A deposit in a restaurant is a modern bill payment system. We suggest today to learn more about it. Let's consider the pros and cons of whether the system of deposit reservation of tables is beneficial for restaurants. And also find out the difference between reservation and deposit. Let's start the study!
A deposit in a restaurant is ...
This is a client depositing a certain amount for the services that will be provided by a restaurant, bar, cafe and any other establishment. With this installment, you will later pay for food and drinks at the bar.
A deposit in a restaurant is, in simple words, one of the ways to pay a bill. For example, you wanted to celebrate the New Year with colleagues in one of the institutions in your city. In a personal meeting with the administrator of a cafe or restaurant, you discuss the approximate amount that all participants in the event are counting on, select the holiday date and time. Now you have to make a deposit, say, twenty thousand rubles. What does this deposit mean? Your company can order whatever it wants in the menu, but within the limits of these 20 thousand rubles. As a result, no one cares about paying all evening.
What do you mean a deposit in a restaurant, we have found out. Now let's move on to the benefits.
Why do customers choose deposits?
You have a limit beyond which 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 companies, organizations and companies that do not have particularly large financial opportunities and are not ready to walk in a big way.
Is such a payment system beneficial for institutions?
The benefit of deposits, of course, extends to the restaurants themselves. Otherwise, they would not have used this system of payment for services.
- The deposit made at the table in the restaurant gives the cafe staff the confidence that the guests will definitely come, which means that they will not prepare food for nothing.
- 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 customers who book a table for the lowest price, and then buy one cheap cocktail.
- To eradicate the situations described above, which are completely disadvantageous to restaurants financially, the institutions offer a mandatory deposit at their tables.
The only deposit problem is that sometimes people who are going to note something in a cafe do not plan to leave twenty thousand there. Then the following institution tactics will be true:
- If the client is not able to overpay a deposit of 20 thousand, then the administrator offers him any other amount that is a multiple of twenty. This is how the institution will be able to win on deposit and not lose its consumer at the same time.
Differences between deposit and table reservation
So, under what conditions do you need to book a table?
Let us give an example of the situation: on Friday night there will be a lot of people in the bar, and you understand that you are unlikely to find a free place. It is in this case that you need to call the institution and book a table in a few days. Of course, this service also costs money. But much less than a 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 the deposit, you will know that this money will be included in the main account of the order, which is impossible when booking the table.
It turns out that with an early booking you pay twice as much, since when paying a deposit you do not give money for booking a place.
Will you be able to return the deposit?
There are various situations in life: change your mind, get sick, quarreled with the initiator of the event. And in all these cases, you would like to return the paid.
It cannot be said for sure whether all institutions return a deposit. Each restaurant has its own rules.
There are both refundable and non-refundable deposits. Let's consider each view in more detail.
Refundable Deposits
If you have 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 they will offer to transfer the fee to another date.
But, in order for the administrator to be able to cancel the order for the table and return the money to you in full, we recommend that you keep all receipts for payment. Keep them nearby until the day of celebration.
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 from the very beginning to discuss this issue with the restaurant administration. Believe me, the 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 no lawyer will be able to intervene here.
Pluses of deposits
Why is a deposit reservation system so good? Why is it considered beneficial and convenient for the owners of institutions? Why are customers so willing to use this service?
- Convenient 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.
- You can also explore the menu yourself, show it to your friends and consult about the choice of food and drinks. There is an opportunity to think over your diet in advance.
- The deposit includes booking a place. Therefore, you do not have to worry about whether the table will be free. You will have guarantees, and therefore, confidence that you and your friends will come at the appointed time and spend an unforgettable evening.
- Caring for the budget. You can plan in advance the amount that you are willing to spend on the celebration. So, you will not worry that, succumbing to emotions, you will give more than you intended.
- The presence of returnable deposits in some institutions. Agree, this is the most optimal type of contribution. In any case, 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, in principle, a deposit reservation system. It will be very embarrassing if you set up plans for a particular institution, decide on a date, time and even clothes, study the menu, send it to your friends, and then find out that this is a restaurant in which there is no deposit.
Nowadays it is difficult to find a restaurant without a deposit. If the owners of the institution claim that their business will flourish and be modern, they should definitely follow the latest trends.
Cons of deposits
Any phenomenon has its drawbacks. Some people think that depositing in a restaurant is an inconvenient payment system.
Below are the disadvantages of deposits.
- The presence of non-refundable deposits in some restaurants. It is especially a shame not to see your money to people who have not specified in advance the type of contribution. You will lose all your money without ever enjoying the evening.
- If you still could not eat fifty thousand paid as a deposit, the administration of the institution will not be able to return the difference to you.
- Agree, it’s not very convenient to calculate everything in your mind when choosing a food or drink, just to not go beyond the limits of the deposit amount?
Before agreeing to pay a deposit, think about whether these disadvantages are significant for you.
Is a deposit legal?
Many people are wondering if a deposit in a restaurant is legal in principle?
Rospotrebnadzor believes that deposits in catering establishments violate the rights of consumers.
There are rules for the provision of catering services, according to which the client has the right to refund the difference from the deposit if the amount eaten and drunk is less than the amount of the paid contribution.
Otherwise, officials face an administrative fine in the amount of one to two thousand rubles. Legal entities - from ten to twenty thousand rubles.
Lifehack for Peregrine Falcon users
Travelers noticed the following pattern:
- If you buy a ticket to the 5th or 15th carriage (restaurant car), a food deposit will be included in the ticket price.
- For example, your ticket costs 3400 rubles. This means that you can take food in the amount of up to two thousand rubles (set deposit in the Sapsana dining car).
- You do not even need to pay extra for food.
Knowing this advice, you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner for free, just by buying a ticket for more than two thousand.