I am SO TIRED of being threatened!

[Alibi Ike]

Did you ask her to send you a medical certificate? The medical reason is usually such an easy bluff for people. Getting a medical certificate faxed directly from the doctor... not so easy. In any case, I would have charged, issued a n/c gift certificate for the value with an expiration date and conditions that made it extremely difficult to use. A lot less objectionable to let the gift certificate expire in all it's quiet wonder than to get into a fight about it..

I might have done this if it was a full rate, in-season thing but this was a deeply discounted package they purchased, one of the requirements of which was agreement to the cancellation policy and pre-payment. Caveat emptor and all that...
We no longer issue GC's because of a few bad apples who've taken advantage of it, rebooking and re-cancelling with the GC. If it is a true medical emergency (which I do NOT believe it was, based on her attitude) they can always go through their credit card and try to get a refund.
.

I would have requested the medical form simply because the hassle of producing one, faxed directly from the medical office is something that they most likely could never have done. It's just so easy to say or write but much more difficult to actually do and they likely would say that they would, but never actually do it. (Especially when you say that it must be faxed directly, because the doctors will insist on being paid to do this, plus their time to go to the doctor, etc.)
All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money. Secondly, all my "free" GC state that they can be used only for the payment of accomodation, not for fees (including cancellation fees) or taxes. In some cases, it goes down to the point of writing on it that it can be used only from this date to that date, with all local and national holidays excluded. Heck, you could make it Sunday to Thursday. They most likely will never use it. In their mind, you have given them something and they will just let it expire. I've yet to see one come back to be used.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.

It depends on who and when.... my GC are for amounts, never specific to room or package. I have a two night minimum most of the year and often the GC covers only one night. If the promo amount is for $92 (from a cancellation) and it's only good for the accomodations, they will have to put out 17.912375% for the taxes in any case. They always have to pay part of it, unless it's a purchased GC.
When I get a third party GC, I have only had one time where they have left with a balance and it was a high amount GC. A GC for $100 just isn't going to cover anything in the summer, when my occupancy hits 99%. Those who have been to the B&B usually want one of the three most expensive rooms. My smallest rooms are popular in the winter... where I get more budget conscious visitors, but in the summer, it's exactly the opposite. Haven't had one complain yet, when having to pay me the difference. And I have to deal with exchange rates as well. My personal GCs are in CAD$, as our my rates. Sometimes guests from the US purchase them. I process in CAD and they get their bill in USD with the 3% exchange charge. Just part of the game and they see that I charged exactly CAD$200 on their bill.
Incidentally, in Quebec, if the amount left on the GC is less than $5, you must refund in cash the amount left on the card. But the law only pertains to "pre-paid" cards, those purchased in exchange for money. Promotional cards don't have a value, so they want to use them all, lest they lose them.
I've tried packages, they just don't work for me.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.

 

[Generic]

Did you ask her to send you a medical certificate? The medical reason is usually such an easy bluff for people. Getting a medical certificate faxed directly from the doctor... not so easy. In any case, I would have charged, issued a n/c gift certificate for the value with an expiration date and conditions that made it extremely difficult to use. A lot less objectionable to let the gift certificate expire in all it's quiet wonder than to get into a fight about it..

I might have done this if it was a full rate, in-season thing but this was a deeply discounted package they purchased, one of the requirements of which was agreement to the cancellation policy and pre-payment. Caveat emptor and all that...
We no longer issue GC's because of a few bad apples who've taken advantage of it, rebooking and re-cancelling with the GC. If it is a true medical emergency (which I do NOT believe it was, based on her attitude) they can always go through their credit card and try to get a refund.
.

I would have requested the medical form simply because the hassle of producing one, faxed directly from the medical office is something that they most likely could never have done. It's just so easy to say or write but much more difficult to actually do and they likely would say that they would, but never actually do it. (Especially when you say that it must be faxed directly, because the doctors will insist on being paid to do this, plus their time to go to the doctor, etc.)
All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money. Secondly, all my "free" GC state that they can be used only for the payment of accomodation, not for fees (including cancellation fees) or taxes. In some cases, it goes down to the point of writing on it that it can be used only from this date to that date, with all local and national holidays excluded. Heck, you could make it Sunday to Thursday. They most likely will never use it. In their mind, you have given them something and they will just let it expire. I've yet to see one come back to be used.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.

