Which part of 3-night minimum do you not understand?

Oh good grief...it's July. We have a 3-night minimum stay requirement in July and August unless we happen to have a 2-night vacancy between longer stays. In that case we will sometimes accept a 2-ight reservation and add $25/night to the rate, because we can get it. But otherwise, we are not taking 1 or 2 night stays. NO WAY. Done that for way too many years and we are not up to the work anymore! Our web site is clear on our minimum stay policy and our availability is posted on our site.
So what's with this woman who has called 3 times in the last 2 days to see if we will take 2 nights during the week when we have a 4-night vacancy. She whines, and whines about all the places that have 2-night minimums, about how they can only stay 2 nights, about how we should make an exception for her.
Geesh! I have been sweet and sympathetic, recommending places she could look for 2-nights...but she really wants to stay here...in July...for only 2 nights.
Caller ID is a wonderful thing. I'm not answering her calls any more. Enough is enough!

I hear you. I get it all the time. If I have a 3 night, they want 2. If I have a 2 night, they want 1. We don't let them hee and haw about it at all, because I know that if I am wishy washy about it they will think it's an in. Nope, sorry. Good luck.
Labour Day, Thanksgiving, etc etc etc.

If she calls again tell her you understand and heres what you will do...
Because it's a 3 night min and you understand she can't stay all 3 nights you will let her leave after 2 nights. Unfortunately you'll have to charge for all 3 nights.
There are tons of places here that do this for the next 2 weekends. They know most guests are only staying 2 nights but they can't find anyplace that will book only 2 nights. The hotels charge for 3 nights, the guests leave after 2 and they are golden.

Madeleine said:

If she calls again tell her you understand and heres what you will do...
Because it's a 3 night min and you understand she can't stay all 3 nights you will let her leave after 2 nights. Unfortunately you'll have to charge for all 3 nights.
There are tons of places here that do this for the next 2 weekends. They know most guests are only staying 2 nights but they can't find anyplace that will book only 2 nights. The hotels charge for 3 nights, the guests leave after 2 and they are golden..

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Hit me along side the head...of course! At least that would be a sure way to keep her from calling again!!

Jon Sable said:

I hear you. I get it all the time. If I have a 3 night, they want 2. If I have a 2 night, they want 1. We don't let them hee and haw about it at all, because I know that if I am wishy washy about it they will think it's an in. Nope, sorry. Good luck.
Labour Day, Thanksgiving, etc etc etc..

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I didn't waver for a second but there was a lot of dead air after each time I repeated "Sorry, we have a 3-night minimum reservation period in July." I even tried to close with the we-hope-you will-remember-our-B+B-the-next-time-you-are-in-the-area-and-can-stay-longer line, but she just kept on whining. Now I really don't want her even if she CAN stay 3 nights!

Silverspoon said:

Madeleine said:

If she calls again tell her you understand and heres what you will do...
Because it's a 3 night min and you understand she can't stay all 3 nights you will let her leave after 2 nights. Unfortunately you'll have to charge for all 3 nights.
There are tons of places here that do this for the next 2 weekends. They know most guests are only staying 2 nights but they can't find anyplace that will book only 2 nights. The hotels charge for 3 nights, the guests leave after 2 and they are golden..

Click to expand...

Hit me along side the head...of course! At least that would be a sure way to keep her from calling again!!

.

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Quote her the price for 3 nights divided by 2 as the single night price for a 2 night minimum. So if you are normally $200 a night, say it is $300 a night for a 2 night minimum.

Silverspoon said:

Jon Sable said:

I hear you. I get it all the time. If I have a 3 night, they want 2. If I have a 2 night, they want 1. We don't let them hee and haw about it at all, because I know that if I am wishy washy about it they will think it's an in. Nope, sorry. Good luck.
Labour Day, Thanksgiving, etc etc etc..

Click to expand...

I didn't waver for a second but there was a lot of dead air after each time I repeated "Sorry, we have a 3-night minimum reservation period in July." I even tried to close with the we-hope-you will-remember-our-B+B-the-next-time-you-are-in-the-area-and-can-stay-longer line, but she just kept on whining. Now I really don't want her even if she CAN stay 3 nights!
.

