Re: innkeeping: Cancellations with Gift Certificates

[Jim & Susan Hildebrand <jhildebr@cswnet.com>]

Lindsay Copeland wrote:
> 
> We send our brochure and rate schedule with cancellation policy inside
> with the gift certificate when it is purchased.  When the recipients
> make a reservation, we tell our cancellation policy and what the impact
> on their gift certificate will be if they cancel the reservation.  We
> then send them a confirmation, again enclosing the brochure and rate
> schedule.  Our policies may not be what they are used to, but they
> understand them.

We do something similiar.  I like the idea of including the cancellation
policy with the original gift certificate.  That will go a long way in
making sure everyone understands the rules up front.

> 
> We have had some recipients ask for cash back in lieu of using the
> certificate.  We have done it, but we don't like it.

Our Gift Certificate states there is no cash value.  Use it or lose it! 
No exceptions.  If you do give back cash, what value do you give back. 
You will have already paid the sales tax and unless you go to a lot of
work you can't recover those $$$'s.  BTW, we don't extend the gift
certificate deadline for any reason either.  We have had a few upset
people on this, but the gift certificate has a printed expiration date
on the original and it is firm.

> --
> Lindsay Copeland
> 
> Innkeeper
> 
> Maine Stay Inn & Cottages
> 
> P.O. Box 500 A
> 
> Kennebunkport, ME 04046-1800

-- 
Jim & Susan Hildebrand
Innkeepers, Anderson House Inn
201 E. Main Street, Heber Springs, Arkansas  72543
(501) 362-5266  (800) 264-5279 FAX (501) 362-2326
Web Site at:  http://www.bbonline.com/ar/anderson