Who's the second person in the room?

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Morticia

Morticia

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May 22, 2008
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I'm migrating guest data to my new rez program. The second guest data does not come over automatically so I'm adding it manually.
What have I found so far? Any reservation made by a woman has the man's (or other female) name on the reservation. Any reservation made by a man has his name only or his name listed twice (second time in the other guest field) .
What does this mean?
 
At least you know there is a second guest. I've been burned three times this year with people who are here for conferences or other "business" who have found roommates that they snuck in, thinking I wouldn't figure it out. One was so inappropriate that we sat down and I had a little talk with him. The other two ... just DNB, but I'm in the process of changing my policies. (I know, I'm slow, but the tortoise persona fits the older I get)
 
Innkeep said:
At least you know there is a second guest. I've been burned three times this year with people who are here for conferences or other "business" who have found roommates that they snuck in, thinking I wouldn't figure it out. One was so inappropriate that we sat down and I had a little talk with him. The other two ... just DNB, but I'm in the process of changing my policies. (I know, I'm slow, but the tortoise persona fits the older I get).
Click to expand...
I don't know that 3 occurrences in a year is something to lose sleep over - need to pick your battles. Not sure what your policies are, but just bill them. If they squawk, perhaps point out that it is a crime (to my knowledge) to intentionally avoid payment (such as for second guest, etc.) There was a post somewhere I read here related to it being a felony to intentionally avoid paying for a room.
 
Mort, it is interesting.
I find that if a man signs our guest book, he signs his name only, but if the woman signs she signs both names in the book.
 
undersea said:
Innkeep said:
At least you know there is a second guest. I've been burned three times this year with people who are here for conferences or other "business" who have found roommates that they snuck in, thinking I wouldn't figure it out. One was so inappropriate that we sat down and I had a little talk with him. The other two ... just DNB, but I'm in the process of changing my policies. (I know, I'm slow, but the tortoise persona fits the older I get).
Click to expand...
I don't know that 3 occurrences in a year is something to lose sleep over - need to pick your battles. Not sure what your policies are, but just bill them. If they squawk, perhaps point out that it is a crime (to my knowledge) to intentionally avoid payment (such as for second guest, etc.) There was a post somewhere I read here related to it being a felony to intentionally avoid paying for a room.
.
Click to expand...
Undersea, just wait til you open and have people sneaking others into your home.
wink_smile.gif
You can not understand what it is like until you are in this business.
It is a big deal. I want to know who and how many are staying in my place.
It is for my safety as well as for my other guests safety.

For some, especially women traveling alone, this is the reason they choose a B&B.
 
Copperhead said:
undersea said:
Innkeep said:
At least you know there is a second guest. I've been burned three times this year with people who are here for conferences or other "business" who have found roommates that they snuck in, thinking I wouldn't figure it out. One was so inappropriate that we sat down and I had a little talk with him. The other two ... just DNB, but I'm in the process of changing my policies. (I know, I'm slow, but the tortoise persona fits the older I get).
Click to expand...
I don't know that 3 occurrences in a year is something to lose sleep over - need to pick your battles. Not sure what your policies are, but just bill them. If they squawk, perhaps point out that it is a crime (to my knowledge) to intentionally avoid payment (such as for second guest, etc.) There was a post somewhere I read here related to it being a felony to intentionally avoid paying for a room.
.
Click to expand...
Undersea, just wait til you open and have people sneaking others into your home.
wink_smile.gif
You can not understand what it is like until you are in this business.
It is a big deal. I want to know who and how many are staying in my place.
It is for my safety as well as for my other guests safety.

For some, especially women traveling alone, this is the reason they choose a B&B.
.
Click to expand...
Copperhead said:
Undersea, just wait til you open and have people sneaking others into your home.
wink_smile.gif
You can not understand what it is like until you are in this business.
It is a big deal. I want to know who and how many are staying in my place.
It is for my safety as well as for my other guests safety.

For some, especially women traveling alone, this is the reason they choose a B&B.
Click to expand...
You nailed it CH - in case of fire, it helps to know just how many bodies need to be accounted for before firemen have to risk life and limb searching. OK, we have the 2 from this room and the 2 from that room and the one from the other room went out a while ago. Ahhh, there he is - all present and accounted for. And then he says the lady is not here. WHAT lady?
 
