Gift certificate for restaurant shop

It worked out very well getting the free dessert for signing up for rewards. I got one of the $12 lunch specials and a soft drink. After taxes and tip it was right around $20. Not bad at all for getting a $100 gift card.

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I just took one of these shops after missing out last month. I did it for the old company and never spent more than the $45 reimbursement. We go on Wednesdays when burgers are $12 so my wife gets that and I get the wings, which I see are now up to $18 (wow!). I really liked their thighs (and fries) when they had them as part of their $12 (now $13) lunch specials. For those who like the wings, the server has been able to get them split in two flavors in the past. Never knew you could do that, and the app only lets you pick a single flavor.

BTW you can sell the gift card at Cardcash if you want, they're currently offering $67 for a $100 card and they take e-gift cards. Maybe a good option for a subsequent shop, since you can use the first card to pay for the second and maybe third shop.

BTW*2 I just checked their app, and they have a $10 off $50 offer valid through 12/10. Good on dine-in and take out.

Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/2023 04:55PM by MisterBill.

Is the GC an actual card or one you print. If it is an actual card I would give it as a gift.

@Insight wrote:

Is the GC an actual card or one you print. If it is an actual card I would give it as a gift.

It's electronic. You'd need to print it out to give as a gift.

Update on payment: I have done 2 shops this week and both locations are using the "scan your receipt to pay" method (Tabletop kiosks are gone.) There is an option to enter gift certificates under the payment method. Tip: have the GC number and pin on a piece of paper ahead of time. My server never saw my GC nor would they have any way to know the value of the card.

@ShopperGirly wrote:

Update on payment: I have done 2 shops this week and both locations are using the "scan your receipt to pay" method (Tabletop kiosks are gone.) There is an option to enter gift certificates under the payment method. Tip: have the GC number and pin on a piece of paper ahead of time. My server never saw my GC nor would they have any way to know the value of the card.

You may be able to add the gift card to the app as well, since you can pay that way. I would not be concerned about the server thinking that you're the shopper because you have a gift card, plenty of people buy them online to give as gifts.

I use the gift certificate for take out.

The prior MSC sucked. Lame $45 reimbursement, NO pay and 2 stupid pictures (front and back of exterior). I will take the enhanced gift card payment, plus the $5 ADED over the prior MSC. If you spend less...you still get paid the $60 or $100 and can use it on multiple shops or give it to someone or go out for a NON-shop. It's a complete WIN for us now.

Is there any benefit for the company to pay us with gift certificates instead of money?

When do they send the gift card? I did one of these about a month ago, still waiting.

I got my electronic gift card by the 10th of the month in November. The $5 payment came on the 20th of November.

I am expecting it to be by 12/10...but since that is a weekend...maybe we get it Friday 12/8? I am just planning on 10th of each month.

@MisterBill wrote:

@ShopperGirly wrote:

Update on payment: I have done 2 shops this week and both locations are using the "scan your receipt to pay" method (Tabletop kiosks are gone.) There is an option to enter gift certificates under the payment method. Tip: have the GC number and pin on a piece of paper ahead of time. My server never saw my GC nor would they have any way to know the value of the card.
You may be able to add the gift card to the app as well, since you can pay that way. I would not be concerned about the server thinking that you're the shopper because you have a gift card, plenty of people buy them online to give as gifts.

At this time, you cannot store the GC in your account, maybe they will add that later.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

The prior MSC sucked. Lame $45 reimbursement, NO pay and 2 stupid pictures (front and back of exterior). I will take the enhanced gift card payment, plus the $5 ADED over the prior MSC. If you spend less...you still get paid the $60 or $100 and can use it on multiple shops or give it to someone or go out for a NON-shop. It's a complete WIN for us now.

Not necessarily a complete win if you prefer to be reimbursed, but it has the potential for being better. Plus being able to sell the gift card to Cardcash does make it an easy money-maker. We went yesterday for lunch and I spent $44 and change including tip, so it is possible to eat for under $45 (they have $12 burgers on Wednesdays and I ate the wings appetizer as my meal).

@MisterBill

Comparing the shop between the old MSC and the current shop...which do you think is better?

