It’s a fact that hospitality and leisure customers want their bank cards kept secure when they run a tab. Leaving a bank card in a till or folder is irresponsible and not good practice. Eliminating the worry that customers’ credit or debit cards are professionally looked after while they enjoy a meal and drink should be a top priority at every venue.
Trust and a happy experience are the cornerstones of good customer service. Venues with bar tabs offer patrons a convenient way to enjoy multiple drinks and extra dishes without the hassle of constant payment. Staff spend more time building relationships and less time taking payments. A streamlined experience will ensure that the customer spends more every time.
Increase Customer Spending
Customers who don’t have to reach for their wallets or cards regularly are more likely to make impulse purchases. Establishments that allow for tabs will increase customer spending. Phil Dixon, a previous advisor to the BII, was adamant that “If you want to increase spending, you must retain cards.” Paul Eagles, the previous Head of Risk Policy and Strategy at Visa, confirmed this: “When using cards, people spend at least 35% more.”
Deterring Dine and Dash
Dine and dash is on the up. No matter where your venue is, certain people will always be tempted to walk out without paying their bill. Keeping bar tabs virtually eliminates that temptation, especially if you can run a check on their card before agreeing to keep their tab.
Best Practices for Implementing Bar Tabs
One of the most cost-effective bar tab keeping tools for hospitality and leisure venues is CardsSafe. The system is specifically designed to retain bank and ID cards securely and is utilised by thousands of venues all over the UK. You can read about what CardSafe is and how to use it here.
Not only is CardsSafe easy to use, but it also requires minimal training. CardsSafe pays for itself time and time again. After an initial delivery and installation fee of £39.95, this unique system works on a rental basis at a cost-effective £9.95 plus VAT per unit per month. Each unit can hold up to 10 cards, and multiple units can be added anytime. CardsSafe can help cut losses from dine and dash, virtually eliminate fraudulent card misuse, and allow venues to pay bank transaction fees only once the customer pays their final bill.
You can implement a bar tab system that benefits your business and customers. CardsSafe is affordable, easy to use, not hard wired and requires minimum training.
