My First Deadbeat

Well, after almost 18 years, I have had my first totally ignorant deadbeat. He booked online and when I called for the credit card number I informed him it was going to be a shated bath and asked if he wanted to cancel the reservation. No, he would keep it.
They arrived before any of my other guests yesterday. Showed them the room, made reservations for them at a restaurant for tonight as it was not available last night until later than they wanted, he used the facilities, and they went to dinner. And never returned.
Meanwhile, I had had a phone call wanting a room for tonight. Thankfully, my phone stores numbers as they were coming in for a party here in town that another guest is here for. I called her this morning to tell her the room had become available. They are cancelling the hotel and coming here!
Oh, when I went to charge the credit card of Mr. Here I am but I am not - it was declined. So he probably gave me bad numbers. I think I am going to be happier with the other people so I think it was worth the loss of one night of revenue to not have the original people. AND am pleased the new ones will not have to go out of town tonight after the party.

sorry to hear it K.

So sorry..but sounds like good riddance. Hope the new booking makes up for it with enthusiasm!

That happened to us once, except she stayed in the car and he came in to pick up the luggage after checking in. Rather than fight about it we said bye bye and were thankful that we were not left with two sour pusses at breakfast. It happens...best to move on and know that you just can't please some people. 9 times out of 10 I bet HE made the reservation and SHE does not like the space for some reason.

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering.

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering.

Click to expand...

I had a feeling they were not coming back - they did not bring in any luggage. No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests - them OR the nice guests that I have in the other rooms. The other part of the shared had a 5 year old (not here before the departure so that had nothing to do with it) and the incoming are bringing a 2 year old - so all works out the way it is supposed to.

did not bring in their luggage? so they had a tour, used the restroom, got help with a dinner reservation and left. wow, just wow.

seashanty said:

did not bring in their luggage?

so they had a tour, used the restroom, got help with a dinner reservation and left. wow, just wow..

Click to expand...

Yes, and truth be told, I was glad. Something just was not comfortable as they came in. I offered him a cancel when he made the rez and he did not take it. Guess he thought better of it when he saw the place. He must have known he gave me a no-go cc number so there was no way he could be charged.

Sorry this happened to you. It kind of makes you feel like a new mother who was told her baby wasn't very cute. It's all in the eye of the beholder.
Glad he didn't come back!

Breakfast Diva said:

Sorry this happened to you. It kind of makes you feel like a new mother who was told her baby wasn't very cute. It's all in the eye of the beholder.
Glad he didn't come back!.

Click to expand...

When I first started, I would have felt that way. Now, glad they did not come back. I learned to count my blessings.

Over the years you just learn to listen to your gut. You knew there may be something about the reservation from the moment you took it. Your gut was prepared and now you have someone that will appreciate your hospitality.
As I told someone today that canceled within my cancel period...
Good Day! (and then, to myself I muttered .....) This evening a reservation came in replacing it + an extra night.
Things do happen for a reason just as you said!

gillumhouse said:

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering.

Click to expand...

I had a feeling they were not coming back - they did not bring in any luggage. No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests - them OR the nice guests that I have in the other rooms. The other part of the shared had a 5 year old (not here before the departure so that had nothing to do with it) and the incoming are bringing a 2 year old - so all works out the way it is supposed to.
.

Click to expand...

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.

Tom said:

gillumhouse said:

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering.

Click to expand...

I had a feeling they were not coming back - they did not bring in any luggage. No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests - them OR the nice guests that I have in the other rooms. The other part of the shared had a 5 year old (not here before the departure so that had nothing to do with it) and the incoming are bringing a 2 year old - so all works out the way it is supposed to.
.

Click to expand...

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.
.

Click to expand...

Tom said:

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.

Click to expand...

Same here
We had no issues on this at all last year, which does not mean we won't this year. But we have zero no shows. If we had super high occup I would prob take a deposit, and be more business like vs casual in my attitude. LOL
No one would get away with anything!

Tom said:

gillumhouse said:

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering.

Click to expand...

I had a feeling they were not coming back - they did not bring in any luggage. No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests - them OR the nice guests that I have in the other rooms. The other part of the shared had a 5 year old (not here before the departure so that had nothing to do with it) and the incoming are bringing a 2 year old - so all works out the way it is supposed to.
.

Click to expand...

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.
.

Click to expand...

I figure if I had been able to charge the deadbeat, he would have challenged it but I was ready for that as I had inserted in the confirmation about the shared bath. This is so rare that it really is not an issue other than ticking me off due to losing much needed sleep. I must admit his e-mail addy had me running up the flagpole - oneflava?????? What would you think?

Joey Bloggs said:

Tom said:

gillumhouse said:

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering.

Click to expand...

I had a feeling they were not coming back - they did not bring in any luggage. No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests - them OR the nice guests that I have in the other rooms. The other part of the shared had a 5 year old (not here before the departure so that had nothing to do with it) and the incoming are bringing a 2 year old - so all works out the way it is supposed to.
.

Click to expand...

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.
.

Click to expand...