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Always remember that the person who breaks the silence usually loses.
Unless it's to say goodbye!
I always let the price hang there or the policy they don't like and let them end the call.
Like the guy who just told me babies aren't people. Actually, the way he put it was that it was only my OPINION that babies are people.

Madeleine said:

Silverspoon said:

Jon Sable said:

I hear you. I get it all the time. If I have a 3 night, they want 2. If I have a 2 night, they want 1. We don't let them hee and haw about it at all, because I know that if I am wishy washy about it they will think it's an in. Nope, sorry. Good luck.
Labour Day, Thanksgiving, etc etc etc..

Click to expand...

I didn't waver for a second but there was a lot of dead air after each time I repeated "Sorry, we have a 3-night minimum reservation period in July." I even tried to close with the we-hope-you will-remember-our-B+B-the-next-time-you-are-in-the-area-and-can-stay-longer line, but she just kept on whining. Now I really don't want her even if she CAN stay 3 nights!
.

Click to expand...

Always remember that the person who breaks the silence usually loses.
Unless it's to say goodbye!
I always let the price hang there or the policy they don't like and let them end the call.
Like the guy who just told me babies aren't people. Actually, the way he put it was that it was only my OPINION that babies are people.
.

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He sounds like a gem.

People like this are so exhausting. I just lost 8 minutes of my life to a man that had ridiculous questions - requests that I would never honor in a million years (can I bring my dog? can we bring our son with a blow up bed? do you offer dinner service?)...but on and on and on he went, until I finally said "Sir, I do not think this is the place for you. Can I offer some suggestions?" To which he replied "But I realllllllly want to stay there!". And I'm thinking...WHY? I have nothing you want! Go away!

Repeat my mantra...six more weeks...six more weeks...six more weeks....it will all be over soon (after Labor Day)

Silverspoon said:

Madeleine said:

If she calls again tell her you understand and heres what you will do...
Because it's a 3 night min and you understand she can't stay all 3 nights you will let her leave after 2 nights. Unfortunately you'll have to charge for all 3 nights.
There are tons of places here that do this for the next 2 weekends. They know most guests are only staying 2 nights but they can't find anyplace that will book only 2 nights. The hotels charge for 3 nights, the guests leave after 2 and they are golden..

Click to expand...

Hit me along side the head...of course! At least that would be a sure way to keep her from calling again!!

.

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Yep Maddie has it! We have a fair number of people who book the three nights knowing that they are only staying two. They have a great time, they leave us great reviews, money is not a concern, and we do the, "That sure lightens the work load happy dance."

Madeleine said:

Silverspoon said:

Jon Sable said:

I hear you. I get it all the time. If I have a 3 night, they want 2. If I have a 2 night, they want 1. We don't let them hee and haw about it at all, because I know that if I am wishy washy about it they will think it's an in. Nope, sorry. Good luck.
Labour Day, Thanksgiving, etc etc etc..

Click to expand...

I didn't waver for a second but there was a lot of dead air after each time I repeated "Sorry, we have a 3-night minimum reservation period in July." I even tried to close with the we-hope-you will-remember-our-B+B-the-next-time-you-are-in-the-area-and-can-stay-longer line, but she just kept on whining. Now I really don't want her even if she CAN stay 3 nights!
.

Click to expand...

Always remember that the person who breaks the silence usually loses.
Unless it's to say goodbye!
I always let the price hang there or the policy they don't like and let them end the call.
Like the guy who just told me babies aren't people. Actually, the way he put it was that it was only my OPINION that babies are people.
.

Click to expand...

I can give him a list of groups that will confirm they are people even before birth.

we have this a lot for the busier conferences - 2 prases they seem to have trouble with
(1) we are full - "but I only want a single" sorry full means full
(2) sorry its a 4 night/3 night minimum - "oh but I only want 1"

Joey Camb said:

we have this a lot for the busier conferences - 2 prases they seem to have trouble with
(1) we are full - "but I only want a single" sorry full means full
(2) sorry its a 4 night/3 night minimum - "oh but I only want 1".

