How Far Do You Push It...?!?!

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Northern Dreamer

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Talked three times over three days on the phone with a caller who is looking for a room. One night, four nights...he's just not sure. Waited until he commits. He calls during breakfast... Finally asks to check-in today.
Sure, we can call you back after breakfast.
Nah...we'll just head your way
No problem, happy to check you in at 4 pm or after.
Oh? We can't come earlier...? (you all know this drill)
Sorry, we have rooms to change out. 4 is earliest.
Ok
-------
Now it's 2 pm. Laundry still going, waiting on a few towels, a blanket, and robes to dry. (We have some extras but have been busy so...)
2:05 two people at the door - I hesitate to answer...send hubby and head toward the laundry room.
Guess who...? WTH? Sorry room not ready yet - all of a sudden I want to take 2 hours to hang a robe and fold laundry...
We run their card, but they agree to sit on front porch until room is ready.
I really want to make them wait til 4...but how far have you ever pushed this?? Or if there is a next time do I just NOT answer the door???
 
This actually happened here (this story I mean).
Three men were riding the 72-mile rail-trail that is about 23 mies from me. They booked in for one-night, I was to go to the trailhead with them and drive the vehicle back to here for the duration. They would be gone 3 nights and would call for pick-up when they got back to the trailhead and would spend one more night. Great - they would just go back in the original rooms so no flips.
Wrong. I got a pre-paid cash on Friday for Saturday night (my guys were returning Sunday). Room flips. I have just finished serving breakfast to my Saturday night 3-rooms when I get the phone call - we are done. Come get us in Ellenboro.
Himself was still alive so he finished breakfast and saying goodbye to Saturday folks and I head out to get my guys who are now about 60 miles away.
When we got back to my house, I told them - You can walk around town, ride my rail-trail, of just sit on the porch, but no one comes through the front door untilI say it is OK because I have to flip the rooms. They complied. Later that night, sitting on the porch chatting with one of them, I was told, "We have stayed in B & Bs around the world and you are in the top 5%" I was stunned. They gave me $60 for the chauffeur service in THEIR vehicle AND left tips in the rooms.
I would NOT be ready for them to enter the house one minute before 4 PM. Your house, your rules AND you told them that up front.
 
Had people arrive as I was serving breakfast to those currently occupying their room.

Me: Sorry, as your confirmation states check in starts at 3.

Guest: Oh, we have been traveling all night so excited to be here, we just want to take a nap before heading down to [big city] for the day. We won't need breakfast, just the room for a nap.

Me, stepping outside to not be overheard: Sorry, your room is currently occupied by one of the couples at the breakfast table right now. They are not checking out until 11am.

Guest: Well we will take another room until ours is ready, no problem.

Me: Well, yes there is a problem... 1) all the rooms are currently taken with guests that are currently at breakfast. 2) your reservation starts this afternoon at 3.

Guest: but we booked a room for today.

Me: Yes and in the the industry, the day starts in the afternoon - ours begins at 3pm Had you wanted to check in early this am, you would have needed to book for last night.

I gave them things to do, places to eat etc and said I had to get back to my breakfast group and looked forward to having them as guests. They slowly walked away. It was sad, I knew they were tired but that is the way it works and sometimes people have to be taught.

Hotels have gotten a little lax and if they can will comply with guests. And sometimes guests such under these circumstances, should stay at a hotel.

We can't be all things to all people all the time!
 
Put a sign on the door stating what time check in starts. Then don't answer it.
I would not take payment before 4 pm or they now think they are checked in. Anyone sitting on the porch after being told other things to do can sit on the porch.
 
Had people arrive as I was serving breakfast to those currently occupying their room.

Me: Sorry, as your confirmation states check in starts at 3.

Guest: Oh, we have been traveling all night so excited to be here, we just want to take a nap before heading down to [big city] for the day. We won't need breakfast, just the room for a nap.

Me, stepping outside to not be overheard: Sorry, your room is currently occupied by one of the couples at the breakfast table right now. They are not checking out until 11am.

Guest: Well we will take another room until ours is ready, no problem.

Me: Well, yes there is a problem... 1) all the rooms are currently taken with guests that are currently at breakfast. 2) your reservation starts this afternoon at 3.

Guest: but we booked a room for today.

Me: Yes and in the the industry, the day starts in the afternoon - ours begins at 3pm Had you wanted to check in early this am, you would have needed to book for last night.

I gave them things to do, places to eat etc and said I had to get back to my breakfast group and looked forward to having them as guests. They slowly walked away. It was sad, I knew they were tired but that is the way it works and sometimes people have to be taught.

Hotels have gotten a little lax and if they can will comply with guests. And sometimes guests such under these circumstances, should stay at a hotel.

We can't be all things to all people all the time!.
Copperhead said:
Guest: but we booked a room for today.
Some have the idea that their one night reservation is a 24 hour reservation. They think they have 10 a.m. today to 10 a.m. tomorrow. I don't know where they get that idea, since no hotel on earth operates that way.
Copperhead said:
And sometimes guests such under these circumstances, should stay at a hotel.
So true. Some people just belong at a hotel. I've told that to a few of them!
 
