So this is a story about two bikes that got rented 5 days ago. They were very happy and were being ridden all day everyday.
Until this morning...
One of the guys that works in the hotel where I'm renting these bikes (see previous posts) comes up to me and says, "I saw two of your bikes on the beach this morning".
I'm thinking "fantastic" we have loads of them rented out so great that he saw a couple of them.
He goes on to say "they were just parked by the bushes with their keys in the locks"
I'm thinking "what are you on about dude?"
He goes "look I took a picture for you"
😤😤😤😡😡😡😡😤😤😤
Are people for real?
So 1200€ worth of bikes + 160€ worth of high security locks are left there for anyone to come and take? With the keys inside!!!
Needless to say I have never ran faster. (Today's excercise ticket off ✅) Got to the beach, recovered the bikes, called the concierge to connect me to the client's room...
Me: "Hello mr X, I've just found the bikes that you rented left on the beach" (with an angry tone in my voice)
Client: "oh yes we had too much to drink last night so we left them there...they are locked though"
Me: "do you have the keys of the locks?"
Client: "oh let me check, I'm sure we do. We locked them."
Me: "don't bother looking. I have your bikes here. With the locks... and the KEYS!" 😡😤😤
Client: "😊 oh great thank you so much. We'll be down to get them later after brunch" 😊😊
Me: (to myself) Arrrrrrrgggghhhhh 😤😤😡😡😡
This is how it is to work with clients in a 5* GL hotel! Yes they ARE for real. Too much money and no sense of respect for other people's goods.
XOXO
This is the issue with rentals. People who rent do not always respect the property rented. Some are good folks and do - but others do not.
I don't suppose that you have any plans to install tracking devices to assist in recovery in the case of theft?
Thank you for sharing this experience. Its a testament to how some people test your faith in humanity. ;c)
Thanks for the comments @pathforger. Would LOVE To have tracking devices on them but the really small ones that fit inside the bike frame somewhere don't work in Europe or are EXTREMELY expensive so not worth it for now.
That is a bit of a shame.
Other things that come to mind might be to plant a QR code on each bike that any mobile phone can scan. If a motorcycle gets stolen or lost you could change the status of the QR code of the bike concerned and have its scanning alert the user that the bike might be stolen and to call a number.
Just ideas, of course.
Oh I LOVE that idea @pathforger. Didn't know you could do that. Will definitely look into it and see how viable it is. Thank you for the great idea!
You are welcome. ^_^
A QR code is but a camera-readable alternative to a webpage URL. While using them instead of proper food labeling is deviously naughty, using them to help law enforcement identify a vehicle's true number plate and owner sounds like a perfectly legitimate use to me.
If you would like to compliment this process, you could also use color to help determine if a bike is part of your up-to-date fleet.
This can be as simple and cheap or as complex and expensive as you want it to be. It will give casual viewers of a missing/stolen bike a cue that something is not right (such as a blue print on a mudguard when all others have been updated to orange).
Alternatively, a colored printed year stamp on the opposite side from the QR code.
If its 2017 and the year on the bike says 2015 then some might check the QR code.
Incidentally, even keys can have QR codes on them. Cheaper to offer a reward on any found key than to change the locks.
Well that is a related thought. Good luck with beefing up security!
Thank you! You're amazing. It's so nice to get an outsider view. I think when you are inside a business you become "blinded" possibilities and get relaxed in status quo and how things have always been done.
Thanks again
I'm just a thinker. Plenty of amazing folks here. ^_^
But its true, sometimes looking from the outside-in, one can draw observations or think up solutions to problems that might otherwise be less obvious to others looking from the inside.
You're welcome. Have a pleasant day. :c)
I hope they sign a waiver form stating that they are responsible for the entire cost of the missing/ damaged bike if situations like this does happen. People suck sometimes. But, at least the guy from the hotel was there to find them and report them as quickly as he did. Good people do exsist.
Thanks Miranda. Yes good people do exist and the clients have a waiver
Great post :)
Ah thank you!
OMG. I'm so shocked! We have been known to keep our hire bikes in the bedroom with us to keep them safe.... But we do really really love bikes.
I know right?!!! I'm just shocked as to how blasé people are. They come on holiday and forget that theft exists!
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