Re: innkeeping: disputed charges

[Kearney <alicesdowry@clarityconnect.com>]

Jball54@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Has anyone found a good way to handle cancellations & your policies to
> avoid
> disputes? My brochure states all policies, as well as my confirmation
> form.
> I, of course, even state it over the phone when taking a reservation. I
> still
> occasionally get disputes, and am in the middle of one for a 4 day no-show
> right now. Any ideas?

   We've found the best way to not get stuck (so far!) is to get as 
much of the money up front as possible.  Real money, not credit cards
since the company will side with the card holder.  We usually demand
this of certain groups of guests.  We have a lot of college activity
and they are pretty notorious for booking a room as insurance and then
still shopping around for one closer, etc.  Quite often, you're the last
to know when they have found something more to their liking.  If you 
already have their CASH, then they are stuck!

                                             Lois & Rich Kearney
                                             Alice's Dowry B&B