Conflict with Vet's Day

Morticia said:

The last call wanted a free room for a friend on Saturday night. I said I didn't think that was V-Day and the caller said that's when her friend could come. So I said there are rooms open on Sat and to check the rates on the website. Oh, no, only if it's free.
Gomez doesn't even like to ask at Lowe's for the vet discount. He's disabled and he still says he doesn't want a hand out. I say they (Lowe's) offered, so it's ok to take them up on it.

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ChrisandShelley said:

Second to Gillumhouse's thank you to Gomez for his service in the military.
My dad is a veteran and he gets the discount to Lowe's all the time. In my opinion, it is not a hand out at all, it is a way of showing appreciation. It is good to receive as much as it is to give.
I travel through airports a lot. When I see service men getting a coffee or a meal, I will offer to pay for them if I am close by or eating at the same place. I see it as they are doing me a favor by allowing me to express my appreciation. On the rare occasion that I am refused, I walk away with a sad feeling.
So take those discounts as what they are meant to be--expressions of appreciation..

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MtnKeeper said:

My husband served in the Marines for 8 years and he has a disability from his service. He takes the discount at Lowes & Home Depot because they are big corporations making tons of money. He will not, however, ask for or take a discount from a small business. And he would never stay at a B&B for the free night since he can afford to pay for one.
I think the jaded part is because people are taking advantage of it in my opinion. I don't think someone should expect to go back each and every year to a B&B and get a free evening when they know that there are a limited number of rooms -- let someone else get the free night the next year. And we too had several people cancel the day before or the night of with excuses like babysitters cancelled, the weather is bad we're not driving all the way there, etc. Because it was free they felt it was fine to just cancel but others lost out. We now are closed Sun-Thurs all November to recoup after foliage and get some repairs done. We came up with our own way of honoring Veterans (along with 10% off all year long for active duty) and it works for us and them -- they really like it because they can come on weekends over a month long period and get a big discount. So it's not free, but they like it better and a few come every year and appreciate what we do. So do your own thing if you want to..

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Silverspoon said:

I get it. My DH served for 8 years during the Nam years but would never ask for any kind of consideration. I had to pull him to the VA office to even look into getting a disability from his service-related hearing loss. Discounts? He would never take one..

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Silverspoon said:

I get it. My DH served for 8 years during the Nam years but would never ask for any kind of consideration. I had to pull him to the VA office to even look into getting a disability from his service-related hearing loss. Discounts? He would never take one.

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gillumhouse said:

MtnKeeper said:

My husband served in the Marines for 8 years and he has a disability from his service. He takes the discount at Lowes & Home Depot because they are big corporations making tons of money. He will not, however, ask for or take a discount from a small business. And he would never stay at a B&B for the free night since he can afford to pay for one.
I think the jaded part is because people are taking advantage of it in my opinion. I don't think someone should expect to go back each and every year to a B&B and get a free evening when they know that there are a limited number of rooms -- let someone else get the free night the next year. And we too had several people cancel the day before or the night of with excuses like babysitters cancelled, the weather is bad we're not driving all the way there, etc. Because it was free they felt it was fine to just cancel but others lost out. We now are closed Sun-Thurs all November to recoup after foliage and get some repairs done. We came up with our own way of honoring Veterans (along with 10% off all year long for active duty) and it works for us and them -- they really like it because they can come on weekends over a month long period and get a big discount. So it's not free, but they like it better and a few come every year and appreciate what we do. So do your own thing if you want to..

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It was set up this way for 2 reasons. Yes, #1 was publicity for B & Bs as an industry since we are always fighting with hotel/motel to be recognized as a lodging option. #2 - was you need a warm & fuzzy to get the publicity and attention AND have the numbers participating. Making #2 the Veterans was a no-brainer because they and their spouses/partners actually DID something worthy of the recognition and thanks. This was something more tangible than just words. It had to be everyone doing the same thing on the same day to succeed. And it did succeed. Because of it, B & Bs get Press every year reminding the Vets it is available (without that publicity it is a useless effort if the Vets do not know it exists) and the Vets get a nice night of thank you while our industry gets recognized..
I am not saying everyone must do the same thing, we each have our own business to run, but without the many doing the same on the same day, it is just a marketing thing for each inn - so what as far as the Media is concerned.
I do a 15% all nights except Nov 9-11 as thise 3 nights are free because it is MY marketing ploy. I want them to see WV and go home and talk about it. With luck (none so far for me) it will result in paid reservations (many inns told me they DID get paid reservations because they participated).
.

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Morticia said:

Silverspoon said:

I get it. My DH served for 8 years during the Nam years but would never ask for any kind of consideration. I had to pull him to the VA office to even look into getting a disability from his service-related hearing loss. Discounts? He would never take one..

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Silverspoon said:

I get it. My DH served for 8 years during the Nam years but would never ask for any kind of consideration. I had to pull him to the VA office to even look into getting a disability from his service-related hearing loss. Discounts? He would never take one.

