Looking for opinions....

[Ja. Jewel]

If you had a guesthouse and your guest arrived & asked if the airconditioning was included in the price & you said "yes, but I would ask that you turn it off when you are leaving the premises to go somewhere."...pretty self explanitory, nah tru?

Since that time, she has left for the day 4 times and left it turned on. I wasn't aware of it one time & so it was on for probably 4-5 hrs before I realized it! Elec. prices are high here and last months utility bills were very high!

I'm plannining to bill her $10US for every time she's left it on and left....do you think I'm wrong?

[nattydreadgirl]

Re: Looking for opinions....

How many days do she have left? Asking because you already told her air conditioning is included and she is probably not really thinking to turn it off because she is on vacation and she is not paying for it. I would let her know that she left it on for 4 times and anytime in the future that she leaves it on she will be access $10 per day!

Maybe she wants the room to be cool when she gets back, if that is the case, she should pay for it since this is a guest house. Just my 2cents!

[Bandana]

Re: Looking for opinions....

I agree with natty, you should tell her if it gets left on <span style="font-weight: bold">again</span> you will bill her $10 a day for air conditioning.

She obviously does not understand the effect her actions have on your pocket book.
Make her understand and let her know the consequences.


And come post some more pics of the place, I would love to see! (((JaJewel)))

[nattydreadgirl]

Re: Looking for opinions....

Oh, one other thing, maybe you should put a flyer/poster or something on the door so that guests that are leaving the room for an extended period of time will see what the price will be if they leave the air on!

[Bandana]

Re: Looking for opinions....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nattydreadgirl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Oh, one other thing, maybe you should put a flyer/poster or something on the door so that guests that are leaving the room for an extended period of time will see what the price will be if they leave the air on!



</div></div>


Sometimes people do not think clearly on vacation, the sign would be a reminder every time they leave the room. Good idea natty

[trelawnysmall]

Re: Looking for opinions....

hey, i can add my 2 cents, ha ha ha, the rockhouse has a sensor on the door that switches off the fan or ac when it is closed, but since you might not be able to do that trick, i think most people would understand a nice little note somewhere in the room that explains your concern. You could add to that note that if your guests need the room cooled off when they return that you would off to turn it back on before they return from their day (s) trips away. Seems fair to me.
BTW, its nice and cool here in the hamptons as well as beutiful beyond what I could have imagined.
lata

[Seveen]

Re: Looking for opinions....

charge for A/C - especially if it's not needed - which most of the time it isn't - she seemed to expect it to cost something . . .

[Nanook]

Re: Looking for opinions....

Wow JJ that's tough. How very inconsiderate of them! I guess for this guest you will have to just eat the cost and learn from the experience. I think you would have some very upset people if you charge them after the fact. I would mention it to them though, and offer to turn it on for them like was suggested. You might make them feel unwelcome or uncomfortable if you do anything other than mention. The last thing you want is bad press, right! I feel your pain though!

I think the sign is a good idea. No, it is a GREAT idea!

You can probably find a cost analysis somewhere on the net or call JPS and see if they can tell you the cost of running the air conditioner 24 hours. All you need to tell them is the watts of the unit and they should be able to tell you. Draw from that how many hours a day, week, month the unit is usually used and there is your answer. Err on your own side, so you don't loose money.

Once you are armed with that info you'll have to figure that into either a rate increase or give the people a choice where they can pay up front. I don't think the choice thing is a very good idea though, as all sorts of variables come into play such as, the AC might have a problem then you would have someone bex over they paid and it doesn't meet their expectations. They might say they don't need it then turn it on or not turn it on since they didn't pay for it and they don't want to get into trouble. So the way I see it tacking on a AC surcharge seems tacky. I would just do some math and add a little rate increase with the AC figured in.

That said, still put the signage on the door and offer to turn the unit on for them before their expected arrival time as a nice gesture.

Good luck whatever you decide to do JJ! I will get there someday and probably spend a night or two, use the AC maybe or not, and we can sit and yak jewelry to beat the band!

[Ja. Jewel]

Re: Looking for opinions....

Thanks all for your replies....guess I'll have to eat it this time, but learn from the experience. I had also thought of posting a sign to that effect. The room takes a very short time to cool down since the airconditioners are only 2 yrs old &amp; very good, so don't know if it's just forgetfulness or &quot;could care less&quot; attitude, since she's not paying the bill.

This is the first guest I've had a problem with....most are very conscious about turning it off when they leave, withhout me even saying anything or don't use it at all! Actually I've NEVER used the AC in my part of the house (except to turn it on to make sure it was working) in the 3+ years I've lived here!....but it is I who pay the bills! We get a nice breeze in the afternoon and night coming from the east that makes sleeping very comfortable IMO, and there are ceiling fans in all the rooms!

[Ja. Jewel]

Re: Looking for opinions....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BanDanna</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree with natty, you should tell her if it gets left on <span style="font-weight: bold">again</span> you will bill her $10 a day for air conditioning.

She obviously does not understand the effect her actions have on your pocket book.
Make her understand and let her know the consequences.


And come post some more pics of the place, I would love to see! (((JaJewel)))

</div></div>

I'm going to see if I remember how to post photos &amp; if so, I will post them in the non trip report section.((Bandi))....thanks for asking!

[Ja. Jewel]

Re: Looking for opinions....

Hey Bandi....I got some photos uploaded, now which choice do I make to get them transferred to Ja.com?....sorry about my short term memory! ....please &amp; thanks!

[Bandana]

Re: Looking for opinions....




it's the IMG code JaJewel

[Yvonne N.]

Re: Looking for opinions....

That's what I would have thought...nice breeze deh all bout in Ja...

So, since most do turn off the a/c,
forgive this person
and have your sign ready to help those who may
need a little reminder.