Restaurant deposit is Definition, requirements and features

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Deposit in a restaurant is a modern bill payment system. We invite you to learn more about it today. Let's consider the pros and cons of whether the deposit table reservation system is beneficial for restaurants. And also find out the difference between a reservation and a deposit. Let's get started!

A deposit at a restaurant is…

This is the payment by the client of a certain amount for services that will be provided by a restaurant, bar, cafe and any other institution. With this contribution, you will later pay for food and drinks at the bar.

A deposit at a restaurant is, in simple terms, one of the ways to pay the bill. For example, you wanted to celebrate the New Year with colleagues in one of the establishments in your city. At a personal meeting with the administrator of a cafe or restaurant, you discuss the approximate amount that all participants in the event expect, choose the date and time of the holiday. Now you must make a deposit, say, twenty thousand rubles. What does this deposit mean? Your company can order whatever it wants on the menu, but within these 20 thousand rubles. As a result, no one cares about paying for the whole evening.

What does a deposit in a restaurant mean, we found out. Now let's move on to the benefits.

Why do customers choose deposits?

You have a limit that you cannot go beyond. This is the best payment method for those who do not want to spend more than the planned amount. Suitable for firms, organizations and companies that do not have particularly large financial opportunities and are not ready to walk in a big way.

Is this payment system beneficial for establishments?

The benefits of deposits certainly extend to the restaurants themselves. Otherwise, they would not use this system of payment for services.

• A deposit made for a table in a restaurant gives cafe employees confidence that guests will definitely come, which means that food will be cooked for them for a reason.
• The deposit sometimes serves as a check for the restaurant administrator. Indeed, by the size of the contribution, it is immediately clear that people are going to spend a lot of money in the evening. These are not the kind of customers who book a table at the lowest price and then buy one cheap cocktail each.
• In order to eradicate the situations described above, which are completely unprofitable for restaurants financially, establishments offer a mandatory deposit for their tables.

The only problem with the deposit is that sometimes people, when they are going to celebrate something in a cafe, do not plan to leave twenty thousand there at all. Then the following tactics of the institution will be correct:

If the client cannot cope with a deposit of 20 thousand, then the administrator offers him any other amount that is a multiple of twenty. Exactlyso the institution will be able to win on the deposit and not lose its consumer

Differences between deposit and table reservation

So, under what conditions should you book a table?

To give an example of a situation: on Friday night there will be a lot of people in the bar, and you realize that you can hardly find an empty seat. It is in this case that you need to call the institution a few days in advance and order a table. Of course, this service also costs money. But much smaller than the deposit. When you arrive at the bar, your seat will be free. But at the same time at the end of the evening you will have to pay the bill. But, having paid a deposit fee, you will know that this money will be included in the main account of the order, which is not possible when booking a table.

It turns out that if you book early, you pay twice as much, since when paying a deposit you do not give money for a seat reservation.

Will you be able to get your deposit back?

There are different situations in life: change your mind, get sick, quarrel with the initiator of the event. And in all these cases, you would like a refund.

It is impossible to say for sure whether all establishments return the deposit. Each restaurant has its own rules.

There are both returnable and non-refundable deposits. Let's take a closer look at each type.

Refundable deposits

If you made a deal with a refundable deposit, you can be sure that in which case the money will be returned to you. Or at least offer to transfer the contribution to anotherdate.

But, in order for the administrator to be able to cancel the table order and return your money in full, we recommend that you keep all payment receipts. Keep them close until the day of celebration arrives.

Non-refundable deposits

In this case, under no circumstances will they be able to return the money that you have already given to the institution. That is why we advise you to discuss this issue with the restaurant administration from the very beginning. Believe me, situations are different. Suddenly you still want to see your money again? And if the rules of the institution indicated in advance that the administration is not responsible for the return of the deposit, then not a single lawyer will be able to intervene here.

Pros of deposits

Why is the deposit booking system so good? Why is it considered profitable and convenient for the owners of establishments? Why are customers so willing to use this service?

1. Easy payment. You pay for hot meals and drinks from the bar a few days before the event. Then you forget about finances and just enjoy the food and the wonderful atmosphere of the evening.
2. You can also explore the menu yourself, show it to your friends and ask for advice on food and drink choices. There is an opportunity to think over your diet in advance.
3. Deposit includes seat reservation. Therefore, you do not have to worry about whether a table will be free. You will have guarantees, and therefore the confidence that you and your friends will come at the appointed time and spend an unforgettable evening.
4. Care about the budget. Canplan in advance the amount you are willing to spend on the celebration. So, you will not worry that, succumbing to emotions, you will give more than you intended.
5. Availability of returnable deposits in some establishments. Agree, this is the most optimal type of contributions. Either way, you can get your money.

By the way, if you choose the perfect place to celebrate an event, we advise you to clarify in advance whether there is a deposit booking system in principle. It will be very embarrassing if you set up plans for a certain establishment, decide on the date, time and even clothing, study the menu, send it to your friends, and then find out that this is a restaurant that does not have a deposit.

It's hard to find a restaurant without a deposit these days. If the owners of the establishment claim that their business flourishes and is modern, they definitely need to follow the latest trends.

Cons of deposits

Every phenomenon has its drawbacks. Some people think that a restaurant deposit is an inconvenient payment system.

The following are the disadvantages of deposits.

1. Availability of non-refundable deposits in some restaurants. It is especially disappointing not to see your money for people who did not specify in advance the type of contribution. You will lose all your money by not enjoying the evening.
2. If you still couldn't eat on the fifty thousand paid as a deposit, the administration of the institution will not be able to return the difference to you.
3. Agree, not very convenient when choosingfood or drink to calculate everything in your mind, just not to go beyond the amount of the deposit?

Before agreeing to pay a deposit, think about whether these disadvantages are significant for you.

Deposit - is it legal?

Many people wonder if a deposit in a restaurant is even legal?

Rospotrebnadzor believes that deposits in food establishments violate consumer rights.

There are Rules for the provision of catering services, according to which the client is en titled to a refund of the difference from the deposit if the amount eaten and drunk is less than the amount of the paid fee.

Otherwise, officials face an administrative fine in the amount of one to two thousand rubles. Legal entities - from ten to twenty thousand rubles.

Life hack for those who use Sapsan

Travelers noticed the following pattern:

• If you buy a ticket for the 5th or 15th car (dining car), the ticket price will include a food deposit.
• For example, your ticket costs 3400 rubles. This means that you can take food in the amount of up to two thousand rubles (deposit in the Sapsan restaurant car).
• You don't even have to pay extra for food.

Knowing this advice, you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner for free, just by buying a ticket worth more than two thousand.