About a year ago I had someone contact me that was looking at buying a B&B that had closed shortly after i had bought mine, which was almost 6 years ago. I gave him a special rate and lots of tips on negotiating the buy, which I know saved him lots of $$
They had no hospitality and no B&B experience. I offered to let them shadow me or run my Inn for a day or so (Oh my wife knows how to clean), I reminded them they needed commercial insurance (I have already spoken to the agent that insures my house), I mentioned the various organizations and PAII conference (oh I have been a car salesman all my life I don't need that). He happened to mention that the house was filled with "heavy French antiques" which of course was perfect for the style of house IMHO, but they preferred "contemporary" so would be pulling it all out. I mentioned that guests like what they don't get to see everywhere else ....
Not only did I never get a thank you for any help or the special rate (which will not stop me from ALWAYS giving a special rate to Innkeepers) but I never heard from them again, although I referred guests there when I was full. I went onto their website a couple of times, if you went to make a res it never asked you what date, or how many nights or which room, it just took you straight to a paypal page but I was not going to let them know since "he knew it all" already.
Yesterday I had referred a guest to them and just happened to go onto their website tonight - they are NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. Now, I know how tough business is out there, most of you know I nearly got foreclosed on and am mid-bankruptcy but hanging in there, but here was someone in a college town, the ONLY B&B I might add and the other hotels CRAPPY, much closer to the interstate than I am and I really believe that had they accepted the help I was offering - with no strings attached to that help - they would not have closed.
Don't bite the hand that tries to feed you, and mantain good relationships with those around you, even if they are competitors.
They had no hospitality and no B&B experience. I offered to let them shadow me or run my Inn for a day or so (Oh my wife knows how to clean), I reminded them they needed commercial insurance (I have already spoken to the agent that insures my house), I mentioned the various organizations and PAII conference (oh I have been a car salesman all my life I don't need that). He happened to mention that the house was filled with "heavy French antiques" which of course was perfect for the style of house IMHO, but they preferred "contemporary" so would be pulling it all out. I mentioned that guests like what they don't get to see everywhere else ....
Not only did I never get a thank you for any help or the special rate (which will not stop me from ALWAYS giving a special rate to Innkeepers) but I never heard from them again, although I referred guests there when I was full. I went onto their website a couple of times, if you went to make a res it never asked you what date, or how many nights or which room, it just took you straight to a paypal page but I was not going to let them know since "he knew it all" already.
Yesterday I had referred a guest to them and just happened to go onto their website tonight - they are NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. Now, I know how tough business is out there, most of you know I nearly got foreclosed on and am mid-bankruptcy but hanging in there, but here was someone in a college town, the ONLY B&B I might add and the other hotels CRAPPY, much closer to the interstate than I am and I really believe that had they accepted the help I was offering - with no strings attached to that help - they would not have closed.
Don't bite the hand that tries to feed you, and mantain good relationships with those around you, even if they are competitors.