Tell me if it is just me... (in Off-topic)

... and yes I know most of you would answer 'yes' without reading this, but please bear with me. :-)

Ok, so as some know I work in a hotel. On a number of occasions I have had to deal with people complaining about the rate when they check out. I politely show them the registration paper they signed on check-in. This paper lists the date of the stay and the agreed upon rate. They have initialed right next to this information.

The invariable response: "Well I didn't read that, I just signed it. But I am not paying this because we agreed to something else!"
(no, you agreed to what is on the paper, that is actually the raison d'etre for that piece of processed tree flesh)

So today it happened again, though with length of stay, not rate, being the issue. This gentlemen signed the paper for 1 night at a given rate... and then stayed a 2nd with out talking to the hotel. A second night was booked at the standard room rate rather than tossing him on the street. His issue was the standard rate was more than the cheap rate he had weaseled for the first night. Again I got the 'well I didn't read this/it is your fault' response.

This is essentially a contract, yet thanks the that damnable 'customer is always right' world we live in I am currently 0 for 6 in these situations.

I'd like to think were I the other side of the counter I would at least accept some responsibility for my actions and try and come to an agreement. Rather than stamp my feet like a 3yr old wanting ice cream which seems to be the 'adult' way these things are handled.

Stupid people, if you don't read a contract IT IS YOUR FAULT!

Yes.

I answered without reading it.

The only thing that surprises me is that you're 0 for 6. I can see granting the last guy the cheaper rate for the 2nd night to apease him, but whoever made the call to cave on the rest needs to grow a pair.

I have a friend who owns a couple of Smoothie Kings in Atlanta (frozen drinks). He had a customer walk in with a buy-one-get-one-free coupon and demand the free one. He explained to her that she has to actually buy one in order to get the free one. She said she'd come back later in the week to buy one, but she wants her free one now. He had to explain to her that it doesn't work that way, and she was aghast. She demanded to speak to the manager, so my friend told her that he's the manager. She then demanded to speak to the owner. He had to explain to her that it's a franchise business, and he's also the owner. Long story short, she contacted corporate and they sent her a coupon for a free smoothie.

Beat that.

The 'complain to corporate' route is the reason for the caves here too Demi.

If they complain the following are possible:
1) they are refunded the amount being disputed, or
2) they are given a free night

and... the hotel gets more frequent property reviews (which are a pain) if there are too many complaints.

So for $60 (or whatever the amount) is it really worth it?

Oh, and corporate never really backs you, because hey, it isn't their money.

Though you are right, the 'buy one/get on free' hustle is perhaps the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard

Heh earlier this week I had installed some new carpet into a person basement. The new carpet had a transition to the old. Upon finishing the owner had a complaint that the new and old carpet were not as soft as each other. After explaining that 5 years of wear and tear and the impossibility of buying the same product after that amount of time. She was still upset.

She could not be happy with any explanation I gave her. I directed her to a Trade college (where I had challenged the coarse and beaten it) for her to confirm what I had said and left.

Some people are ignorant and think they are correct and some people (which I think this lady is doing) try to find something wrong so they can get a deal/free without realizing or caring who this affects.

Some instances are not worth fighting over after all it's only a few dollars (especially if it's not yours)to make a customer happy and may snag a consistent customer.
Others like mine would cost me thousands upon thousands of $ and is worth telling the customer they are wrong

Everyone likes something for nothing. If they can moan and kick up a fuss and get something for less then they will.

This is the world we live in people want a free lunch when there is no such thing. I manage a apartment complex for my parents and you would not believe the amount of people that want said free lunch. There is always some sob story when the rent is due but when it comes down to brass tacks if we don't have the rent we can't manage it and make it nice. If you want a service you should uphold your end of the bargain. There needs to be some way to check for these people other than credit checks because everyone has bad credit these days..

Was the complaint guy at two jobs. Do like me! Annoy and demoralize with a smile then you'll never have to cave. Works for us in the states anyways.
Remember having two much like the Smoothie Hustler. Were the only two times I pulled this whole act. Before they could ask for the manager I told them I'd fetch. Before going however I decided to hand the coupon to the nearest seated onlooker asking if they could explain the writing to them. Don't have to tell me I should have got in trouble. Knew very well. If you are wondering why, without going into details, was all part of a simple mind game. I did go back and tell the manager about the issue truthfully. Did not tell them to come with me. Only thing that came back with me was 3-5 sheets of complaint forms and two unnecessary cards with numbers. Whether they talked or not while I was gone is none of mine concern, I just wanted him/her to feel stupid. I take the coupon, look it over, hand it back, and started pointing out common sense and pointless smallprint as an excuse to keep getting closer and closer. Didn't ask if they understood what I said then continued on to explaining the forms I brought. Which didn't get past filling out the name as they bolt dishearten with the coupon at that point. Good reverse psychology times.
....Why I typed all this with no moral....Finding their change in demeanor to be hilarious afterwards must be why. Anyhoo. Kill them with morbid kindness and rhetoric. ;)