Tom said:

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.

Click to expand...

Same here
We had no issues on this at all last year, which does not mean we won't this year. But we have zero no shows. If we had super high occup I would prob take a deposit, and be more business like vs casual in my attitude. LOL
No one would get away with anything!

.

Click to expand...

We went almost 4 years without a no show, but the first was a dinger: a $750 multi-night! Night-of I called guest repeatedly to find out if they were coming in late. When I finally reached her the next day she said that she saw my calls, but did not recognize the number so didn't answer. I never got a straight story out of it, but I think someone else in their party did VRBO elsewhere in town and the guest figures she'll just pretend the reservation here never existed. We charged in full, never heard another thing.
This New Years Day, early, I got a res from a party that had, in my interpretation of her mode of speech, already partied well. Wanted the jetted tub, honeymoon suite. Nighttime: no show, bogus cc, nonexistent street address, fake name. My conjecture is that the budding romance of the night before did not flower in the light of day. We just laughed it off.

Tom said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Tom said:

gillumhouse said:

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering.

Click to expand...

I had a feeling they were not coming back - they did not bring in any luggage. No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests - them OR the nice guests that I have in the other rooms. The other part of the shared had a 5 year old (not here before the departure so that had nothing to do with it) and the incoming are bringing a 2 year old - so all works out the way it is supposed to.
.

Click to expand...

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.
.

Click to expand...

Tom said:

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.

Click to expand...

Same here
We had no issues on this at all last year, which does not mean we won't this year. But we have zero no shows. If we had super high occup I would prob take a deposit, and be more business like vs casual in my attitude. LOL
No one would get away with anything!

.

Click to expand...

We went almost 4 years without a no show, but the first was a dinger: a $750 multi-night! Night-of I called guest repeatedly to find out if they were coming in late. When I finally reached her the next day she said that she saw my calls, but did not recognize the number so didn't answer. I never got a straight story out of it, but I think someone else in their party did VRBO elsewhere in town and the guest figures she'll just pretend the reservation here never existed. We charged in full, never heard another thing.
This New Years Day, early, I got a res from a party that had, in my interpretation of her mode of speech, already partied well. Wanted the jetted tub, honeymoon suite. Nighttime: no show, bogus cc, nonexistent street address, fake name. My conjecture is that the budding romance of the night before did not flower in the light of day. We just laughed it off.
.

Click to expand...

Due to the cancellation of last week' Elopement, the bozo Friday, and a scare this morning - I am going to change the policy on the Elopements to 50% non-refundable at the time of reservation and the rest on arrival. (With Square I can do the payment at the log house on my iPhone)
Since the Press is scheduled to come, thought I should verify Wednesday. Phone number not in service!! WHAT??? So I e-mailed. The groom called back almost immediately after I sent the e-mail confirming Wednesday. I have now also had confirmation from the Press that they are coming.

gillumhouse said:

Tom said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Tom said:

gillumhouse said:

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering.

Click to expand...

I had a feeling they were not coming back - they did not bring in any luggage. No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests - them OR the nice guests that I have in the other rooms. The other part of the shared had a 5 year old (not here before the departure so that had nothing to do with it) and the incoming are bringing a 2 year old - so all works out the way it is supposed to.
.

Click to expand...

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.
.

Click to expand...

Tom said:

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.

Click to expand...

Same here
We had no issues on this at all last year, which does not mean we won't this year. But we have zero no shows. If we had super high occup I would prob take a deposit, and be more business like vs casual in my attitude. LOL
No one would get away with anything!

.

Click to expand...

We went almost 4 years without a no show, but the first was a dinger: a $750 multi-night! Night-of I called guest repeatedly to find out if they were coming in late. When I finally reached her the next day she said that she saw my calls, but did not recognize the number so didn't answer. I never got a straight story out of it, but I think someone else in their party did VRBO elsewhere in town and the guest figures she'll just pretend the reservation here never existed. We charged in full, never heard another thing.
This New Years Day, early, I got a res from a party that had, in my interpretation of her mode of speech, already partied well. Wanted the jetted tub, honeymoon suite. Nighttime: no show, bogus cc, nonexistent street address, fake name. My conjecture is that the budding romance of the night before did not flower in the light of day. We just laughed it off.
.

Click to expand...

Due to the cancellation of last week' Elopement, the bozo Friday, and a scare this morning - I am going to change the policy on the Elopements to 50% non-refundable at the time of reservation and the rest on arrival. (With Square I can do the payment at the log house on my iPhone)
Since the Press is scheduled to come, thought I should verify Wednesday. Phone number not in service!! WHAT??? So I e-mailed. The groom called back almost immediately after I sent the e-mail confirming Wednesday. I have now also had confirmation from the Press that they are coming.
.

Click to expand...

I think you should always charge some sort of non refundable deposit for special event package. You go out of your way to make all the arrangements etc. And should be paid for your time no matter what happens. I don't know a wedding planner who doesn't charge an upfront non refundable fee. IT's just good business practice in this type of thing.

