through all that, the restaurant is most likely distressed, financially shaky or overpriced to begin with. BUYER BEWARE, BIG TIME! Also notice all the 1 star reviews. They would probably be 0 stars if that was an option. At least you can now make a more informed decision. Good luck.