Odd Things I Observe

[Generic]

There are always some "special" weekends that book up and well, of course, we charge more. And we also offer more on that weekends. But I seem to have noticed that the amount of waste (garbage, food, etc) always goes up on those weekends and the amount of tips, goes down. Also, things like linen damage and hand holding go up as well.

Is this just me or do others experience this as well?

 

[Morticia]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway.

 

[muirford]

Weekends that are popular for travel tended to be when we had a lot of B&B 'amateurs' - like Mort said. Maybe they really wanted the local hotel but it was booked or too expensive, or maybe they decided it would be fun to try a B&B this Memorial Day. They often involved more work and were needier. We were lucky that for our big festival month (July) we were already pre-booked with regulars, so the hotels got the last minute guests that month.

 

[Generic]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

Didn't find it to be grief, so much as more work, but we were being paid more for it anyway. But so much trash!
What I always find interesting is how so many people who drink Perrier or bottled water, don't finish them. I understand that maybe the Perrier went "flat" but what about the bottled water? Does it magically expire? The waste gets me. Maybe it's growing up in a house where we were forever watching to not waste?

 

[Generic]

Weekends that are popular for travel tended to be when we had a lot of B&B 'amateurs' - like Mort said. Maybe they really wanted the local hotel but it was booked or too expensive, or maybe they decided it would be fun to try a B&B this Memorial Day. They often involved more work and were needier. We were lucky that for our big festival month (July) we were already pre-booked with regulars, so the hotels got the last minute guests that month..

We don't seem to get the "hotel full" kind of guests, but then we are in the big city. We do get a few of the "hotel too expensive" kind of guests. We also get the few who are here for a few days before they have to move to the convention hotel who often write back about how much they missed us, after having to move over to the convention hotel.
You know, I wouldn't mind helping with some of their needs if they would just ask. I'm going to the Cost Club, the bakery etc. anyway. And dropping by the liquor store to pick up a few bottles isn't a big deal, just tip me a bit and magically it's done and frankly fresher, better or cheaper. I have a fantastic bakery... the liquor store gives a discount at one particular branch based on the number of bottles taken, etc. I know my city. Maybe I should mention it, for next year? But I'm telling you, the amount of half empties... drives me nucking futs!

 

[happykeeper]

We have a subset of guests that are not guests that selected us, but our proximity. While this presents a small challenge on the hand holding front, it is more than balanced out in the "pleasantly surprised to try an inn front. They do have more waste, but we don't let that bother us. They are our guests and whether they drink the whole bottle of Perrier is entirely up to them. Since whatever they are wasting is built into the price, it matters not.

 

[Breakfast Diva]

I find that for the special weekends, guests tend to bring in a lot of their own food, containers, etc. It's almost as if they're not used to traveling or are on a tight budget and it's a splurge, so they save by bringing in lots of stuff.
We get a lot of trash with anniversary couples that bring gifts for each other and have all the new special clothing (or lack thereof) with all the packaging materials, gift wrappers, etc. Oh, and also those that are at the end of their trip and have emptied out their car of all the crap they've collected and leave it in our rooms.
Comes with the territory, but it's interesting to see the trends.

 

[undersea]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever ... those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.

From many conversations on this forum, I concluded that the pricing of the room(s) reflects the service given, without expecting a tip. Especially for new guests, expectations that I pick up food, liquor, make event arrangements, negotiate between members of a party will not happening. You want an extra service, it will go on the bill, at a price that makes my time worthwhile. Else, "here is the number and address of store XYZ; good luck!"
It is the same reason I plan to let all calls go to voicemail - with the notice about discounted pricing is for online booking. I do not plan to give tours, recommendations to non-guests, charitable donations, robocalls, etc. that are time/energy stealers.
I cannot do anything about trash or respect level. If bad enough, they will go on the DNB list.
As you said, ROI. People like to book, and then walk off with your supplies, be hard on the place or the owner, etc. Expected extra services are down the same path. I will make provide standard greetings, recommendations, attend to their needs. Other businesses charge for significant extra services - "upgrades." We should not always be different.
Several times, my tenants try to negotiate delaying the rent, due to money problems. One told me a few months ago, that since I was not a corporation, he thought he could slide a couple months. Like, my mortgage, utilities, taxes and insurance will let ME slide a couple months? Best policy is the one in your policies and contract. Every time I bent for tenants or prospects, I always regretted it.