It depends on who and when.... my GC are for amounts, never specific to room or package. I have a two night minimum most of the year and often the GC covers only one night. If the promo amount is for $92 (from a cancellation) and it's only good for the accomodations, they will have to put out 17.912375% for the taxes in any case. They always have to pay part of it, unless it's a purchased GC.
When I get a third party GC, I have only had one time where they have left with a balance and it was a high amount GC. A GC for $100 just isn't going to cover anything in the summer, when my occupancy hits 99%. Those who have been to the B&B usually want one of the three most expensive rooms. My smallest rooms are popular in the winter... where I get more budget conscious visitors, but in the summer, it's exactly the opposite. Haven't had one complain yet, when having to pay me the difference. And I have to deal with exchange rates as well. My personal GCs are in CAD$, as our my rates. Sometimes guests from the US purchase them. I process in CAD and they get their bill in USD with the 3% exchange charge. Just part of the game and they see that I charged exactly CAD$200 on their bill.
Incidentally, in Quebec, if the amount left on the GC is less than $5, you must refund in cash the amount left on the card. But the law only pertains to "pre-paid" cards, those purchased in exchange for money. Promotional cards don't have a value, so they want to use them all, lest they lose them.
I've tried packages, they just don't work for me.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.

Never had someone ever suggest not paying the taxes (other than the government employee, below.) If I did, I would simply ask them for their tax exemption number, say that I will be a moment as I get verifiation from the government tax office. I have a feeling that I would be stopped much sooner than having to look up the phone number.
Never set your prices in flat dollar amounts! It's a psychological trick. If you are $119.00 they will say that you are under $120. or $115 or so, but if you set it to $120, they say that it's $120 dollars, psychologically it's more expensive. Stops the problem, they know they will have to deal with odd amounts after the tax in any case.
Slightly off-topic.... (tangent)
We had a government employee call for a reservation. She didn't want to do the reservation online because she didn't want to give a credit card number. She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to. We simply said that we do not accept government PO and we are not authorized to accept government PO. She can either reserve and pay by credit card or find a hotel or B&B that is willing to accept it. Somehow... that whole idea of trying to run after my money from the government only to be paid by cheque in 180 days just wasn't worth the hassle, never mind having to pay her taxes on

 

[gillumhouse]

Did you ask her to send you a medical certificate? The medical reason is usually such an easy bluff for people. Getting a medical certificate faxed directly from the doctor... not so easy. In any case, I would have charged, issued a n/c gift certificate for the value with an expiration date and conditions that made it extremely difficult to use. A lot less objectionable to let the gift certificate expire in all it's quiet wonder than to get into a fight about it..

I might have done this if it was a full rate, in-season thing but this was a deeply discounted package they purchased, one of the requirements of which was agreement to the cancellation policy and pre-payment. Caveat emptor and all that...
We no longer issue GC's because of a few bad apples who've taken advantage of it, rebooking and re-cancelling with the GC. If it is a true medical emergency (which I do NOT believe it was, based on her attitude) they can always go through their credit card and try to get a refund.
.

I would have requested the medical form simply because the hassle of producing one, faxed directly from the medical office is something that they most likely could never have done. It's just so easy to say or write but much more difficult to actually do and they likely would say that they would, but never actually do it. (Especially when you say that it must be faxed directly, because the doctors will insist on being paid to do this, plus their time to go to the doctor, etc.)
All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money. Secondly, all my "free" GC state that they can be used only for the payment of accomodation, not for fees (including cancellation fees) or taxes. In some cases, it goes down to the point of writing on it that it can be used only from this date to that date, with all local and national holidays excluded. Heck, you could make it Sunday to Thursday. They most likely will never use it. In their mind, you have given them something and they will just let it expire. I've yet to see one come back to be used.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.