I'm getting so tired of this that I swear the next time they ask to check in early, I'm emailing them the link to pay for my early check-in fee.
You asked about early check-in. Here is a link to pay for the early-check-in fee of $25 plus tax, to have the room ready before 4PM. Otherwise, we will see you at 4PM.
Please email if you have any further questions.
 
Had people arrive as I was serving breakfast to those currently occupying their room.

Me: Sorry, as your confirmation states check in starts at 3.

Guest: Oh, we have been traveling all night so excited to be here, we just want to take a nap before heading down to [big city] for the day. We won't need breakfast, just the room for a nap.

Me, stepping outside to not be overheard: Sorry, your room is currently occupied by one of the couples at the breakfast table right now. They are not checking out until 11am.

Guest: Well we will take another room until ours is ready, no problem.

Me: Well, yes there is a problem... 1) all the rooms are currently taken with guests that are currently at breakfast. 2) your reservation starts this afternoon at 3.

Guest: but we booked a room for today.

Me: Yes and in the the industry, the day starts in the afternoon - ours begins at 3pm Had you wanted to check in early this am, you would have needed to book for last night.

I gave them things to do, places to eat etc and said I had to get back to my breakfast group and looked forward to having them as guests. They slowly walked away. It was sad, I knew they were tired but that is the way it works and sometimes people have to be taught.

Hotels have gotten a little lax and if they can will comply with guests. And sometimes guests such under these circumstances, should stay at a hotel.

We can't be all things to all people all the time!.
WOW! I can't believe they did that!!! I thought mine was bad!
I only wish I had had people here...we had just done a huge check-out that morning and were finally alone for a few hours and getting caught up on laundry, but they show up and to them it looks like we have nothing to do! I still made them wait on the porch while I putz around upstairs where the rooms are. They sat on porch for an hour...I had to make a point.
Of course they have checked-out now (earlier today) and I'll just say this, hubby had to shampoo carpets and I had to stain treat sheets...so frustrating....I question my sanity as to whether its worth it for a one-nighter!
I blocked that room for tonight as I will need until tomorrow to get it put back together!!!
 
There is a sign on our door that says check-in is from 4pm. We don't answer the door or the phone during the afternoon.
 
We solved this by having an early check in fee. We actually make a ton of money off of this. It’s not any more work neither.thos cuts out the unexpected arrival of guess.
 
And then there is this - 'Our flight arrives at 10:30am, we'll get the car and come right over.' After being told check in starts at 3. 'Well, is there someone in the room the night before???' It wouldn't matter if the room was empty for a week before if you start giving me attitude about what happens at my house.
 
I'm getting so tired of this that I swear the next time they ask to check in early, I'm emailing them the link to pay for my early check-in fee.
You asked about early check-in. Here is a link to pay for the early-check-in fee of $25 plus tax, to have the room ready before 4PM. Otherwise, we will see you at 4PM.
Please email if you have any further questions..
Generic said:
I'm getting so tired of this that I swear the next time they ask to check in early, I'm emailing them the link to pay for my early check-in fee.
You asked about early check-in. Here is a link to pay for the early-check-in fee of $25 plus tax, to have the room ready before 4PM. Otherwise, we will see you at 4PM.
Please email if you have any further questions.
We do early arrivals between 1-4. We charge $35. It works great. It pays for our vacation every year.
 
And then there is this - 'Our flight arrives at 10:30am, we'll get the car and come right over.' After being told check in starts at 3. 'Well, is there someone in the room the night before???' It wouldn't matter if the room was empty for a week before if you start giving me attitude about what happens at my house..
Morticia said:
It wouldn't matter if the room was empty for a week before if you start giving me attitude about what happens at my house.
Amen!
 
We solved this by having an early check in fee. We actually make a ton of money off of this. It’s not any more work neither.thos cuts out the unexpected arrival of guess..
We have also started offering early check in for a fee. Most of the time, guests don't want to pay but if they do, I'm not resentful. If not, I get my hour or two to snarf lunch and regroup. Win win.
 
Fifty bucks if you want to check in early.
Fifty bucks if you want to check out late.
A few pony up, and we appreciate the extra money. Most want to stay later on Sundays, and I rarely have 100% occupancy Sunday nights, so there you go -- free money.
 
We have the advantage in that we don't serve breakfast and rooms all open to a common porch, so early check in within reason doesn't bother me, once we are past check out time, if a room is ready, good, I don't have to be bothered later in the day, if the room is not ready, still take the money, make the speech, give the key and send them on their way, room will be ready in a hour or so, but my check in job is done and I can get on with my daily plans. All depends on what fits you as an individual.
 
We get early check-in'ers all the time! Everything we have says, "Check in at 2 pm". We get them arriving at 10:30 am sometimes!
I want to make them wait, of course, but honestly, if their room is clean and ready it's just as easy for me to go ahead and let them have their room and get everything processed. We have discount tickets to the Ozark Folk Center, so sometimes I can sell them tickets because they've come in early enough to make it to the park on time. Plus then we're basically done and dusted with their check in.
 
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