 

[gillumhouse]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

Didn't find it to be grief, so much as more work, but we were being paid more for it anyway. But so much trash!
What I always find interesting is how so many people who drink Perrier or bottled water, don't finish them. I understand that maybe the Perrier went "flat" but what about the bottled water? Does it magically expire? The waste gets me. Maybe it's growing up in a house where we were forever watching to not waste?
.

I am with you on the growing up to NOT waste anything. My Mom had 2 mantras:
Waste not, want not. and the other was Take what you get and be glad you got it. One of the twins told a kindergarten classmate that and the teacher heard it. The teacher told me she thought that was sooo good - she had never heard it before.
I also hate waste.

 

[undersea]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

Didn't find it to be grief, so much as more work, but we were being paid more for it anyway. But so much trash!
What I always find interesting is how so many people who drink Perrier or bottled water, don't finish them. I understand that maybe the Perrier went "flat" but what about the bottled water? Does it magically expire? The waste gets me. Maybe it's growing up in a house where we were forever watching to not waste?
.

I am with you on the growing up to NOT waste anything. My Mom had 2 mantras:
Waste not, want not. and the other was Take what you get and be glad you got it. One of the twins told a kindergarten classmate that and the teacher heard it. The teacher told me she thought that was sooo good - she had never heard it before.
I also hate waste.
.

Agreed. Just checked, and it said the average American wastes 25% of food.
We (for ourselves):
take food home from restaurants
try to use up leftovers from the fridge before cooking new food
move things to the freezer if they will not be eaten in time
I cannot imagine we waste more than a couple percent. Things that accidentally get to the back of the fridge and get forgotten...

 

[Generic]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

Didn't find it to be grief, so much as more work, but we were being paid more for it anyway. But so much trash!
What I always find interesting is how so many people who drink Perrier or bottled water, don't finish them. I understand that maybe the Perrier went "flat" but what about the bottled water? Does it magically expire? The waste gets me. Maybe it's growing up in a house where we were forever watching to not waste?
.

I am with you on the growing up to NOT waste anything. My Mom had 2 mantras:
Waste not, want not. and the other was Take what you get and be glad you got it. One of the twins told a kindergarten classmate that and the teacher heard it. The teacher told me she thought that was sooo good - she had never heard it before.
I also hate waste.
.

Had a nice "discussion" with a supermarket that was throwing out full BBQ chickens at the end of the day instead of feeding the homeless. I like France's new law... http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/05/22/france-food-waste-grocery-stores_n_7422090.html

 

[Generic]

I find that for the special weekends, guests tend to bring in a lot of their own food, containers, etc. It's almost as if they're not used to traveling or are on a tight budget and it's a splurge, so they save by bringing in lots of stuff.
We get a lot of trash with anniversary couples that bring gifts for each other and have all the new special clothing (or lack thereof) with all the packaging materials, gift wrappers, etc. Oh, and also those that are at the end of their trip and have emptied out their car of all the crap they've collected and leave it in our rooms.
Comes with the territory, but it's interesting to see the trends..

When we get people ready to fly home, the amount of paper to recycle can be a bit much. They accumulate the booklets, pamphlets and books and then drop it just before they fly home. It's like they just want to lug it around from place to place.

 

[Morticia]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever ... those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.

From many conversations on this forum, I concluded that the pricing of the room(s) reflects the service given, without expecting a tip. Especially for new guests, expectations that I pick up food, liquor, make event arrangements, negotiate between members of a party will not happening. You want an extra service, it will go on the bill, at a price that makes my time worthwhile. Else, "here is the number and address of store XYZ; good luck!"
It is the same reason I plan to let all calls go to voicemail - with the notice about discounted pricing is for online booking. I do not plan to give tours, recommendations to non-guests, charitable donations, robocalls, etc. that are time/energy stealers.
I cannot do anything about trash or respect level. If bad enough, they will go on the DNB list.
As you said, ROI. People like to book, and then walk off with your supplies, be hard on the place or the owner, etc. Expected extra services are down the same path. I will make provide standard greetings, recommendations, attend to their needs. Other businesses charge for significant extra services - "upgrades." We should not always be different.
Several times, my tenants try to negotiate delaying the rent, due to money problems. One told me a few months ago, that since I was not a corporation, he thought he could slide a couple months. Like, my mortgage, utilities, taxes and insurance will let ME slide a couple months? Best policy is the one in your policies and contract. Every time I bent for tenants or prospects, I always regretted it.
.