It depends on who and when.... my GC are for amounts, never specific to room or package. I have a two night minimum most of the year and often the GC covers only one night. If the promo amount is for $92 (from a cancellation) and it's only good for the accomodations, they will have to put out 17.912375% for the taxes in any case. They always have to pay part of it, unless it's a purchased GC.
When I get a third party GC, I have only had one time where they have left with a balance and it was a high amount GC. A GC for $100 just isn't going to cover anything in the summer, when my occupancy hits 99%. Those who have been to the B&B usually want one of the three most expensive rooms. My smallest rooms are popular in the winter... where I get more budget conscious visitors, but in the summer, it's exactly the opposite. Haven't had one complain yet, when having to pay me the difference. And I have to deal with exchange rates as well. My personal GCs are in CAD$, as our my rates. Sometimes guests from the US purchase them. I process in CAD and they get their bill in USD with the 3% exchange charge. Just part of the game and they see that I charged exactly CAD$200 on their bill.
Incidentally, in Quebec, if the amount left on the GC is less than $5, you must refund in cash the amount left on the card. But the law only pertains to "pre-paid" cards, those purchased in exchange for money. Promotional cards don't have a value, so they want to use them all, lest they lose them.
I've tried packages, they just don't work for me.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.

Never had someone ever suggest not paying the taxes (other than the government employee, below.) If I did, I would simply ask them for their tax exemption number, say that I will be a moment as I get verifiation from the government tax office. I have a feeling that I would be stopped much sooner than having to look up the phone number.
Never set your prices in flat dollar amounts! It's a psychological trick. If you are $119.00 they will say that you are under $120. or $115 or so, but if you set it to $120, they say that it's $120 dollars, psychologically it's more expensive. Stops the problem, they know they will have to deal with odd amounts after the tax in any case.
Slightly off-topic.... (tangent)
We had a government employee call for a reservation. She didn't want to do the reservation online because she didn't want to give a credit card number. She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to. We simply said that we do not accept government PO and we are not authorized to accept government PO. She can either reserve and pay by credit card or find a hotel or B&B that is willing to accept it. Somehow... that whole idea of trying to run after my money from the government only to be paid by cheque in 180 days just wasn't worth the hassle, never mind having to pay her taxes on
.

She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to.
Wow! We do not have to take tax on Government - IF they have the proper tax-exempt form. If I do not collect it, I do not have to pay it (on Gvt only). Since I am in a municipality that did not enact the ordinance to collect hotel (we call it bed tax) tax, I cannot by law collect it. (Saves my guests an extra 6%.) I only collect 6% State sales tax BUT I do PAY 50 cents on every dollar of GROSS revenue to the City (Business & Occupation tax) as a service industry that I cannot pass on to my guests.

 

[Alibi Ike]

Did you ask her to send you a medical certificate? The medical reason is usually such an easy bluff for people. Getting a medical certificate faxed directly from the doctor... not so easy. In any case, I would have charged, issued a n/c gift certificate for the value with an expiration date and conditions that made it extremely difficult to use. A lot less objectionable to let the gift certificate expire in all it's quiet wonder than to get into a fight about it..

I might have done this if it was a full rate, in-season thing but this was a deeply discounted package they purchased, one of the requirements of which was agreement to the cancellation policy and pre-payment. Caveat emptor and all that...
We no longer issue GC's because of a few bad apples who've taken advantage of it, rebooking and re-cancelling with the GC. If it is a true medical emergency (which I do NOT believe it was, based on her attitude) they can always go through their credit card and try to get a refund.
.

I would have requested the medical form simply because the hassle of producing one, faxed directly from the medical office is something that they most likely could never have done. It's just so easy to say or write but much more difficult to actually do and they likely would say that they would, but never actually do it. (Especially when you say that it must be faxed directly, because the doctors will insist on being paid to do this, plus their time to go to the doctor, etc.)
All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money. Secondly, all my "free" GC state that they can be used only for the payment of accomodation, not for fees (including cancellation fees) or taxes. In some cases, it goes down to the point of writing on it that it can be used only from this date to that date, with all local and national holidays excluded. Heck, you could make it Sunday to Thursday. They most likely will never use it. In their mind, you have given them something and they will just let it expire. I've yet to see one come back to be used.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.

