would you pay a deposit for a restaurant reservation?

[GordonBlue]

I think it's a good idea in these challenging times for restaurants, especially for smaller, independent places.
Between supply chain issues, rapidly rising food costs, and the pandemic cutting into business, people have to quit skipping on reservations.

Edmonton restaurants hope to deter last-minute cancellations with new deposit-to-dine policy

https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/edmonton...licy-1.5709726

Some Edmonton restaurants are requiring deposits when making a reservation due to the pandemic and supply chain issues.

o-owner of RGE RD Caitlin Fulton introduced a small fee of $10 per person to their online reservation site in an attempt to deter people from not showing up.
"It's not about recouping a financial loss. It's not about introducing a financial penalty, even. It is just about introducing a way that reminds people that they're committed to the table," Deposits are refunded for cancellations if enough notice is given.


Paying a deposit when making a dinner reservation may feel like a new concept, but Thomson said it's often used for other personal services like nail and hair appointments, and even hotel bookings to protect the business from taking a financial hit.

"This isn't a money grab. This is definitely something they need to do to ensure their livelihood."

[Weitz]

Depends on the restaurant and the reason I’m making a reservation to be honest.

[undercoverbrother]

#### no.

But I am also the guy that calls if I am going to be late or if I won't been keeping the reservation.

It is pretty simple

[Winsor_Pilates]

I'd pay a deposit for a special enough restaurant with a long wait list.
If it's the type of place that books up weeks or months in advance, seems reasonable.

[tripin_billie]

Lots of restaurants do this in DC. You only get charged if you are a no-show without cancellation. When you show up for your reservation, the charge gets refunded. It's no big deal and it definitely hasn't stopped me and others I know from making reservations.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

#### no.

Why not? If you're the type of person that cancels with sufficient notice then it wouldn't impact you at all. I'd have no issue with this

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

#### no.

But I am also the guy that calls if I am going to be late or if I won't been keeping the reservation.

It is pretty simple

I just think that it's so common for people to not show up, or cancel at the last minute, it's more than fair to make you pay a token about such as $10 or $20 as a reminder not to bail or cancel at the last second.

like the article said, there are many places you get charged for not showing up to an appointment, or have to pay a deposit for. why shouldn't a restaurant do the same?

They've had a really rough go of it these past two years and they can't afford to have these unexpected empty seats. Sure, maybe Earls can, but not the smaller 5 or 10 table place.

Would it make a difference if when you did show up the $10 went towards your bill? I just think this is a good idea, if nothing else to remind people that you have an obligation to try and cancel in a timely manner so the place isn't stuck with an empty table.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Why not? If you're the type of person that cancels with sufficient notice then it wouldn't impact you at all. I'd have no issue with this

Because I hate being dragged down by the lowest common denominator.

It may not make sense but this is my initial visceral response.

[topfiverecords]

[BlackArcher101]

Sort of related to the topic. I've noticed a lot of restaurants I frequented have switched to 100% requiring reservations. Which I wasn't aware of when stopping by to dine-in, and being turned away besides seeing a ton of empty tables. Saw another couple turned away as well. And these aren't really special restaurants you'd expect a reservation at prior to the pandemic.

I can see wanting reservations because that brings some sort of predictability to how busy you will be, and makes recovering from all this crap a bit easier, but to me it sort of feels like shooting yourself in the foot as well. Having to make a reservation to sit down in a mostly empty restaurant doesn't make sense to me, adding in a up-front fee to that same scenario, and I'm likely just going to go somewhere else if the hassle is less.

[SportsJunky]

I have reservations.

[InglewoodFan]

I've done it before, heck it was a 120 euro hold on my card to get a reservation at Septime. (Yes, I realize this makes me sound like an #######) But that is a tough reservation to get. I would have no problem with $10 for RGE RD, I've heard it's fantastic. I've never bailed on a reservation, but I know a few folks in the restaurant business and it can be a real problem ending up with empty tables on a busy night due to no shows.

Like a lot of folks, this would be no big deal for me for a nice place.

[you&me]

Bar Von Der Fels did this when they were in their final stretch and it seemed entirely reasonable considering the demand and capacity constraints.

[SebC]

Depends on who I'm expecting to go with and how flaky they are or might be. But I'm not opposed to the concept.

[OptimalTates]

Going to ruin my Valentine's Day...

[Leondros]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Because I hate being dragged down by the lowest common denominator.

It may not make sense but this is my initial visceral response.

Unfortunately we as a society are always pulled down and forced to create policy based on people not being decent human beings - just look at COVID.

I am for it, adding a financial incentive should help these restaurants. I have seen people in Toronto holding 5 or 6 reservations for a night depending on what they feel like. Now restaurants in response to this have been over allocating reservations which is equally if not more annoying. Walk-ins are virtually impossible for some places now.

[Flabbibulin]

Haven't paid a deposit yet, but there are penalties if you are a no show at a few local places- Chucks in Banff for one.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Only if I can get a reservation at Dorsia.

[FlamingHomer]

Should start with hair salons. No-shows cost the stylist personal income and can't be recouped even with re-booking.

[GomerPile]

I like to pay for my reservation at the following things. Travel, sports, theatres, technology releases. I have no problem doing it at restaurants. I like to know the spot is mine and I can’t get bumped.