another guest calls us unfriendly

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TheBeachHouse

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Jun 24, 2013
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sigh.
Hi, welcome, do you have dinner plans, good morning, how was the room? how was the wedding? if you need anything, just ring the bell.
Not sure what they are looking for.
We are generally in our own home and leave guests to themselves, but we are friendly and helpful. So I guess it's a perception thing.
 
They want you to be engrossed by all the minuscule things in their lives because they are so damn interesting.... bah humbug.
 
Was there anything more specific in the comment? Do you remember your interaction with them?
Some people if you stay too long or ask too much, you are nosy. The B&B for sale a couple weeks ago, that I drove 60 miles to see had a negative comment about the owner being too engaging. They said they tried to be polite, but she kept them until they were 45 minutes late for their appt.
Some people if you say too little, then perhaps you are too cold.
And of course, there is the spectrum in between where if you ask personal questions, talk about yourself, talk about other guests, etc. etc. then there are many ways they take it wrong.
*sigh*
 
Was there anything more specific in the comment? Do you remember your interaction with them?
Some people if you stay too long or ask too much, you are nosy. The B&B for sale a couple weeks ago, that I drove 60 miles to see had a negative comment about the owner being too engaging. They said they tried to be polite, but she kept them until they were 45 minutes late for their appt.
Some people if you say too little, then perhaps you are too cold.
And of course, there is the spectrum in between where if you ask personal questions, talk about yourself, talk about other guests, etc. etc. then there are many ways they take it wrong.
*sigh*.
Not sure who they were yet. Asked DH to let me know by the description of the rooms.
They said the house is awesome, but the atmosphere is cold and unfriendly.
Frankly, I almost want to write in the reply, "It's August. We're tired. Get over yourself!" LOL
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
So you could mention in your response that you are not exactly sure but you think the comment MAY have been because you had to keep cleaning up after them as they left all their personal belongings in the common space, including wet beach towels on the dining room table and private photos on the coffee table, so other guests felt they were intruding.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
that is maybe the problem. What seems like minor things to you, were their attempts (in their mind) to feel at home. Or even, to mark their territory.
With at least two "infringements" on their set up, I think that is what triggered the negative comment.
Just shows how hard it is to please the 2015 version of people.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
So you could mention in your response that you are not exactly sure but you think the comment MAY have been because you had to keep cleaning up after them as they left all their personal belongings in the common space, including wet beach towels on the dining room table and private photos on the coffee table, so other guests felt they were intruding.
.
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
So you could mention in your response that you are not exactly sure but you think the comment MAY have been because you had to keep cleaning up after them as they left all their personal belongings in the common space, including wet beach towels on the dining room table and private photos on the coffee table, so other guests felt they were intruding.
.
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
.
undersea said:
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
honestly, this type, I don't mind if they don't come back. no apology from me.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
So you could mention in your response that you are not exactly sure but you think the comment MAY have been because you had to keep cleaning up after them as they left all their personal belongings in the common space, including wet beach towels on the dining room table and private photos on the coffee table, so other guests felt they were intruding.
.
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
.
undersea said:
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
You know what? Someone's FIRST comment to you is an online negative review, they get bupkis. No perks, no apologies, no 'making it right'.
Beachy already mentioned comping a night to guests who had a funky smell in their room. They are not hard-hearted people.
 