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Best advice Gomez got on leaving the Navy was to sign up with the VA. His PA saved his life 8 years ago and we paid absolutely zero for his heart surgery. For years afterwards, I thanked everyone who stayed with us for paying their taxes.
For a lot of guests it was an eye opener to understand their taxes really did some good for a regular person.
.

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Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

MtnKeeper said:

My husband served in the Marines for 8 years and he has a disability from his service. He takes the discount at Lowes & Home Depot because they are big corporations making tons of money. He will not, however, ask for or take a discount from a small business. And he would never stay at a B&B for the free night since he can afford to pay for one.
I think the jaded part is because people are taking advantage of it in my opinion. I don't think someone should expect to go back each and every year to a B&B and get a free evening when they know that there are a limited number of rooms -- let someone else get the free night the next year. And we too had several people cancel the day before or the night of with excuses like babysitters cancelled, the weather is bad we're not driving all the way there, etc. Because it was free they felt it was fine to just cancel but others lost out. We now are closed Sun-Thurs all November to recoup after foliage and get some repairs done. We came up with our own way of honoring Veterans (along with 10% off all year long for active duty) and it works for us and them -- they really like it because they can come on weekends over a month long period and get a big discount. So it's not free, but they like it better and a few come every year and appreciate what we do. So do your own thing if you want to..

Click to expand...

It was set up this way for 2 reasons. Yes, #1 was publicity for B & Bs as an industry since we are always fighting with hotel/motel to be recognized as a lodging option. #2 - was you need a warm & fuzzy to get the publicity and attention AND have the numbers participating. Making #2 the Veterans was a no-brainer because they and their spouses/partners actually DID something worthy of the recognition and thanks. This was something more tangible than just words. It had to be everyone doing the same thing on the same day to succeed. And it did succeed. Because of it, B & Bs get Press every year reminding the Vets it is available (without that publicity it is a useless effort if the Vets do not know it exists) and the Vets get a nice night of thank you while our industry gets recognized..
I am not saying everyone must do the same thing, we each have our own business to run, but without the many doing the same on the same day, it is just a marketing thing for each inn - so what as far as the Media is concerned.
I do a 15% all nights except Nov 9-11 as thise 3 nights are free because it is MY marketing ploy. I want them to see WV and go home and talk about it. With luck (none so far for me) it will result in paid reservations (many inns told me they DID get paid reservations because they participated).
.

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It's a great idea. The 'rules' get better each year.
You all know my gripe by now - the same people calling every year thinking this is their free getaway. If I got different guests calling that would be different.
None of our free guests, have ever come back on a paid night.
Here's the kind of guest we appreciate - took advantage of the free night last year, paid for a second night and just booked for next week - with a note saying they chose that week to leave the rooms open for other vets. (This is a long time repeat who won't take advantage of the free night every year. But who we would happily give the free night to because they come twice/year.)
.

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MtnKeeper said:

My husband served in the Marines for 8 years and he has a disability from his service. He takes the discount at Lowes & Home Depot because they are big corporations making tons of money. He will not, however, ask for or take a discount from a small business. And he would never stay at a B&B for the free night since he can afford to pay for one.
I think the jaded part is because people are taking advantage of it in my opinion. I don't think someone should expect to go back each and every year to a B&B and get a free evening when they know that there are a limited number of rooms -- let someone else get the free night the next year. And we too had several people cancel the day before or the night of with excuses like babysitters cancelled, the weather is bad we're not driving all the way there, etc. Because it was free they felt it was fine to just cancel but others lost out. We now are closed Sun-Thurs all November to recoup after foliage and get some repairs done. We came up with our own way of honoring Veterans (along with 10% off all year long for active duty) and it works for us and them -- they really like it because they can come on weekends over a month long period and get a big discount. So it's not free, but they like it better and a few come every year and appreciate what we do. So do your own thing if you want to..

Click to expand...

ChrisandShelley said:

MtnKeeper said:

My husband served in the Marines for 8 years and he has a disability from his service. He takes the discount at Lowes & Home Depot because they are big corporations making tons of money. He will not, however, ask for or take a discount from a small business. And he would never stay at a B&B for the free night since he can afford to pay for one.
I think the jaded part is because people are taking advantage of it in my opinion. I don't think someone should expect to go back each and every year to a B&B and get a free evening when they know that there are a limited number of rooms -- let someone else get the free night the next year. And we too had several people cancel the day before or the night of with excuses like babysitters cancelled, the weather is bad we're not driving all the way there, etc. Because it was free they felt it was fine to just cancel but others lost out. We now are closed Sun-Thurs all November to recoup after foliage and get some repairs done. We came up with our own way of honoring Veterans (along with 10% off all year long for active duty) and it works for us and them -- they really like it because they can come on weekends over a month long period and get a big discount. So it's not free, but they like it better and a few come every year and appreciate what we do. So do your own thing if you want to..

Click to expand...

Where we lived before, we were 5 minutes from Home Depot. They stopped giving military discounts, so I stopped going there (except in emergencies). I don't get a military discount, but it's the principle. Lowes was another 10 minutes, but their customer service seems better anyway.
Talked to Shelley, she had a couple who pulled up in a brand new corvette and stayed two nights. When they were leaving, they asked for their military discount. Tacky, very tacky.
.

