Is anyone in the restaurant business?

Question

I work in a buffet restaurant. and found a problem lately. i had a couple came in yesterday. they all finished eating and called me over to their table and told me that they didn't have enough money to pay for the bill. i asked if the lady had money, they said no. i told them we took credit card, they said they didn't have any card. i told the guy he could go get the money and come back, he said he couldn't. the bill was $52 and i asked him how much he had with him. he said he only had $40. the way he looked at me was like: i only have $40, do u wanna take it or not?

For me, when i go out and dine, i'll make sure that i have enough money. and if you don't have enough money, then you have to think of a way of paying the bill. I don't understand how people could be that irresponsible for what they did.

i just want to know, will this kind of thing will happen in other restaurant instead of just buffets. and how would you handle that as a manager/ owner/ worker?

Answer 1

It happens sometimes. Just get your manager to comp it. 12 dollars off a $52 bill is nothing compared to the days total receipts. The manager should also allow you to get your tip from the comp amount.

a) It may have been an honest mistake and the couple will tell all thier friends and family how nice you were and generate more business OR b) they tell all thier friends and family how much of a sucker you are and then they come in and try the same thing. Either way you get more business.

P.S. the world is full of irresponsible people.

Answer 2

Would they go to the grocery store and expect to take home food they can't pay for? It is stealing plain and simple. I am sure the owner of your establishment wouldn't want word getting out that they take money off the bill if you don't have enough to pay. If it were my place, I would have called the police and let them handle it. Eating food out and not having the ability to pay for it is the same as taking a purse from the local mall without paying, its a crime.
I have never had anyone tell me they didn't have enough to pay, but I have had people walk out on their tabs, or short me without telling me first, and I have waited on several groups of teens that have had to call home to mom and dad to bring more money because the bill was higher than they could afford. Sometimes they look and say ok I have $15 and my drink is 1.99 and my meal is 12.99, so I still got 2 cents left! In a large group where gratuity is sometimes added, this doesn't play into the teenage mentality.
However, the people in your case, were over their budget by $12... they knew that when they walked into the place... same as if people have a card that gets declined, most of the time, they know it is close and probably will be declined anyways.

Answer 3

I'm in the business, it happens at ALL kinds of restaurants - every level, etc...
There are some people in the world that prey on the fact that SOMEONE will let them slide. I personally would have explained that if they can't pay the bill they are considered thieves, period, Call the cops and let them work it out from there. Maybe they did it as a gag - lets see what happens if we can't pay the bill. This mentality f* it up for the rest of us. Don't ever let them slide.
What would have happened if you surrounded their table with the biggest guys you could find (no bar I assume in a buffet concept but you get the idea), how did they get to the restaurant in the first place? Get a license plate number and call the cops.
Unless you're working a soup kitchen no one should get away with that kind of crap!

Answer 4

I hate that with a passion.. I know when I go out I always make sure I have enough money to pay the bill. I make sure my kids get enough to eat and sometimes we share meals so we can go somewhere nicer.......
I would have called the cops It is stealing when you eat and cant pay. I think PPL dont think about that... Its just like shoplifting....
.... If they knew how much they had ,they could of asked how much to eat with drinks and tax before they ate....
You can tell when someone is really down on there luck and It would be your call to give them a break........
Some times its a scam and it even happens at hotels and all kinds of restaurants.....

Answer 5

As a former owner, I've been through that. I've told people there's an ATM just down the block and they've left their wallet or purse for safekeeping while they went down to withdraw. I had people who wrote me IOUs, but I always took down names and addresses and phone numbers. I also had to call the cops on a couple people. If they can't pay their bill or have some way to remedy it, I considered it theft. Somehow mentioning the cops made them all of a sudden have more money!

I didn't take crap from anyone. Except my help. *sigh*

Answer 6

I would take the $40 without hesitation and obtain a drivers license or some ID to hold on to. If the person was sincere then I would have some pity but if they were a little brash then get some collateral!

Answer 7

attempt here! - in this you ought to - acquire: guidance and directions-using the eating place business enterprise plan Template - loose acquire: The eating place business enterprise plan Template acquire: a thank you to coach a eating place business enterprise plan-economic section acquire: business enterprise plan economic fashions

Answer 8

I would think that they could be charged with theft of services.