Discounts for neat and tidy guests who don't smoke

I returned her call, she said she already saw the $20 off and asked "Well, what else do you have?"

I paused for a moment, and then said, "I am not sure what you are after? I am offering $20 off"  

She said, "Well don't you offer AARP or AAA?"  I replied "Well typically those are 10% off, on the room which is $120 that would be ONLY $12, I am offering $20 off, that is much more than AARP or AAA" - just in case math is not her strong suit.

Irritates you doesn't it.  I will RENEG the $20 off, I only have it offered til March 25th.

Again, from day one, from the very beginning of my forum-life I have said I do not want AAA guests, we did not renew to be in the book.  We do not offer AAA.  This is how they are, they are not B&B people, they are MOTEL people.

Oh and for those wondering - as I always say those who have the most tend to be the cheapest, you know my theory.  A couple here in their new Mercedes decided not to go out and eat and instead took advantage of anything and everything they could get their hands on for their one night stay.  Snacks I out out for all the guests - they sat at the table and ate.  Coffee, cocoa, cider, sodas, snacks, peanuts, tea, they consumed as much as possible.

I just found more candy wrappers upstairs.  They were beyond arrogant, and what a shocker really wanted to get their money's worth.

This is fine, since most do not even touch any of these extras they go off before they are eaten most of the time...so it all evens out.  But thought I would mention it here as way of a gripe.  

I was up cleaning a room, came down to this message:

"We are looking at staying there this weekend, Saturday only, and I was just wondering if you have any discounts that you are not offering online?" ..."Call me back"

Well y'all, should I offer the neat and tidy and non smokers discount? DOH!!  

How about charging more for guests who do smoke? I am unable to even be in the dining room with these guests the smoke smell is so strong. I have to put the food down and leave immediately.

Hmmm...this leads to the question of qualifying buyers....will post question in another thread.

Just had a webervations reservation come in for this weekend, closely followed by an email from the guest.  As my November special was extended, rooms are dirt cheap right now.  She wanted to include a third adult and a dog for that price; I told her no, but she would be welcome to rent a second room at that reduced rate.  She cancelled.

What the ....?  She had to check the policies box in webervations that states no pets and two people per room.  And where else around here does she think she's going to stay with that hoard for that price....and her email signature shows that she is a muckety-muck for Daimler Benz!  Excuse me for not grasping at that straw....I'd rather sleep in!

Edited to add:  Double WTF!!??  My realtor just called me to say that a lady by the same name (what a co-inkydink) wants to set up a showing for the house on Saturday.  Now what in the hell.......

A couple years ago I had a call from a lady looking for a weekend meet-in-the-middle with her sister. Since money was a factor, she booked one of the rooms with the double be and shared bath. It was not high season but the weather was still decent. When they arrived, I gave them both of the rooms that shared the bath for the price of one. They said I made their get together more than wonderful because they have totally different sleep patterns (one was a recent widow and the other a nurse). They spent their last night together making me a no-sew throw that I cherish. It is nice to be able to do those things, but I am afraid August would not be the time.

I do not fault for asking because my pholosophy is if you do not ask, you will never know and the worst case scenario is the answer is no and you have lost nothing by asking. The big thing is actually in HOW you ask.

Example: our first windjammer cruise I had received a lot of brochures and one gave a 10% discount if you booked before Feb 1 and sent the deposit. We decided which schooner but I could not remember if HE was the discount so I called. answer no. (pause, when are you coming?) Last week of August. August! I can't give a discount for August, it is my busy season. (Me - OK) Him: how many in the party? 6  OK 10%. When I asked,  I was accepting of his answer, but bringing 1/3 of his occupancy in one throw. HE was smart enough to ask his own questions. I went back 3 more times and each time took another cabin occupant. He more than made his 10% back.

i am unemployed, i go from underemployed to unemployed ... but i still might plan to visit family far away.  maybe i am saving up for months to do so. and i still might have the nerve to ask if someone offers a discount if i stay an entire week.  especially if i saw an appealing website and thought 'i wish i could stay there' ... probably not, but i just might try. 

august in new england is high season all around, but there are some little b&b's up in maine, near where i was, those ladies could stay in.  their rates are way low ... all the time.  they, to quote, offer 'simple accomodations' 'basic comforts' and continental breakfast.  muffins, fruit, cereal, coffee, tea.  just enough really. 

i would point the ladies in their direction.  their rates are in the chart below.  and i have a feeling they might even give the ladies a break for staying a week. maybe not.  i think it's a good idea to know of a place to send someone that is looking for low cost first and foremost.  multiplying 6 or 7 nights by a room rate is quite a bit of money.  i take the lady's statment for what it is. and trying to reassure you by saying they are neat and clean and don't smoke maybe is trying to show that, even though they don't have a lot of money, they would respect your property.  

i said this a lot, 'the lowest rate i can offer is $$$.'  pause -- if they don't want to book then i said,  ' you might try xyz b&b .... ' and i was sincere in my recommendation.

i have had sisters stay with me and share a bed to save money. no problem to me or to them.  $75 for the two of them at this place i'm talking about if they share the bed ... and the bath with another ... a nice room, nice bed, safe house, clean and cozy, basic breakfast ... not bad.  just basic. 

the reason i dropped AAA 

Hey, I will be super neat and tidy and I don't smoke, so................can I come stay with you and you pay ME??!     

OK now, we all know we are supposed to feel all warm & fuzzy and giving when we hear someone whine they are retired (perhaps with more than i have though) or unemployed (poor me). Don't you know that we are in business and therefore are rich and supposed to give to the poor! We are supposed to be part of the redistribution of wealth and being in business are wealth so should give to the poor unemployed (down-sized? eliminated? or fired?).

Hmmmmmmmmmm..............  maybe I should UP my prices because I'm unemployed!

okay let's try to not throw digs in here please 

Wow, I totally missed the August part of that original post...I can MAYBE see trying to get a discount for a last-minute getaway but to try to get a discount almost a year in advance???  No way.

Maybe this could be your chance to try out your locked and loaded special.  If they really really want a discount, fine.  Pay in advance, no cancellations, no exceptions.

That is, if you feel inclined to offer them any discount at all.  Won't August be a busy time for you?

Chances are good they will find someone who would jump at it.  If I have the room, and it wouldn't be filled at full price, I would take the $700.00...but then my highest rates are lower than the lowest rates of many Inns.  On top of that, I myself never pay more than $100 per night when I travel....could be why I always pick the smallest owner-run Inns.

So, just say no graciously if you can't do it, you shouldn't get mad at people for asking or take it personally, not in this economy.  $700 is alot of money to me; if I was willing to spend that for lodging on vacation, and an innkeeper said or acted like "if you can't afford to stay with me, stay home", I would say "no, I'm going on vacation, but will stay with someone else".

At least they are considering B&B's as a lodging option.