Didn't pay the bill

[ffsimstupid]

Stupidly went out with a bunch of 'friends' last night for drinks and food. They decided they weren't going to pay because they 'get away with it all the time' and essentially we're going to leave me with the bill because I was protesting. Long story short ended up follow them out ( I know so stupid). I'm the goody two shoes of the group because of my guilty conscience and as I suspect this morning I feel awful. I really want to ring the restaurant and let them know the situation and pay when they open but I'm scared this is the wrong thing to do and can land me in big trouble.

Please try not to flame me I know full well I was in the wrong and I want to fix this, please advise me what you would do.

I forgot to pay my portion of a works night out - phoned as soon as they opened the next day and payed over the phone. They were really nice about it.

OP, go and pay your share and give them the names and addresses of the folks who were there with you and didn't pay.
You're not goody two shoes, you're a normal person who made a mistake but you're ready to own up. They're not your friends, they're just spongers relying on you to pay for their crimes.

I’ve walked out without paying the bill on occasion (very forgetful)

How does someone do that more than once accidentally??

Easy, when you are used to these places where you pay at the point of order.

Did you get through to the restaurant OP?

Thanks for all the advice, tried phoning in multiple times seems they don't answer before opening. Informed my friend that I am unhappy with what we did and we will both be calling in at opening. Will never be so stupid again it's not worth it and as many have said it's so unfair on waiting staff etc

I would send a cheque to the restaurant, covering the whole bill if you can afford it, or just your if you really can’t, and say it was a misunderstanding. Definitely drop those non-friends, before they get you into even more serious offences.

@zippyswife it might not be the crime of the century but it has real consequences for staff and business as posters have stated. Pretty shit comment from a serving police officer to minimise this. Especially as they are serial offenders. Maybe the reason theft of this kind is not reported and thieves get away with it is because of that attitude by the police. OP, you are right to try and rectify it and should not feel bad for having some moral compass, even if it is late in the day. How would your friends feel if someone didn't pay for their services or stole off them.

Locally restaurants will post stills from their CCTV so I'd make contact asap.

ffsimstupid

Places usually open and are staffed half an hour before opening time.

Thank you for paying it in full - my old place had a policy where the monies for the table who hadn't paid would come out of the single server for that table's wages.

Sunday lunches are busy so it may be best to walk in as well.

@bugbhaer really? You've never worked somewhere where your tips are used to cover walkouts? I've never worked for an small independent restaurant, only national chains (large hotel chains and multiple bars like Tiger Tiger) and every single one take the tips to cover walkouts. The only time they don't do that is if the customer has been aggressive and stormed out/been removed. Walk outs would happen 3-4 times every Saturday day time, usually from walk-ins who have a meal and loads of cocktails and think it's hilarious and they pootle off to their next bar. Fortunately in Newcastle most of the bars are in and actively use an online group where we report these incidents with a description of the party and 9/10 if the post is picked up in time, the group will be refused from other bars until they go back to pay their bill.

Your friends are awful. It's not like this was even a one-off for them. They a) are thieves and b) were happy to put you in a horrible position. Friends don't do that.

I hope the payment goes okay. But then I'd cleanse your life of these people. If they're that dishonest, you can't trust them in your life.

good on you for paying. Please give the restaurant the names of all these thieves so the word can get round.

and yes, a person is know by the company they keep so ditch the lot of them and tell them why. May they all get burgled so they know what it is like.

This happened to me once. I went back the following day and said I’d realised the bill hadn’t been paid and I’d come back to pay it. They were a bit at the fact we’d all left in the first place but couldn’t argue about it much because I’d gone back to pay the whole thing.

Surely you can find better friends than a bunch of bullying thieves?

With someone as honest and fair minded as the OP, if the restaurant was furnished with the names and addresses of the non-payers, it's possible to simply issue an invoice by post with an invitation to cough up, and if that elicits nothing, a simple moneyclaim online to each, and they can explain to a court why they don't think they should pay.

Unless they are serial and experienced fraudsters, they'll end up paying (plus costs), as once you've got their details you can apply for bailiffs to recover the debt, or attach an order to their earnings.

That's the textbook legal path ahead.

Some (admitted more pricey) restaurants make a point of taking a card swipe before serving - much like petrol stations. Although that costs more from the card service provider.

Op, try not to feel too guilty, you panicked as they were all leaving you. I would actually try to just pay my share and pass on their details. Being contacted after for payment might spook them enough to not do this again. I am obviously aware that people leave without paying but I do not know anyone who does this, let alone for fun by the sounds of it. They are nasty people who are happy for you and others to pay for their dinner. Ditch them.

Maybe all restaurants and pubs should ask for a card before taking an order.

I have seen it happen, busy pub, 3 courses plus drinks, a family of 3, sneaked out without paying. Landlord was trying to build the business and had a new (unplanned) baby. It made quite a dent in his profits that day. Have watched as he has gradually repaired and patched up the building, replaced the worn out furniture and tried to make a go of it. People like that make life difficult for those working hard and trying to make an honest living. He now asks for a card when people order, trust is gone.

Rosita that is illegal, assuming you are in UK?

OP I would message "friends" saying they need to transfer money to you or you will be giving their details to restaurant owner to follow up in whatever way they see fit on Monday. Then pay the whole thing if you want to, but at least that way you will get some of the money back.

Then block them all.

I thought I wasn't easily shocked but that's appalling! What vile people. Would they stock their hand in someone's pay packet and take a bunch of notes out - because that's what they're doing.

If I could afford it, I'd pay the bill and never see those friends again. If I could only afford to pay for myself, I'd do as PPs suggest and explain you didn't mean to do it and apologise, asap. And still ditch the friends. Bastards. That is so not on.

You have done the right thing ringing in would just say you forgot to pay and then pay.

Rositathat is illegal, assuming you are in UK?

I have heard it happens though. You just need staff who are not very knowledgeable about their rights. Suspect that practice is very variable so while some restaurants would not do this to staff, others might

Time is hard for these restaurant people. That's why so many are closing and I have had tons of emails spamming my inbox inviting me to dine at 40% off main course. Have a thought for these owners!

Sorry but some people on here must be fibbing. If there are 2-4 walkouts per month in every restaurant in the country then some of you must have either done it or know someone who has
I had a groupon offer when I was a student and I didn't take anything other than the voucher and a tenner out with me (for tip) that night. The bill came to £16 with a service charge and some other extra charge for choosing a starter which was extra (not stated it would be extra on the menu.) I did a runner, leaving the tenner and went in to pay the next day. They were really grateful and surprised I came back.

Good for you doing the right thing today at least OP.

I think its so sad reading the posts from those who have been waiting staff when younger and left to foot the bill from run outs - thats just awful. I worked in bars when younger, just to make ends meet and couldn't have taken the hit of someone elses big bill. Let your 'friends' know its possible the server could have had to pay - a poster said upthread they even missed paying their rent having to pay someone elses bill.