Should have known...

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Aussie Innkeeper

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2010
Messages
754
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5
Location
Mount Joy, PA
I should have known that this couple was going to stiff me for the bill. Long story, but they stayed two nights, had one massage (for him) and took a bathrobe and then left without paying. Tried to run the card. It was a debit card good for all of $8.50.
I would love to share their names/location so that none of my wonderful Innmates fall victim to them. Would this be appropriate on this forum?
 
I think you should call the police. It's a felony in some states.
I don't think you should post their names (at least full names) on the forum. I'm not sure if there are any legal issues that could get you in trouble later on.
Since it's a debit card, keep trying it. Every week if you have to! If it doesn't go through, file a small claims case. I'm sure this is not the first time these people have pulled this. I'm so sorry it's happened to you.
 
Police will only respond if the theft is of 'merchandise' like at a store, or the theft of 'services' over $3000. I would have to go to the magistrate's office, file a complaint ($60), etc. etc. etc.
 
That is rotten. it is a felony in VA, I am sure you have looked into that. But please share the names off forum. (Starting with me)
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So sorry this happened. If you call them do they answer? More than likely they won't. But, we did have a 3-nighter leave without paying and they were horrified their card was no good. It took awhile to track them down but we did get paid.
Don't post their names here. I don't think anyone wants to get into the mess that might entail.
 
Sorry this happened to you :-(
So isn't this just one more reason why everyone should take deposit/ run on credit card when the reservation is made.
 
Sorry this happened to you :-(
So isn't this just one more reason why everyone should take deposit/ run on credit card when the reservation is made..
EmptyNest said:
Sorry this happened to you :-(
So isn't this just one more reason why everyone should take deposit/ run on credit card when the reservation is made.
Yes! I take 1st night as deposit, run the balance through upon arrival. I don't know why any guest would object to that. They have agreed to pay it regardless, so why wait until they check out?
 
Did you call the police? I would have. Theft is theft. See how easy it is to get a job after you have that show up on NCIC.
 
Sounds to me like they know the rules and are working the system. I wonder how many other service businesses have been hit by them. The only way to stop them is to file a formal complaint so their names are in the system. Can you file a complaint on the stolen robe? What about the stolen food? If they did that in a restaurant, would the police come? Is a meal considered merchandise or a service? Did they reserve over the internet? Could a cyber crime have occurred? Are they from another state? Have you tried contacting police in their city? ggggrrrrrrrrr
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I'm so mad for you! And it makes me even madder that there may be nothing you can do about it!!
Sorry this happened to you!
 
This happened to us, we couldn't contact them/they wouldn't answer the phone. We called the local police and filed a report. Doesn't do anything for you monetarily, but it gets a paper trail started in case this is a chronic thing.
 
Sounds to me like they know the rules and are working the system. I wonder how many other service businesses have been hit by them. The only way to stop them is to file a formal complaint so their names are in the system. Can you file a complaint on the stolen robe? What about the stolen food? If they did that in a restaurant, would the police come? Is a meal considered merchandise or a service? Did they reserve over the internet? Could a cyber crime have occurred? Are they from another state? Have you tried contacting police in their city? ggggrrrrrrrrr
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I'm so mad for you! And it makes me even madder that there may be nothing you can do about it!!
Sorry this happened to you!.
Actually, that makes it interstate crime if it was done via the Internet. FBI territory, no? And yes, the robe isn't a service.
 
Sorry this happened to you :-(
So isn't this just one more reason why everyone should take deposit/ run on credit card when the reservation is made..
see even that is not problem free - they could then do a charge back as a customer not present, card company will side with the customer not you. we get all customers to pay on arrival and put in their pin - therefore its mine.
What happened to my neighbour was - chap booked 10 nights in her vacation rental paid with stolen card - money was charged back 1 month after his stay, presumably when card holder got the bill.
The other choice is electronic transfer which my bank assures me is unchargebackable! - we have people coming next summer for long stays for a 3 week festival, im not taking the chance of no shows so its 5 nights deposit by transfer when they book.
 
I think you should call the police. It's a felony in some states.
I don't think you should post their names (at least full names) on the forum. I'm not sure if there are any legal issues that could get you in trouble later on.
Since it's a debit card, keep trying it. Every week if you have to! If it doesn't go through, file a small claims case. I'm sure this is not the first time these people have pulled this. I'm so sorry it's happened to you..
In another forums we had a password that only members could get into. There we displayed peoples names who did damages like not paying bills or damages done or thief. We only posted where they were from first names. If you wanted more info you emailed or called the B&B , that it happened to.
 
I should have known to have all guest ready whether I had a rez or not! But we do NOT get walk-ins..... ahem, if they call from less than 30 min from the house, it is a walk-in here.
Daughter left Thursday and I did laundry the rest of the day and made up the bed in the Gillum (had guests one night when she was here that had booked before she did). Except for Friday, blocked all until Tuesday - leaving Sunday AM for an overnight get-away.
I am within 5 minutes of going to bed - and the only reason I was still up at 9:30 was my daughter had come online was started playing a game I was about to finish my turn with. TWO ROOMS!!! Scramble!! Make one bed & clean the bathroom. All done 2 minutes before they arrived!! Whew!
 
I think you should call the police. It's a felony in some states.
I don't think you should post their names (at least full names) on the forum. I'm not sure if there are any legal issues that could get you in trouble later on.
Since it's a debit card, keep trying it. Every week if you have to! If it doesn't go through, file a small claims case. I'm sure this is not the first time these people have pulled this. I'm so sorry it's happened to you..
In another forums we had a password that only members could get into. There we displayed peoples names who did damages like not paying bills or damages done or thief. We only posted where they were from first names. If you wanted more info you emailed or called the B&B , that it happened to.
.
Flower said:
In another forums we had a password that only members could get into. There we displayed peoples names who did damages like not paying bills or damages done or thief. We only posted where they were from first names. If you wanted more info you emailed or called the B&B , that it happened to.
Did it ever help another innkeeper?
 
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