Rez_Key Question

I hate bothering John with questions that I think I should be able to figure out on my own. So I'll bother y'all instead

Does anyone know if RezKey has the ability to notify you of a repeat guest booking? For instance, if someone books that has stayed with you before, does the program have the ability to recognize that name and flag the new reservation somehow? So when you are looking at the new booking, you'll know that they are repeats?

I swear that I have early onset Altzheimer's at the age of 47. I just had guests arrive that have stayed with me two times prior (granted, several years ago, but still), and I am so deeply embarrassed when they tell me they've stayed before. This has happened before - a couple of times. I hate for people to feel they weren't important enough to remember, but I've had memory issues for twenty some years, and I just don't retain anything that isn't repetitive. If their name is flagged somehow, then I'll at least greet them as though I remember them, and then certain things may come back to me as I speak to them more. But that initial greeting is so important, and I feel like an idiot. Please tell me someone else has this problem?

Yes, I have that problem and my program DOES tell me the names match. (I think yours does, too, but I can't tell you how to set that up.) I'm a tad older than you are but I don't remember half of what I used to. Guests will walk in and ask how the kids and grandkids are and I'm at a loss as to WHO they are.
I usually just say, 'Geez, I'm an idiot, excuse me.' And most guests realize that 1000's of people walk thru the door each year.
It's the ones who come every year and I still can't place them that more bother me.
Better still, DH will be in the kitchen in the morning and he'll say, 'Hey! You've been here before!'

ResKey doesn't do it automatically. How I have overcome this problem is that I added a box with the question "Have You Stayed with Us Before?". I then added a radio button "Yes" & "No". It's mandatory that they answer this question.
When I get a reservation, I look to see if they answered 'yes' and then I link it up to their previous reservation.
It works well!

Breakfast Diva said:

ResKey doesn't do it automatically. How I have overcome this problem is that I added a box with the question "Have You Stayed with Us Before?". I then added a radio button "Yes" & "No". It's mandatory that they answer this question.
When I get a reservation, I look to see if they answered 'yes' and then I link it up to their previous reservation.
It works well!.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

ResKey doesn't do it automatically. How I have overcome this problem is that I added a box with the question "Have You Stayed with Us Before?". I then added a radio button "Yes" & "No". It's mandatory that they answer this question.
When I get a reservation, I look to see if they answered 'yes' and then I link it up to their previous reservation.
It works well!

Click to expand...

Excellent, Diva! I looked at your site to be sure I understood. I've now got it on mine. Thank you so much!

BananaE29 said:

Breakfast Diva said:

ResKey doesn't do it automatically. How I have overcome this problem is that I added a box with the question "Have You Stayed with Us Before?". I then added a radio button "Yes" & "No". It's mandatory that they answer this question.
When I get a reservation, I look to see if they answered 'yes' and then I link it up to their previous reservation.
It works well!.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

ResKey doesn't do it automatically. How I have overcome this problem is that I added a box with the question "Have You Stayed with Us Before?". I then added a radio button "Yes" & "No". It's mandatory that they answer this question.
When I get a reservation, I look to see if they answered 'yes' and then I link it up to their previous reservation.
It works well!

Click to expand...

Excellent, Diva! I looked at your site to be sure I understood. I've now got it on mine. Thank you so much!
.

Click to expand...

Glad to help!

But really, this is needed! Anybody suggested adding this to John?
Of course, it's not as easy as we'd like. Different people have the same name.
The same person could use a slightly different version of their name (initials, middle names, etc.).
E-mail addresses change.
So it might be hard to reliably identify repeat guests, but they could try!
Another enhancement I'd like to see, if it's not in there already, is ability to have it e-mail or text me, the day before or day of arrival, any special notes I've made about an upcoming reservation, like remember that these people made some special request.
I cannot be relied on to remember to check their page in ResKey every time!

Arks said:

But really, this is needed! Anybody suggested adding this to John?
Of course, it's not as easy as we'd like. Different people have the same name.
The same person could use a slightly different version of their name (initials, middle names, etc.).
E-mail addresses change.
So it might be hard to reliably identify repeat guests, but they could try!
Another enhancement I'd like to see, if it's not in there already, is ability to have it e-mail or text me, the day before or day of arrival, any special notes I've made about an upcoming reservation, like remember that these people made some special request.
I cannot be relied on to remember to check their page in ResKey every time!.

Click to expand...

You can always add a star (different colors that mean different options) or you can use the little note/comment/event on the date which will alert you to something special happening. Or you could use the reminder within the person's reservation.
For all these options, you do need to look at ResKey every day to check these out.