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ChrisandShelley said:

Where we lived before, we were 5 minutes from Home Depot. They stopped giving military discounts, so I stopped going there (except in emergencies). I don't get a military discount, but it's the principle. Lowes was another 10 minutes, but their customer service seems better anyway.
Talked to Shelley, she had a couple who pulled up in a brand new corvette and stayed two nights. When they were leaving, they asked for their military discount. Tacky, very tacky.

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Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

MtnKeeper said:

My husband served in the Marines for 8 years and he has a disability from his service. He takes the discount at Lowes & Home Depot because they are big corporations making tons of money. He will not, however, ask for or take a discount from a small business. And he would never stay at a B&B for the free night since he can afford to pay for one.
I think the jaded part is because people are taking advantage of it in my opinion. I don't think someone should expect to go back each and every year to a B&B and get a free evening when they know that there are a limited number of rooms -- let someone else get the free night the next year. And we too had several people cancel the day before or the night of with excuses like babysitters cancelled, the weather is bad we're not driving all the way there, etc. Because it was free they felt it was fine to just cancel but others lost out. We now are closed Sun-Thurs all November to recoup after foliage and get some repairs done. We came up with our own way of honoring Veterans (along with 10% off all year long for active duty) and it works for us and them -- they really like it because they can come on weekends over a month long period and get a big discount. So it's not free, but they like it better and a few come every year and appreciate what we do. So do your own thing if you want to..

Click to expand...

It was set up this way for 2 reasons. Yes, #1 was publicity for B & Bs as an industry since we are always fighting with hotel/motel to be recognized as a lodging option. #2 - was you need a warm & fuzzy to get the publicity and attention AND have the numbers participating. Making #2 the Veterans was a no-brainer because they and their spouses/partners actually DID something worthy of the recognition and thanks. This was something more tangible than just words. It had to be everyone doing the same thing on the same day to succeed. And it did succeed. Because of it, B & Bs get Press every year reminding the Vets it is available (without that publicity it is a useless effort if the Vets do not know it exists) and the Vets get a nice night of thank you while our industry gets recognized..
I am not saying everyone must do the same thing, we each have our own business to run, but without the many doing the same on the same day, it is just a marketing thing for each inn - so what as far as the Media is concerned.
I do a 15% all nights except Nov 9-11 as thise 3 nights are free because it is MY marketing ploy. I want them to see WV and go home and talk about it. With luck (none so far for me) it will result in paid reservations (many inns told me they DID get paid reservations because they participated).
.

Click to expand...

It's a great idea. The 'rules' get better each year.
You all know my gripe by now - the same people calling every year thinking this is their free getaway. If I got different guests calling that would be different.
None of our free guests, have ever come back on a paid night.
Here's the kind of guest we appreciate - took advantage of the free night last year, paid for a second night and just booked for next week - with a note saying they chose that week to leave the rooms open for other vets. (This is a long time repeat who won't take advantage of the free night every year. But who we would happily give the free night to because they come twice/year.)
.

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gillumhouse said:

ChrisandShelley said:

MtnKeeper said:

My husband served in the Marines for 8 years and he has a disability from his service. He takes the discount at Lowes & Home Depot because they are big corporations making tons of money. He will not, however, ask for or take a discount from a small business. And he would never stay at a B&B for the free night since he can afford to pay for one.
I think the jaded part is because people are taking advantage of it in my opinion. I don't think someone should expect to go back each and every year to a B&B and get a free evening when they know that there are a limited number of rooms -- let someone else get the free night the next year. And we too had several people cancel the day before or the night of with excuses like babysitters cancelled, the weather is bad we're not driving all the way there, etc. Because it was free they felt it was fine to just cancel but others lost out. We now are closed Sun-Thurs all November to recoup after foliage and get some repairs done. We came up with our own way of honoring Veterans (along with 10% off all year long for active duty) and it works for us and them -- they really like it because they can come on weekends over a month long period and get a big discount. So it's not free, but they like it better and a few come every year and appreciate what we do. So do your own thing if you want to..

Click to expand...

Where we lived before, we were 5 minutes from Home Depot. They stopped giving military discounts, so I stopped going there (except in emergencies). I don't get a military discount, but it's the principle. Lowes was another 10 minutes, but their customer service seems better anyway.
Talked to Shelley, she had a couple who pulled up in a brand new corvette and stayed two nights. When they were leaving, they asked for their military discount. Tacky, very tacky.
.

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ChrisandShelley said:

Where we lived before, we were 5 minutes from Home Depot. They stopped giving military discounts, so I stopped going there (except in emergencies). I don't get a military discount, but it's the principle. Lowes was another 10 minutes, but their customer service seems better anyway.
Talked to Shelley, she had a couple who pulled up in a brand new corvette and stayed two nights. When they were leaving, they asked for their military discount. Tacky, very tacky.

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For those, I would ask for military ID - Military ID or V A ID is required for discount. Takes care of the "instant military" syndrome.
.

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