4 Years Later - Here I Go Again

Chaselady · 02-26-2014, 04:03 PM

I can't believe this is a serious discussion...

magicrobotmonkey · 02-26-2014, 04:31 PM

The other problem with this is the accounting! I have to imagine it would be a nightmare to deal with all the "legally binding contracts" you'd be setting up every time someone bids!

Bigstan · 02-26-2014, 04:39 PM

I like the part where it tells me I am entering into a contract.

I have never entered into a 'Legally Binding Contract' when making a reservation before....how would that be enforced? Do I end up in court because I promised to spend $100 but only spent $90

WakeboardMom · 02-26-2014, 04:59 PM

No, thank you. My reaction is to say "I couldn't be bothered." I'm guessing my husband would say, "Are you kidding me?!?" Is the "cash" thing for real?!? Holy smokes!! So many insults to a customer...!

I echo ChaseLady's sentiment. "I can't believe this is a serious discussion."

How much time have you spent on this? Has anyone that you told about this thought it was a good idea? Is this an early April Fool's joke?

So sorry, but I'm guessing if you wanted opinions, you are okay with honest ones.

VitaBene · 02-26-2014, 05:21 PM

Ray,

We will call as usual and try to get a reservation, if not we will go elsewhere as we always have!

You should not worry if we cannot get in or called too late- we know when it will be busy!

tis · 02-26-2014, 05:24 PM

I can't believe this is a serious discussion either. I would not ever be bothered to go to a place with this policy. It is laughable in NH.

Lakeboater · 02-26-2014, 05:26 PM

Baygo, if you implement this method of bidding on a table for a reservation, after reading all the posts, I doubt you will have to worry about turning people away on any night.

Rusty · 02-26-2014, 05:29 PM

Put this guy at the door of your restaurant and see if that works:

blacksheep · 02-26-2014, 05:39 PM

Have you considered going with a simple online reservation system like open table? I don't think the bidding component of the model you've tested today will work...but, with open table you can set it up so that a credit card is required to hold a reservation (common practice at many restaurants). At least that lets you know that people are serious about keeping their reservation. Keep a few tables available for walk-ins and go to a primarily reservation-only system on busy nights. Open table is cool too b/c it prompts patrons to leave reviews, but only people who've actually made and kept their reservation can review your establishment. Consider building a deck/outdoor patio area for dining this summer, maybe time to build yourself some sweet new digs out in the back 40 and expand upstairs to more dining space? I think you could keep the charm and the quality if you do things thoughfully and slowly.

secondcurve · 02-26-2014, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Put this guy at the door of your restaurant and see if that works:

Very clever Rusty. If this restaurant hires the "auctioneer" for table management it should also sure it has an open bar available to its patrons!

All kidding aside, I will never consider your restaurant if I have to bid for a table. If demand is too strong raise prices. On the other hand, turning lots of people away creates cache as folks tend to desire something they can't get. Have you considered handing out coupons to turn aways that offer incentives to come back on slower evenings of the week?

Tomt · 02-26-2014, 08:24 PM

I also would not bid on a table, If I called for a reservation and there were none available I would understand and next time try to reserve a table earlier. But if I bid on a table and on my way to the restaurant got a text saying I was outbid I would never return.

02-26-2014, 04:59 PM	#4
WakeboardMom Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NH X 2 Posts: 509 Thanks: 595 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts	No, thank you. My reaction is to say "I couldn't be bothered." I'm guessing my husband would say, "Are you kidding me?!?" Is the "cash" thing for real?!? Holy smokes!! So many insults to a customer...! I echo ChaseLady's sentiment. "I can't believe this is a serious discussion." How much time have you spent on this? Has anyone that you told about this thought it was a good idea? Is this an early April Fool's joke? So sorry, but I'm guessing if you wanted opinions, you are okay with honest ones. __________________ MarieM

02-26-2014, 05:21 PM	#5
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,644 Thanks: 1,718 Thanked 1,662 Times in 861 Posts	Call Ray, We will call as usual and try to get a reservation, if not we will go elsewhere as we always have! You should not worry if we cannot get in or called too late- we know when it will be busy!

02-26-2014, 05:29 PM	#8
Rusty Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,028 Thanks: 603 Thanked 687 Times in 425 Posts	Put this guy at the door of your restaurant and see if that works: __________________ It's never crowded along the extra mile.

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02-26-2014, 04:03 PM	#1
Chaselady Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Melvin Village Posts: 309 Thanks: 150 Thanked 105 Times in 73 Posts	I can't believe this is a serious discussion...

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Chaselady For This Useful Post:
birchhaven (02-26-2014), DEJ (02-27-2014)

02-26-2014, 04:31 PM	#2
magicrobotmonkey Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 160 Thanks: 42 Thanked 44 Times in 31 Posts	The other problem with this is the accounting! I have to imagine it would be a nightmare to deal with all the "legally binding contracts" you'd be setting up every time someone bids!

02-26-2014, 04:39 PM	#3
Bigstan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Gilford NH Posts: 385 Thanks: 9 Thanked 165 Times in 93 Posts	I like the part where it tells me I am entering into a contract. I have never entered into a 'Legally Binding Contract' when making a reservation before....how would that be enforced? Do I end up in court because I promised to spend $100 but only spent $90

02-26-2014, 05:24 PM	#6
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,946 Thanks: 795 Thanked 1,493 Times in 1,040 Posts	I can't believe this is a serious discussion either. I would not ever be bothered to go to a place with this policy. It is laughable in NH.

02-26-2014, 05:26 PM	#7
Lakeboater Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 394 Thanks: 20 Thanked 131 Times in 94 Posts	Baygo, if you implement this method of bidding on a table for a reservation, after reading all the posts, I doubt you will have to worry about turning people away on any night.

The Following User Says Thank You to Lakeboater For This Useful Post:
Chaselady (02-26-2014)

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Rusty For This Useful Post:
Major (02-26-2014), secondcurve (02-26-2014)

02-26-2014, 05:39 PM	#9
blacksheep Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Plymouth, NH Posts: 63 Thanks: 98 Thanked 47 Times in 25 Posts	Have you considered going with a simple online reservation system like open table? I don't think the bidding component of the model you've tested today will work...but, with open table you can set it up so that a credit card is required to hold a reservation (common practice at many restaurants). At least that lets you know that people are serious about keeping their reservation. Keep a few tables available for walk-ins and go to a primarily reservation-only system on busy nights. Open table is cool too b/c it prompts patrons to leave reviews, but only people who've actually made and kept their reservation can review your establishment. Consider building a deck/outdoor patio area for dining this summer, maybe time to build yourself some sweet new digs out in the back 40 and expand upstairs to more dining space? I think you could keep the charm and the quality if you do things thoughfully and slowly.

02-26-2014, 08:24 PM	#11
Tomt Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Revere Ma & Moultonborough Posts: 89 Thanks: 22 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	I also would not bid on a table, If I called for a reservation and there were none available I would understand and next time try to reserve a table earlier. But if I bid on a table and on my way to the restaurant got a text saying I was outbid I would never return.