It depends on who and when.... my GC are for amounts, never specific to room or package. I have a two night minimum most of the year and often the GC covers only one night. If the promo amount is for $92 (from a cancellation) and it's only good for the accomodations, they will have to put out 17.912375% for the taxes in any case. They always have to pay part of it, unless it's a purchased GC.
When I get a third party GC, I have only had one time where they have left with a balance and it was a high amount GC. A GC for $100 just isn't going to cover anything in the summer, when my occupancy hits 99%. Those who have been to the B&B usually want one of the three most expensive rooms. My smallest rooms are popular in the winter... where I get more budget conscious visitors, but in the summer, it's exactly the opposite. Haven't had one complain yet, when having to pay me the difference. And I have to deal with exchange rates as well. My personal GCs are in CAD$, as our my rates. Sometimes guests from the US purchase them. I process in CAD and they get their bill in USD with the 3% exchange charge. Just part of the game and they see that I charged exactly CAD$200 on their bill.
Incidentally, in Quebec, if the amount left on the GC is less than $5, you must refund in cash the amount left on the card. But the law only pertains to "pre-paid" cards, those purchased in exchange for money. Promotional cards don't have a value, so they want to use them all, lest they lose them.
I've tried packages, they just don't work for me.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.

Never had someone ever suggest not paying the taxes (other than the government employee, below.) If I did, I would simply ask them for their tax exemption number, say that I will be a moment as I get verifiation from the government tax office. I have a feeling that I would be stopped much sooner than having to look up the phone number.
Never set your prices in flat dollar amounts! It's a psychological trick. If you are $119.00 they will say that you are under $120. or $115 or so, but if you set it to $120, they say that it's $120 dollars, psychologically it's more expensive. Stops the problem, they know they will have to deal with odd amounts after the tax in any case.
Slightly off-topic.... (tangent)
We had a government employee call for a reservation. She didn't want to do the reservation online because she didn't want to give a credit card number. She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to. We simply said that we do not accept government PO and we are not authorized to accept government PO. She can either reserve and pay by credit card or find a hotel or B&B that is willing to accept it. Somehow... that whole idea of trying to run after my money from the government only to be paid by cheque in 180 days just wasn't worth the hassle, never mind having to pay her taxes on
.

I don't set the GC prices. The buyer picks whatever amount they want. If they want $99, I'll write it for that. If they want $301.75, I'll write it for that. Some will pay enough to cover taxes, others won't. Then there are the 'close' ones where there is a balance in the guest's favor of $14. Rather than deal with the bookkeeping, I just give them $14.
It's the idea that there might be taxes after the GC is used up. Some guests think I should cover ANY amount over the GC, taxes, rooms fees, whatever. They have $250 (or whatever amount) and I should pick up the difference (if it's smallish) like last week's $9- they had to dig for change to pay me even tho they knew it in advance.
It's only when it's a small amount. Under $20. Then there's a definite 'feeling' that I'm grubbing for money. Even tho they would never pull that at WalMart.
I tried doing pricing at the '9's' for the rooms. Didn't make a bit of difference overall. I know there is a ton of research that says it does, but it doesn't show up in the amount of reservations.

 

[Generic]

Did you ask her to send you a medical certificate? The medical reason is usually such an easy bluff for people. Getting a medical certificate faxed directly from the doctor... not so easy. In any case, I would have charged, issued a n/c gift certificate for the value with an expiration date and conditions that made it extremely difficult to use. A lot less objectionable to let the gift certificate expire in all it's quiet wonder than to get into a fight about it..

I might have done this if it was a full rate, in-season thing but this was a deeply discounted package they purchased, one of the requirements of which was agreement to the cancellation policy and pre-payment. Caveat emptor and all that...
We no longer issue GC's because of a few bad apples who've taken advantage of it, rebooking and re-cancelling with the GC. If it is a true medical emergency (which I do NOT believe it was, based on her attitude) they can always go through their credit card and try to get a refund.
.