From many conversations on this forum, I concluded that the pricing of the room(s) reflects the service given, without expecting a tip.

I'm not sure if you meant this in regard to my comments or Jon's.
Tips are not included in the price of the room. But that's an excellent idea. However, if I do that then I'm responsible for collecting the appropriate withholding taxes.
Minimum wage workers in hospitality (hotels, food service) do expect tips. It's how they survive. Not that we pay minimum wage. But we certainly don't pay a living wage. So tips help.
If it's in regard to Jon's comment that a tip would be welcome if he shops for the guest, he's right, it would be nice but most guests think anything they ask for is part of our job to provide. Not joking. We don't get asked for a lot but we've never been tipped for anything 'extra' that we've done.
I've had guests ask me to wash their car. Seriously. Do their laundry. Take care of their pets or their kids. These are all chargeable services, to be sure, but you've also got to have the time.

 

[Morticia]

I find that for the special weekends, guests tend to bring in a lot of their own food, containers, etc. It's almost as if they're not used to traveling or are on a tight budget and it's a splurge, so they save by bringing in lots of stuff.
We get a lot of trash with anniversary couples that bring gifts for each other and have all the new special clothing (or lack thereof) with all the packaging materials, gift wrappers, etc. Oh, and also those that are at the end of their trip and have emptied out their car of all the crap they've collected and leave it in our rooms.
Comes with the territory, but it's interesting to see the trends..

When we get people ready to fly home, the amount of paper to recycle can be a bit much. They accumulate the booklets, pamphlets and books and then drop it just before they fly home. It's like they just want to lug it around from place to place.
.

When we get people ready to fly home, the amount of paper to recycle can be a bit much. They accumulate the booklets, pamphlets and books and then drop it just before they fly home. It's like they just want to lug it around from place to place.

I sort thru all of it. If it's useful, I keep it - maps brochures, etc. I generally hand it off to another guest a week later. All of the printouts from the computer? That's what I use for printing registration forms.

 

[Generic]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever ... those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.

From many conversations on this forum, I concluded that the pricing of the room(s) reflects the service given, without expecting a tip. Especially for new guests, expectations that I pick up food, liquor, make event arrangements, negotiate between members of a party will not happening. You want an extra service, it will go on the bill, at a price that makes my time worthwhile. Else, "here is the number and address of store XYZ; good luck!"
It is the same reason I plan to let all calls go to voicemail - with the notice about discounted pricing is for online booking. I do not plan to give tours, recommendations to non-guests, charitable donations, robocalls, etc. that are time/energy stealers.
I cannot do anything about trash or respect level. If bad enough, they will go on the DNB list.
As you said, ROI. People like to book, and then walk off with your supplies, be hard on the place or the owner, etc. Expected extra services are down the same path. I will make provide standard greetings, recommendations, attend to their needs. Other businesses charge for significant extra services - "upgrades." We should not always be different.
Several times, my tenants try to negotiate delaying the rent, due to money problems. One told me a few months ago, that since I was not a corporation, he thought he could slide a couple months. Like, my mortgage, utilities, taxes and insurance will let ME slide a couple months? Best policy is the one in your policies and contract. Every time I bent for tenants or prospects, I always regretted it.
.

From many conversations on this forum, I concluded that the pricing of the room(s) reflects the service given, without expecting a tip.

I'm not sure if you meant this in regard to my comments or Jon's.
Tips are not included in the price of the room. But that's an excellent idea. However, if I do that then I'm responsible for collecting the appropriate withholding taxes.
Minimum wage workers in hospitality (hotels, food service) do expect tips. It's how they survive. Not that we pay minimum wage. But we certainly don't pay a living wage. So tips help.
If it's in regard to Jon's comment that a tip would be welcome if he shops for the guest, he's right, it would be nice but most guests think anything they ask for is part of our job to provide. Not joking. We don't get asked for a lot but we've never been tipped for anything 'extra' that we've done.
I've had guests ask me to wash their car. Seriously. Do their laundry. Take care of their pets or their kids. These are all chargeable services, to be sure, but you've also got to have the time.
.

We do laundry... it takes a bit of time, but the charge is definitely worth it, especially since my laundry detergent is 8c a load, we still have cheap electricity around here and we don't have a water bill. The thing that takes the longest is folding. We tell them to put everything in a basket and put their socks and stuff ready to load because we don't go through it and we aren't responsible for damage. They come back and it's all folded and they are happy as clams. Never argue about price. Biggest question we ask is if they want softener (some people don't like scent) and that's that. And if they don't like our price, we point them at the laundromat where they can spend 3 hours doing it.
If you want me to do things, then slipping me a few bucks for it is expected, otherwise I will mark up the costs or keep the savings. Anyone who doesn't appreciate my time.. doesn't need my time. We've done special runs for guests before and never have they balked at tipping for the extra service or expected it's included.