The only thing I miss out on with this new process would be the 3% return from purchases on a Costco credit card restaurant rewards.

The current shop/form is easier. The $5 pay is better than the NO pay from prior MSC. The $100 gc for XXX spent is much better. Just in your example of spending $44...you now get $100 (dining room). So now you can go to lunch another time with NO report for free if you can "scoop" and extra $50 credit each time.

Really with "Cardcash"? I never even contemplated selling this gc for 67 cents on the dollar. What would that accomplish? I guess if you were tight on money and wanted the extra $23 (from your example)...but I would just a free meal with NO report as a better option.

@xbirdnerdx wrote:

When do they send the gift card? I did one of these about a month ago, still waiting.

I got an email with mine late this afternoon.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

Really with "Cardcash"? I never even contemplated selling this gc for 67 cents on the dollar. What would that accomplish? I guess if you were tight on money and wanted the extra $23 (from your example)...but I would just a free meal with NO report as a better option.

I'm not sure where BJ's is relative to where you live, but it's a 45-minute drive (plus a toll) for me, and I only eat there when I have a shop. It's not somewhere I would consider going to on my own because it's not very convenient.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/08/2023 01:58AM by MisterBill.

@MisterBill

Did you bother shopping BJ's when it was with the clown MSC before this? so 45 minute drive for NO pay and no extras and 2 stupid photos?

I'm in southern california, so I have plenty of BJ's to pick from. That is why I can go to BJ's almost daily with no effort. I even had a pizookie pass.

So I understand you wanting "to sell" your GC....but I don't understand why you bother making a 45 minute drive to do this shop to begin with.

They've reduced the fee to $4. I missed the email from them with this month's shops a week and a half ago, but my local restaurant is still available. I'm out of rotation for another couple of months.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/2024 09:08PM by MisterBill.

So, I emailed the scheduler three times over the course of a few weeks and did not receive a response. The guidelines contradict the info on the shop form-

(1) for the $100 dine-in shop, the guidelines state to order one entree and one non-water beverage per person.

(2) the survey states to order an appetizer or dessert plus and entree

I completed the shop and ordered two sodas, two entrees, and a dessert. I did this since I was not sure which were the correct requirements.

Do you know what you have to order? Which is correct?

Is a pizza considered an entree? Thanks all

@Niner

They "score" your evaluation pretty quick. You might have already received a response on your score. It has been less than 48 hour turnaround for each of my visits. Yes, they made changes this month and didn't roll them out in a smooth way.

I have a feeling they will have many less interested shoppers in the BAR scenario since that requires 2 people now too. Why bother with the bar if you can get $35 more on the dining room?

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

@Niner

They "score" your evaluation pretty quick. You might have already received a response on your score. It has been less than 48 hour turnaround for each of my visits. Yes, they made changes this month and didn't roll them out in a smooth way.

I have a feeling they will have many less interested shoppers in the BAR scenario since that requires 2 people now too. Why bother with the bar if you can get $35 more on the dining room?

They did approve it, and I still don't know what the ordering requirements are. I would rather not get the dessert unless we needed to and I would rather get a pizza. Nobody answered after four attempts at contact.

@Niner

who is your scheduler? I think there are several on the nationwide project. The scheduler for my area is SUPER-responsive and I have not had any issues.

Pizza at BJ's is overpriced EXCEPT on Monday (large is HALF price. BJ also has a pretty stellar Happy Hour just in general. On during NFL games. So you can have HAPPY HOUR saturday afternoon with NFL playoffs.

Of course Happy Hour doesn't help the dining room or takeout scenarios.

I'm a fan of BJ's and their food, so doing this project and "making" a little extra on the GC reimbursement is wonderful (for me).

Happy hour does not really help the bar scenario as none of the happy hour items are entrees. I have not done one since the rules changed but if they are as i have heard you need to order an entree and a drink. You will only save on the drink price and only if you want to order alcohol.
My scheduler told me that we should not order pizza when I asked if the large size that serves 4 or more people would count as 2 entrees. But that was before they cleaned up the new guidelines. I would think that the Monday special should work for at least one entree but if anyone has an insight on this please let us know as that Monday special is one of the days I like to go.