I would have requested the medical form simply because the hassle of producing one, faxed directly from the medical office is something that they most likely could never have done. It's just so easy to say or write but much more difficult to actually do and they likely would say that they would, but never actually do it. (Especially when you say that it must be faxed directly, because the doctors will insist on being paid to do this, plus their time to go to the doctor, etc.)
All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money. Secondly, all my "free" GC state that they can be used only for the payment of accomodation, not for fees (including cancellation fees) or taxes. In some cases, it goes down to the point of writing on it that it can be used only from this date to that date, with all local and national holidays excluded. Heck, you could make it Sunday to Thursday. They most likely will never use it. In their mind, you have given them something and they will just let it expire. I've yet to see one come back to be used.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.

It depends on who and when.... my GC are for amounts, never specific to room or package. I have a two night minimum most of the year and often the GC covers only one night. If the promo amount is for $92 (from a cancellation) and it's only good for the accomodations, they will have to put out 17.912375% for the taxes in any case. They always have to pay part of it, unless it's a purchased GC.
When I get a third party GC, I have only had one time where they have left with a balance and it was a high amount GC. A GC for $100 just isn't going to cover anything in the summer, when my occupancy hits 99%. Those who have been to the B&B usually want one of the three most expensive rooms. My smallest rooms are popular in the winter... where I get more budget conscious visitors, but in the summer, it's exactly the opposite. Haven't had one complain yet, when having to pay me the difference. And I have to deal with exchange rates as well. My personal GCs are in CAD$, as our my rates. Sometimes guests from the US purchase them. I process in CAD and they get their bill in USD with the 3% exchange charge. Just part of the game and they see that I charged exactly CAD$200 on their bill.
Incidentally, in Quebec, if the amount left on the GC is less than $5, you must refund in cash the amount left on the card. But the law only pertains to "pre-paid" cards, those purchased in exchange for money. Promotional cards don't have a value, so they want to use them all, lest they lose them.
I've tried packages, they just don't work for me.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.

Never had someone ever suggest not paying the taxes (other than the government employee, below.) If I did, I would simply ask them for their tax exemption number, say that I will be a moment as I get verifiation from the government tax office. I have a feeling that I would be stopped much sooner than having to look up the phone number.
Never set your prices in flat dollar amounts! It's a psychological trick. If you are $119.00 they will say that you are under $120. or $115 or so, but if you set it to $120, they say that it's $120 dollars, psychologically it's more expensive. Stops the problem, they know they will have to deal with odd amounts after the tax in any case.
Slightly off-topic.... (tangent)
We had a government employee call for a reservation. She didn't want to do the reservation online because she didn't want to give a credit card number. She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to. We simply said that we do not accept government PO and we are not authorized to accept government PO. She can either reserve and pay by credit card or find a hotel or B&B that is willing to accept it. Somehow... that whole idea of trying to run after my money from the government only to be paid by cheque in 180 days just wasn't worth the hassle, never mind having to pay her taxes on
.

She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to.
Wow! We do not have to take tax on Government - IF they have the proper tax-exempt form. If I do not collect it, I do not have to pay it (on Gvt only). Since I am in a municipality that did not enact the ordinance to collect hotel (we call it bed tax) tax, I cannot by law collect it. (Saves my guests an extra 6%.) I only collect 6% State sales tax BUT I do PAY 50 cents on every dollar of GROSS revenue to the City (Business & Occupation tax) as a service industry that I cannot pass on to my guests.
.

All our taxes except for the tourism tax are value added taxes, meaning that all levels are supposed to pay it. I think only aboriginal Canadians are exempt. Tourism tax is regional. If you aren't aware, value added taxes means that everyone pays the full amount at each level and called an ITR, an input credit. So if I buy for $1 and pay $0.17 in tax, when I sell it for $2.50 and collect $0.43 in tax, I deduct the $0.17 that I paid already and send the government only $0.26 in tax.
The government is, in fact, exempt. I've checked that. The problem is that I'm using the simple method which means that I don't have to track my input tax at all, I just pay a percentage of the tax on my sales. I don't even know how I process something that is tax exempt because I'm simply paying a percent of sales at the moment.

