For being annoyed at restaurant for giving our table away?

[diamondsareforever5]

Had a Father's Day meal booked for 4:30 at a restaurant today. Miraculously managed to get the kids out the house with plenty of time to get there (restaurant is 20 mins away and left at 3:45). Satnav said we would arrive just after 5 past.

Around 10 minutes into the journey, we got stuck in grid lock traffic. By the time we started moving, the satnav was now saying we wouldn't get to the restaurant until 4:40. I called the restaurant to let them know we would be 10 minutes late.

We finally got to the car park at around 4:42. I rang the restaurant again, as they have a 15 minute grace period, so I was aware that we only had 3 minutes to get to the restaurant and the car park was around a 5 minute walk away. Whoever I spoke to on the phone assured me they would hold the table.

We got to the restaurant just after 4:45 only to be told that our table had just been given away! I explained that I had just spoken to someone literally minutes before who said they would hold the table for us. The lady just shrugged and said "sorry, it's our policy" and that another table wouldn't be available until another hour and a half!

I understand that we were late and had just missed the grace period, but I was told that they would hold the table for us! AIBU to be really pissed off about this?

We did end up in another restaurant which everyone enjoyed so Father's Day wasn't completely ruined I suppose, but just annoying as I really wanted to try this new restaurant!

We finally got to the car park at around 4:42. I rang the restaurant again, as they have a 15 minute grace period, so I was aware that we only had 3 minutes to get to the restaurant and the car park was around a 5 minute walk away. Whoever I spoke to on the phone assured me they would hold the table.
I've been thinking about this and I wonder if this is where some misunderstanding is.
Given clocks aren't all minute perfect in sync, is it not entirely possible that the restaurant agreed they'd hold the table (meaning as in it's fine because they're currently within the grace period, not we'll hold it regardless of how long you take to get to us once you've parked up at an unknown car park and walked at an unspecified pace).
The OP says they've got 3 minutes to walk around 5 mins, which depending on how accurate someone is at estimating distance and walking speed could be more than 5 mins.

The OP is thinking "that's fine they're holding our table for whenever we arrive".
The restaurant are thinking"it's fine we'll be holding the table and they're going to be here within the grace period".

So when the time runs out and the OP and family are nowhere to be seen, the table is given to the waiting customers.

This is getting really annoying. I think this is now my third time saying this @Nanaof1 we couldn't drop anyone off at the restaurant as you cannot drive to it. It's in the middle of a town centre. Don't you think if I could drop people off, that's what I would have done?!

Yes I see your point. Didn't think of it like this!

Yeah, I think when they said they would hold your table they meant they would hold it for the grace period.

I don't disagree with restaurants giving tables away after 15 minutes, though if you ring twice to say you'll be there very shortly, I do think it's a bit mean.

Especially as you can book to arrive at say 7pm, arrive on time and be told your table isn't ready. That isn't right either in my view - it works both ways.

@JKrowlings · Today 08:53
The person on the phone shouldn’t have lied and told you they would keep the table for you. I’d have tore her a new one if she shrugged at me tbh. I might suggest anger management classes if this is how you react at not getting the table you wanted, this creates quite a horrible visual 🤣🤣. Seriously though, please don't go into the restaurant where my student dd only earns the under 18 minimum wage rate of £5something per hour, if this is how you treat servers.

Especially as you can book to arrive at say 7pm, arrive on time and be told your table isn't ready.

You know that's because other customers have held up the whole queue either by being late, being indecisive, or not leaving within their time slot? Like what would have happened had the restaurant waited until the OP arrived after the start of her time slot.

@diamondsareforever5 I would leave a review, I’d start it explaining that the review isn’t based on the food but your experience instead like you have in your post. We all know a tardy friend, I’d find it helpful. 3/5 stars I reckon.

It wasn't your choice but it was reasonably foreseeable. You misjudged how long the journey would take. You made a mistake rather like the restaurant did.

OP, you deserve a free dinner at the restaurant of your choice for fighting your corner so well in the eye of a classic MN shitstorm.

It's been hard work 😂

To be fair, I witnessed an accident a few weeks ago. One minute traffic was fine, 20 minutes later there was an hour-and-a-half delay. 20 minutes after that people were posting on Facebook to not even try to use that carriageway of the motorway.

I'm glad you found another place to eat @diamondsareforever5

Journey takes 20 mins. She set off 45 mins early. You can misjudge freak traffic accidents.
If there hadn't been a traffic accident, she would have been there 25 minutes early. Much earlier than that and she'd be causing problems for the restaurant by clogging up the space waiting for her reservation!

I know it’s annoying and all that but it’s done now. Miscommunication happens, it is what it is and especially as it was so busy.

Least you had a nice meal in the end 🙂

Can I just ask…did you not think to drop off outside the restaurant then find a parking space?…….

🫣🤣

Ironically, it would have been easier work if you had answered the questions you were asked, bit I admire a person who likes a fight.

I've literally answered all questions that were asked!

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I don't think you answered my question at 14.22: What do you want OP? An apology, some compensation or the miscreant sacked? Or perhaps all three and more.

If I'm wrong I apologise.
If I'm right it reinforces my view that you like a fight (in the nicest possible way)

But anyway, I've just realised that I've wasted/enjoyed all afternoon on MN, its time to cook a rather late Tea. Enjoy your thread.

@Lifescary I don't want anything. I'm simply just utilising a public forum (like many people do every single day) to express my annoyance at the restaurant. If it wasn't for posts like mine, you wouldn't have had such a joyful evening, so, you're welcome 😊

OP I get the frustration but with all kindness meant it's AIBU you have posted in
Posters are replying they they do, in fact, find you unreasonable so you are putting up an awful fight to try respond and get narky at those finding you unreasonable

It goes both ways on this topic

As MN so often is these days. 😆

I'm only getting "narky" with people who have clearly misread the OP and are trying to paint me out as an 'entitled pain in the ass'. People are asking questions that I've already answered several times.

what do your want though? Normal thing to be upset by…but you had a nice day, nothing else to be done.

That wasn't my point.

OP seemed to assume that it was a miscommunication, whoever said 'I'll hold your table' didn't tell others. I was just pointing out they may have said 'I've said I'll hold Diamond's' table to be told 'No we are not. I'm giving it away' regardless of rules or procedures etc.

At least you haven't wasted hours of your life having pointless arguments with random strangers, eh? 😅