It's a problem restaurants around Winnipeg are dealing with – people ducking out without paying, leaving the business to foot the bill.
"I can tell you that the people that are doing it aren't the people who are coming here because they're looking for a sandwich because they're hungry," said Ravi Ramberran, "It's the people who are not afraid of consequences period."
In the wake of the increase in dine and dashers, Ramberran said his restaurant has ramped up how they deal with it.
"We blast them on Facebook, we hold them, we make them wait for the cops...We do what's in our power to do."
If it's becoming a big issue, why not ask people to put a credit card on deposit when they sit down?
"The Winnipeg Police Service said it does not track dine and dash incidents, but does say if there are threats or violence restaurants should call the police."
Wait? They're not supposed to call the police when they've been robbed? Theft of service is a crime is it not? If the police aren't doing anything that's the problem
They’re not supposed to call the police when they’ve been robbed? Theft of service is a crime is it not? If the police aren’t doing anything that’s the problem
I'm speculating here, but I guess it boils down to the amount of money involved combined with the absence of threats or violence.
In general it makes little sense to spend resources investigating a non-indictable offense where the perpetrator is unlikely to be found in the first place and even if they are found the cost of even finding and processing then is much higher than the monetary damage they caused.
If it’s becoming a big issue, why not ask people to put a credit card on deposit when they sit down?
Restaurants that see you pay after the event are really in the experience business. Putting a card down takes away from the experience.
That's not a problem, as such, when all restaurants are doing it, but it's hard to go first as it compels customers to go elsewhere. Which you especially can't afford when dine-and-dashers are already hurting you.
It will likely go that way eventually. But it's a big risk and will no doubt claim some casualties when it comes.