Yes, it's very important (and legally required) to have the names and number of every guest (in this state, NY doesn't care). Not just for breakfast accounting and the comfort of the guests in the OTHER rooms, but for safety as everyone has mentioned.
I was wondering why guys don't bother telling us the name of the person with them. I have one long time repeat who has never once told me his wife's name. I know his son's and daughter's names but he's never told me her name. This year I have to write it down once they get here. (She is so incredibly shy it's easy to forget her year to year.) I've written it on the rez form but always forget to transfer it to the GMS.
 
Before I even talk about the reservation with the prospective guest I always ask first "Is this for two adults?" So when they give me their name and address, the next question is "May I have the name of the other adult who will be staying in the XX suite?"
Done. They very well may be lying but at least I have done my best to secure the information. The reservation is made in the name of the person I spoke with, while a note of the second person's name is added on our contact file and on the paper copy that DH has in hand when he greets them.
This may not be much help to most of you who never speak to your guests until you hand them the key. But it there are any dinosaurs like me out there, who still take all of their reservations over the phone, I hope this helps.
 
Silverspoon said:
Before I even talk about the reservation with the prospective guest I always ask first "Is this for two adults?" So when they give me their name and address, the next question is "May I have the name of the other adult who will be staying in the XX suite?"
Done. They very well may be lying but at least I have done my best to secure the information. The reservation is made in the name of the person I spoke with, while a note of the second person's name is added on our contact file and on the paper copy that DH has in hand when he greets them.
This may not be much help to most of you who never speak to your guests until you hand them the key. But it there are any dinosaurs like me out there, who still take all of their reservations over the phone, I hope this helps..
Click to expand...
These are all online bookings. We also ask when we have them on the phone.
Lots of our guests are dinosaurs. ;-) or, they just like talking with us. Or, it's a heck of a lot easier to make me do the typing.
 
Copperhead said:
undersea said:
Innkeep said:
At least you know there is a second guest. I've been burned three times this year with people who are here for conferences or other "business" who have found roommates that they snuck in, thinking I wouldn't figure it out. One was so inappropriate that we sat down and I had a little talk with him. The other two ... just DNB, but I'm in the process of changing my policies. (I know, I'm slow, but the tortoise persona fits the older I get).
Click to expand...
I don't know that 3 occurrences in a year is something to lose sleep over - need to pick your battles. Not sure what your policies are, but just bill them. If they squawk, perhaps point out that it is a crime (to my knowledge) to intentionally avoid payment (such as for second guest, etc.) There was a post somewhere I read here related to it being a felony to intentionally avoid paying for a room.
.
Click to expand...
Undersea, just wait til you open and have people sneaking others into your home.
wink_smile.gif
You can not understand what it is like until you are in this business.
It is a big deal. I want to know who and how many are staying in my place.
It is for my safety as well as for my other guests safety.

For some, especially women traveling alone, this is the reason they choose a B&B.
.
Click to expand...
As a longterm landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
 
undersea said:
Copperhead said:
undersea said:
Innkeep said:
At least you know there is a second guest. I've been burned three times this year with people who are here for conferences or other "business" who have found roommates that they snuck in, thinking I wouldn't figure it out. One was so inappropriate that we sat down and I had a little talk with him. The other two ... just DNB, but I'm in the process of changing my policies. (I know, I'm slow, but the tortoise persona fits the older I get).
Click to expand...
I don't know that 3 occurrences in a year is something to lose sleep over - need to pick your battles. Not sure what your policies are, but just bill them. If they squawk, perhaps point out that it is a crime (to my knowledge) to intentionally avoid payment (such as for second guest, etc.) There was a post somewhere I read here related to it being a felony to intentionally avoid paying for a room.
.
Click to expand...
Undersea, just wait til you open and have people sneaking others into your home.
wink_smile.gif
You can not understand what it is like until you are in this business.
It is a big deal. I want to know who and how many are staying in my place.
It is for my safety as well as for my other guests safety.

