All Gone Crazy

The start of this year was very "challenging" in fact it was our worst April since 2005, but now it's all gone crazy. I'm getting 2-3 calls a day for people searching for that day.
Tonight i was asked, "Can you tell me any B&Bs in the xxxx xxxx area that have vacancies this evening".......WHAT?.........do I look like an availability calendar for the whole area, what a stupid question.

That has been my whole freaking summer! I often don't even bother answering the phone or doing call backs, because all they want is something I don't have. I have over 95% occupancy in August and one some weekend I could take offers on the rooms!

Yes this is our experience too. I try to be as helpful as possible as you never know these could be future guests at some time. I too say that Im sorry that I do not have access to other properties availablity calenders. I provide names of properties that they could try.
I still come to grief over those that ask" but what is your price anyway" ? There was tip on here I think that suggested stating that the room was already sold and so unable to provide a price. I have been trying this out but the other day a person was very persistant. I asked "what is your budget" ? "perhaps I can suggest alternative properties". They didnt obviously like that and hung up.

Kak adu Australia said:

Yes this is our experience too. I try to be as helpful as possible as you never know these could be future guests at some time. I too say that Im sorry that I do not have access to other properties availablity calenders. I provide names of properties that they could try.
I still come to grief over those that ask" but what is your price anyway" ? There was tip on here I think that suggested stating that the room was already sold and so unable to provide a price. I have been trying this out but the other day a person was very persistant. I asked "what is your budget" ? "perhaps I can suggest alternative properties". They didnt obviously like that and hung up..

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We do have a group availability chart and I do give out the name and number of anyone that has openings.
If someone gasps at the cost, I ask their price point and say I will recommend a place in that range.
The range is generally $100 and there are 2 places that charge that.
If someone just wants to know how badly they are being ripped off because they can only find a room at a hotel at this point, I'm happy to let them know our rooms are 40% lower than the hotel rate by telling them a median rate for the night.
It doesn't hurt and maybe they'll think about booking earlier next time.

we've had the busiest August ever - due to new majour events
Morgan Car Rally 3 days, G&S festival 4 weeks, Another Car rally, Par ty lite, plus general people staying - we should even if we don't sell any more rooms have taken double what we took last august.
But its been crazy!

Highlands John said:

The start of this year was very "challenging" in fact it was our worst April since 2005, but now it's all gone crazy. I'm getting 2-3 calls a day for people searching for that day.
Tonight i was asked, "Can you tell me any B&Bs in the xxxx xxxx area that have vacancies this evening".......WHAT?.........do I look like an availability calendar for the whole area, what a stupid question.

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Not a stupid question. In our area, we all have access to the availability calendar. Saves the caller from calling each of 40 inns.
I don't have any previous years to compare but this August has been very full. We turn away people every night.

I took a call tonight from someone asking questions about the rail-trail (which makes me hopeful they were NOT on my toll-free) who then proceeded to ask about camping/RV parks. Got their number and called them back with some suggestions. Told them West Virginia tries to help our tourists.
Wednesday I could have sold my rooms 3 times over. Last night I could have sold 2 (but left for conference immediately after checking for wet towels where they did not belong, close open windows in case of rain, and turn off the lights left on (and finding the clothes left by the conference vendor to take to her) so I said nothing available. Even if I had had the energy to flip rooms after getting home last night - would STILL have told the person who called at 2 AM - NO!!! If I get a call this evening, I will consider busting buns to ready a room but as of now, manana works.

Same here. Lots of inquiries today. One today called to let me know my website is broken because she can't find an open date. I let her know the website is correct. Booked up completely through September 20, and about 50% booked after that through the rest of the year.
It's wearing me out, but helping me lose weight and paying the bills. No complaints!
I'm adding 3 new suites, and they have 90% of the inside wall framing done now, but months of work to go!

Arks said:

Same here. Lots of inquiries today. One today called to let me know my website is broken because she can't find an open date. I let her know the website is correct. Booked up completely through September 20, and about 50% booked after that through the rest of the year.
It's wearing me out, but helping me lose weight and paying the bills. No complaints!
I'm adding 3 new suites, and they have 90% of the inside wall framing done now, but months of work to go!.

