4 ms·

[If] you're not on Urbanspoon's Rez system or on OpenTable, you may as well not even exist. Perhaps to you, but I think that attitude is rare. I think most peo

by neilc 16y ago

[If] you're not on Urbanspoon's Rez system or on OpenTable, you may as well not even exist. Perhaps to you, but I think that attitude is rare. I think most people find a place where they'd like to eat, and then they choose the easiest way to make a reservation -- the difference in convenience between Opentable and the telephone is pretty small. If I'm going to spend $$ on a nice meal, finding a good place is my priority; if I need to call them or tolerate their shitty Flash website, so be it. Personally, I rarely use Opentable: apart from the fact that they take some of the restaurant's revenue, they can also report false negatives. For at least one restaurant I go to often (Ad Hoc in Yountville), there is almost never a good time available on Opentable, but there often is if you call the restaurant. Since I can't trust a "no availabilities" result from Opentable, it is easier to just call and speak to a live person.

scottrafer 16y ago
Ad Hoc is a real destination. Most places aren't owned by Keller. OPEN controls the segment a level or two down from that. It's a reasonably popular discovery mechanism for the $25 entree world. http://www.quantcast.com/opentable.com http://www.quantcast.com/opentable.com Lots of people hit it first.
aaronbrethorst 16y ago
Yes, that is my opinion. I don't doubt that I'm in the minority. Still, for me, OpenTable or Rez support is critical. My girlfriend and I will routinely pick a place to eat on a Friday or Saturday 30 minutes before we intend to eat. I don't like having to call a half-dozen places in order to get a table, and I wouldn't have much choice without these systems. If the restaurant is unable or unwilling to report their true availability, then the value of OpenTable decreases dramatically.
- draebek 16y ago
  > My girlfriend and I will routinely pick a place to eat on a Friday or Saturday 30 minutes before we intend to eat. I don't like having to call a half-dozen places in order to get a table, and I wouldn't have much choice without these systems. It never even occurred to me to try and make reservations _30 minutes_ before I want to go eat. Interesting concept. I usually just aim to only go places where I know I'll be seated very quickly, or else get take out.

by neilc 16y ago

scottrafer 16y ago

Ad Hoc is a real destination. Most places aren't owned by Keller. OPEN controls the segment a level or two down from that. It's a reasonably popular discovery mechanism for the $25 entree world. http://www.quantcast.com/opentable.com http://www.quantcast.com/opentable.com Lots of people hit it first.

aaronbrethorst 16y ago

Yes, that is my opinion. I don't doubt that I'm in the minority. Still, for me, OpenTable or Rez support is critical. My girlfriend and I will routinely pick a place to eat on a Friday or Saturday 30 minutes before we intend to eat. I don't like having to call a half-dozen places in order to get a table, and I wouldn't have much choice without these systems. If the restaurant is unable or unwilling to report their true availability, then the value of OpenTable decreases dramatically.

draebek 16y ago
> My girlfriend and I will routinely pick a place to eat on a Friday or Saturday 30 minutes before we intend to eat. I don't like having to call a half-dozen places in order to get a table, and I wouldn't have much choice without these systems. It never even occurred to me to try and make reservations _30 minutes_ before I want to go eat. Interesting concept. I usually just aim to only go places where I know I'll be seated very quickly, or else get take out.