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  1. Tom

    Help! Coffee Maker Advice

    Too true. The paper catches fines and a bit of the bitterness. Buy brown ones and compost.
  2. Tom

    A Tale of Night & Day - First Two Reservations Ever

    Oh My! A terrible start. We innkeepers all have a few of these stories, they come out when the cream sherry is poured -- or for you, the rum punch. Good luck and be cheerful, most people are fun to host.
  3. Tom

    Please write down your final wishes

    Visit was a success, but very sad. Weather was mild, everyone arrived. Got the hospice, legal, final wishes done (and pre-paid). And talked; mother told stories of growing up on the shore. One brother brought a recorder so we'll have some of it. I had discovered a tape she made of her father...
  4. Tom

    Is this your policy? Fire and vapor free and don’t bring your own bottle

    As with others, we allow tobacco and marijuana smoke and vape only outside -- not in rooms, BUT we also make a big deal about no candles, etc. in room due to concern over fire. No problem with wine and beer I serve/you bring in Oregon.
  5. Tom

    A w2 question USA

    I don't think you need to do anything. It's up to the employee to keep info current including the form W-4. You did what you are supposed to do: mail it to the address you had. Presumably the person's executor will file final taxes and will estimate income from info on hand. He may contact you.
  6. Tom

    Please write down your final wishes

    Good advice, and a reminder to say thanks to folk while still here. My mother is failing. She's a tough North Shore Yankee, but the spars are by the board and the decks are awash, so to speak. My two brothers and my son are planning a visit in a week. Sort of a celebration of life while she's...
  7. Tom

    Dumbing down breakfast

    I did parfaits for a while, even bought glass cups for them (after I tried margarita glasses -- too top heavy -- and dumped a pair on the table of a very proper elderly couple, retired judge). But after a half year, I quit: to me they looked good for a few bites then turned into glop and were...
  8. Tom

    Dumbing down breakfast

    Breakfast served buffet style: stack of flame warmed flour and corn tortillas (separate of course), warming tray with scrambled egg, crumbled chorizo sausage, black beans (canned, with a spoon of chipotle for zip); bowls for avocado, fresh salsa, grated cheese, sour cream, cilantro. Fruit may...
  9. Tom

    Credit Card vs. Check on a major ($10K+) event.

    Same here for graduation: check dated Jan 15, with reservation # on memo. We hold it until then and then it's non refundable (do that to put income in year of service). We make it very clear in phone and email. With CC, they can still charge back to cancel and it is almost impossible to get...
  10. Tom

    Difficult news

    Please accept my sympathy, in it's truest sense -- we all sympathize with the loss of a partner in one of the most personal "mom and pop" businesses there is. Being prepared only helps with a little of the regret for deeds undone and words unspoken, but not the loss.
  11. Tom

    Early-in /Late-out

    The late check out issue has come up more lately -- maybe winter, folks want to hang out longer before traveling onward. When asked I say that our nominal check out is noon, but they are welcome to stay as long as they want in the public space if I can get housekeeping into their room earlier...
  12. Tom

    Pet deposits

    My "in case you forgot" drawer has the tooth brushes, little toothpastes I get from my dentist, band aids, ibuprofen and a few high quality condoms. With my clientele, they probably have raised more eyebrows than ... , but I pride myself on concierge service.
  13. Tom

    Dumbing down breakfast

    I guess I've always been dumb ;-) I serve a fairly deconstructed, traditional breakfast. To 1 or 2 individual tables: My pick of various home baked starter (muffin, banana bread, apple cake) with fruit and then eggs to order with my pick of bacon, ham, sausage and home baked bread toast or hash...
  14. Tom

    Hello everyone

    Welcome! You'll get straight talk here.
  15. Tom

    When the innkeeper is sick

    Shingles is terrible and the harsh symptoms are oddly ignored by society -- my deepest sympathy. I got vaccine, hope it works for me. Best wishes.
  16. Tom

    Pet deposits

    We have had 2 of 5 rooms OK for pets for 10 years. Have had a few problems, but not enough to make me want to change to no-dog or change policies. We charge $25 per animal, once per visit and we spend it on extra room cleaning. In most cases problems have been dogs left alone, even just during...
  17. Tom

    Beating back fee increases

    I'm talking on site inspections. For the hundreds of private STR, that would require too much manpower and would probably not generate net revenue. Room tax is another thing: I pushed strenuously in 2016 to get the local collector to involve Air and Vrbo. Finally they did and are making...
  18. Tom

    Beating back fee increases

    We are a licensed, inspected B&B. We learned a couple months ago that our fees for Food Service and Lodging were going to go up 3 and 5 times to almost $900 in all. The increase was to go for Board approval and yet there was no prior notification of the affected customers -- there are 8...
  19. Tom

    Help with Problem Guest!!!

    My phone app has a smiley with the top of the head blowing off, but I can't find it on this site. So, ... OMG !!! Your house, your rules. Hospitality is like a hand shake: you reach out, they reach out, you shake in the middle. You have absolutely every right to go in the room in the morning...
  20. Tom

    Pet Peeve - Double Ringers

    Channeling Basil Fawlty ...
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