For some, especially women traveling alone, this is the reason they choose a B&B.
.
Click to expand...
As a longterm landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
.
Click to expand...
undersea said:
As a long term landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
Click to expand...
I am a long term landlord and have been for years. I am also an innkeeper with 14 years experience. Sorry, but you really have no clue what the difference is. It's not your fault, it's because you have no experience as an innkeeper yet. Please, don't tell experienced innkeepers how to do anything. You haven't earned the right yet.
 
I don't put both names on a reservation, I never have and I never will. I book a room for two and it is for two. It goes back to that old fashioned thinking of mine.
Speaking of this - may I insert an obvious side track here please...
Got home a moment ago, this is a race weekend and for the first time ever we have all guests (except one room that had a cancel) on sat and sun nights, instead of fri and sat. Race is Sunday. Three or four are repeats, so they know the drill.
Anyway, there is a message, we are on your porch, we have a reservation your sing says closed. then...we are in the parking lot in the car, its' cold we have a reservation!
I have no reservation for them. At all, nothing in our system anywhere. It was such an amazing friday with no guests we went to the track for qualifying...what a nice thing, the first time in 12 years I was able to go - and yes I bought merch for my driver!
I called and got their machine, I wonder what the heck! ?
 
Morticia is it the settings?
A lot of people don't understand why they should tell you who is staying in the room 'as long as (they) are paying for it.' For them I think it's a privacy issue. And if someone says it's Jane Doe or Bob Smith, that's what you have to go with. Unless you're going to start requesting ID - which I would really prefer not to do.
Remember at my least favorite hotel they took a copy of my license? Told me it was required. I don't know if they would have denied me the room if I hadn't handed it over?
In my place it was the same set rate for one or two people in the room, additional charge for the third if I had the space and bed to accomodate them.
Craziest was the man who opened the window (first floor room) to admit seven children of varying ages from toddler to teen after checking in as a walk-in with a woman. I told him no ... no way. Cramming them all in the one room and boy was he angry when I handed him back his money along with the addresses of the chain hotels 1/2 hour away. No way would he take two more rooms which I was willing to squish the kids into. He knew he was wrong else why wouldn't he have just marched them through the front door?
 
have most of us had one woman check in with someone and then see a different woman check out? i know it wasn't just me! (and it wasn't a wig change)
 
seashanty said:
Morticia is it the settings?
A lot of people don't understand why they should tell you who is staying in the room 'as long as (they) are paying for it.' For them I think it's a privacy issue. And if someone says it's Jane Doe or Bob Smith, that's what you have to go with. Unless you're going to start requesting ID - which I would really prefer not to do.
Remember at my least favorite hotel they took a copy of my license? Told me it was required. I don't know if they would have denied me the room if I hadn't handed it over?
In my place it was the same set rate for one or two people in the room, additional charge for the third if I had the space and bed to accomodate them.
Craziest was the man who opened the window (first floor room) to admit seven children of varying ages from toddler to teen after checking in as a walk-in with a woman. I told him no ... no way. Cramming them all in the one room and boy was he angry when I handed him back his money along with the addresses of the chain hotels 1/2 hour away. No way would he take two more rooms which I was willing to squish the kids into. He knew he was wrong else why wouldn't he have just marched them through the front door?.
Click to expand...
The settings ask for the guest's name and then second guest. It's not a required field.
Not sure why someone wouldn't give the other person's name because I'm by golly gonna ask at the door. But I notice random hotels do/don't ask the other person's name.
If you're of legal age I don't care who the other person is but I don't want to spend a weekend trying to talk to the person when they are using my name and I don't have a clue who they are.
Speaking of taking your license... I was asked for my license at the Dr's office (first visit). The receptionist asked me to take it out of my wallet and I asked why. She wanted to run it thru a scanner (not a copier). I told her no. The while office got quiet and everyone looked over. She said no problem and we went on our way. (I also don't supply them with my SSN.)
 
seashanty said:
have most of us had one woman check in with someone and then see a different woman check out? i know it wasn't just me! (and it wasn't a wig change).
Click to expand...
seashanty said:
have most of us had one woman check in with someone and then see a different woman check out? i know it wasn't just me! (and it wasn't a wig change)
Click to expand...
Oh yes. Then saw 5 people getting in the car. They snuck the extras in and sent the ringers to breakfast. I knew those people hadn't checked in.
Especially prevalent during weddings. Two women check in and one of them gets bumped for some guy. We see the 'loser' coming back at 8 am and some random guy leaving at the same time. Who knows where the other girl ended up having to spend the night.
 
