I felt like I was in a skit on how to be an annoying B&B guest

Relaxing with a magazine on a Sunday afternoon. No checkins expected, so hubby went for a jog. Jogs and magazines are rare on Sunday afternoons, so we were taking every advantage.
Doorbell rings. I'm thinking, uh-oh, did we miss something?
A couple wanting to look at the place in anticipation of their kid's wedding in June. Fine. I put on my game face, explained our house and gave them a brochure. They wanted to see the rooms. I told them I could show them one room and did. He asked again to see rooms.
Me: We have a guest in that room.
Him: Can't we just peek in?
Me: That wouldn't be very fair to the person who paid for privacy in that room.
He asked if we could hold the rooms while he decides.
Me: I can't do that without a credit card.
He asked how far in advance he can cancel with no penalty.
Me: In June, the house will be sold out. We will have to charge you if you cancel within two weeks. If we are able to fill the rooms, we won't charge you, but we can't afford to have empty rooms.
While we are talking, I notice she is eating one of our 'welcome' cookies and later, she was eating a candy. Had to laugh. Compliment, right?
They stayed quite awhile asking questions like, 'which room was it that had the claw foot tub again?'
When I told my husband, he said, "Well, they weren't that bad, they didn't ask to use the bathroom!" He had a point.

This time of year on days we don't have anyone scheduled to come in we put a note on the door saying we're closed, but on the note we give the website and say they can check availability and view the rooms online. It gives me the little extra assurance that I really will have a day off...

Baygirl said:

This time of year on days we don't have anyone scheduled to come in we put a note on the door saying we're closed, but on the note we give the website and say they can check availability and view the rooms online. It gives me the little extra assurance that I really will have a day off....

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Funny. The previous day, we went out to lunch and put up the sign saying check in starts at 2. Very nice sign offering coffee and parking while you wait.
When we got home, we discovered that our kid had answered the bell at 1 and checked in a couple.
Sign? What sign??

Baygirl said:

This time of year on days we don't have anyone scheduled to come in we put a note on the door saying we're closed, but on the note we give the website and say they can check availability and view the rooms online. It gives me the little extra assurance that I really will have a day off....

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We have great curb appeal, but it's a challenge when folks just drive up our very long driveway expecting to see the house. We explain that we are closed or that we can not show them the house out of respect for the privacy of our current guests. The last several years we have learned to say "wait right here" and close the door behind us if we go to get a card for them. Usually folks understand, but sometimes people just make up stuff to try to see inside and when you don't fall for it, try something else. We have a dinger that tells us if someone is coming up the drive, so we can head them off, but it does seem as if they would blow right by a sign as if it was meant for someone else.

Yeah, we're out in a rural area in West Puget Sound, but with GPS folks just pop on over and ring the bell for a tour. There is now a sign on the door: Please make sure you have a confirmed reservation. Please call our cell to arrange a tour. Then, if they persist and ring the bell, we are not at home.
We should probably install an electric gate at the bottom of the drive! $$$

Basil Fawlty said:

Yeah, we're out in a rural area in West Puget Sound, but with GPS folks just pop on over and ring the bell for a tour. There is now a sign on the door: Please make sure you have a confirmed reservation. Please call our cell to arrange a tour. Then, if they persist and ring the bell, we are not at home.
We should probably install an electric gate at the bottom of the drive! $$$.

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They never did make the reservation that they wanted me to hold for them with no info. I think they just wanted a house tour.

TheBeachHouse said:

Basil Fawlty said:

Yeah, we're out in a rural area in West Puget Sound, but with GPS folks just pop on over and ring the bell for a tour. There is now a sign on the door: Please make sure you have a confirmed reservation. Please call our cell to arrange a tour. Then, if they persist and ring the bell, we are not at home.
We should probably install an electric gate at the bottom of the drive! $$$.

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They never did make the reservation that they wanted me to hold for them with no info. I think they just wanted a house tour.
.

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got "captcha'd' again.