She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to.
Wow! We do not have to take tax on Government - IF they have the proper tax-exempt form. If I do not collect it, I do not have to pay it (on Gvt only). Since I am in a municipality that did not enact the ordinance to collect hotel (we call it bed tax) tax, I cannot by law collect it. (Saves my guests an extra 6%.) I only collect 6% State sales tax BUT I do PAY 50 cents on every dollar of GROSS revenue to the City (Business & Occupation tax) as a service industry that I cannot pass on to my guests.

 

[gillumhouse]

Did you ask her to send you a medical certificate? The medical reason is usually such an easy bluff for people. Getting a medical certificate faxed directly from the doctor... not so easy. In any case, I would have charged, issued a n/c gift certificate for the value with an expiration date and conditions that made it extremely difficult to use. A lot less objectionable to let the gift certificate expire in all it's quiet wonder than to get into a fight about it..

I might have done this if it was a full rate, in-season thing but this was a deeply discounted package they purchased, one of the requirements of which was agreement to the cancellation policy and pre-payment. Caveat emptor and all that...
We no longer issue GC's because of a few bad apples who've taken advantage of it, rebooking and re-cancelling with the GC. If it is a true medical emergency (which I do NOT believe it was, based on her attitude) they can always go through their credit card and try to get a refund.
.

I would have requested the medical form simply because the hassle of producing one, faxed directly from the medical office is something that they most likely could never have done. It's just so easy to say or write but much more difficult to actually do and they likely would say that they would, but never actually do it. (Especially when you say that it must be faxed directly, because the doctors will insist on being paid to do this, plus their time to go to the doctor, etc.)
All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money. Secondly, all my "free" GC state that they can be used only for the payment of accomodation, not for fees (including cancellation fees) or taxes. In some cases, it goes down to the point of writing on it that it can be used only from this date to that date, with all local and national holidays excluded. Heck, you could make it Sunday to Thursday. They most likely will never use it. In their mind, you have given them something and they will just let it expire. I've yet to see one come back to be used.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.

It depends on who and when.... my GC are for amounts, never specific to room or package. I have a two night minimum most of the year and often the GC covers only one night. If the promo amount is for $92 (from a cancellation) and it's only good for the accomodations, they will have to put out 17.912375% for the taxes in any case. They always have to pay part of it, unless it's a purchased GC.
When I get a third party GC, I have only had one time where they have left with a balance and it was a high amount GC. A GC for $100 just isn't going to cover anything in the summer, when my occupancy hits 99%. Those who have been to the B&B usually want one of the three most expensive rooms. My smallest rooms are popular in the winter... where I get more budget conscious visitors, but in the summer, it's exactly the opposite. Haven't had one complain yet, when having to pay me the difference. And I have to deal with exchange rates as well. My personal GCs are in CAD$, as our my rates. Sometimes guests from the US purchase them. I process in CAD and they get their bill in USD with the 3% exchange charge. Just part of the game and they see that I charged exactly CAD$200 on their bill.
Incidentally, in Quebec, if the amount left on the GC is less than $5, you must refund in cash the amount left on the card. But the law only pertains to "pre-paid" cards, those purchased in exchange for money. Promotional cards don't have a value, so they want to use them all, lest they lose them.
I've tried packages, they just don't work for me.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.

Never had someone ever suggest not paying the taxes (other than the government employee, below.) If I did, I would simply ask them for their tax exemption number, say that I will be a moment as I get verifiation from the government tax office. I have a feeling that I would be stopped much sooner than having to look up the phone number.
Never set your prices in flat dollar amounts! It's a psychological trick. If you are $119.00 they will say that you are under $120. or $115 or so, but if you set it to $120, they say that it's $120 dollars, psychologically it's more expensive. Stops the problem, they know they will have to deal with odd amounts after the tax in any case.
Slightly off-topic.... (tangent)
We had a government employee call for a reservation. She didn't want to do the reservation online because she didn't want to give a credit card number. She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to. We simply said that we do not accept government PO and we are not authorized to accept government PO. She can either reserve and pay by credit card or find a hotel or B&B that is willing to accept it. Somehow... that whole idea of trying to run after my money from the government only to be paid by cheque in 180 days just wasn't worth the hassle, never mind having to pay her taxes on
.

