Restaurants charging full price in advance
Discussion
I made a booking at a restaurant yesterday, and was surprised that they insisted on charging the full price of the set menu there and then, even though the booking is for a few weeks time.
Does this happen often now? I am quite used to giving a credit card number to 'higher-end' restaurants on the understanding they will make a minimum charge in the event of a no-show, but I've never come across this before.
Does this happen often now? I am quite used to giving a credit card number to 'higher-end' restaurants on the understanding they will make a minimum charge in the event of a no-show, but I've never come across this before.
I think it's fair enough. That, or take a credit card that'll be charged if you don't show up.
Reserving a big chunk of the restaurant is a big risk for the restaurant, so I think it's fair enough to ask for some security.
They have to staff and stock ready for your arrival, and will be turning down other bookings in the meantime.
You can only lose if you don't turn up, and if you do that, you've proven them right.
Reserving a big chunk of the restaurant is a big risk for the restaurant, so I think it's fair enough to ask for some security.
They have to staff and stock ready for your arrival, and will be turning down other bookings in the meantime.
You can only lose if you don't turn up, and if you do that, you've proven them right.
prand said:
I've had this for large numbers in the party - like for Xmas meals etc.
Yes, I've had that before as well. I should have mentioned that this is a booking for two people.prand said:
When you say "set menu" do you mean "all you can eat"? I'd expect that sort of behaviour from that sort of place 
Indeed, but this place is the opposite of that.Harpoon said:
How many covers does the restaurant have? If it's a small place and you reserve (without paying) but are then a no show on the night, can they replace your income at such short notice? Building overheads, wages, ingredients...
It's a smallish restaurant, not part of a chain. I've always given my credit card there in the past on the understanding they will charge if I don't keep the booking. Just not had the advance payment before.SpeckledJim said:
I think it's fair enough. That, or take a credit card that'll be charged if you don't show up.
Reserving a big chunk of the restaurant is a big risk for the restaurant, so I think it's fair enough to ask for some security.
They have to staff and stock ready for your arrival, and will be turning down other bookings in the meantime.
You can only lose if you don't turn up, and if you do that, you've proven them right.
Definitely no chance of not turning up, barring an emergency of the type that would make the amount paid totally insignificant. Reserving a big chunk of the restaurant is a big risk for the restaurant, so I think it's fair enough to ask for some security.
They have to staff and stock ready for your arrival, and will be turning down other bookings in the meantime.
You can only lose if you don't turn up, and if you do that, you've proven them right.
As I say, I am totally happy to pay for not keeping the booking, I just haven't been charged in full weeks before the meal in the past. If that is the way it is going, I'm fine with it.
SpeckledJim said:
I think it's fair enough. That, or take a credit card that'll be charged if you don't show up.
Reserving a big chunk of the restaurant is a big risk for the restaurant, so I think it's fair enough to ask for some security.
They have to staff and stock ready for your arrival, and will be turning down other bookings in the meantime.
You can only lose if you don't turn up, and if you do that, you've proven them right.
Definitely no chance of not turning up, barring an emergency of the type that would make the amount paid totally insignificant. Reserving a big chunk of the restaurant is a big risk for the restaurant, so I think it's fair enough to ask for some security.
They have to staff and stock ready for your arrival, and will be turning down other bookings in the meantime.
You can only lose if you don't turn up, and if you do that, you've proven them right.
As I say, I am totally happy to pay for not keeping the booking, I just haven't been charged in full weeks before the meal in the past. If that is the way it is going, I'm fine with it.
keirik said:
for me they'd only try it once, and then I'd go somewhere else instead
Who would be missing out? Not the restaurant. Nose, spite, face.It's self perpetuating. The more popular they become, the further in advance you need to book and the less chance you have of making that exact date. If people don't turn up, instead of losing money they'll add it to the bill of the customers who do go.
Is that preferable?
I was recently chatting to a restaurant owner, he said they'd had 8 tables not turn up that night. It went in our favour as we were able to get a meal at short notice, but I can see why they do it.
227bhp said:
Who would be missing out? Not the restaurant. Nose, spite, face.
It's self perpetuating. The more popular they become, the further in advance you need to book and the less chance you have of making that exact date. If people don't turn up, instead of losing money they'll add it to the bill of the customers who do go.
