Are You Prepared To Pay A Deposit When Booking A Table ?

[Canary42]

I am.

It's disgraceful, just when pubs/restaurants are struggling to make up for Pandemic losses, hundreds of people don't turn up to booked tables. These tables are kept free and good prospective customers turned away as a result. Unacceptable.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-57384595

[woofgang]

yes I absolutely would. Round here it has been a requirement for years when booking large parties or seasonally (christmas, mothering sunday and so on)

[Bobbisox1]

Yes I think there should be a deposit , these ‘no shows’ have no conscience unless it’s something beyond their control of course like medical matters

[Jackdaw33]

Seems fair enough if the cost of the deposit is later deducted from the price of the meal.

[barry1010]

Yes, I certainly would pay a deposit. My wife pays a deposit when she books an appointment with her hairdresser, too. Good business sense, really

[calmck]

If you book a table in Centre Parcs there is a £5 deposit per person that is deducted from the bill. No problem

[Buenchico]

Almost every pub or restaurant that serves lunch on Christmas Day insists upon taking deposits from customers when they accept their bookings. I can't see why it should be any different for the rest of the year.

[Lie-in King]

Yes, it's perfectly reasonable to ask for a deposit.

[elliemay1]

I'd have no problem with that

[AuntPollyGrey]

All they need to do is take a debit card number. If you don't show up, or cancel within 24 hours your debit card will be deducted a pre-arranged cancellation fee.

[andy-hughes]

Can only agree with the experiences and reasons listed - if people are going to lose money it encourages them to either turn up, or to cancel, wheras no penalty makes them blase about arrangements, without thinking about the consequences for the business involved.

[theshedman]

AuntPollyGrey, that is what the new Michael Caines restaurant Mickys does with us. If you do not cancel before 24 hours he charges £40 if it's a lunch booking and £75 if it's a evening one.

[Bobbisox1]

sorry, but I wouldn't leave my card number with anyone, I would pay in a restaurant or bar with it at the table where I could see

[Bobbisox1]

to add, I'd call into said hostelry and pay my deposit

[AuntPollyGrey]

bobbi // sorry, but I wouldn't leave my card number with anyone, I would pay in a restaurant or bar with it at the table where I could see//
I'm not talking about giving your card to a waiter at the resaurant - this is about people not turning up for a booked table.

Have you never booked a hotel online? or luxury cabins? You need to provide a card number at time of booking. They don't charge your card unless you don't turn up.

[MartinMillar]

Yes

[Bobbisox1]

yes I admit I have APG to the cabins and holidays as there's no choice but to but I wouldn't for a pub or a restaurant , I would always use my credit card when booking a holiday anyway

[woofgang]

I don't think that the hostelrys will care how its done so long as you do it

[roopower]

Yes, I would. I did ask when we went out a couple of weeks ago but was told it wasn't necessary

[burlyshirley]

I've had a few pub lunches out since 17 May and not once did we have to book. In fact one pub was half empty and another was just ticking over nicely. I was surprised because I expected to book and always rang up to do so ..

[Bobbisox1]

I am out with the girls tomorrow and we need not have booked a couple of weeks ago so I wont