She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to.
Wow! We do not have to take tax on Government - IF they have the proper tax-exempt form. If I do not collect it, I do not have to pay it (on Gvt only). Since I am in a municipality that did not enact the ordinance to collect hotel (we call it bed tax) tax, I cannot by law collect it. (Saves my guests an extra 6%.) I only collect 6% State sales tax BUT I do PAY 50 cents on every dollar of GROSS revenue to the City (Business & Occupation tax) as a service industry that I cannot pass on to my guests.
.

All our taxes except for the tourism tax are value added taxes, meaning that all levels are supposed to pay it. I think only aboriginal Canadians are exempt. Tourism tax is regional. If you aren't aware, value added taxes means that everyone pays the full amount at each level and called an ITR, an input credit. So if I buy for $1 and pay $0.17 in tax, when I sell it for $2.50 and collect $0.43 in tax, I deduct the $0.17 that I paid already and send the government only $0.26 in tax.
The government is, in fact, exempt. I've checked that. The problem is that I'm using the simple method which means that I don't have to track my input tax at all, I just pay a percentage of the tax on my sales. I don't even know how I process something that is tax exempt because I'm simply paying a percent of sales at the moment.

She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to.
Wow! We do not have to take tax on Government - IF they have the proper tax-exempt form. If I do not collect it, I do not have to pay it (on Gvt only). Since I am in a municipality that did not enact the ordinance to collect hotel (we call it bed tax) tax, I cannot by law collect it. (Saves my guests an extra 6%.) I only collect 6% State sales tax BUT I do PAY 50 cents on every dollar of GROSS revenue to the City (Business & Occupation tax) as a service industry that I cannot pass on to my guests.

.

On MY purchases, I can use a tax number and not pay sales tax BUT I must keep track of those purchases and pay the State those taxes eventually. I just pay the tax when I buy something, it is easier that way. There is a push floating around to do a VAT here (Fed not State) - I hope not.

 

[Generic]

Did you ask her to send you a medical certificate? The medical reason is usually such an easy bluff for people. Getting a medical certificate faxed directly from the doctor... not so easy. In any case, I would have charged, issued a n/c gift certificate for the value with an expiration date and conditions that made it extremely difficult to use. A lot less objectionable to let the gift certificate expire in all it's quiet wonder than to get into a fight about it..

I might have done this if it was a full rate, in-season thing but this was a deeply discounted package they purchased, one of the requirements of which was agreement to the cancellation policy and pre-payment. Caveat emptor and all that...
We no longer issue GC's because of a few bad apples who've taken advantage of it, rebooking and re-cancelling with the GC. If it is a true medical emergency (which I do NOT believe it was, based on her attitude) they can always go through their credit card and try to get a refund.
.

I would have requested the medical form simply because the hassle of producing one, faxed directly from the medical office is something that they most likely could never have done. It's just so easy to say or write but much more difficult to actually do and they likely would say that they would, but never actually do it. (Especially when you say that it must be faxed directly, because the doctors will insist on being paid to do this, plus their time to go to the doctor, etc.)
All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money. Secondly, all my "free" GC state that they can be used only for the payment of accomodation, not for fees (including cancellation fees) or taxes. In some cases, it goes down to the point of writing on it that it can be used only from this date to that date, with all local and national holidays excluded. Heck, you could make it Sunday to Thursday. They most likely will never use it. In their mind, you have given them something and they will just let it expire. I've yet to see one come back to be used.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.
.

All my GC are always in dollar amounts and not specific on packages, since people will usually increase their spend with the GC, since they don't think of it as really being money.

Tangent alert!!! Do you do anything specific to get upsell from a GC user? I find they book the room that comes closest to the $ amount on the GC and get tetchy if they owe me a few dollars. So, definitely not seeing any upsell in buying packages to add on.

