We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

Am I just imagining this or could they just be inept

Hello Folks

Been trying to book an hotel for a mid week August break in the South West. Ring backs don't happen, email gets ignored (if their email client wasn't active etc I would know). When I do speak to them they either don't have access to the booking diary or the have builders coming but don't know when? But I'm wondering if my Northern Irish accent is putting them of or are they simply just inept?

In my work I'm on the phone to suppliers & customers constantly and rarely encounter problems so I doubt that my accent is an issue. But this issue has set me wondering. Could such overt discrimination be happening? I will be ringing them again in the morning and try to get an answer. Surely it would be easier for them just to tell a fib e.g. sorry sir we are fully booked for those dates. I would then have been none the wiser. I should say that I've been living on this side of the pond for 30 years and whilst I haven't lost my accent it is not as broad as somebody who got of the ferry or plane yesterday.

Can I have your thoughts please

Eamon

Comments

  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Probably inept.

    My initial thoughts are that it depends on the size of the place you're trying to book into .... it's 2 weeks before Easter, for many they've just reopened after the winter shutdown. New staff, rushed off their feet getting things ready and taking bookings/enquiries for Easter. Lots of the South West is only really open Easter to October, staff are hired/fired depending on the weather each week/month.
  • greenface
    greenface Posts: 4,871 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    Just the one hotel in the south west ? try another. If they dont want your money their loss
    :cool: hard as nails on the internet . wimp in the real world :cool:
  • eamon
    eamon Posts: 2,319 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic
    Update.
    It turns out that the freeholder (big regional brewery) is refusing to stump up the cost of installing a fire escape. Hence the management didn't know what to do until this morning re taking bookings. As it happens when I spoke on the phone this morning they were in the process of cancelling bookings for other customers including a couple of weddings. No fire certificate, no staying guests. It will probably result in the place closing as they will loose a valuable revenue stream. Sounded really distraught and worried for the future.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 241K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.