Florida restaurant owner shames a dozen ‘dine and dash’ customers into paying up after posting videos of them on social media – including one in a brand new Mercedes
The owner of Rick’s on the River restaurant in Florida has taken a unique approach to addressing the growing problem of “dine and dash” customers.
Ken Brackins, the second-generation owner of the Tampa-based business, is now shaming customers into paying their bill by sharing images of them on social media.
The system appears to be working, as Brackins caught more than a dozen dashers who eventually paid their bill — and many begged him to remove the videos.
“You get caught,” Brackins told the Tampa Bay Times. “And then you’re going to pay me.
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About two years ago, Brackins installed 16 security cameras outside the establishment. He told the Tampa Bay Times that he then began sharing footage on Facebook, with examples of customers attempting to dine and run.
The owner of Rick’s on the River restaurant in Florida has taken a unique approach to addressing the growing problem of “dine and dash” customers
In the latest video posted last week, an employee confronts a woman in a Mercedes in the parking lot about an unpaid beer tab
In the latest video posted last week, an employee confronts a woman in a Mercedes in the parking lot about an unpaid beer tab. Accompanied by circus music, the video shows a close-up of her face and captures her license plate number.
It has received a lot of attention on social media, with nearly 9,000 views and hundreds of comments, largely supporting Brackins’ unconventional method and condemning the client.
The caption reads, “This latest dine and dasher spent her beer money on a posh, late-model Mercedes. She refused to pay her entire bill because she said the wind was blowing over her pitcher of beer. There were only a few ounces of beer on the deck. True story.’
Brackins told Dailymail.com that the feedback he’s received after posting the video has been “overwhelmingly positive.”
Since he installed the cameras, he has seen the number of dashers decrease.
Brackins also said other restaurants have been contacting him about serial diners and dashers.
“We think it has been a deterrent to those who have been captured. They are ashamed and hopefully won’t do it again in the future,” he told Dailymail.com.
The unpaid bills of those involved sometimes amount to several hundred dollars.
Despite this, Brackins has chosen not to involve the police because it is a low-priority issue compared to more serious crimes.
‘They have a lot to do. I don’t want to bother them with this.’
However, he did put up a sign in his store warning customers that the crime of dining and running carries a penalty ranging from a second-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree misdemeanor.
“I think she’s sticking to her story that it wasn’t really a dinner and she didn’t owe the bill,” Brackins told the Tampa Bay Times.
Ken Brackins, a second-generation owner of the Virginia establishment, is now shaming customers into paying their bill by sharing images of them on social media.
Accompanied by circus music, the video shows a close-up of her face and captures her license plate number
It has received a lot of attention on social media, with nearly 9,000 views and hundreds of comments, most either supporting Brackins’ unconventional method or condemning the client.
Brackins said nine out of 10 customers he caught on camera came back to pay their bills
Since its implementation, Brackins said he’s caught more than a dozen “dine and dashers” with the cameras, eventually paying their bill
Brackins told Dailymail.com that the feedback he’s received following the video has been “overwhelmingly positive.”
Overall, Brackins said he has seen success with his system.
Since its implementation, Brackins said he’s caught more than a dozen “dine and dashers” with the cameras who eventually paid their bill.
“We shared about 10 dine and dash posts. Nine out of 10 resulted in the perpetrators coming in and paying their bills,” Brackins told Dailymail.com.
“But I would say 100% of those who come back and pay don’t tip,” Brackins told the Tampa Bay Times. “And they also want to call for payment by credit card. But I let them in. They always seem to have an excuse why they forgot to pay.’
“A family member called us and reported them,” Brackins said. “I think they’re ashamed.”
“I have people calling and saying, ‘Hey, I paid, can you remove it?’ They get very angry. They say they are going to sue me. They don’t come down. Those are the consequences. It resembles the modern Scarlet Letter.’
Not only does the system seem to work, viewers also seem to get a kick out of the almost comedic videos. Others express their anger towards the criminal clients.
“Make her an example,” one user responded to the video of the woman in a Mercedes.
The Fisherman’s Arms posted CCTV footage and recordings on social media calling for the family to stay for about three hours, have three courses and drink cocktails before walking out
‘I have her ticket. Now accuse her,” another pointed out.
“She can afford to drive a Mercedes-Benz, but doesn’t want to pay a food bill. ? Shameful,” wrote another. “I love it when these rights holders are summoned! Bravo!’
The act of ‘dining and dashing’ has increased all over the world.
British politician and Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said there had been a recent rise in “outrageous” dine-and-dash offences.
“It’s a crime that’s getting bigger and bigger,” she said. “This could be related to the cost of living crisis. But there is no excuse for people to go to a restaurant, have a three course meal and a bottle of wine and then not pay for it. It’s outrageous.’
“As far as we can see, those who do this are usually not typical thieves who rely on drugs or alcohol. They drive off in their own car.’
“It’s an abhorrent crime, especially when people struggle to pay bills and keep businesses afloat. I would call on people to share images online, as many business owners have done, and name and shame those individuals.”