Is that preferable?
I was recently chatting to a restaurant owner, he said they'd had 8 tables not turn up that night. It went in our favour as we were able to get a meal at short notice, but I can see why they do it.
But. as discussed, it is not NECESSARY to take full payment weeks in advance.It's self perpetuating. The more popular they become, the further in advance you need to book and the less chance you have of making that exact date. If people don't turn up, instead of losing money they'll add it to the bill of the customers who do go.
Is that preferable?
I was recently chatting to a restaurant owner, he said they'd had 8 tables not turn up that night. It went in our favour as we were able to get a meal at short notice, but I can see why they do it.
Pothole said:
227bhp said:
Who would be missing out? Not the restaurant. Nose, spite, face.
It's self perpetuating. The more popular they become, the further in advance you need to book and the less chance you have of making that exact date. If people don't turn up, instead of losing money they'll add it to the bill of the customers who do go.
Is that preferable?
I was recently chatting to a restaurant owner, he said they'd had 8 tables not turn up that night. It went in our favour as we were able to get a meal at short notice, but I can see why they do it.
But. as discussed, it is not NECESSARY to take full payment weeks in advance.It's self perpetuating. The more popular they become, the further in advance you need to book and the less chance you have of making that exact date. If people don't turn up, instead of losing money they'll add it to the bill of the customers who do go.
Is that preferable?
I was recently chatting to a restaurant owner, he said they'd had 8 tables not turn up that night. It went in our favour as we were able to get a meal at short notice, but I can see why they do it.
It prevents the prices being hiked up to cover losses of flaky no-shows.
It increases chances of serious customers getting a table.
Win Win all round, if I owned a successful restaurant that had this problem I'd be doing the same.
It's only the same as booking a hotel, a flight, a train journey, a concert, a motoring event. We prepay for all those so this is just the same.
It cuts down on the amount of people who don't give a toss and make multiple bookings all over the place and think its ok to not turn up.
Edited by 227bhp on Friday 1st February 11:17
Europa1 said:
OP, how busy is the restaurant?
I've had the give a credit card number which gets charged if you don't show, but not actual pay in full in advance (except for large parties as discussed).
Might they have cashflow issues?
It's really busy. You might get a walk-in on Monday or Tuesday, but never later in the week than that. You often have to book at least a couple of weeks in advance to get the exact time you want on Friday or Saturday.I've had the give a credit card number which gets charged if you don't show, but not actual pay in full in advance (except for large parties as discussed).
Might they have cashflow issues?
227bhp said:
I think it is.
It prevents the prices being hiked up to cover losses of flaky no-shows.
It increases chances of serious customers getting a table.
Win Win all round, if I owned a successful restaurant that had this problem I'd be doing the same.
It's only the same as booking a hotel, a flight, a train journey, a concert, a motoring event. We prepay for all those so this is just the same.
It cuts down on the amount of people who don't give a toss and make multiple bookings all over the place and think its ok to not turn up.
I think it's not. A policy of charging a fixed fee per no showing customer would be far more acceptable. That said, I think I've only ever blown off one restaurant booking in my life because I'm not a rude aIt prevents the prices being hiked up to cover losses of flaky no-shows.
It increases chances of serious customers getting a table.
Win Win all round, if I owned a successful restaurant that had this problem I'd be doing the same.
It's only the same as booking a hotel, a flight, a train journey, a concert, a motoring event. We prepay for all those so this is just the same.
It cuts down on the amount of people who don't give a toss and make multiple bookings all over the place and think its ok to not turn up.
Edited by 227bhp on Friday 1st February 11:17
hole (at least to restaurateurs) so maybe my view is skewed.Pothole said:
I think it's not. A policy of charging a fixed fee per no showing customer would be far more acceptable. That said, I think I've only ever blown off one restaurant booking in my life because I'm not a rude ahole (at least to restaurateurs) so maybe my view is skewed.
That's what they're doing. Charging the fixed menu price. hole (at least to restaurateurs) so maybe my view is skewed.The only people who'll be tripped-up by this are the people who're liable to not show up, which is why it's basically harmless for everyone else.
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