 

[Lee2014]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.

We have two groups that comes for the same thing every year so they know each other and have been coming for years. When one couple of the group can't come for some reason the rest mourns that it won't be the same. One group sent the poor couple a wish-you-were-here card which they all signed. The first breakfast is like a reunion with hugs all around. They also welcome newcomers and give them tips and they leave the inn as part of the "family".
Our groups tip mostly. One family that book the whole house for a week just throws a couple hundred dollars on top of their bill....then some of them leave a tip in the room, too. We have a lot of yacht club members who comes for a day here and there before the big events which we give special discount price. We found that Air Bs guests don't tip.

 

[Arks]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.

We have two groups that comes for the same thing every year so they know each other and have been coming for years. When one couple of the group can't come for some reason the rest mourns that it won't be the same. One group sent the poor couple a wish-you-were-here card which they all signed. The first breakfast is like a reunion with hugs all around. They also welcome newcomers and give them tips and they leave the inn as part of the "family".
Our groups tip mostly. One family that book the whole house for a week just throws a couple hundred dollars on top of their bill....then some of them leave a tip in the room, too. We have a lot of yacht club members who comes for a day here and there before the big events which we give special discount price. We found that Air Bs guests don't tip.
.

Our groups tip mostly.

Good for them. There's an Italian restaurant across the street from my place. I've noticed that every time I eat there with a group of good friends or relatives, few leave a tip. I think it's that we (they) are just so busy enjoying each other's company and telling old stories, they get up and leave without thinking of the tip.I often speak up as we get up to leave, reminding them to tip!!

 

[2cat_lady]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever ... those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.

From many conversations on this forum, I concluded that the pricing of the room(s) reflects the service given, without expecting a tip. Especially for new guests, expectations that I pick up food, liquor, make event arrangements, negotiate between members of a party will not happening. You want an extra service, it will go on the bill, at a price that makes my time worthwhile. Else, "here is the number and address of store XYZ; good luck!"
It is the same reason I plan to let all calls go to voicemail - with the notice about discounted pricing is for online booking. I do not plan to give tours, recommendations to non-guests, charitable donations, robocalls, etc. that are time/energy stealers.
I cannot do anything about trash or respect level. If bad enough, they will go on the DNB list.
As you said, ROI. People like to book, and then walk off with your supplies, be hard on the place or the owner, etc. Expected extra services are down the same path. I will make provide standard greetings, recommendations, attend to their needs. Other businesses charge for significant extra services - "upgrades." We should not always be different.
Several times, my tenants try to negotiate delaying the rent, due to money problems. One told me a few months ago, that since I was not a corporation, he thought he could slide a couple months. Like, my mortgage, utilities, taxes and insurance will let ME slide a couple months? Best policy is the one in your policies and contract. Every time I bent for tenants or prospects, I always regretted it.
.

It is the same reason I plan to let all calls go to voicemail - with the notice about discounted pricing is for online booking. I do not plan to give tours, recommendations to non-guests, charitable donations, robocalls, etc. that are time/energy stealers.
I cannot do anything about trash or respect level. If bad enough, they will go on the DNB list.
Just curious Undersea. If all your bookings will go through your online bookings and you won't answer your phone, how will you police your DNB list? ResKey won't block specific guests, don't know if that s available for other ones. Will you cancel their reservation after they've already gotten confirmation? Will you follow up with an email asking for something above and beyond your regular booking requests?

 

[Lee2014]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.

We have two groups that comes for the same thing every year so they know each other and have been coming for years. When one couple of the group can't come for some reason the rest mourns that it won't be the same. One group sent the poor couple a wish-you-were-here card which they all signed. The first breakfast is like a reunion with hugs all around. They also welcome newcomers and give them tips and they leave the inn as part of the "family".
Our groups tip mostly. One family that book the whole house for a week just throws a couple hundred dollars on top of their bill....then some of them leave a tip in the room, too. We have a lot of yacht club members who comes for a day here and there before the big events which we give special discount price. We found that Air Bs guests don't tip.
.

Our groups tip mostly.

