Restaurateurs hesitate to rage against absent

Up to $ 10 per person can now be invoiced in. Nevertheless, the event that the restaurant table remains empty at the time of booking. In addition, This measure desired for several years by industry comes into force this Thursday.

At Hobbit, located in the heart of the Faubourg Saint-Jean in Quebec, ghost reservations are frequent.

“If everyone says he’s just a table of two. For example, it can make 20 customers [absents] In one evening, ”explains one of the three partners, Danie Ouellet.

The business partners had also launched a heart cry on social networks in December 2023. Nevertheless, A total of 18 people had never presented themselves in the same evening.

If the Hobbit does not intend to randomly rage. restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent new Moreover. For example, the arrival of this regulatory framework is “a restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent step in the right direction”, the restaurateur agrees.

However, the latter brings some downsides. For example,

While the penalty of $ 10 per customer is not sufficiently high in his eyes. Additionally, For example, the conditions of application hardly agree with the reality of the industry.

Whether it is a reservation for two. Nevertheless, 10 or 30, as long as a customer comes at the restaurant door, it is impossible to charge costs. For example, “It is not uncommon that we reserve for large groups and that we take the trouble to confirm. Furthermore, Finally, there are 10 of them less or just half, “she laments.

“I have no recourse.”

— Danie Ouellet, co -owner of the restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent new Hobbit

And the financial impacts are important. Therefore, “The room is reserved, we refused lots restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent of people. Meanwhile, We brought in two servers and one more cook, “says Ms. Similarly, Ouellet.

On the side of Lévis. Therefore, the co -owner of the Resto Lounge delight, Christopher Létourneau, shares these criticisms. For example, “Finally, a law that raises awareness, but which remains too shy in its application,” he judges.

The latter hesitates to use it: “In its current form, it is too limited to be really effective.”

Like his colleagues. For example, the co -owner raises that the law does not attack restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent his first concern. Meanwhile, “The fact that the presence of restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent new a single person in a group cancels any possibility of invoicing is difficult. to understand. We meet with staff In excess, excess products, and no recourse, ”he deplores.

Authorize the cancellation of a reservation up to three hours in advance without penalty is also pointed out by Mr. Létourneau.

“If a group reserved for 9 p.m. cancels at 6 p.m., all the staff have already returned, and it is too late to re-turn the space,” he suggests.

Restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent new

Free to everyone – Restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent – Restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent new

On avenue Cartier. Kathy Rioux, owner of the Krieghoff café, does not intend to charge customers for their absence. His choice follows from all other reasons.

“I will not apply the law to take money on credit cards. It will be too complicated for us, ”she says.

Indeed. restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent those who wish to make sure to have a table to your bistro must still call. “We don’t have the system to take reservations. It is a wonderful handwritten book with phone numbers, ”she says.

Although it happens on the occasion that tables of four are always vacant. at the time of booking. Ms. Rioux does not really care.

“Our coffee is so large with the terraces. I don’t need to add others [employés] To provide on demand. ”replies the restaurateur, about the impact of these absences.

The one restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent new who has been the only owner of the Krieghoff. coffee since 2015 admits that group reservations provide more hassle.

“Suppose that we have a group of 20. 30. 40, they are regularly called to be certain that people are present,” she explains, while inviting other restaurateurs to do the same.

“More bite”

Contacted by The sunMartin Vézina. spokesperson for the Association Restauration Québec (ARQ), is aware that certain addresses will decide not to apply the measure.

“We believe that there are operators who will not use this new regulation. since they do not have the phenomenon of ghost reservations,” he said.

The latter is however convinced that there will be penalties issued in the coming months. “We want the consumer to change their behavior. We prefer to have a cancellation by phone for three hours. more in advance restaurateurs hesitate restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent new rage against absent rather than being forced to charge a penalty. ”

“The problem we have currently is that people do not call. We have to use this stick. ”

— Martin Vézina. spokesperson for the Association Restauration Québec (ARQ)

Although he would have liked the regulatory framework to have “more biting”. Mr. Vézina will be listening to the field. Penalty of $ 20 per person as well as respect for a presence ratio for groups were among the requests.

“If we see that we need a little more muscles, we will make the necessary representations,” prepares Mr. Vézina.

Fears are already heard. In addition. “This is a concern within the industry: there are customers who will come to their reservation on their own. take an entry and leave to avoid paying a penalty,” he anticipates.

Brief bonds

From July 17. up to $ 10 per person can be invoiced in the event that the table remains empty at the time of booking.

If the reservation is canceled at least three hours in advance, no costs can be imposed on you. The same scenario occurs if at least one person in the group comes at the restaurant door.

Although the merchant can take the information from the credit card as a protective. it is impossible restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent to take an amount before the scheduled time of the reservation.

In order to require a penalty. the restaurateur restaurateurs hesitate rage against absent new must also comply with these obligations:

• Clearly inform the customer that costs could apply if he does not respect his reservation.
• Allow the customer at any time to easily cancel the reservation, whether by text, online or by any other technological means;
• Send a reminder or confirmation of the reservation of six to 48 hours before the scheduled time, unless the reservation is made within the same period. A hyperlink must be included in order to allow the customer to cancel.

– According to the Consumer Protection Office