Restaurant Cancellation Fee - Page 2

It is actually a pretty normal practice in nicer restaurants. Most of the time if you say no, they will waive the fee. Furthermore, when you pay the fee, you are issued a credit in the amount paid. Finally, if you are charged a fee, you can dispute it with your CC company and you will always win. I would say that it is normal practice in most restaurants that generally cost more than $100 per person for dinner. It is certainly SOP in San Francisco and New York.

Wow, that restaurant is in my neck of the woods (originally from Huntington). As a general rule, Long Island restaurants aren't very good, and I don't know what could possibly justify such a high no-show fee. I mean, even the LI Luger's doesn't pull crap like that. They better have steak that gives you spontaneous orgasms, otherwise, that's just not cool.

I'm not sure if this is a good thing...or not.

Being from the best-steak country in the world, I can tell you that its not.

Jon.

I didn't realize you were Japanese, Jon.

Vacio: (I’m not, although my cousins are half-Japanese) Kobe can’t hold a lick to good old Argentinean steak. Jon.

I just made a fake reservation for 9 at the restaurant and got no cancellation of reservation fee notice.

In retrospect, I totally agree with you. I didn't really think that one out.

This place seems like hype built upon unjustified snootiness.

I've been hearing about this policy of taking credit card #s with reservations and then charging if the party cancels without sufficient notice. But you're down members of the party? That's some BS. I mean, life interrupts. . . illness (yours, a guest, your child), late night at the office, missed flight. WTF? If it's a no show, blackball 'em --most restaurants in urban areas are using computer systems anyway. Otherwise, it's the cost of doing business. It' not like the meal was prepared in advance like for a banquet or wedding.

Just made reservations for my week in Vegas....2 of 6 places asked for a CC# and advised if I did not cancel by noon the day of i would be charged $25 a person.

They went on to say that if i showed up with a couple of people less than my reservation that was not a problem. So if reserved 7 and came with 5 no charge but if reserved 7 and no showed you are billed $175.

So, if someone's unwell, but makes an appearance and eats little (ie, less than $75 worth), you're only billed accordingly...but a no-show is assumed to be a hearty eater?

I know that some people eat more and less, and it would even out, but that's not the point.

I actually had this happen when I booked a private room for my 21st...two of my (female) guests, one of whom was unwell (the other in seeming solidarity) steadfastly refused anything more than soup and salad (both of which looked very nice, admittedly). I was momentarily embarassed, but having budgeted some $80 a head, I simply ordered another bottle of wine to compensate! Problem solved...

Back to the point. I think that the policy may be legitimate in the case of a private room, in the event that they've actually put on extra staff to accomodate you, who go unused.

Otherwise though, it's not like they give you a discount if they get MORE customers than they expect, nor ought they penalise you if they get less.

-Eden

I think it often depends on what resturants, the prices and the season. If it's fully booked I could understand them, and if they're pricey then they would miss like $$$$