Textaurant

http://textaurant.com/

Has anybody used this service? It is an emerging reservation wait list system that is pretty cool.

I can see some positive aspects to the system as well as some negatives. In many ways it's the same thing as call ahead seating. The disadvantages I see are that some customers will feel left out because they do not do texting in because of this feel that caters to the younger generations. Another issue I can see it raising is how long after you text somebody to tell them their table is ready do you hold it? Take your restaurant for example, somebody could quite possibly be at the mall when you tell them the table is ready and it could take them 15 minutes to arrive, do you want to lose that table for that long?

I also imagine that there is a significant fee for this service by looking at the website. I don't see a need to pay someone to run this for you considering you still must send and receive the text messages. All it really does is keep the waiting list for you.

I really don't see where it solves any issues that call ahead seating doesn't solve while creating more problems. It may sound neat and high tech but.....

Everyone has a phone or is with someone that has a phone. Instruct the host to have a conversation via voice and go from there. I think texts would be an impediment in situations like these.

*disclaimer - I have not followed the link yet to see details.

Okay, now I have followed the link... I still say lame. I love texting for fundamental interaction, but don't think this could ever be reliable. Two big thumbs south.

I am taken a back by how strongly you did not like the service. What about services like Urban Spoon reservation system? Or open table? I cannot tell a lie I am a sucker for all the new techie stuff happening out there. On-line ordering, virtual reservations, smart phone apps.

I am taken a back by how strongly you did not like the service. What about services like Urban Spoon reservation system? Or open table? I cannot tell a lie I am a sucker for all the new techie stuff happening out there. On-line ordering, virtual reservations, smart phone apps.

"Apps"... ...Personally, I think we are breeding an entire generation of people who will someday forget how to personally interact. Put me in the "strongly dislikes" category when it comes to any and all of this stuff.

The other systems you mentioned, Opentable and Rez are a lot more flexible and allow the user input from many more devices or even allows the restaurant to enter the reservation when somebody calls in. I've never used Rez but we use Opentable all the time and like using it. Basically they both are like a traditional reservation system in that you make your reservation for a specific time and are expected to arrive at that time for. It seems like they basically just help the restaurant simplify tracking reservations.

Textaurant is more like a combination of a pager system and a call ahead reservations system. While it seems that it could be useful it seems to cut off a much larger portion of your potential customers and because it doesn't require someone to be close to the restaurant would be notified leave the restaurant was potential for having open tables for quite awhile or having upset customers when they arrive and don't have a table immediately. It looks like it has a lot more potential for causing heat and discontent with customers while solving fewer problems with your reservation system.

I'm also very technically oriented and use a computer for almost everything but I do realize that many people are not as comfortable using new technology so many times I look for simpler solutions because of this.

Thanks Mark. I appreciate your input. I am going to table it for now. What would be cool is if there was a program that did all three without costing an arm and a leg.

Thanks Mark. I appreciate your input. I am going to table it for now. What would be cool is if there was a program that did all three without costing an arm and a leg.

True, for what I've seen all of them are quite expensive especially for what they do!

If you suggest a restaurant (name and phone number) to Textaurant, and that restaurant signs up, you get $25 toward a meal at that restaurant. How's that for marketing incentive?

I just try to eat places where this is not a wait. I've had too many experiences where places mismanage waiting lists. And I don't plan enough in advance for reservations.

There are plenty of places to eat in Louisville. I just try to come up with a wait-free place. Less stress that way.

Ok just to show how my brain works or doesn't work I read the subject and bits and pieces of the thread and couldn't figure out why a reservation system just for Tex mex places was really needed....duh

That was funny. You made me laugh!

Ok just to show how my brain works or doesn't work I read the subject and bits and pieces of the thread and couldn't figure out why a reservation system just for Tex mex places was really needed....duh

I am taken a back by how strongly you did not like the service. What about services like Urban Spoon reservation system? Or open table? I cannot tell a lie I am a sucker for all the new techie stuff happening out there. On-line ordering, virtual reservations, smart phone apps.

Sorry I haven't replied sooner than now. I guess I'm the wrong audience for a product like this as I never crave cutting edge technology. I like reliable technology, though, and I think this reeks of headaches from a management perspective. I think call-ahead works well. And if a wait is involved, taking numbers to call back while the party wanders about gives the host stand better ability to get a real idea of how far away the party has drifted when an actual CALL is placed to say, "hey, you're table is ready if you are". And that's a free service for just about everyone. I've used it many times and been very pleased with the flexibility of it .

I just try to eat places where this is not a wait. I've had too many experiences where places mismanage waiting lists. And I don't plan enough in advance for reservations.

There are plenty of places to eat in Louisville. I just try to come up with a wait-free place. Less stress that way.

Yes.

I will make reservations, but we abhor waiting. Rarely will we wait to be seated. We just go to the next restaurant on the calling list until we get immediate seating. I don't mind spending my money in places that could use a little more business.