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I think I hate when I tell someone we are full and then they ask the rate.... there is no rate when there is no room!

Madeleine said:

If she calls again tell her you understand and heres what you will do...
Because it's a 3 night min and you understand she can't stay all 3 nights you will let her leave after 2 nights. Unfortunately you'll have to charge for all 3 nights.
There are tons of places here that do this for the next 2 weekends. They know most guests are only staying 2 nights but they can't find anyplace that will book only 2 nights. The hotels charge for 3 nights, the guests leave after 2 and they are golden..

Click to expand...

i like this idea a lot. she has to pay for the three nights. or at the three night rate. i wonder if she'll book.

Madeleine said:

If she calls again tell her you understand and heres what you will do...
Because it's a 3 night min and you understand she can't stay all 3 nights you will let her leave after 2 nights. Unfortunately you'll have to charge for all 3 nights.
There are tons of places here that do this for the next 2 weekends. They know most guests are only staying 2 nights but they can't find anyplace that will book only 2 nights. The hotels charge for 3 nights, the guests leave after 2 and they are golden.

Click to expand...

seashanty said:

Madeleine said:

If she calls again tell her you understand and heres what you will do...
Because it's a 3 night min and you understand she can't stay all 3 nights you will let her leave after 2 nights. Unfortunately you'll have to charge for all 3 nights.
There are tons of places here that do this for the next 2 weekends. They know most guests are only staying 2 nights but they can't find anyplace that will book only 2 nights. The hotels charge for 3 nights, the guests leave after 2 and they are golden..

Click to expand...

i like this idea a lot. she has to pay for the three nights. or at the three night rate. i wonder if she'll book.

Madeleine said:

If she calls again tell her you understand and heres what you will do...
Because it's a 3 night min and you understand she can't stay all 3 nights you will let her leave after 2 nights. Unfortunately you'll have to charge for all 3 nights.
There are tons of places here that do this for the next 2 weekends. They know most guests are only staying 2 nights but they can't find anyplace that will book only 2 nights. The hotels charge for 3 nights, the guests leave after 2 and they are golden.

Click to expand...

.

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No call yet. I just booked the cottage for the same dates so the suite she wanted is now our only vacancy for that period. I know we can do better than the 2-nights she wanted. If we don't get the 3rd night I'll be glad for less work!

Silverspoon said:

seashanty said:

Madeleine said:

If she calls again tell her you understand and heres what you will do...
Because it's a 3 night min and you understand she can't stay all 3 nights you will let her leave after 2 nights. Unfortunately you'll have to charge for all 3 nights.
There are tons of places here that do this for the next 2 weekends. They know most guests are only staying 2 nights but they can't find anyplace that will book only 2 nights. The hotels charge for 3 nights, the guests leave after 2 and they are golden..

Click to expand...

i like this idea a lot. she has to pay for the three nights. or at the three night rate. i wonder if she'll book.

Madeleine said:

If she calls again tell her you understand and heres what you will do...
Because it's a 3 night min and you understand she can't stay all 3 nights you will let her leave after 2 nights. Unfortunately you'll have to charge for all 3 nights.
There are tons of places here that do this for the next 2 weekends. They know most guests are only staying 2 nights but they can't find anyplace that will book only 2 nights. The hotels charge for 3 nights, the guests leave after 2 and they are golden.

Click to expand...

.

Click to expand...

No call yet. I just booked the cottage for the same dates so the suite she wanted is now our only vacancy for that period. I know we can do better than the 2-nights she wanted. If we don't get the 3rd night I'll be glad for less work!
.

Click to expand...

Silverspoon said:

If we don't get the 3rd night I'll be glad for less work!

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I know the feeling! Work is good, but not all the time!

I don't feel right about adding extra money to a highly desired room/weekend just because you can get it. Do you tell the people that it's an extra $25 per night because you can get it? Do they realize that they are being charged more than a regular rate? I understand it's more money in your pocket and I understand that if people want that room they will pay it. But, I would feel like I was taking advantage of them. And I know there are alot of people on this forum who do it.