Breakfast Diva said:
undersea said:
Copperhead said:
undersea said:
Innkeep said:
At least you know there is a second guest. I've been burned three times this year with people who are here for conferences or other "business" who have found roommates that they snuck in, thinking I wouldn't figure it out. One was so inappropriate that we sat down and I had a little talk with him. The other two ... just DNB, but I'm in the process of changing my policies. (I know, I'm slow, but the tortoise persona fits the older I get).
Click to expand...
I don't know that 3 occurrences in a year is something to lose sleep over - need to pick your battles. Not sure what your policies are, but just bill them. If they squawk, perhaps point out that it is a crime (to my knowledge) to intentionally avoid payment (such as for second guest, etc.) There was a post somewhere I read here related to it being a felony to intentionally avoid paying for a room.
.
Click to expand...
Undersea, just wait til you open and have people sneaking others into your home.
wink_smile.gif
You can not understand what it is like until you are in this business.
It is a big deal. I want to know who and how many are staying in my place.
It is for my safety as well as for my other guests safety.

For some, especially women traveling alone, this is the reason they choose a B&B.
.
Click to expand...
As a longterm landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
.
Click to expand...
undersea said:
As a long term landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
Click to expand...
I am a long term landlord and have been for years. I am also an innkeeper with 14 years experience. Sorry, but you really have no clue what the difference is. It's not your fault, it's because you have no experience as an innkeeper yet. Please, don't tell experienced innkeepers how to do anything. You haven't earned the right yet.
.
Click to expand...
.
 
Breakfast Diva said:
undersea said:
Copperhead said:
undersea said:
Innkeep said:
At least you know there is a second guest. I've been burned three times this year with people who are here for conferences or other "business" who have found roommates that they snuck in, thinking I wouldn't figure it out. One was so inappropriate that we sat down and I had a little talk with him. The other two ... just DNB, but I'm in the process of changing my policies. (I know, I'm slow, but the tortoise persona fits the older I get).
Click to expand...
I don't know that 3 occurrences in a year is something to lose sleep over - need to pick your battles. Not sure what your policies are, but just bill them. If they squawk, perhaps point out that it is a crime (to my knowledge) to intentionally avoid payment (such as for second guest, etc.) There was a post somewhere I read here related to it being a felony to intentionally avoid paying for a room.
.
Click to expand...
Undersea, just wait til you open and have people sneaking others into your home.
wink_smile.gif
You can not understand what it is like until you are in this business.
It is a big deal. I want to know who and how many are staying in my place.
It is for my safety as well as for my other guests safety.

For some, especially women traveling alone, this is the reason they choose a B&B.
.
Click to expand...
As a longterm landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
.
Click to expand...
undersea said:
As a long term landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
Click to expand...
I am a long term landlord and have been for years. I am also an innkeeper with 14 years experience. Sorry, but you really have no clue what the difference is. It's not your fault, it's because you have no experience as an innkeeper yet. Please, don't tell experienced innkeepers how to do anything. You haven't earned the right yet.
.
Click to expand...
Yes, after all when tenant who sneaks overnite guests into my house against agreement when others are staying there is way different than a guest into an innkeepers house against agreement. After all, one is an unknown stranger while the other is... An unknown stranger. Yes, there is no way I could understand. It is so complex, no one except a very experienced innkeeper could possibly fathom the possibilities. Just because I have had people die, get arrested, have hookers, deal drugs, what could I know about the possibilities?
I could never imagine the potential safety, cost, fire or other issues.
After 14 years, then these things only become tangible. Everyone else is clueless...
 
