would you pay a deposit for a restaurant reservation?

[bizaro86]

I think that's reasonable. I run an airbnb, and fairly regularly get people who want to cancel with zero notice and receive a full refund (even though they had a choice to pay more for a fully refundable cancellation policy and didn't). One of the most common refrains is "can you just move the reservation to a super busy time later in the year." Umm. No - the reason for the fee is that when you cancel for tonight it isn't getting rebooked.

[calumniate]

Yeah it's ramping up that way in Montreal as well. Due to covid, limited indoor seating capacity, etc.. it can be pretty damaging to have no-shows for smaller joints

[CaptainYooh]

I would avoid restaurants that require deposits to hold a reservation. Things happen.

[OptimalTates]

With such uncertainty for restaurants right now I totally get where they are coming from. Even before the pandemic it was annoying.

Sometimes knowing a party of 12 coming in after work might be the difference between having two servers or three servers. But if the party doesn't show, now the place sends home the server, who (at least by law) needs to get three hour pay. But the server has cancelled plans and doesn't get tips. Not really fair for anyone.

It's not such a big deal if the restaurant is busy and near capacity anyways though. So it's the slower places (or slower times) where it really makes a difference and by forcing parties to put down a deposit you're probably going to just make people reluctant to make a reservation there.

As for me, no way I'm putting down a deposit right now. I don't want anyone (or myself) to feel compelled to show because they already put some money down. I'd rather they err on the side of caution with that small tingle in their throat or that little bit of a stuffy nose.

[Cappy]

Rge Rd is probably the most prestigious restaurant in Edmonton - or at least the most highly rated. It is fine dining.

I have paid deposits for restaurants like that. Some restaurants have been $150 USD as a deposit. It makes sense when these restaurants are losing $300 plus on a table a night

[lazypucker]

I think restaurants will get better traction if they offer some sort of discounts/incentives for people to pay deposits for reservations...

[peter12]

I've done it a few times here in Vancouver. They just refund it after you show up. No big deal.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I would avoid restaurants that require deposits to hold a reservation. Things happen.

sure things happen.
And when they do happen, the restaurant you booked at wants you to have the common courtesy to let them know you won't be coming so they can hopefully get another seating.

a $10 refundable fee would bother you that much?
Something like this is long past due, especially for fine dining and non chain restaurants.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

I think restaurants will get better traction if they offer some sort of discounts/incentives for people to pay deposits for reservations...

how about getting your money back when you do show up, or at least call to cancel in a reasonable time frame. That should be incentive enough.

It's not like these places are hitting you up for a lot of money. as they said, just a token to make you more aware.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

sure things happen.
And when they do happen, the restaurant you booked at wants you to have the common courtesy to let them know you won't be coming so they can hopefully get another seating...

I always call if I have to cancel. As you said, this is a common courtesy, which has nothing to do with a mandatory deposit.

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

...
a $10 refundable fee would bother you that much?
Something like this is long past due, especially for fine dining and non chain restaurants.

As I said, it would bother me to the point that I wouldn't bother making a reservation at a place that does require it. I think you are making a problem where the problem doesn't exist. Most people do keep their reservations, which has obviously worked well for many decades.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

how about getting your money back when you do show up, or at least call to cancel in a reasonable time frame. That should be incentive enough.

It's not like these places are hitting you up for a lot of money. as they said, just a token to make you more aware.

I'm getting confused by the wording...

It's a deposit... either it's refunded or applied towards your bill when you show up... isn't it? This is already super common in Calgary during Valentines day.

EDIT: NVM, I misread your comment. We are on the same page.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Leondros

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.

and it frustrates me greatly

[guzzy]

We had to pay a $1250 deposit for a private room for 12 at Bow Valley Ranche last weekend. We didn't have a problem with that. That was the minimum charge for the room.

[you&me]

Originally Posted by guzzy

We had to pay a $1250 deposit for a private room for 12 at Bow Valley Ranche last weekend. We didn't have a problem with that. That was the minimum charge for the room.

Seems entirely reasonable.

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by guzzy

We had to pay a $1250 deposit for a private room for 12 at Bow Valley Ranche last weekend. We didn't have a problem with that. That was the minimum charge for the room.

I love an evening at a nice restaurant, but a private room in a nice restaurant with a bunch of friends… bloody amazing.

[activeStick]

I happened to just make reservations at a new Italian place in downtown Vancouver, Aquafarina, that requires a $50 deposit per person upon reservation.

No issues with this at all and I'll let the person I'm going with know of this deposit so they are comfortable truly committing to the dinner there on that date.

[kipperiggy]

What’s the point of refunding the deposit when you show up? Why not deduct it from your bill at the end?

[Amethyst]

Not a fan. I can understand it for big groups or booking a private room. But dinner out with a few friends, it's a hassle I don't need. If I book the reservation for 4 people, it's no longer a small fee and I'm on the hook for others.

Now, I have never no-showed on a reservation ever. I have cancelled and the only time it's been last minute was an emergency. Should I be stuck with that cost instead of the restaurant? Maybe, but unless it becomes common everywhere, I'm going to do what is easiest for me.

Also, I don't think these kind of fees are a good idea right now. The last thing you want to do is encourage people to say that little sniffle or cough is obviously nothing since they're out $50 for the family to go out to dinner.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I make restaurants pay me a $50 fee to eat at their establishment.

[bizaro86]

The restaurants at Disneyworld/Disneyland take a credit card and charge a $10 fee if you don't cancel 24 hours out and no-show. Seems reasonable to me.