do you charge the guest for accident?

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Sunshine

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Have a guest with parkinsons. Falls alot. He is 'bicycling' the trail (only mode of transportation).
The wife came down today and said, "he (husband) stumbled, he falls a lot, but he doesn't give up, anyway he fell into your closet and knocked it off the runners. I don't know if its broke or just needs put back on runners. Anyway, if it's broke, let me know, we'll take care of it."
They are outside in the gardens now, so I went and looked. Yes, the wood is cracked, and the hinges are bent. It is broken.
I feel badly because he does have parkinsons but at the same time, he also knows this and knows he falls, and can get hurt or do damage...
Do I charge them to replace the bill? What would you do?
 
I would charge them something. I know you feel sorry for him but like you said..they know this. You will have to have it repaired or replaced and why should you not at least get some compensation from them?
 
Depends on how much it would cost to repair it. It it's easily repairable, nothing. If it's a goner and hundreds of dollars, then maybe. But generally I consider most of the B&B to be disposable. I don't expect anything to really last.
 
If it's a hefty bill, go halves with them. If it's relatively easy and inexpensive thank them for telling you and say you'll see to it when they're gone.
Remove the door in the meantime so they don't get hurt trying to open or close it.
 
It is something you will be able to fix and will fix? Then charge them something. Nice that they told you.
 
Sunshine said:
Have a guest with parkinsons. Falls alot. He is 'bicycling' the trail (only mode of transportation).
The wife came down today and said, "he (husband) stumbled, he falls a lot, but he doesn't give up, anyway he fell into your closet and knocked it off the runners. I don't know if its broke or just needs put back on runners. Anyway, if it's broke, let me know, we'll take care of it."
They are outside in the gardens now, so I went and looked. Yes, the wood is cracked, and the hinges are bent. It is broken.
I feel badly because he does have parkinsons but at the same time, he also knows this and knows he falls, and can get hurt or do damage...
Ok, here's what we decided to do: That will make his 4th fall since they got here.
I'm surprised but thankful he is not broken.
We will them we will take care of it (they may insist and if they do let them) they also may give us a tip big enough to cover it.
Either way I think that will make a statement to them, we care and are thankful he is not hurt, and encourage him not to give up (must be frustrating for him and embarrassing for her).
 
We once had some young guests who got "busy" in the shower and fell out of it. On the way out, she grabbed onto the towel rack and ripped it from the wall, breaking the sheetrock, scraping the paint etc. He came up and told my husband who told him not to worry about it, he'd fix it. So we got a piece of pine, painted it the same color as the wall, screwed it on and then reattached the towel rack. Painted the area of the wall all around it and charged them nothing. It didn't take too long or much money.
On the other hand, had a guest who got so drunk they forget to get out of bed and actually pee'd themselves completely in the bed on their first night of a 6 night stay. Needed to replace the mattress as they emptied themselves. He said he was sorry and that he'd pay for the new mattress. Only king sized one in our area available that day was $1750 - did he pay, you bet. I ran it all, he signed the slip, and I didn't feel bad. I did go and get a completely waterproof rubber case for the new mattress that same day and good thing because they continued to drink every night in their room from the bar they setup before going to dinner and drank at the restaurant too - this lovely couple in their 60s who were rich and he had a very professional job.
So it all depends on the situation and what you feel comfortable with. Accident - probably wouldn't charge, careless/reckless personal behavior, then charge. You'll have to judge that one for yourself.
 
We once had some young guests who got "busy" in the shower and fell out of it. On the way out, she grabbed onto the towel rack and ripped it from the wall, breaking the sheetrock, scraping the paint etc. He came up and told my husband who told him not to worry about it, he'd fix it. So we got a piece of pine, painted it the same color as the wall, screwed it on and then reattached the towel rack. Painted the area of the wall all around it and charged them nothing. It didn't take too long or much money.
On the other hand, had a guest who got so drunk they forget to get out of bed and actually pee'd themselves completely in the bed on their first night of a 6 night stay. Needed to replace the mattress as they emptied themselves. He said he was sorry and that he'd pay for the new mattress. Only king sized one in our area available that day was $1750 - did he pay, you bet. I ran it all, he signed the slip, and I didn't feel bad. I did go and get a completely waterproof rubber case for the new mattress that same day and good thing because they continued to drink every night in their room from the bar they setup before going to dinner and drank at the restaurant too - this lovely couple in their 60s who were rich and he had a very professional job.
So it all depends on the situation and what you feel comfortable with. Accident - probably wouldn't charge, careless/reckless personal behavior, then charge. You'll have to judge that one for yourself..
We had to replace a mattress due to bed wetting. Taught us a lesson about plastic sheeting that's for sure.
The guest insisted it was not bed wetting. Insisted for 7 nights. The room reeked and she kept insisting. The person who was paying for her to stay bought a new mattress.
And another member of their party said they had to replace the mattress at their house after guest stayed and, yes, it was bed wetting no matter how much she insisted it wasn't.
What they didn't pay for were the 3 nights the room was off line while we got the smell out and treated the carpet and walls where the wet clothing was thrown.
 
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