Breakfast Diva said:
undersea said:
Copperhead said:
undersea said:
Innkeep said:
At least you know there is a second guest. I've been burned three times this year with people who are here for conferences or other "business" who have found roommates that they snuck in, thinking I wouldn't figure it out. One was so inappropriate that we sat down and I had a little talk with him. The other two ... just DNB, but I'm in the process of changing my policies. (I know, I'm slow, but the tortoise persona fits the older I get).
Click to expand...
I don't know that 3 occurrences in a year is something to lose sleep over - need to pick your battles. Not sure what your policies are, but just bill them. If they squawk, perhaps point out that it is a crime (to my knowledge) to intentionally avoid payment (such as for second guest, etc.) There was a post somewhere I read here related to it being a felony to intentionally avoid paying for a room.
.
Click to expand...
Undersea, just wait til you open and have people sneaking others into your home.
wink_smile.gif
You can not understand what it is like until you are in this business.
It is a big deal. I want to know who and how many are staying in my place.
It is for my safety as well as for my other guests safety.

For some, especially women traveling alone, this is the reason they choose a B&B.
.
Click to expand...
As a longterm landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
.
Click to expand...
undersea said:
As a long term landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
Click to expand...
I am a long term landlord and have been for years. I am also an innkeeper with 14 years experience. Sorry, but you really have no clue what the difference is. It's not your fault, it's because you have no experience as an innkeeper yet. Please, don't tell experienced innkeepers how to do anything. You haven't earned the right yet.
.
Click to expand...
.
 
undersea said:
Breakfast Diva said:
undersea said:
Copperhead said:
undersea said:
Innkeep said:
At least you know there is a second guest. I've been burned three times this year with people who are here for conferences or other "business" who have found roommates that they snuck in, thinking I wouldn't figure it out. One was so inappropriate that we sat down and I had a little talk with him. The other two ... just DNB, but I'm in the process of changing my policies. (I know, I'm slow, but the tortoise persona fits the older I get).
Click to expand...
I don't know that 3 occurrences in a year is something to lose sleep over - need to pick your battles. Not sure what your policies are, but just bill them. If they squawk, perhaps point out that it is a crime (to my knowledge) to intentionally avoid payment (such as for second guest, etc.) There was a post somewhere I read here related to it being a felony to intentionally avoid paying for a room.
.
Click to expand...
Undersea, just wait til you open and have people sneaking others into your home.
wink_smile.gif
You can not understand what it is like until you are in this business.
It is a big deal. I want to know who and how many are staying in my place.
It is for my safety as well as for my other guests safety.

For some, especially women traveling alone, this is the reason they choose a B&B.
.
Click to expand...
As a longterm landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
.
Click to expand...
undersea said:
As a long term landlord, I regularly had people sneak a few in. And some in the place i lived. Assuming they are dangerous was not the issue, it was the load on others.
Click to expand...
I am a long term landlord and have been for years. I am also an innkeeper with 14 years experience. Sorry, but you really have no clue what the difference is. It's not your fault, it's because you have no experience as an innkeeper yet. Please, don't tell experienced innkeepers how to do anything. You haven't earned the right yet.
.
Click to expand...
Yes, after all when tenant who sneaks overnite guests into my house against agreement when others are staying there is way different than a guest into an innkeepers house against agreement. After all, one is an unknown stranger while the other is... An unknown stranger. Yes, there is no way I could understand. It is so complex, no one except a very experienced innkeeper could possibly fathom the possibilities. Just because I have had people die, get arrested, have hookers, deal drugs, what could I know about the possibilities?
I could never imagine the potential safety, cost, fire or other issues.
After 14 years, then these things only become tangible. Everyone else is clueless...
.
Click to expand...
Do you live in the apartment with your tenant? That's the difference. My bedroom door is right next to the guest's doors.
When people bring additional strangers into your home, people they might not even know, then it's personal. That's the difference between the landlord situation and the innkeeper situation.
You don't have to feed the strangers, make small talk with them while wondering why the heck they don't look familiar. You have to evict them, totally different.
We both have to deal with the consequences, tho. The person who trashes the room after you tell them to leave. Then decides that's not enough and threatens your life and your livelihood. Then find 10 different social media sites to launch the next attack.
That is the common thread between the two different jobs. I'd never be a landlord. Too stressful. I've turned down multiple attempts Gomez has made to buy condos to rent. No way. But my son has 9 rental units and it's OK for him. He lives in a place with zero tenant rights. He files a complaint with the sheriff the tenant is out, no court dates, no notice, nothing.
 

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