Breakfast Diva said:

Arks said:

But really, this is needed! Anybody suggested adding this to John?
Of course, it's not as easy as we'd like. Different people have the same name.
The same person could use a slightly different version of their name (initials, middle names, etc.).
E-mail addresses change.
So it might be hard to reliably identify repeat guests, but they could try!
Another enhancement I'd like to see, if it's not in there already, is ability to have it e-mail or text me, the day before or day of arrival, any special notes I've made about an upcoming reservation, like remember that these people made some special request.
I cannot be relied on to remember to check their page in ResKey every time!.

Click to expand...

You can always add a star (different colors that mean different options) or you can use the little note/comment/event on the date which will alert you to something special happening. Or you could use the reminder within the person's reservation.
For all these options, you do need to look at ResKey every day to check these out.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

...use the little note/comment/event on the date which will alert you to something special happening...

Click to expand...

Yes I use those all the time, but some days forget to check them. I'd really love a text or e-mail reminder. I don't have a DS (dear spouse) to remind me of these things!

Arks said:

But really, this is needed! Anybody suggested adding this to John?
Of course, it's not as easy as we'd like. Different people have the same name.
The same person could use a slightly different version of their name (initials, middle names, etc.).
E-mail addresses change.
So it might be hard to reliably identify repeat guests, but they could try!
Another enhancement I'd like to see, if it's not in there already, is ability to have it e-mail or text me, the day before or day of arrival, any special notes I've made about an upcoming reservation, like remember that these people made some special request.
I cannot be relied on to remember to check their page in ResKey every time!.

Click to expand...

The way mine works is it alerts on last name and also last and first name together. Then I can click on the alert and it brings up a list of everyone with that name and I can compare everything else at the same time: address, phone number, etc.
It doesn't always work for the reasons you mentioned...different last names making the rez. I do have a list of 'how you found us' where 'repeat guest' is an option.

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition), I seem to have a knack for people's names that have stayed here and I vpcan even repeat conversations. But I guess extensive notes ( ? ) would help. Oh dear. I guess innkeepers need to be superhuman.

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition), I seem to have a knack for people's names that have stayed here and I vpcan even repeat conversations. But I guess extensive notes ( ? ) would help. Oh dear. I guess innkeepers need to be superhuman..

Click to expand...

After 14 years as an innkeeper, I can barely remember my own name.

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition), I seem to have a knack for people's names that have stayed here and I vpcan even repeat conversations. But I guess extensive notes ( ? ) would help. Oh dear. I guess innkeepers need to be superhuman..

Click to expand...

I recognize email addresses before names.

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition), I seem to have a knack for people's names that have stayed here and I vpcan even repeat conversations. But I guess extensive notes ( ? ) would help. Oh dear. I guess innkeepers need to be superhuman..

Click to expand...

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition),

Click to expand...

My great Grandmother had dementia, and my Mom is showing signs of same or Altzheimer's. It is a dreadful, heartbreaking disease, and I'm not using it lightly when I say I believe I have early onset. I am concerned for myself, especially being alone, but....well...you just do what you can, keep yourself updated on the latest studies, and pray for a cure.

BananaE29 said:

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition), I seem to have a knack for people's names that have stayed here and I vpcan even repeat conversations. But I guess extensive notes ( ? ) would help. Oh dear. I guess innkeepers need to be superhuman..

Click to expand...

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition),

Click to expand...

My great Grandmother had dementia, and my Mom is showing signs of same or Altzheimer's. It is a dreadful, heartbreaking disease, and I'm not using it lightly when I say I believe I have early onset. I am concerned for myself, especially being alone, but....well...you just do what you can, keep yourself updated on the latest studies, and pray for a cure.
.

Click to expand...

Amen. It worries me when I can't remember simple things yet my brain is full of unimportant facts. I think that's why I am so patient with my mother. I see myself thirty years from now .......

BananaE29 said:

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition), I seem to have a knack for people's names that have stayed here and I vpcan even repeat conversations. But I guess extensive notes ( ? ) would help. Oh dear. I guess innkeepers need to be superhuman..

Click to expand...

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition),

Click to expand...

My great Grandmother had dementia, and my Mom is showing signs of same or Altzheimer's. It is a dreadful, heartbreaking disease, and I'm not using it lightly when I say I believe I have early onset. I am concerned for myself, especially being alone, but....well...you just do what you can, keep yourself updated on the latest studies, and pray for a cure.
.

