So you think running a BnB is all plain sailing?
It for sure is the best job I've ever had, but some requests take the wind out of my sails!
The young ones who stay here for a lengthy period while undergoing training, naturally miss their family, but more so the ladies in their lives.
ʇsǝnbǝᴚ ǝɥ⊥
Just when I thought I'd heard it all, along comes a new request.
I forgot it's a long weekend, and there's still two weeks of training left, so I wondered if I could go home for the weekend and you could give me the money my company paid for the weekend so that I can use it for petrol, because petrol is expensive, and I'm going to be bored, and I'm really missing my wife and baby, I'll take all my stuff out the room, and you can then 'rent' it out to other guests?
A loooong sentence, but fortunately, the request came in a WhatsApp, otherwise he would have seen my jaw drop! I only saw the request early that evening, by which time the young guest had come to his senses and apologized profusely for asking.
(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Sell-By-Date ♥
Last-minute booking cancellations make it difficult for a host, so we have a strict cancellation policy!
Naturally, there are circumstances when a cancellation cannot be avoided due to an emergency, but that is why we have specific BnB insurance.
What many fail to understand is that BnB rooms are much like a product that has a sell-by-date.
Can one sell a product that is past its sell-by-date?
Of course not; it's near impossible for a host to secure a new same-day booking!
ₛₜᵣₑₛₛₑd Gᵤₑₛₜₛ
The majority of our guests are young guys who attend a local training centre, and they often arrive here looking stressed. They worry about their accommodation, and more so about the training; understandably, as their future depends on it!
One newlywed guest's wife packed extra blankets, pillows, winter clothes, summer clothes, and frozen home-cooked meals. He told me he had to get 'calming' tablets before leaving home.
The poor guy was in quite a state by the time he arrived.
Seeing the endearing young man's face relax when he saw his accommodation, and more so after his first day's training, was super rewarding.
At the end of the first week, he told me he stopped using the calming tablets after that first day;)
👻☟ ε𝐧𝕢ⓤ𝕚𝓻𝕀𝒆𝓢 🍧
Another loooong sentence, enquiry sent at 21:34...
I want to pay monthly from now till end November for accomodation on the ground floor or private cottage at Durban beach front safe and beautiful for a family of five two adults and three children aged 17 13 and 7 kids friendly with swimming pool must be next to the beach front I have a budget of R.... per night from the 23 december to the 27 December can you please assist me 💕💞
My response
We are 18km from the beachfront...
As per Google Maps!
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Odd bods always a few, yet at first shocked, now you enjoy relating back to the tales untold. Running a BnB must come with many unusual surprises, having ones 'ducks all in a row', it obviously suits you or it would not thrive, as proven since you opened.
I do love the job as did hubby, the guests bring so much joy, and we rarely have bad guests. The requests can be so funny at times, but also very irritating, especially when they come late at night. I cannot turn my phone off in case of an emergency with current guests, but only deal with the requests in the morning!
Brings joy when both on the same page with arranging and organizing as you were, plus your sons backed you up in the decision, a wise move at the time. Now being on your own not offering all the meals you once did, much better for you as a person to manage the day to day running of the establishment.
I have been curious about what it was like having a B and B. As far as last minute cancellations go, I'm sure it can be a hassle getting another reservation for that room. I wonder how that works, how long it takes to get that filled.
It depends on the season, but our cancellation policy does protect us from that. Our insurance will cover loss of income if a guest cancels due to illness etc.
Fortunately, it doesn't happen often.
Thank you for popping in @wanderingmoon
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Seriously? The first guy? And he's a father as well 😕
All part of the fun, isn't it 😄
Yep, a very young father at that. He was a really nice guy but obviously desperate to get home for the long weekend! Of course, his solution was a big no-no, I'd have to refund the company, not him, and a cancellation would need to be done timeously.
I need to note all the funny requests I get, as I forget, but we do have some good laughs about some and get indignant at others,
Almost time for Spelt? Enjoy!
Of course a cancellation is a hassle and a waste of money for you but @ in every business there are risks and this is one of them. But your BnB is nice and welcoming and I'm sure it won't be long before you have another customer. You be patient it all works out. Have a good weekend my friend.🥰❤️❤️
Thank you @mamani, it all worked out, he realized he could not cancel so late.
Enjoy your weekend as well💖
Oh the joys of dealing with odd requests. Sometimes you can't help but to laugh them off before reacting to them.
Oh yes, we often have a good old chuckle to ourselves, or bite our tongues at other times 😉