Restaurant - Display Your Credit Card Before Dining?

[Jules]

Have you ever had to display or keep your CC in an obvious location prior to dining.The podcaster relating the story always eats at the counter in one restaurant. Now everyone has to put their CC in a glass in front of them and there are cameras watching.

With Dine & Dashes obviously happening more often, I can understand why the restaurants would do this.

Once when sitting on a street side patio, we had to have our CC scanned prior to eating. Understandable too. Years ago we watched a young woman, dine, head indoors to the bathroom and walk away. It was too late for the frantic server to catch her.

 

[dilettante]

Never heard of it, but I don't eat out much.

 

[AnneTeak]

if i was asked to do that before ordering, i would walk out.

 

[Lilac]

I can understand why businesses would do this & I don't blame them because of the theft. So far, we haven't had to show our CC & this is the first time I've heard of it.

 

[That Lady in PA]

I have had bartenders run a card right off the bat.

 

[astralcat]

Although it seems tacky, I can see why it would be done. Many people don’t value someone’s hard-earned money and just take, take take or should I say steal, steal, steal. I once came across a credit card left in a self-checkout machine and of course I turned it in to the front desk immediately. I can just imagine the anxiety when that person discovered it missing.

 

[DaveA]

Can you still pay with cash?? and do you have to put bills in the glass - - -enough to cover your meal ?
Guess I'm out of date and don't frequent "eating out" very often.

 

[hollydolly]

There's a lot of dine and dash recently in the UK generally... and there's been talk of paying for your food up front.. well I certainly would not, because how are you supposed to know if the food is to your satsufaction, and they would have less incentive to ensure your food and service was good if you'd already paid..

... , so the better thing to do would be to run the card, but not take any payment until afterwards, therefore if people do dine and dash then their credit card details are on file...

As usual the minority ruin it for the majority

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I've never had that experience, but it's been awhile since I've had a meal at a restaurant with a waiter, then pay after the meal. Those have become too expensive and don't do anything special for me. I usually go to fast food places where I order and pay up front anyway.

 

[Brookswood]

As usual the minority ruin if for the majority

you’re right. It’s why the rest of of us can’t have nice things.

Restauants have thin margins these days. I understand why they need to protect themselves

 

[IrisSenior]

I have never heard of it and it has never happened to me. I rarely eat downtown but I could see it happening there maybe...or am I clueless??

 

[Jeni]

Sadly if there is a chance to steal many will take it. I have not seen it yet but would not be surprised .. I have seen specific people asked for pay up front or card ...... but not across the board to all customers.

That is why so much stuff is locked up at stores and people seem to watch everyone more like we are guilty before proven innocent.

I did read an article that many medical places want pay in advance on procedures like can not pay the patient part of insurance not going to happen. spouse had some hand surgery and we experienced that ... pay up front or reschedule when you can pay upfront

 

[Twostep]

Plenty of outside eating where patrons are asked to pay. Unless you are a regular at a bar how far do you think you can run your tab? Gas stations want a credit card before pumping. I have not yet heard of an uprising of customers.

 

[Jules]

Thinking of the comments here, I’d be willing to have my card scanned. If the meal were less than satisfactory, I’d dispute it then. If there was a problem where they disagreed with me about that, I’d deal with the CC company.

At fast food places, we do pay before eating. Even FF isn’t cheap any more.

I don’t know how they handle cash or debit.

 

[January]

Many places here you pay as you go - ie pay when ordering - or you can give your credit card at the counter and book it up and pay at the end (what we call 'a tab')
I know from other threads that some people have concerns about that - I dont, I have an app on my phone and can check my transactions

In restaruants with table service where one pays at the end (as oppossed to ordering and paying at the counter - what we call counter meals) I have not heard of anywhere wanting credit cards shown upfront.
most of those places it isnt easy to leave unnoticed anyway.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

Dining out for me is a drive thru. I can understand the owner wanting to get paid for his food, but it's kind of tacky.

 

[dilettante]

I can remember a lot of "family restaurants" where you were presented with the bill upon serving and usually that's when you paid.

The ones who dawdled were probably a little more upscale, hoping you would order add-ons like desserts.

 

[hollydolly]

I can remember a lot of "family restaurants" where you were presented with the bill upon serving and usually that's when you paid.

The ones who dawdled were probably a little more upscale, hoping you would order add-ons like desserts.

in the upscale rstaurants here they want you to add more and more alcohol... expensive wines etc...

Unlie the US... a restaurant or cafe table here..is your all day or night if you want it , in most places.. no turning a table after 90 minutes...

Of course they don't leave you sitting with a cup of coffee all evening , they do expect that you continue to order, through the evening... or they will bring the bill

 

[OneEyedDiva]

That sounds ridiculous and even bizarre to me. They'd lose me as a customer. My credit card stays in the aluminum foil sleeves I made for them (using Crunch & Munch inner bags) until it's time to pay the bill.

 

[911]

No, never had that happen. I would have to consider the situation at that time if I would or wouldn’t allow them run my card.

 

[DaveA]

When did this crap start about people whining and wanting some ?? amount shaved off of their bill 'cause they "were dissatisfied with their meal and/or service?

You chose the facility. You ordered a meal and didn't like it or the waiter/waitress, and if you were dissatisfied you paid up, left, and never went there again. You didn't stand around like a whiney child blubbering about the bill. Unless you are fixated on money (most likely) or broke. - - - -JMHO