Should all restaurants make customers prepay for their meals to guard against the "Dine and Dash"? Why?

Question

If you've never heard of "Dine and Dash", it's leaving a restaurant without paying. The wait staff get punished for that.

Answer 1

I don't see anything wrong in making the costumers prepay for their meals, because this is what it should be everywhere! I don't like the "Dine and Dash" restaurants because they are not fair with the employees!

Answer 2

I would not patronize a sit down restaurant that made me pay before eating. The wait staff should not get punished for a flit (dine and dash). However, I have left restaurants because of poor service and have made it clear that was why I was leaving. If I had already consumed anything (a drink, for example), I pay for that. The worst example of this was the time that 45 minutes had gone by since ordering (in a mid-range sit down restaurant). There were two of us but two tables over there was a big party that came about 20 minutes after we did. 20 minutes after that, the large party was served -- including the same meals that we had order. I called the waitress over and she said it was easier to get that table's order ready with the two meals already cooked!! She was sure we would have ours in 15 minutes or so. Now, how easy would it have been for us to walk out had we already paid? Now, having said that, I really don't have a problem with the way some pubs do it in Nova Scotia where you pay for for drinks and food when they are delivered to you. These places usually permit you to run a credit card tab also.

Answer 3

Hmmm good question....unfortunately, with rising food costs, gas costs, and everything-else costs people are most inclined to dine and dash than pay for the food they consumed. I know that alot of cafeterias have the cashiers at the front door in order to prevent people from just "sliding out", but some still manage to slip through. I know how hard it is to be a waitress minus the responsibility of making sure everyone is where they ought to be, but training on how to prevent and how to detect might help some (because it has shown it has helped in grocery stores when it comes to theft). Just some ideas....myself? I don't like paying up front for food, mostly because I've had SO many bad restaurant experiences that to pay up front for crappy food/service would be the straw that broke the camels back for me.

Answer 4

You go to a restaurant to relax and enjoy that is why you do not pay first but, if you go to a restaurant and not sure what you are in for (bad food, bad service, etc) you are still obligated to pay. It was your decision to go not theirs. You might think the food is bad but I assure you someone else loves it. If the service is bad you find a manager and most of the time they take care of it. You never just walk out. So, to answer your question no I don't think people should pay for their food first unless you are eating fast food. I own 5 restaurants all over the U.S and have been doing it for 13 years and I assure you when people are in a bad mood or are unhappy in life they sometimes take it out on us.

Answer 5

No, in the event the quality of the food is poor, service is bad, etc. the paying beforehand is not a good idea. Yes, fast food places use this method. They use it because it's FAST food, not good food. The standard of quality is much lower and there is no need to tip. Plus, amounts are so low, it doesn't matter if you pay first or second. Also, the type of people certain places attract allow for paying for food after consumption.

Answer 6

I think it would be reasonable to require patrons to put a deposit of some sort down after ordering. All hotels require a credit card guarantee for the room. Why not restaurants require a credit card guarantee? I always pay for my meals, but I would understand if restaurants started doing this. It would not offend me in the least.

Answer 7

Haha, completely. I went out to a 5-famous guy or woman eating place for my birthday, and the food became delicious however the parts weren't massive in any respect. The bill became around $250 for 2 human beings. luckily, I actually have a small urge for food and that i became finished.

Answer 8

no, that just shows how distrustful the resturant is towards its customers. a good way to avoid the dine and dash is for the waiter/waitress to pick up the check faster.

Answer 9

Some places here in Australia you pay when you order. I dont see why it shouldnt be common practice. It would certainly solve a heap of problems.

Answer 10

Mcdonald does that
buger king
I don't know what their rules are but I have walked out when service are so bad
one time pizza was so bad we walked out only to be chased by the owners