This was NOT a donation, it was a trade for radio time. The radio time worked, in the 3 days of air time I booked 24 reservations connected to this promotion, some for multi night stays and only ONE is using a GC purchased on their site, all others just booked.
So while the promotion worked well, it did not come without headaches and since only one has booked, I am sure I will have more to deal with before this is over.
Tonight was the one that just put me over the edge. Tuesday I got an online reservation for one night at the end of next month, given the address in area code, it raised the GC flag so I called. Yep I was on target, he had just purchased a GC from the radio station. I then told him there was a 2 night min and asked if he wanted me to extend his reservation. "Uh no, I didn't know ...." me, "Sorry, the policies are written in bold..." So, he says he will have to get back with me. Nothing from him yesterday so I sent him an email stating I was placing the room back open for booking. Then explained again the policies of the GC and that we would love having them stay either that weekend (as long as it was still available) or at another time other than holidays or event periods........
So what do I get tonight, an email asking for Feb. 12 & 13.... WT_????.
Either they don't read or they don't know what a holiday is. (You might be surprised.) I had a guy argue with me that Columbus Day weekend isn't a holiday. He had no idea what 'holiday' I was talking about when I wouldn't give him a discount for staying one night 'on a holiday weekend'.
It sounds like you're getting a lot of traffic from that ad, tho, so good for you!
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Morticia said:
Either they don't read or they don't know what a holiday is. (You might be surprised.)
Believe me I AM suprised if this is the case with this guy! This perticular
guy lives in this area (~50m) and unless he is from another planet, he KNOWS what weekend it is as he lives near some of the festivities that will be going on. The only thing I can think is that he thinks that because we are 'so far' away that it does not effect us....but there is not a city within this entire region that is not part of this celebration.
Now if this had been someone from, lets say, your neck of the woods I would not be so surprised as it has happened before..'Oh, I didn't know that [ ] was this time of year." And your example of Columbus Day could have easily been me! Not that I don't know about Columbus Day, but it is not one of my 'holiday weekends' here.
It sounds like you're getting a lot of traffic from that ad, tho, so good for you!
Yep, if done in the right target market, at the right time of year, on the right radio station, at the right times of the day,..... AND all for the right PRICE.
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