[Food] Restaurant deposits

[Herr Tubthumper]

There’s some articles in today‘s press about restaurant deposits. In short you lose the deposit if you don’t cancel, or cancel too late. The articles are solely from the restaurant’s perspective and seek to justify their reasons. What do you as a punter feel about this? Any restaurant owners care to give their thoughts? @Yes Chef ?

For the record I fully support it but am aware others feel different.

The articles don’t have links yet, I‘ll paste when the do.

 

[dazzer6666]

It’s OK with me - economic impact of no-shows (particularly with no notice and where the covers end up not being used) must be quite damaging.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

It’s OK with me - economic impact of no-shows (particularly with no notice and where the covers end up not being used) must be quite damaging.

Same. One of the articles is asking what sort of person books a restaurant but then doesn’t cancel; good question.

 

[Chicken Run]

I too fully support it, we live in an age of ‘one click’ decisions!

The smaller restaurants lose revenue if people don’t show!

 

[BNthree]

In general I support it but obviously depends on the details of deposit cost and terms of cancellation.

 

[Stat Brother]

Is this for McDonald's or just Burger king?

 

[Worried Man Blues]

Yes, bowled up at the Kings Head Rye and a table of 12 (twelve) did a no show!

 

[Dick Swiveller]

There’s some articles in today‘s press about restaurant deposits. In short you lose the deposit if you don’t cancel, or cancel too late. The articles are solely from the restaurant’s perspective and seek to justify their reasons. What do you as a punter feel about this? Any restaurant owners care to give their thoughts? @Yes Chef ?

For the record I fully support it but am aware others feel different.

The articles don’t have links yet, I‘ll paste when the do.

You leave a deposit and lose it if you turn up? Surely that is some kind of cancellation insurance rather than a deposit?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I too fully support it, we live in an age of ‘one click’ decisions!

The smaller restaurants lose revenue if people don’t show!

One of the suggestions as to why this has become an issue is “online booking systems that save restaurants money, by doing away with the need for staff to take phone calls, also remove a point of human connection. Perhaps it’s easier to become a no-show if all you’ve done is fill in a form rather than talk to an actual person.”

From my experience if a reservation is made online or via an app I get an email near the time with a cancellation button. It really can’t be any easier to cancel

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

You leave a deposit and lose it if you turn up? Surely that is some kind of cancellation insurance rather than a deposit?

“Ynyshir, the Welsh restaurant voted best in Britain in the national awards, requires prepayment of £375 a head for dinner, with sales “final and non-refundable”, although they can be rescheduled with two weeks’ notice. Diners are advised to take out travel insurance in case they need to cancel at short notice.”

 

[Dick Swiveller]

“Ynyshir, the Welsh restaurant voted best in Britain in the national awards, requires prepayment of £375 a head for dinner, with sales “final and non-refundable”, although they can be rescheduled with two weeks’ notice. Diners are advised to take out travel insurance in case they need to cancel at short notice.”

But surely they don't lose that £375 if they turn up? You said they lose it if they don't cancel.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Taking a deposit via card would also put a stop to those chavs that do a runner after their meal without paying. Been a few stories about that in the press recently. They're not such Clevor Trevers when they realise they can be traced

 

[essbee1]

Isn't there evidence that are people booking multiple restaurants online and then deciding on the day which one they want to go to?
Would stop that sort of selfish nonsense.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

But surely they don't lose that £375 if they turn up? You said they lose it if they don't cancel.

No and yes.

Sorry but I’m not really understanding your question/point. Am I being a bit thick? Maybe I need another coffee.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Isn't there evidence that are people booking multiple restaurants online and then deciding on the day which one they want to go to?
Would stop that sort of selfish nonsense.

The article suggests this is an issue. It also suggests it’s a trait of businesses/business meetings.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

No and yes.

Sorry but I’m not really understanding your question/point. Am I being a bit thick? Maybe I need another coffee.

You said it is a deposit that you lose if you don't cancel. If you don't cancel, you turn up. I guess you meant if you don't turn up but don't tell them. It read to me that you lose the deposit if you turn up. Maybe we both need more coffee.

 

[mikeyjh]

“Ynyshir, the Welsh restaurant voted best in Britain in the national awards, requires prepayment of £375 a head for dinner, with sales “final and non-refundable”, although they can be rescheduled with two weeks’ notice. Diners are advised to take out travel insurance in case they need to cancel at short notice.”

Slightly off topic but I'm a few times a week doing my volunteering work next door to Ynyshir (Ynys-hir) tickles me no end to see their very regular Castell Howell (like a welsh brakes bros)) deliveries and then having people spend £375 on 'world class ingredients'...

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

You said it is a deposit that you lose if you don't cancel. If you don't cancel, you turn up. I guess you meant if you don't turn up but don't tell them. It read to me that you lose the deposit if you turn up. Maybe we both need more coffee.

Yes, this is what I meant. Sorry this wasn’t clear. Let’s go and enjoy our coffee!

 

[Chicken Run]

One of the suggestions as to why this has become an issue is “online booking systems that save restaurants money, by doing away with the need for staff to take phone calls, also remove a point of human connection. Perhaps it’s easier to become a no-show if all you’ve done is fill in a form rather than talk to an actual person.”

From my experience if a reservation is made online or via an app I get an email near the time with a cancellation button. It really can’t be any easier to cancel

Yep but somehow people in todays society have no vision beyon the end of their nose when it comes to being aware of the impact to others their behaviour brings

 

[Javeaseagull]

You said it is a deposit that you lose if you don't cancel. If you don't cancel, you turn up. I guess you meant if you don't turn up but don't tell them. It read to me that you lose the deposit if you turn up. Maybe we both need more coffee.

I thought one of you was being whooshed but I couldn't work out who!