Kay Nein said:

I don't feel right about adding extra money to a highly desired room/weekend just because you can get it. Do you tell the people that it's an extra $25 per night because you can get it? Do they realize that they are being charged more than a regular rate? I understand it's more money in your pocket and I understand that if people want that room they will pay it. But, I would feel like I was taking advantage of them. And I know there are alot of people on this forum who do it..

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I do not change my rates for peak times because DH cannot remember regular rates - it would confuse him terribly.
It is called supply and demand. You have something they want and that is in demand. That is why people have week day and weekend rates. It is not taking advantage of people to raise rates for a peak time - hotels change rates. Look at what rates are in Daytona regularly and what they are Bike Week.
Dynamics change during those special times - ie Bike Week will bring party time and anyone with a lick of sense will avoid Daytona. It is to compensate you for the possible extra work due to the event and what it brings as guests.
Raise the rate some and do not feel badly about it.

gillumhouse said:

Kay Nein said:

I don't feel right about adding extra money to a highly desired room/weekend just because you can get it. Do you tell the people that it's an extra $25 per night because you can get it? Do they realize that they are being charged more than a regular rate? I understand it's more money in your pocket and I understand that if people want that room they will pay it. But, I would feel like I was taking advantage of them. And I know there are alot of people on this forum who do it..

Click to expand...

I do not change my rates for peak times because DH cannot remember regular rates - it would confuse him terribly.
It is called supply and demand. You have something they want and that is in demand. That is why people have week day and weekend rates. It is not taking advantage of people to raise rates for a peak time - hotels change rates. Look at what rates are in Daytona regularly and what they are Bike Week.
Dynamics change during those special times - ie Bike Week will bring party time and anyone with a lick of sense will avoid Daytona. It is to compensate you for the possible extra work due to the event and what it brings as guests.
Raise the rate some and do not feel badly about it.
.

Click to expand...

I think what really peaked my interest was the extra $25 per night just because there was only 2-nights available. I do understand holiday weekends or weekends-vs-weekdays. But this seemed like a "just-because-I-can".
Not bashing SS as I know many do it, just wanted to discuss it with y'all so I can understand better.

Kay Nein said:

gillumhouse said:

Kay Nein said:

I don't feel right about adding extra money to a highly desired room/weekend just because you can get it. Do you tell the people that it's an extra $25 per night because you can get it? Do they realize that they are being charged more than a regular rate? I understand it's more money in your pocket and I understand that if people want that room they will pay it. But, I would feel like I was taking advantage of them. And I know there are alot of people on this forum who do it..

Click to expand...

I do not change my rates for peak times because DH cannot remember regular rates - it would confuse him terribly.
It is called supply and demand. You have something they want and that is in demand. That is why people have week day and weekend rates. It is not taking advantage of people to raise rates for a peak time - hotels change rates. Look at what rates are in Daytona regularly and what they are Bike Week.
Dynamics change during those special times - ie Bike Week will bring party time and anyone with a lick of sense will avoid Daytona. It is to compensate you for the possible extra work due to the event and what it brings as guests.
Raise the rate some and do not feel badly about it.
.

Click to expand...

I think what really peaked my interest was the extra $25 per night just because there was only 2-nights available. I do understand holiday weekends or weekends-vs-weekdays. But this seemed like a "just-because-I-can".
Not bashing SS as I know many do it, just wanted to discuss it with y'all so I can understand better.
.

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I once had a 2-night min for Labor Day (no longer because I sat empty with it due to my location) and got a call for 1 night. When i said I had a 2-might min SHE asked, "What if I pay a surcharge?" I think she paid an extra $20 - but it was HER suggestion as I had never considered it. Turns out, I got a call for the next night for a 1-night and they also paid the surcharge, no complaints. Think of it as what it is - you have the extra work of sheets etc on that holiday/event time keeping YOU from the event because you are being nice to allow them to break it - worth the surcharge.