Mid morning yesterday one of our guests here at the park came to the office very disgruntled complaining about the behavior of a group of workers in the cabins. She mentioned bad language, partying and loud music until 10pm. She had been booked in for 2 more nights but asked for her money back. We had heard nothing but as our house is some distance from the park i gave her money back not only for the next 2 nights but as a gesture of goodwill also for the 2 nights they had already been here. They left almost immediately. As i encountered other guests during the day and asked what their opinion of the partying was and was told by 4 different people it was quite quiet and restrained, they heard no bad language and it was all over by about 7pm. I approached the boys involved and was told they left the park about 7 to go to the pub and did not return until 11 at which time the claimed they were very quiet. None of our guests mentioned any noise at that time. Have i been conned? i think maybe so.
Doing a camping area caretaker job over the X'mas/New Year/Australia Day (school holidays), it was surprising when someone complained about noise and yet you asked others near the "offenders" who said it was quiet or not a problem. That is not to say some are genuine complaints.
Some people will complain about anything. Living in close proximity to each other people can't expect it to be quiet as a door mouse, as long as those making the noise don't carry on loudly after the "curfew" hour in the park.
If people are really concerned about the noise at night usually they ring the park contact number to complain then while it is happening, it amazed me how some would complain when they were booking out but hadn't done so when it was happening.
Sounds like you were "too kind" refunding these people for the nights already stayed, they probably won't be back again by the sound of it.
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Vic
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Because you tried to do the decent thing shouldn't make you feel bad mate. You are not the one with the problem thats for sure, some people are just like that I guess.
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I must be a binge thinker. I do it a lot at times, then, not much at all.
You did the right thing, Tezza. I think so anyway. You'll never know if they were conning you, or not...BUT... what you did was decent, and there's not a whole lot of "decent" around anymore. More often than not, it's all about money. It's a "good on 'ya" from me. Cheers Dellie
Mate owns a motel on the central coast and got conned the same way after the room occupants found a sex toy in the bed room at 11pm on the second night of their stay, Mate went to the room and sure enough their it was, refunding their money without any further to do and said to the room occupant put the object in the bin and the cleaners will dispose of it in the morning after I have briefed them on room cleaning procedures . Thought latter ,no I'll get rid of it before the cleaners come in . Returning to the now vacant room only to find the room occupant had taken it with them after getting their two day refund and a future doscount card . These were not a young couple either
So the con artists keep getting more inventive every day
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Tuesday 24th of May 2011 02:34:27 PM
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They are out there and I'd say you've been dudded.
When I managed the park in Mt Gambier, a couple rang at about 10pm and complained that their cabin was not clean (Someone had apparently used the crapper). I offered another cabin to them but they said they had cleaned it and all was good. I doubted the complain t because I know the girls do a great job cleaning and no one else had access to the keys.
Anyway, I got called to the office the next day (day off) as they wanted their money back. I refused to give it to them, but for good will offered a little less than half back. They argued and I said no. Said they would take it further which I told them to go ahead. Called me some names mum would've been up[set with so I didn't give them anything.
After some checking, it was a con as they checked in at 1pm and didn't use the toilet till 10pm...with 2 kids ???....so, they are out there...bloody crooks !!!
You did what your morals told you to do so I agree with the other comments, you did the right thing for you, you can sleep easy. Those people on the other hand will receive karma, and you know what, if you put it out there expect to get it back twofold.
I hate to say it but there are travellers out there, in vans and in 5 star apartments who spend their time free-loading by complaint. They complain about the room, the towels, the shoes not being lined up, the coffee cups, the bed not made when someone was still in it etc. I worked as cleaner in 2 resorts in Broome, and the complaints which came our way could be the basis of a very funny, or sad novel. They do it to get anything or everything free. From a bottle of wine, dinner at the restaurant, or the entire stay. Unfortunately you've been conned. Lesson learned. There is also the issue of living in close quarters that some people can't adapt to, but if the complaint wasn't common you'd have to wonder. Also most parks have a noise curfew after 9 or 10 pm which is the benchmark for noise levels. Even the camp kitchen usually goes quiet after curfew. While you don't like to hear complaints, if you know the standard of the cleaning, the condition of the fixtures and fittings, all you can do is patronise the whingers, play nice, and offer them some small token of compensation for "their inconvenience". Believe me, some travellers almost make a living out of complaining at restaurants, caravan parks, pubs, resorts, and almost everywhere they go, just to see what's in it for them.
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Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Yep...I'd say you've been conned....but it's a lesson learned. Like Cruisin Granny said these people make it their life's work to con people like yourself just to get a 'freebie'.....take heart that for every one of them there are a thousand great travellers out there who would never dream of such a thing....you did the right thing and can rest easy. :o)
Being freelance hospitality contractors, we have had our share of con artists. They get nothing out of us.
If a guest complains the next day, about noisy neighbours, their whinge is going to fall on deaf ears. They all know on check in, we, as on site managers are there 24/7. They (the guest) in most cases have phones in their rooms, a night bell at their disposal, and even our mobile number. They also have a compedium in their room, highlighting our contacts as well.
If there is a problem at the time of the event use those tools to contact management, not whinge the next day at reception.
If we don't know of the problem via their lack of communication at the time of the event, there is nothing we can do. It is like shutting the gate after the horse is bolted.
In the case of tourist parks, a wander around with the ever faithful "coppers torch", one can usually sniff out if there is going to be a problem, and nip it in the bud.
But they "the guest" will still have a go to get a freebie, if they are that way inclined.
The sex toy thingy has me scratching my head.
In our "tours of duty" we inspect every room and every nook and cranny after housekeepers are finished, regardless of where we are. Some housekeepers are notorious in forgetting fridges, freezers and cupboards. Under beds is a no go zone for some housekeepers. So on completion of that inspection, we know the room is 100% ready for occupancy.
Also most if not all motel rooms are serviced daily, however personal items are not touched or moved.
To cop a complaint on the second night at 11pm, about a sex toy in the bedroom, to mine is the best con I have come across ever, and I assure all, have seen and heard most of them.
But to refund, is falling into their trap.
Hey, maybe we are just hard old soles, after two decades in hospitality.
Cheers & beers
vkgreenie
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Not hard, just wiser than you were before you got into the hospitality industry. Sometimes providing hospitality is met with inhospitable, ungrateful, cunning, lying, scamming guests. Your generosity Tezza will be appreciated and rewarded another day. What goes around comes around, and the conners will get theirs another day as well. For every crook out there, there are thousands of happy, friendly, gracious guests. Aren't we, Nomads? I reckon most of us would be the happiest, friendliest, most gracious travellers wherever we are.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Reading about people like these scammers (and that's what they are) reminds me of why John Howard effectively banned firearm ownership for most Australians. Silliest thing he ever did. Stopped the majority of sensible people cleaning out the shallow end of the gene pool.
Mind you, this new trend of planking seems to be doing quite a good job of it. Sam Newman has has two goes 40 floors up. Play it again, Sam!
Cheers, Tony
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It seems there are endless ways for the shallow end of the gene pool to remove themselves from it. Where does this word "planking" come from? Has the "W" key been removed from some keyboards?
i think maybe so.