Click to expand...

BananaE29 said:

My great Grandmother had dementia, and my Mom is showing signs of same or Altzheimer's. It is a dreadful, heartbreaking disease, and I'm not using it lightly when I say I believe I have early onset. I am concerned for myself, especially being alone, but....well...you just do what you can, keep yourself updated on the latest studies, and pray for a cure.

Click to expand...

And you hang out here where we keep you on your toes!
My MIL has early onset dementia, just diagnosed. She's on her own and we're far away. It's scary when DH is on the phone with her. He gets so upset when she 'can't see reason'. I have to talk to her. I jolly her along and I get the info DH can't get by yelling.
We spent a couple of days with her siblings (many in their 70's-80's) and it's scary to see how dementia has torn apart the family.
Keeping active, as you are, is a big help. My MIL watches TV all day. She never gets out of the house.
DH sees this, all these aunts and uncles, and he's terrified. I'm the memory banks of this family. I'm trying to keep all of his stories straight so I can tell them down the line if he can't. Well, that just made me miserable thinking about it.

BananaE29 said:

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition), I seem to have a knack for people's names that have stayed here and I vpcan even repeat conversations. But I guess extensive notes ( ? ) would help. Oh dear. I guess innkeepers need to be superhuman..

Click to expand...

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition),

Click to expand...

My great Grandmother had dementia, and my Mom is showing signs of same or Altzheimer's. It is a dreadful, heartbreaking disease, and I'm not using it lightly when I say I believe I have early onset. I am concerned for myself, especially being alone, but....well...you just do what you can, keep yourself updated on the latest studies, and pray for a cure.
.

Click to expand...

BananaE29 said:

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition),

Click to expand...

My great Grandmother had dementia, and my Mom is showing signs of same or Altzheimer's. It is a dreadful, heartbreaking disease, and I'm not using it lightly when I say I believe I have early onset. I am concerned for myself, especially being alone, but....well...you just do what you can, keep yourself updated on the latest studies, and pray for a cure.

Click to expand...

My family is riddled with it. It appears I have missed the early onset that Mom did not. Unless you have always been directionally challenged, do you find yourself being lost? If you have people you communicate with fairly often, have them alert to you telling the same things over and over - as in several conversations you say the same things (stories). For me, the hard part will be coming back from being "out to lunch" and realizing I have a time block I have no memory of. Mom would hide things when she was "out to lunch" and then accuse me because I was closest of stealing whatever it was she could no longer find. Because my step-father covered for her AND would not tell us when he was in the hospital (between them they had one body - he had the mind and she had the body) she would drive around for hours until she found her way home. It IS a fate worse than death to me. My Mother "died" 5 years before she stopped breathing.

gillumhouse said:

BananaE29 said:

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition), I seem to have a knack for people's names that have stayed here and I vpcan even repeat conversations. But I guess extensive notes ( ? ) would help. Oh dear. I guess innkeepers need to be superhuman..

Click to expand...

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition),

Click to expand...

My great Grandmother had dementia, and my Mom is showing signs of same or Altzheimer's. It is a dreadful, heartbreaking disease, and I'm not using it lightly when I say I believe I have early onset. I am concerned for myself, especially being alone, but....well...you just do what you can, keep yourself updated on the latest studies, and pray for a cure.
.

Click to expand...

BananaE29 said:

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition),

Click to expand...

My great Grandmother had dementia, and my Mom is showing signs of same or Altzheimer's. It is a dreadful, heartbreaking disease, and I'm not using it lightly when I say I believe I have early onset. I am concerned for myself, especially being alone, but....well...you just do what you can, keep yourself updated on the latest studies, and pray for a cure.

Click to expand...

My family is riddled with it. It appears I have missed the early onset that Mom did not. Unless you have always been directionally challenged, do you find yourself being lost? If you have people you communicate with fairly often, have them alert to you telling the same things over and over - as in several conversations you say the same things (stories). For me, the hard part will be coming back from being "out to lunch" and realizing I have a time block I have no memory of. Mom would hide things when she was "out to lunch" and then accuse me because I was closest of stealing whatever it was she could no longer find. Because my step-father covered for her AND would not tell us when he was in the hospital (between them they had one body - he had the mind and she had the body) she would drive around for hours until she found her way home. It IS a fate worse than death to me. My Mother "died" 5 years before she stopped breathing.
.

Click to expand...

