14 years
Is everyone else swamped with these problems?
I have a similar problem with websites -- I do something like this where the "contact us" page has links to the "FAQ" above the link to the contact form :)
See attachment for a quick example:
Holding their hands (changing their nappies?)
Travel Talk
OK, so I am only a 2 finger typist but I have just spent the last 2 hours answering the most basic questions. Times of buses, how much do you charge, what is the price of a taxi, etc., etc. I am getting fed up with it!
When I started managing this place there were no computers, no internet, not even a telephone! Travelling was different in those days; you arrive at one place and then see how you can get to the next place. No reservations, all just walk-ins who had their fingers crossed.
Now I get all these mails from people who simply can't be ars*d to spend the extra 5 minutes on line to find the answers! "I could not find the info on your web site" - look in the bl**dy FAQ - that's why it is there! Unfortunately I can't reply in that manner!
Is everyone else swamped with these problems? I'm now planning people trips!
- Comments
14 years
We get mom's calling to reserve for their sons (who in most cases are in the 30s or 40s) and they ask all the questions for them including all of the above and more. LET THEM GROW UP AND MAKE THERE OWN WAY IN LIFE!!!!! HAND HOLDING THEM IS DOING NOTHING BUT MESSING THEM UP AND GIVING THE STAFF ULCERS.
We also get Moms calling to find out what their sons need when travelling to hostels. When asked "when are they leaving?", the most common response is "tomorrow". Geez, cut the ties, they will be better off for it.
Funny thing I can't think of one incident where it was for a daughter, always sons. Kind of frustrating that they are on the same side of the gene pool!
14 years
We had someone's mum ring up the other day saying that her son and his fiancée were in one of our rooms and had just had a cold shower.
Instead of coming to reception and telling us the problem he called his mum!
Even worse she asked us to call her back when we had fixed the problem, as she didn't want her son showering in the cold.
Fair enough if he was 12, but the guy was old enough to have a fiancée.
And guess why the hot water wasn't working? The son unplugged the instant water heater to plug in his electric razor!!!
14 years
Now I get all these mails from people who simply can't be ars*d to spend the extra 5 minutes on line to find the answers! "I could not find the info on your web site" - look in the bl**dy FAQ - that's why it is there! Unfortunately I can't reply in that manner!
You're right. That's probably not the best response...yet! If all of the info is already in your FAQ at least you don't have to keep retyping it. Instead of saying "here's a link to the answers so you can find them easily yourself you lazy wanker" just copy and paste the answers directly into the email. It's only slightly more work than "look for yourself" but then the guest feels like you took care of them even before they arrived. That makes it easier to form an instant friendship once they're in the hostel. And once you're friends, they'll think it's hilarious when you say directly to their face, "Ha ha! You were such a dumbass! What kind of idiot can't find the information when it's right in front of their face? What a boob! Another round of beer?"
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