Eating Out. Long long wait for bill - rights

ConsumerWarrior

Am I correct in saying that you can walk out of a restaurant without paying at the time if:

• Staff are too busy to bring bill after asking for it (more than 45 minutes).
• You have made reasonable attempts to ask staff for bill
• You decide to leave contact details, name and address with staff as you leave.

??

unholyangel

Its not necessarily that you can walk out without paying if you do xyz. Its more that by doing xyz, you would have a defence against the criminal offence of making off without payment.

ETA: Really, I would expect if you highlight to staff that you need to leave, how long you have been waiting and suggesting that you're happy to leave without paying, then that would be enough to spur them into action and produce a bill for you to pay.

sheramber

We have found that standing up, putting your coat on and preparing to leave gets results.

robatwork

ConsumerWarrior wrote: »

Am I correct in saying that you can walk out of a restaurant without paying at the time if:

• Staff are too busy to bring bill after asking for it (more than 45 minutes).
• You have made reasonable attempts to ask staff for bill
• You decide to leave contact details, name and address with staff as you leave.

??

As Mr Meldrew said... I don't believe it.

There isn't a restaurant I've been in (and I've ate in some posh 'uns, and some greasy spoon dives) that if you approach the counter/bar/till point and say you are leaving and wish to pay, won't take your money. The staff are heavily incentivised (ie. tips) to take your money before serving a glass of San Pelligrino to table 17.

Owain_Moneysaver

Surely if the staff haven't brought the bill within 5 minutes you put your coat on and walk to the desk?

motorguy

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Surely if the staff haven't brought the bill within 5 minutes you put your coat on and walk to the desk?

+1

Works every time for me.

motorguy

ConsumerWarrior wrote: »

Am I correct in saying that you can walk out of a restaurant without paying at the time if:

• Staff are too busy to bring bill after asking for it (more than 45 minutes).
• You have made reasonable attempts to ask staff for bill
• You decide to leave contact details, name and address with staff as you leave.

??

No. You're not correct.

NotRichAtAll

So you sat there for 45 minutes and did not have the savvy to get up and walk to a counter and say " i want to pay my bill"

PasturesNew

Some restaurants want to see the back of you - so they can wipe the table down and have it ready for a fresh set of arrivals.

Some restaurants will let diners linger as long as they want ... if they're not inundated with people wanting a table.

You don't just sit there and expect them to come to you with the bill.... that'd just be daft. You catch their eye, give a little wave when they're passing, or go to the till and stand about looking to make eye contact or be able to give a little wave.

unholyangel

PasturesNew wrote: »

Some restaurants want to see the back of you - so they can wipe the table down and have it ready for a fresh set of arrivals.

Some restaurants will let diners linger as long as they want ... if they're not inundated with people wanting a table.

You don't just sit there and expect them to come to you with the bill.... that'd just be daft. You catch their eye, give a little wave when they're passing, or go to the till and stand about looking to make eye contact or be able to give a little wave.

To be fair, OP did add the caveat of having asked for the bill.

waamo

I find the give me the bill before they hand over the Happy Meal.