The pizza qualifies as an entree for 1 person. On Monday, there is a deal for 50% of large pizza including tavern cut styles.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

I have a feeling they will have many less interested shoppers in the BAR scenario since that requires 2 people now too. Why bother with the bar if you can get $35 more on the dining room?

And I noticed that the bar shop requires two entrees and two drinks, yet it reimburses less than the DR shop, which only requires a single drink. Why???

Also, the DR shop allows you to buy an appetizer or second entree. I get wings for myself and eat it as my meal while my wife gets a burger. Seems like that would not work at the bar.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2024 06:19PM by MisterBill.

They also have deals on burgers on Wednesdays.

I looked at the guidelines today, and I think happy hour does help.

"EACH REQUIRED GUESTS MUST ORDER - an Entree or Appetizer and a drink other than water."

So a happy hour dish would count. It even mentions happy hour later in the guidelines.

"If you are there at happy hour, you must order more than 1 food item."

@sandyf wrote:

Happy hour does not really help the bar scenario as none of the happy hour items are entrees. I have not done one since the rules changed but if they are as i have heard you need to order an entree and a drink. You will only save on the drink price and only if you want to order alcohol.
My scheduler told me that we should not order pizza when I asked if the large size that serves 4 or more people would count as 2 entrees. But that was before they cleaned up the new guidelines. I would think that the Monday special should work for at least one entree but if anyone has an insight on this please let us know as that Monday special is one of the days I like to go.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2024 03:49PM by JimmyP.

@JimmyP wrote:

They also have deals on burgers on Wednesdays.

The Wednesday burger deal is great. I always go then since my wife likes them. And if you check the online ordering, you can figure out how you can customize them for free. I noticed that you can add fried onions to a burger with no upcharge.

That changes my willingness to do the bar shop if you can still qualify with an appetizer at happy hour..
I guess the small pizzas at Happy Hour would qualify as one of those in a bar shop.
In the dining room though I think the Monday half price Tavern cut is listed as an appetizer so would not count as an entree. For me Monday and Wednesday are the two most affordable way to do this shop. By the way last time I went I ordered one of the ciders (the berry one which I did not think was good). I was surprised they only charged me the $5 Wednesday beer price for that. Had I known I would have ordered the Apple hard cider instead. It was more expensive on the menu so I got the berry one. But next time I will ask first if it qualifies as beer on the $5 beer day. It is listed on the beer menu but not a beer in my mind.
quote=JimmyP]
They also have deals on burgers on Wednesdays.

I looked at the guidelines today, and I think happy hour does help.

"EACH REQUIRED GUESTS MUST ORDER - an Entree or Appetizer and a drink other than water."

So a happy hour dish would count. It even mentions happy hour later in the guidelines.

"If you are there at happy hour, you must order more than 1 food item.

@sandyf wrote:

Happy hour does not really help the bar scenario as none of the happy hour items are entrees. I have not done one since the rules changed but if they are as i have heard you need to order an entree and a drink. You will only save on the drink price and only if you want to order alcohol.
My scheduler told me that we should not order pizza when I asked if the large size that serves 4 or more people would count as 2 entrees. But that was before they cleaned up the new guidelines. I would think that the Monday special should work for at least one entree but if anyone has an insight on this please let us know as that Monday special is one of the days I like to go.

[/quote]

Good tip! Thank you. The burgers are tasty. I used to get them on Wednesdays a lot when I did shops for the previous company.

@MisterBill wrote:

The Wednesday burger deal is great. I always go then since my wife likes them. And if you check the online ordering, you can figure out how you can customize them for free. I noticed that you can add fried onions to a burger with no upcharge.

They have a great selection of entree salads. I just enjoyed the Seared Ahi Salad. They have an extensive burger menu. Lunch specials are only 13.99. I love going there for appy and beer with a friend when it is not an evaluation. We enjoyed the Calamari and a few others and skipped dinner. Did you see their extensive craft beer Menu?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/2024 05:40PM by emm2131.

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