EmptyNest said:

gillumhouse said:

Tom said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Tom said:

gillumhouse said:

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering.

Click to expand...

I had a feeling they were not coming back - they did not bring in any luggage. No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests - them OR the nice guests that I have in the other rooms. The other part of the shared had a 5 year old (not here before the departure so that had nothing to do with it) and the incoming are bringing a 2 year old - so all works out the way it is supposed to.
.

Click to expand...

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.
.

Click to expand...

Tom said:

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.

Click to expand...

Same here
We had no issues on this at all last year, which does not mean we won't this year. But we have zero no shows. If we had super high occup I would prob take a deposit, and be more business like vs casual in my attitude. LOL
No one would get away with anything!

.

Click to expand...

We went almost 4 years without a no show, but the first was a dinger: a $750 multi-night! Night-of I called guest repeatedly to find out if they were coming in late. When I finally reached her the next day she said that she saw my calls, but did not recognize the number so didn't answer. I never got a straight story out of it, but I think someone else in their party did VRBO elsewhere in town and the guest figures she'll just pretend the reservation here never existed. We charged in full, never heard another thing.
This New Years Day, early, I got a res from a party that had, in my interpretation of her mode of speech, already partied well. Wanted the jetted tub, honeymoon suite. Nighttime: no show, bogus cc, nonexistent street address, fake name. My conjecture is that the budding romance of the night before did not flower in the light of day. We just laughed it off.
.

Click to expand...

Due to the cancellation of last week' Elopement, the bozo Friday, and a scare this morning - I am going to change the policy on the Elopements to 50% non-refundable at the time of reservation and the rest on arrival. (With Square I can do the payment at the log house on my iPhone)
Since the Press is scheduled to come, thought I should verify Wednesday. Phone number not in service!! WHAT??? So I e-mailed. The groom called back almost immediately after I sent the e-mail confirming Wednesday. I have now also had confirmation from the Press that they are coming.
.

Click to expand...

I think you should always charge some sort of non refundable deposit for special event package. You go out of your way to make all the arrangements etc. And should be paid for your time no matter what happens. I don't know a wedding planner who doesn't charge an upfront non refundable fee. IT's just good business practice in this type of thing.
.

Click to expand...

I personally think it makes it both real for them that they have booked it plus makes them understand you are a business.
I find people respond in kind to how you treat them ie if I act like this is the policy and everyone does this and am very business like they go along with it fine - if I dither about they take their queues from that.

gillumhouse said:

Tom said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Tom said:

gillumhouse said:

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering..

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

I got very nervous when people did not return who were supposed to. always imagined something terrible had happened. possibly just embarrassment that they were over limit on the card. who knows? it's good you got a replacement guest, so to speak.
do you not take a deposit at reservation? just wondering.

Click to expand...

I had a feeling they were not coming back - they did not bring in any luggage. No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests - them OR the nice guests that I have in the other rooms. The other part of the shared had a 5 year old (not here before the departure so that had nothing to do with it) and the incoming are bringing a 2 year old - so all works out the way it is supposed to.
.

Click to expand...

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.
.

Click to expand...

Tom said:

GH "No, I do not take deposits as I do not want the hassle of a refund if there is a cancel. It is only money, and I would rather lose the money than have unhappy guests"
Same here, get a cc, but don't run it. Very rare to have a problem.

Click to expand...

Same here
We had no issues on this at all last year, which does not mean we won't this year. But we have zero no shows. If we had super high occup I would prob take a deposit, and be more business like vs casual in my attitude. LOL
No one would get away with anything!

.

Click to expand...

We went almost 4 years without a no show, but the first was a dinger: a $750 multi-night! Night-of I called guest repeatedly to find out if they were coming in late. When I finally reached her the next day she said that she saw my calls, but did not recognize the number so didn't answer. I never got a straight story out of it, but I think someone else in their party did VRBO elsewhere in town and the guest figures she'll just pretend the reservation here never existed. We charged in full, never heard another thing.
This New Years Day, early, I got a res from a party that had, in my interpretation of her mode of speech, already partied well. Wanted the jetted tub, honeymoon suite. Nighttime: no show, bogus cc, nonexistent street address, fake name. My conjecture is that the budding romance of the night before did not flower in the light of day. We just laughed it off.
.

Click to expand...

Due to the cancellation of last week' Elopement, the bozo Friday, and a scare this morning - I am going to change the policy on the Elopements to 50% non-refundable at the time of reservation and the rest on arrival. (With Square I can do the payment at the log house on my iPhone)
Since the Press is scheduled to come, thought I should verify Wednesday. Phone number not in service!! WHAT??? So I e-mailed. The groom called back almost immediately after I sent the e-mail confirming Wednesday. I have now also had confirmation from the Press that they are coming.
.

Click to expand...

We sailed through almost a full year before having problems. The first one was on Dec. 29, bride called saying he left her on Christmas morning.
Since then we have had issues with 2 others.
Time to make changes to the policies!
This is not only a commitment to US it is a commitment for LIFE. If they don't want to commit to us, maybe they should wait or let them go elsewhere!