DH just reminded me that they checked out at 11 but played board games in our living room until 2:30.
Maybe the housekeeper carrying towels and rags and cleaning supplies around them while they played make them feel unwelcome. LOL
At 2:30, one of them rang the bell to say goodbye and tell us how much he had enjoyed his stay. Who knew?
My response will say that as they were enjoying their family board games so much, we didn't want to intrude.
What a d!ck review. But knowing they will not return makes me ok with it.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
So you could mention in your response that you are not exactly sure but you think the comment MAY have been because you had to keep cleaning up after them as they left all their personal belongings in the common space, including wet beach towels on the dining room table and private photos on the coffee table, so other guests felt they were intruding.
.
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
.
undersea said:
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
honestly, this type, I don't mind if they don't come back. no apology from me.
.
It has to do with whether or not the negative review remains. There is a whole business process when dealing with negative reviews.
First, trying to reach out to understand/negotiate with the reviewer about the perceived issue. Many times, it is a simple adjustment. Doesn't matter if you did nothing wrong, it is about the reviewer feeling like you made an attempt.
Second, if they are unwilling to change, is a good/honest response from your POV.
Third, if the review is totally inappropriate or faked, is trying to get the review site to take it down.
But each has to decide what they are willing to do.
But the impact on future stays based on negative reviews for someone with only a modest # of reviews can be HUGE. There is an enormous number of people who use online review sites (Y elp, TA, etc.) to decide which business to frequent. 1 or 2 negative reviews often make them go somewhere else.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
So you could mention in your response that you are not exactly sure but you think the comment MAY have been because you had to keep cleaning up after them as they left all their personal belongings in the common space, including wet beach towels on the dining room table and private photos on the coffee table, so other guests felt they were intruding.
.
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
.
undersea said:
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
honestly, this type, I don't mind if they don't come back. no apology from me.
.
It has to do with whether or not the negative review remains. There is a whole business process when dealing with negative reviews.
First, trying to reach out to understand/negotiate with the reviewer about the perceived issue. Many times, it is a simple adjustment. Doesn't matter if you did nothing wrong, it is about the reviewer feeling like you made an attempt.
Second, if they are unwilling to change, is a good/honest response from your POV.
Third, if the review is totally inappropriate or faked, is trying to get the review site to take it down.
But each has to decide what they are willing to do.
But the impact on future stays based on negative reviews for someone with only a modest # of reviews can be HUGE. There is an enormous number of people who use online review sites (Y elp, TA, etc.) to decide which business to frequent. 1 or 2 negative reviews often make them go somewhere else.
.
undersea said:
But the impact on future stays based on negative reviews for someone with only a modest # of reviews can be HUGE. There is an enormous number of people who use online review sites (Y elp, TA, etc.) to decide which business to frequent. 1 or 2 negative reviews often make them go somewhere else.
This is why your response is critical. We have two startlingly bad reviews. Guests often laugh at them. Sure, I bet the folks who would behave as the reviewers did don't stay with us, but who wants them? The one TA review was totally my fault. I own that review. But make nice with someone who kicked me when I was down? Not a chance. I apologized several times in person. They still chose to go online and bash our business.
You know what makes another difference? PAYING TA and Yelp. THAT moves your listing up. Unfortunately, now that that has become blatantly obvious to us, we're going to have to fork over the thousand dollars to move up the list. Altho, someone here negotiated the rate so I'm going to try that first.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
So you could mention in your response that you are not exactly sure but you think the comment MAY have been because you had to keep cleaning up after them as they left all their personal belongings in the common space, including wet beach towels on the dining room table and private photos on the coffee table, so other guests felt they were intruding.
.
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
.
undersea said:
rather, the first thing to do is to contact them, and see "if you can make it right in some way." Even an apology or small adjustment.
It is far better to get the negative comment removed then to try and respond to it. It is still calculated in your overall star rating and can have a significant impact on your future business.
honestly, this type, I don't mind if they don't come back. no apology from me.
.
It has to do with whether or not the negative review remains. There is a whole business process when dealing with negative reviews.
First, trying to reach out to understand/negotiate with the reviewer about the perceived issue. Many times, it is a simple adjustment. Doesn't matter if you did nothing wrong, it is about the reviewer feeling like you made an attempt.
Second, if they are unwilling to change, is a good/honest response from your POV.
Third, if the review is totally inappropriate or faked, is trying to get the review site to take it down.
But each has to decide what they are willing to do.
But the impact on future stays based on negative reviews for someone with only a modest # of reviews can be HUGE. There is an enormous number of people who use online review sites (Y elp, TA, etc.) to decide which business to frequent. 1 or 2 negative reviews often make them go somewhere else.
.
We are rated the #1 hotel in our town on TA. Not worried about one review killing us.
When I went in to respond, I found three foreign language reviews waiting for response. Each of them 5 stars and glowing. :)
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
My response.
Thank you for your review. Thank you for mentioning the amenities we offer including a refrigerator in every room and a Keurig coffee machine and microwave in the sun room along with welcome cookies every afternoon in the living room. We strive to make our home comfortable and welcoming. With regard to chatting with you, your group was having such a good time playing board games and laughing together in our living room, we hesitated to intrude on your fun! We love sharing our home with our guests, so it was a great pleasure for us to know you felt so at home and were having a great family vacation here.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
My response.
Thank you for your review. Thank you for mentioning the amenities we offer including a refrigerator in every room and a Keurig coffee machine and microwave in the sun room along with welcome cookies every afternoon in the living room. We strive to make our home comfortable and welcoming. With regard to chatting with you, your group was having such a good time playing board games and laughing together in our living room, we hesitated to intrude on your fun! We love sharing our home with our guests, so it was a great pleasure for us to know you felt so at home and were having a great family vacation here.
.
TheBeachHouse said:
My response.
Thank you for your review. Thank you for mentioning the amenities we offer including a refrigerator in every room and a Keurig coffee machine and microwave in the sun room along with welcome cookies every afternoon in the living room. We strive to make our home comfortable and welcoming. With regard to chatting with you, your group was having such a good time playing board games and laughing together in our living room, we hesitated to intrude on your fun! We love sharing our home with our guests, so it was a great pleasure for us to know you felt so at home and were having a great family vacation here.
This is the perfect response. I know how difficult it is to swallow what you really want to say. You took the high road. Brava!
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
My response.
Thank you for your review. Thank you for mentioning the amenities we offer including a refrigerator in every room and a Keurig coffee machine and microwave in the sun room along with welcome cookies every afternoon in the living room. We strive to make our home comfortable and welcoming. With regard to chatting with you, your group was having such a good time playing board games and laughing together in our living room, we hesitated to intrude on your fun! We love sharing our home with our guests, so it was a great pleasure for us to know you felt so at home and were having a great family vacation here.
.
TheBeachHouse said:
My response.
Thank you for your review. Thank you for mentioning the amenities we offer including a refrigerator in every room and a Keurig coffee machine and microwave in the sun room along with welcome cookies every afternoon in the living room. We strive to make our home comfortable and welcoming. With regard to chatting with you, your group was having such a good time playing board games and laughing together in our living room, we hesitated to intrude on your fun! We love sharing our home with our guests, so it was a great pleasure for us to know you felt so at home and were having a great family vacation here.
This is the perfect response. I know how difficult it is to swallow what you really want to say. You took the high road. Brava!
.
Breakfast Diva said:
TheBeachHouse said:
My response.
Thank you for your review. Thank you for mentioning the amenities we offer including a refrigerator in every room and a Keurig coffee machine and microwave in the sun room along with welcome cookies every afternoon in the living room. We strive to make our home comfortable and welcoming. With regard to chatting with you, your group was having such a good time playing board games and laughing together in our living room, we hesitated to intrude on your fun! We love sharing our home with our guests, so it was a great pleasure for us to know you felt so at home and were having a great family vacation here.
This is the perfect response. I know how difficult it is to swallow what you really want to say. You took the high road. Brava!
Yeah, and I deleted the part that said, your rooms were a disaster and you didn't even leave a tip!
Not to even mention that we accommodated your friends who showed up with three people for a two person room so we ran down to the basement and got the air mattress and blew it up and made it at 5 o'clock PM!!!
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
My response.
Thank you for your review. Thank you for mentioning the amenities we offer including a refrigerator in every room and a Keurig coffee machine and microwave in the sun room along with welcome cookies every afternoon in the living room. We strive to make our home comfortable and welcoming. With regard to chatting with you, your group was having such a good time playing board games and laughing together in our living room, we hesitated to intrude on your fun! We love sharing our home with our guests, so it was a great pleasure for us to know you felt so at home and were having a great family vacation here.
.
Nicely done.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
My response.
Thank you for your review. Thank you for mentioning the amenities we offer including a refrigerator in every room and a Keurig coffee machine and microwave in the sun room along with welcome cookies every afternoon in the living room. We strive to make our home comfortable and welcoming. With regard to chatting with you, your group was having such a good time playing board games and laughing together in our living room, we hesitated to intrude on your fun! We love sharing our home with our guests, so it was a great pleasure for us to know you felt so at home and were having a great family vacation here.
.
Nicely done.
.
Morticia said:
Nicely done.
thanks. the more I think about it the more po'd I get. they totally took over the place. we talked a lot! I didn't tell them where to go in town because they were here for a wedding.
 
