Bargain-savvy Hawai'i folks can save money on dining out, entertainment and other activities by buying discount books published by both a local business and a Michigan-based company.

Most of the deals offer buy one, get one free or discounts that focus mostly on food but include other activities and entertainment.

Consumer interest in the books appears to be rising — as the economy has been declining — judging from various bargain-hunting Web sites and the experience of the local business, Aloha Diners Club.

Mark Pokraka, president of Aloha Diners Club, said while it's true some restaurants have closed in recent months, others have opened. (The books have included coupons from Nick's Fishmarket and E & O Trading Co., both of which closed recently.)

Both discount clubs sell their books directly on the Web, but do a large part of business through charity groups, schools and other nonprofit organizations that sell the books as a fundraiser.

A reader called to complain that sometimes the discounts aren't honored at businesses listed in the books. And sometimes the businesses add restrictions not printed on the coupon.

For example, he went to India Cafe and planned to use a coupon to buy two items but was told that he and his wife would need to order a minimum of $40 worth of food to use the coupon. They left. (The restaurant did not respond to a request for comment.)

At the state Office of Consumer Protection, executive director Stephen Levins said the businesses listed in the books should honor the terms that they agreed to with the publishers of the books and not add restrictions that consumers learn about only after they get in the door.

"When a company agrees to be placed in one of these coupon books, they're really committing to the terms," Levins said. "Generally, it's inappropriate to change the terms of the coupon."

Pokraka said people should ask questions if they run into that kind of condition or other hurdles. He and Levins suggest customers start by asking for a manager to find out the policy.

If that doesn't straighten out the matter, Pokraka urges his customers to call his office to let them know.

"There are times when there is confusion," he said, but the company signs contracts with the businesses listed and stands behind them. "What we do is we call the restaurant or the business; usually it's a miscommunication."

Pokraka said the company has been getting more interest in the books as people look for alternative ways to advertise. He said it's in the interest of the businesses to smooth out issues.

"We don't want people to say they don't like that book because it doesn't work," he said.

And he said this form of advertising only costs money — the discount — when customers actually show up: "You don't pay until they come."

Another problem for his book showed up with Blimpie sandwich shops, when the company changed owners recently. Pokraka said his company is aware that there's a dispute. "We have to get that straightened out."

Levins said his office has run into complaints from businesses over the years where a company's name is being used without its authorization. "We have found in the past that the company may not have even had knowledge that they are in there," he said.

Representatives of the Michigan-based Entertainment Book could not be reached to comment but Levins said the issues are similar with all discount books.

He's heard of other problems when a company goes out of business and a new company acquires the assets but not the liabilities.

However, most times Levins said consumers should keep asking if they have a problem. "You've got a dissatisfied consumer who may never go back to the business because they feel that someone's tried to rip them off."

If the business doesn't help, Levins said, then consumers should file a complaint. "We would like to know if there are retailers not complying."

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.