xmas work dinner

nuttyarab

Not sure if this is the right forum section but couldn't really find what I was looking for.
Tonight was our Xmas works party, I organised a 3 course meal in which I had paid a £10 deposit each head a few weeks ago, anyway we had 2 no shows 😠
I expected to loose my deposit but the restaurant charged us full price. I did pay it but was just wondering if they can do this?

marliepanda

I'd charge the two no shows.

I imagine at this time of year it would be reasonable to expect the restaurant lost out on two meal bookings because of you 'overbooking'

halibut2209

Did they give you the food you paid for?

nuttyarab

No we never got the food

daytona0

I would have refused to pay for the two simple reasons that:

1. No terms and conditions relating to no-shows

2. They charged a £10 deposit which acted as their insurance that you'd show up.

After all, if your whole party fails to show up then they've only got y lots of £10 out of you lot, and they have lost out on much more by way of sales etc. Assuming, of course, that they don't have your card info...


As you have paid I think you're now stuck with the bill and you should charge the people who did a no-show.

Pollycat

For the future - as someone who organised lots of works Christmas lunches - get all the money for the meal up-front.

It's so long ago that I can't remember what used to happen if we had no-shows (I think we probably just lost the deposit), but I think if I were made to pay the full value of the meal rather than just the deposit, I'd have insisted that they provide that meal - even if it just sat uneaten on the table.
By making you pay for the meal but not providing it, they've had their cake (or turkey) and eaten it!

If you as the organiser are personally out-of-pocket, it's only fair that the people who didn't turn up reimburse you.

Hintza

Minimum number of persons? I'm suure they would have provided the no show meals if asked. But it would look a bit silly.

Semple

Poor play on behalf of the restaurant for at least not providing the food you've paid for, even if there were 2 no-shows. You could probably complain about this part.

If you're personally out of pocket, then the 2 no-shows should reimburse you.

And for the future, it's much less hassle for everyone to pay upfront, that way any no-shows are already paid for.

neilmcl

OP, did you actually question it at the time with the restaurant? It may have been a simple mistake on their part, ie, charged based on the actual booking rather than the meals served.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

When I organise does, I get the money from people up front. No pay, no seat. It confirms ther commitment to attend.

Seven days in advance, I confirm number attending with said gaff, and we then enjoy!

nuttyarab

I can see why they have done it but just wondered if 'legally' it was allowed.
My husband picked up the bill at the end of the night, he didn't check it just paid, if I had seen it I would have questioned it.
They never even asked us if we wanted the food and to be honest I thought that is what the deposit was for