Good for them. There's an Italian restaurant across the street from my place. I've noticed that every time I eat there with a group of good friends or relatives, few leave a tip. I think it's that we (they) are just so busy enjoying each other's company and telling old stories, they get up and leave without thinking of the tip.I often speak up as we get up to leave, reminding them to tip!!
.

"Thank you!" for all the waitresses and waiters!

 

[April]

There can be several things going on here - guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
We have certain weekends that bring in a group of people who are not traveling together but are here for the same purpose. They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever. Same group, almost the same guests came for 5 years. Yes, they repeated for 5 years, so good for us, they liked it here. But of all the weekends in the summer, those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.
That particular group is no longer coming and we don't really even get anyone from that cohort any longer. If we do, it's one room so the other guests dampen down the 'group mentality'. I miss the individual guests, and often wonder what they're up to, but I don't miss them as a whole.
Otherwise, overall, it's a certain type of guest that causes the grief - the guest who really wanted to stay at the fancy hotel but waited too long to make the rez; the guest who only gets 2 weeks' vacation and it's raining during their one week here; the guest who waited too long to make a rez anywhere and now is 'stuck' with a B&B instead of getting a nice hotel.
That doesn't always come out on the phone but sometimes it does. I can suggest options they may not have found on their own, but many of them are worried there's 'no place to stay' and they book anyway..

guests who pay more expect more, those weekends are a certain type of guest because of a certain event in town, you're doing more than usual and it feels like you're not getting an improved ROI on the experience.
They sometimes take a lot out of us and they never tip, ever ... those 2 were the ones with the most trash, the least respect for us and the entire town and zero tips.

From many conversations on this forum, I concluded that the pricing of the room(s) reflects the service given, without expecting a tip. Especially for new guests, expectations that I pick up food, liquor, make event arrangements, negotiate between members of a party will not happening. You want an extra service, it will go on the bill, at a price that makes my time worthwhile. Else, "here is the number and address of store XYZ; good luck!"
It is the same reason I plan to let all calls go to voicemail - with the notice about discounted pricing is for online booking. I do not plan to give tours, recommendations to non-guests, charitable donations, robocalls, etc. that are time/energy stealers.
I cannot do anything about trash or respect level. If bad enough, they will go on the DNB list.
As you said, ROI. People like to book, and then walk off with your supplies, be hard on the place or the owner, etc. Expected extra services are down the same path. I will make provide standard greetings, recommendations, attend to their needs. Other businesses charge for significant extra services - "upgrades." We should not always be different.
Several times, my tenants try to negotiate delaying the rent, due to money problems. One told me a few months ago, that since I was not a corporation, he thought he could slide a couple months. Like, my mortgage, utilities, taxes and insurance will let ME slide a couple months? Best policy is the one in your policies and contract. Every time I bent for tenants or prospects, I always regretted it.
.

From many conversations on this forum, I concluded that the pricing of the room(s) reflects the service given, without expecting a tip.

I'm not sure if you meant this in regard to my comments or Jon's.
Tips are not included in the price of the room. But that's an excellent idea. However, if I do that then I'm responsible for collecting the appropriate withholding taxes.
Minimum wage workers in hospitality (hotels, food service) do expect tips. It's how they survive. Not that we pay minimum wage. But we certainly don't pay a living wage. So tips help.
If it's in regard to Jon's comment that a tip would be welcome if he shops for the guest, he's right, it would be nice but most guests think anything they ask for is part of our job to provide. Not joking. We don't get asked for a lot but we've never been tipped for anything 'extra' that we've done.
I've had guests ask me to wash their car. Seriously. Do their laundry. Take care of their pets or their kids. These are all chargeable services, to be sure, but you've also got to have the time.
.

We do laundry... it takes a bit of time, but the charge is definitely worth it, especially since my laundry detergent is 8c a load, we still have cheap electricity around here and we don't have a water bill. The thing that takes the longest is folding. We tell them to put everything in a basket and put their socks and stuff ready to load because we don't go through it and we aren't responsible for damage. They come back and it's all folded and they are happy as clams. Never argue about price. Biggest question we ask is if they want softener (some people don't like scent) and that's that. And if they don't like our price, we point them at the laundromat where they can spend 3 hours doing it.
If you want me to do things, then slipping me a few bucks for it is expected, otherwise I will mark up the costs or keep the savings. Anyone who doesn't appreciate my time.. doesn't need my time. We've done special runs for guests before and never have they balked at tipping for the extra service or expected it's included.
.

No water bill?