Re: innkeeping: Late phone calls for guests

[Diane Muro <muro@lightspeed.net>]

Jackie Hobbs wrote:
> 
> At the Beechtree Inn in Hertford, NC, we have 3 guest houses and 2 lines.
> Each one has a phone and I just cut off  the ringer.  If  they get a
> call, I
> have to go tell them to pick up the phone.  Ususally, it is not a
> problem, but
> once in a while I'll get a call for someone after 10.  I just figure
> that's
> part of the business.
>                                      Jackie

We have 4 rooms and a lot of business guests who would not stay if we
did not have private lines.  Our business more than compensates us for
the $11.00 per room per month cost.  We instruct the guests to use a
calling card for long distance calls and had never had a problem in the
3 years we have been open.  If any calls were made, I would charge their
credit card number which we always have on file.  I try to refer
business guests to another B&B in town when we are full, but they will
not stay there because he does not have phones in the rooms.  He says he
is afraid they will make unauthorized calls and he will be stuck with
the bill.  P.S.  We tried long distance call blocking but it didn't work
because some calling cards don't use 800 numbers and the guests could
not complete their calls with their calling cards.  So, they are on
their honor and so far, NO PROBLEM.  I can't image answering all the
calls for guests and notifying them! Ben Maddox House, Visalia, Ca.





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