Spoke to DH. As I suspected, these are the ones that left their family photos in our living room several times and I straightened them and put them in a corner. They are also the ones that left the wet, used (borrow from us) beach towels on the dining room table.
They played board games in the living room (which we love) but after 9, DH had to remind them that we had other guests and could they be aware of them.
they also had an extra person in a two person room and we set up the air mattress for them.
AND - I spoke with them frequently, so not sure about being cold and unfriendly. I bet they got the vibe when I was always cleaning up their plastic boxes of pictures left out making my living room look like a storage room..
My response.
Thank you for your review. Thank you for mentioning the amenities we offer including a refrigerator in every room and a Keurig coffee machine and microwave in the sun room along with welcome cookies every afternoon in the living room. We strive to make our home comfortable and welcoming. With regard to chatting with you, your group was having such a good time playing board games and laughing together in our living room, we hesitated to intrude on your fun! We love sharing our home with our guests, so it was a great pleasure for us to know you felt so at home and were having a great family vacation here.
.
TheBeachHouse said:
My response.
Thank you for your review. Thank you for mentioning the amenities we offer including a refrigerator in every room and a Keurig coffee machine and microwave in the sun room along with welcome cookies every afternoon in the living room. We strive to make our home comfortable and welcoming. With regard to chatting with you, your group was having such a good time playing board games and laughing together in our living room, we hesitated to intrude on your fun! We love sharing our home with our guests, so it was a great pleasure for us to know you felt so at home and were having a great family vacation here.
Perfect.
 
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