I haven't read most of this thread.

But the one thing that would turn me off is over costs. Not on this site but another I have gotten stuck with some bills. And at other times felt like I've stuck others a bit.

I think the one thing people attending these things is that if you pay a little more than your exact meal its the cost of being in the group. At the same time we as organizers do try to come up with fair ways of doing things.

Oh, And no shows.... That after too many times can make us wonder why we do it. I know. I've been on both sides of that too.