It depends on who and when.... my GC are for amounts, never specific to room or package. I have a two night minimum most of the year and often the GC covers only one night. If the promo amount is for $92 (from a cancellation) and it's only good for the accomodations, they will have to put out 17.912375% for the taxes in any case. They always have to pay part of it, unless it's a purchased GC.
When I get a third party GC, I have only had one time where they have left with a balance and it was a high amount GC. A GC for $100 just isn't going to cover anything in the summer, when my occupancy hits 99%. Those who have been to the B&B usually want one of the three most expensive rooms. My smallest rooms are popular in the winter... where I get more budget conscious visitors, but in the summer, it's exactly the opposite. Haven't had one complain yet, when having to pay me the difference. And I have to deal with exchange rates as well. My personal GCs are in CAD$, as our my rates. Sometimes guests from the US purchase them. I process in CAD and they get their bill in USD with the 3% exchange charge. Just part of the game and they see that I charged exactly CAD$200 on their bill.
Incidentally, in Quebec, if the amount left on the GC is less than $5, you must refund in cash the amount left on the card. But the law only pertains to "pre-paid" cards, those purchased in exchange for money. Promotional cards don't have a value, so they want to use them all, lest they lose them.
I've tried packages, they just don't work for me.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.
.

Yes, we just do dollar amounts as well but never get anyone wanting to add on anything. The 'average' GC purchase is about $250 so that does cover a lot. Usually what's left is the tax and they look at me like I should eat that. I wonder if they do that in a restaurant as well.
'My GC for this restaurant is for $75 but my tab is $82, why should I pay the rest?' Worse, they stiff the server.

Never had someone ever suggest not paying the taxes (other than the government employee, below.) If I did, I would simply ask them for their tax exemption number, say that I will be a moment as I get verifiation from the government tax office. I have a feeling that I would be stopped much sooner than having to look up the phone number.
Never set your prices in flat dollar amounts! It's a psychological trick. If you are $119.00 they will say that you are under $120. or $115 or so, but if you set it to $120, they say that it's $120 dollars, psychologically it's more expensive. Stops the problem, they know they will have to deal with odd amounts after the tax in any case.
Slightly off-topic.... (tangent)
We had a government employee call for a reservation. She didn't want to do the reservation online because she didn't want to give a credit card number. She wanted to pay with a government PO. Further, she claimed that the government doesn't pay sales taxes (I have to collect three taxes, tourism tax, provincial tax and federal tax.) I use the fast method for filing, which means that even if she doesn't pay the taxes, I have to. We simply said that we do not accept government PO and we are not authorized to accept government PO. She can either reserve and pay by credit card or find a hotel or B&B that is willing to accept it. Somehow... that whole idea of trying to run after my money from the government only to be paid by cheque in 180 days just wasn't worth the hassle, never mind having to pay her taxes on
.

I don't set the GC prices. The buyer picks whatever amount they want. If they want $99, I'll write it for that. If they want $301.75, I'll write it for that. Some will pay enough to cover taxes, others won't. Then there are the 'close' ones where there is a balance in the guest's favor of $14. Rather than deal with the bookkeeping, I just give them $14.
It's the idea that there might be taxes after the GC is used up. Some guests think I should cover ANY amount over the GC, taxes, rooms fees, whatever. They have $250 (or whatever amount) and I should pick up the difference (if it's smallish) like last week's $9- they had to dig for change to pay me even tho they knew it in advance.
It's only when it's a small amount. Under $20. Then there's a definite 'feeling' that I'm grubbing for money. Even tho they would never pull that at WalMart.
I tried doing pricing at the '9's' for the rooms. Didn't make a bit of difference overall. I know there is a ton of research that says it does, but it doesn't show up in the amount of reservations.
.

If the price ends in a 9.00 then it's my rack rate. I sometimes use odd calculations for the room rates when I discount them, for many different reasons. First reason is that I can clearly see it was a discounted rate. But also it leaves them guessing as to why... sometimes I price it so that with the tax it ends in 9.99
If they ask, anything in the $10 range I would likely refund, but since no one has yet left anything on a gift certificate (other than one couple on a third party GC), yet... it's not really an issue.
I don't sell GC either. But they inevitably end up with something to pay with our taxes. I have had a few cases where someone gave us a card to process all room charges for someone else, as a gift. A mother who's son was coming to study here. Friends paying for the honeymoon. And I don't know how many third party GC I have put through our shredder after clearing off the balances on them.
The $9 thing can mean the difference between someone thinking that you are expensive or not. It's just a psychological game. Though, for some cultures, they don't like the number 9 at all.