Controversial practice from restaurants: Extra fees will now be charged for this service!
In recent days, businesses in many cities, especially in Istanbul, have started collecting 'reservation deposits' from their customers. While some cafes and restaurants have set a fixed fee, such as 500 TL per person for reservations, other businesses are demanding the menu price in advance.
12punto
With the high inflation seen in recent years, a new one is added every day to the controversial practices in restaurants.
In addition to the exorbitant pricing policies they implement, following the cover charges and automatic service charge deductions, restaurants have now started to collect deposits for reservations.
THOSE WHO WANT TO MAKE A RESERVATION WILL PAY 500 TL
It has been determined that some businesses, the majority of which are in Istanbul, have now introduced a deposit requirement for reservations.
Reservations, which were previously only requested on special occasions or for large group meetings, have now become mandatory even during normal times.
However, this time customers are asked to make a payment in advance.
While the new practice has sparked a reaction among consumers, businesses defend this method as a way to ensure guaranteed income.
Accordingly, while some restaurants ask for 500 liras, others demand the full amount of the menu price they have set.
'WE ARE LOSING MONEY BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO MAKE RESERVATIONS AND DON'T SHOW UP'
Restaurant owners defended the controversial practice with the words, "I am speaking based on statistics; at least 30 percent do not show up. One hundred percent of the money needs to be collected. Otherwise, businesses are losing money."
LEGALITY HAS SPARKED DEBATE
Lawyer İbrahim Güllü addressed the legal loophole in question with these words: "The concept of a 'deposit' (kapora) is not regulated in our law. Instead, two separate definitions have been introduced: 'earnest money' (bağlanma parası) or 'forfeit money' (cayma parası).
Restaurant owners defended the controversial practice with the words, "I am speaking based on statistics; at least 30 percent do not show up. One hundred percent of the money needs to be collected. Otherwise, businesses are losing money."