That is so incredibly sad. I am sorry for the pain that your whole family went through prior to her passing. I am not directionally challenged, but sometimes confused about what someone is saying, or can't think of the word I'm trying to say. The worst part is the memory though. It's been an issue since my late 20's - remembering childhood, movies I've seen, activities with friends, books I've read - it doesn't seem to matter if it's recent or long term. Repetitive action is no problem of course, so my careers will probably always be safe, so long as I have the patience to learn the job.

BananaE29 said:

gillumhouse said:

BananaE29 said:

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition), I seem to have a knack for people's names that have stayed here and I vpcan even repeat conversations. But I guess extensive notes ( ? ) would help. Oh dear. I guess innkeepers need to be superhuman..

Click to expand...

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition),

Click to expand...

My great Grandmother had dementia, and my Mom is showing signs of same or Altzheimer's. It is a dreadful, heartbreaking disease, and I'm not using it lightly when I say I believe I have early onset. I am concerned for myself, especially being alone, but....well...you just do what you can, keep yourself updated on the latest studies, and pray for a cure.
.

Click to expand...

BananaE29 said:

2cat_lady said:

Even though I claim Alzheimer's ( and it runs in the family, I am not making fun of this condition),

Click to expand...

My great Grandmother had dementia, and my Mom is showing signs of same or Altzheimer's. It is a dreadful, heartbreaking disease, and I'm not using it lightly when I say I believe I have early onset. I am concerned for myself, especially being alone, but....well...you just do what you can, keep yourself updated on the latest studies, and pray for a cure.

Click to expand...

My family is riddled with it. It appears I have missed the early onset that Mom did not. Unless you have always been directionally challenged, do you find yourself being lost? If you have people you communicate with fairly often, have them alert to you telling the same things over and over - as in several conversations you say the same things (stories). For me, the hard part will be coming back from being "out to lunch" and realizing I have a time block I have no memory of. Mom would hide things when she was "out to lunch" and then accuse me because I was closest of stealing whatever it was she could no longer find. Because my step-father covered for her AND would not tell us when he was in the hospital (between them they had one body - he had the mind and she had the body) she would drive around for hours until she found her way home. It IS a fate worse than death to me. My Mother "died" 5 years before she stopped breathing.
.

Click to expand...

That is so incredibly sad. I am sorry for the pain that your whole family went through prior to her passing. I am not directionally challenged, but sometimes confused about what someone is saying, or can't think of the word I'm trying to say. The worst part is the memory though. It's been an issue since my late 20's - remembering childhood, movies I've seen, activities with friends, books I've read - it doesn't seem to matter if it's recent or long term. Repetitive action is no problem of course, so my careers will probably always be safe, so long as I have the patience to learn the job.
.

Click to expand...

Not being able to come up with the word I want is the worst. I used to be so good with words. But it's not things like what do you call the small vessel you pour coffee into; it's the esoteric words I don't use all the time. I'm less worried and more annoyed.
Good idea to have friends and family keeping an eye out for you!

Breakfast Diva said:

ResKey doesn't do it automatically. How I have overcome this problem is that I added a box with the question "Have You Stayed with Us Before?". I then added a radio button "Yes" & "No". It's mandatory that they answer this question.
When I get a reservation, I look to see if they answered 'yes' and then I link it up to their previous reservation.
It works well!.

Click to expand...

We do the same thing. Breakfast Diva is right, it works well. Just to make sure I always hit the search button to the right of the first guests name and do a manual visual search.
But the fact is the guest are better at remembering if they have stayed here before than ResKey or I am!

An Old Tavernkeeper said:

Breakfast Diva said:

ResKey doesn't do it automatically. How I have overcome this problem is that I added a box with the question "Have You Stayed with Us Before?". I then added a radio button "Yes" & "No". It's mandatory that they answer this question.
When I get a reservation, I look to see if they answered 'yes' and then I link it up to their previous reservation.
It works well!.

Click to expand...

We do the same thing. Breakfast Diva is right, it works well. Just to make sure I always hit the search button to the right of the first guests name and do a manual visual search.
But the fact is the guest are better at remembering if they have stayed here before than ResKey or I am!
.

Click to expand...

An Old Tavernkeeper said:

But the fact is the guest are better at remembering if they have stayed here before than ResKey or I am!

Click to expand...

But they won't tell you that every time. They'll say they found you on TA or bb.com or some other thing! Happens here all the time. Their name shows up highlighted as a repeat and they have put down they found us on some website. Hey, peeps, there are perks for being a repeat! Let me know!