Aibu to think all restaurants should ask for deposit

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

Because there are some people seriously fucked up in a head and thousands of others lacking basic decency?

There appear to be some trolls now who book tens of covers in different restaurants as a prank. Leaving them empty or partially empty. Starting different emails for each booking, doing the booking. Wth. That's some dedication to hurt already hurting businesses, isn't it.

It's bad at the best of times with people booking and not turning up (many restaurants have big issues with this across all price brackets). There was someone saying last year that their friends book two restaurants for a weekend and decide that evening which one they fancy more...

AIBU to think they should all ask for deposit? Some already do, but some seem to be worried about trying for some reason.

Absolutely. That or take card details on booking and charge for a no show.

@Disappointedkoala

Absolutely. That or take card details on booking and charge for a no show.

Yes. That! Few I went to were doing it and it's just no problem at all, unless you plan on not turning up.

Apparently some customers were quite moany about these things and some of the small businesses are understandably worried about losing any customers.

I have not heard that booking restaurants as a prank is a thing.

Up to restaurants if they want to take deposits, but I think they need to understand some people won’t book on that basis. I would only give my card details for hard to get into Michelin starred restaurants.

Wow I've never heard of people doing it deliberately. I knew one person who would book tables in restaurants she 'might' want to go to on Saturday night then decide at the last minute which she'd actually choose. Massively selfish behaviour.

There was 3 reported in last few days around my area. It's sick.

I would only give my card details for hard to get into Michelin starred restaurants.
Can I ask why?

Yes I do, and not just for the restaurant owners benefit.
I have been left out of pocket by no shows, having paid childcare and travel expenses to get into work to be sent home 2 hours later when the restaurant is half empty because of several no shows and they don't need me. Seen it happen to other staff in the kitchen too. The person responsible for the rota staffs right for the number booked and then half of them don't bother to turn up.
At least booking deposits might deter those who make the booking knowing they'll likely not bother to turn up or encourage people to cancel in decent time if they need to.

Yes. Even disney ask you for card details now when booking in the theme parks.

I'd be perfectly happy to pay a deposit for a restaurant booking, perhaps refundable up to 3 or 4 days beforehand? Would be happier getting the bill and seeing it already partially paid too!

of course they should!

@SchrodingersImmigrant

There was 3 reported in last few days around my area. It's sick.

I would only give my card details for hard to get into Michelin starred restaurants.
Can I ask why?

Yes because if I am booking a hard to get in Michelin starred restaurant then it means it is somewhere I really want to go to and if that is there policy I will need to comply if I want to go there.

If I am going for a casual evening or lunch out and the first place wants a card, I would scroll on by and pick somewhere where I don’t have to provide my card details.

I had a place ask us to pay a deposit for a Mother's Day meal. Honestly, it makes me much less likely to go to a restaurant because there will be times when (despite good intentions and best efforts) you won't be able to make a booking. I'd simply be less inclined to book and would just show up - which doesn't benefit the restaurants because a) if I have a booking I'm more likely to actually go whereas if there's no booking I might be lazy and order a takeaway and have a nice night in instead and b) restaurants have no indication of how busy they'll be and won't be able to sort staff or food appropriately.

I agree that restaurants and bars should take deposits when they want to. However I think it's fair also that these should be refundable.

I booked a table for two a few weeks in advance and called to cancel 14 days beforehand. I was then told the deposit I had paid was not refundable and had to move the date. It's not made me want to go back there honestly.

@nettytree

Yes. Even disney ask you for card details now when booking in the theme parks.

You need to have park tickets, you don’t need to provide a credit card as well.

I agree with the refundability. Cancelling 2 weeks beforehand is really fine. Bit crappy not to refund.
Up to 48 or even 24 hours would be fine. And obviously some situations should be understood even after.

@nettytree

Ignore me, I thought you meant the new system of advance booking park reservations! I realise now you meant the Disney restaurants, yes they have always required a credit card but they don’t take a deposit.

Yes because if I am booking a hard to get in Michelin starred restaurant then it means it is somewhere I really want to go to and if that is there policy I will need to comply if I want to go there.

I am sorry but if you really don't want to go somewhere enough to comply with "book and turn up or cancel in reasonable time" you shouldn't be booking there.

Years ago at our old address we ordered a take away for us and friends. The restaurant then called me to check if it was a real order.

Turns out, the month before, while we were out, a large order had been placed with that restaurant, they turned up at the specified time to find that around 6 other large order takeaways had also been sent to our address, all to pay on delivery!

We had no idea who had done it this prank, but it was pretty stupid as it didn't affect us, and all the companies ended up out of pocket!

So yes, you should have to pay a deposit for bookings, and pay in advance for takeaway delivery!

We had to cancel a reservation a few weeks ago with only a few hours notice because one of our party came down with covid symptoms.
We just asked if we could move it to a few weeks later.
I think as long as they do actually cancel and not just not turn up then it's ok. Booking a table you have no intention on using is definitely a no no.

A number of restaurants near us are taking deposits now, and most will refund cancellations up to 24 hours in advance.

We need to recognise that these businesses have been closed for months, they've had to re-organise so some can only seat 50% of their usual amount of customers, and then people book but don't turn up because they cant be bothered to make a phone call? If its somewhere with no real walk in trade, then those tables sit empty for the night.

These are peoples livelihoods at stake, and owners trying to keep their businesses afloat. I'm all in favour of deposits

[quote Florencex]@nettytree

Ignore me, I thought you meant the new system of advance booking park reservations! I realise now you meant the Disney restaurants, yes they have always required a credit card but they don’t take a deposit.[/quote]
If you are a no show they will charge you $10 per person. That is why they take your card number.

If you are a no show they will charge you $10 per person. That is why they take your card number.

Some places around here are doing it. I think this is fair.

I wouldn't pre covid but now that restaurants can often only get one cover in and out before 9.30 - and we have little alternate options for a night out- I'd be happy to

I have no problem with this at all. My hairdresser now requires a deposit, I Even pay a deposit for my dog’s groom - why not a restaurant?

YANBU. At least one place near me are now doing this, they're a small independent and a few weeks ago had no less than 30 booked covers on one Saturday night no-show, most of whom probably thought 'oh it's only 2/3/4 of us it won't matter they'll get walk-ins'.

It's incredibly selfish at a time when so many restaurants are fighting to keep their heads above water in the first place. I don't begrudge them and giving me card details wouldn't bother me.

Yes. £20 per person. Only taken if you cancel within 48 hours or no-show.