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Arks said:

Same here. Lots of inquiries today. One today called to let me know my website is broken because she can't find an open date. I let her know the website is correct. Booked up completely through September 20, and about 50% booked after that through the rest of the year.
It's wearing me out, but helping me lose weight and paying the bills. No complaints!
I'm adding 3 new suites, and they have 90% of the inside wall framing done now, but months of work to go!.

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I've had similar, people phone and say they can't book through our website because they can't click on any of the dates they want. Have to explain that that's because we're fully booked.

Highlands John said:

Arks said:

Same here. Lots of inquiries today. One today called to let me know my website is broken because she can't find an open date. I let her know the website is correct. Booked up completely through September 20, and about 50% booked after that through the rest of the year.
It's wearing me out, but helping me lose weight and paying the bills. No complaints!
I'm adding 3 new suites, and they have 90% of the inside wall framing done now, but months of work to go!.

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I've had similar, people phone and say they can't book through our website because they can't click on any of the dates they want. Have to explain that that's because we're fully booked.
.

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I've been getting calls so our machine says, sorry we are full during August and September but see our web site for any last minute cancellations. Then I get the e-mail. I see that you are full but do you have a vacancy? Hmmmm, you are correct HJ...all gone crazy!

Silverspoon said:

Highlands John said:

Arks said:

Same here. Lots of inquiries today. One today called to let me know my website is broken because she can't find an open date. I let her know the website is correct. Booked up completely through September 20, and about 50% booked after that through the rest of the year.
It's wearing me out, but helping me lose weight and paying the bills. No complaints!
I'm adding 3 new suites, and they have 90% of the inside wall framing done now, but months of work to go!.

Click to expand...

I've had similar, people phone and say they can't book through our website because they can't click on any of the dates they want. Have to explain that that's because we're fully booked.
.

Click to expand...

I've been getting calls so our machine says, sorry we are full during August and September but see our web site for any last minute cancellations. Then I get the e-mail. I see that you are full but do you have a vacancy? Hmmmm, you are correct HJ...all gone crazy!
.

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Silverspoon said:

Then I get the e-mail. I see that you are full but do you have a vacancy?

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I love how they always handle this in the House of Commons: "I refer the right honourable gentleman to the answer I gave a moment ago"

Silverspoon said:

Highlands John said:

Arks said:

Same here. Lots of inquiries today. One today called to let me know my website is broken because she can't find an open date. I let her know the website is correct. Booked up completely through September 20, and about 50% booked after that through the rest of the year.
It's wearing me out, but helping me lose weight and paying the bills. No complaints!
I'm adding 3 new suites, and they have 90% of the inside wall framing done now, but months of work to go!.

Click to expand...

I've had similar, people phone and say they can't book through our website because they can't click on any of the dates they want. Have to explain that that's because we're fully booked.
.

Click to expand...

I've been getting calls so our machine says, sorry we are full during August and September but see our web site for any last minute cancellations. Then I get the e-mail. I see that you are full but do you have a vacancy? Hmmmm, you are correct HJ...all gone crazy!
.

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That is the beauty of the waiting list of RezKey. My funeral guy just called again. He was unable to find a B & B in the town 50 miles from here that he also wanted to visit so called to ask if he could add that next night (I had told him already it would be possible). So the 1 night is now 2. (I had it unavailable.)

Highlands John said:

Arks said:

Same here. Lots of inquiries today. One today called to let me know my website is broken because she can't find an open date. I let her know the website is correct. Booked up completely through September 20, and about 50% booked after that through the rest of the year.
It's wearing me out, but helping me lose weight and paying the bills. No complaints!
I'm adding 3 new suites, and they have 90% of the inside wall framing done now, but months of work to go!.

Click to expand...

I've had similar, people phone and say they can't book through our website because they can't click on any of the dates they want. Have to explain that that's because we're fully booked.
.

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you then have this conversation
"sorry we are full"
"oh but I only want a single"
"yes the secret single we only let out when people ask - that's the one!"
also you can switch this in for 2 min as well