Credit card demand leaves sour taste

Diner Vera Huehn. Photo / Michael Craig

Some restaurants have introduced pre-pay systems as a result of an increase in dine and dash incidents.

Results from a Restaurant Association New Zealand survey showed many restaurants had experienced "walk outs" this year.

After inquiries from the Herald on Sunday, the association's chief executive Marisa Bidois surveyed its members. Of the 180 who responded, 18.9 per cent had noticed an increase in people not paying.

"The majority of those said it happened 1 to 5 times a month. We had the odd one who said it happened up to 10 times a month," said Bidois.

She said some restaurant owners now asked customers to hand over credit cards before dining. "It's a security reason. Restaurateurs need to look after their business and to make sure they are getting paid for what is going out.

"If a customer goes into a restaurant we wouldn't want them to feel offended if asked It is becoming common practice."

Auckland diner Vera Huehn said she was surprised when a waitress at Jack Tar asked for her credit card before ordering lunch last month.

Huehn, a tourist operator, took her international guests to the restaurant in Wynyard Quarter but left with a bad taste in her mouth.

"It is the same as leaving your passport at a hotel. There is the risk of fraud and people taking your details. I won't leave my documents for anybody."

She said they ordered their meals and immediately paid for it, similar to what was expected at takeaway outlets such as McDonald's or fish and chip shops.

"We had a bad after taste, because if you remain seated and you want to have a glass of wine or dessert you need to go up and pay again. I don't think it's good practice."

Hospitality Association of New Zealand president Adam Cunningham said prepay systems had a negative impact on the dining experience but restaurants which had a problem had to be proactive about preventing financial loss.

"It would be a shame if we needed to move to a more rigid structure because of a minority of people," said Cunningham.