i can see where it might be helpful during the booking process ... like when you're trying to buy something online and you get 'would you like to chat with a live agent?' and a separate window opens up .... could be really helpful with those who have repetitive questions or need guidance to traverse the website. or whose credit card date has expired or they are making the same entry mistake over and over ... who need help.
i have a sister who is basically housebound. and 'live chat' and instant messaging are some of her lifelines. if she (or someone like her) was at the inn i was running and could jump into the chat with answers pretty much all throughout the day and evening, i'd let her go for it. a chime signals that she has a live message .....
if someone has a receptionist or someone dedicated to being accessible by computer a lot, then this could happen. but many innkeepers that i know jump on and off the computer and probably couldn't devote a lot of time to it.
one thing i DO NOT LIKE ... which i think you are saying about tracking my presence ... if i visit a site and i'm just browsing and a window opens asking if i need the help of a live agent ... i don't like it and will quickly leave a site and clear any tracking cookies. i realize it's frustrating to know how many visitors you have that don't book or buy, but i like the ''anonymity'' of the web..
seashanty said:
one thing i DO NOT LIKE ... which i think you are saying about tracking my presence ... if i visit a site and i'm just browsing and a window opens asking if i need the help of a live agent ... i don't like it and will quickly leave a site and clear any tracking cookies. i realize it's frustrating to know how many visitors you have that don't book or buy, but i like the ''anonymity'' of the web.
I have completely stopped shopping at some online retailers (that had been my favorite online sites for years) because of this.
If it makes me feel uncomfortable when I'm shopping for household items, imagine how a prospective guest would feel.
Privacy is so very important to guests. I would not be willing to give them the feeling that they'd lost a bit of it just making a reservation.
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