Sucky Hombres or La Tarjeta de Raza

[Mr Hero]

This has been an ongoing headache that I didn't see coming. I had some guests check in on Wednesday. Things weren't so bad, but Thursday started to suck. They got two rooms. One of those rooms checked out a day early, but came in that evening to a different room.

Not long after checking in on Thursday night, the SC comes back and claims we have bed bugs in the hotel and shows me the "bite" marks. A couple of small bumps. I tell him that I will leave a note for management. Of course he wants compensation, which I am not authorized to give. On their way back to their room, they start telling the surrounding rooms about bed bugs in the hotel. This of course worries a few guests.

I'm done with my shift by Friday morning, but when I come back in Friday night, things escalated. The issue was not bed bugs, but poison oak which somehow residue got into the bedding. I don't know how true this is. He then later calls and tells us we ripped him off. How? Because when I quoted the rate, I only said $119.

Me: No, I said $119 plus tax
SC: So why is it $135?
Me: Because of tax.
SC: You didn't say that!
Me: I did too! I said $119 PLUS TAX

This goes around in circles a few times before I get this gem:

SC: I know you think we're stupid Mexicans.
What I wish I said: I don't think that all. I didn't know what country you come from.

Actual story is less exciting. I didn't take the bait, but instead reiterated my original claim that when I quoted them the rate, and it was me they talked to, that I specifically said $119 plus tax.

Finally they give up but not before accusing me of working for The Man TM

Does this mean Argabarga is my coworker now? Hopefully I don't get featured in Cursing out Coworkers.

[eltf177]

That's wonderful, your scam fails so you start spreading rumors around the hotel!

And you know these cheap SOB's will register a complaint that you were rude and not helpful, then demand even more compensation.

Hopefully your management won't give into the blackmail...

[Trixie]

Being stupid has nothing to do with nationality.

[Shyla]

Every hotel in the US charges you Rate + TAX. You look like an ass when you pretend it's not true to get a discount.

[WishfulSpirit]

International Travelers are often not aware that US don't include tax. That's the only time I give anyone any Grace on that.

[wolfie]

Not long after checking in on Thursday night, the SC comes back and claims we have bed bugs in the hotel and shows me the "bite" marks. A couple of small bumps. I tell him that I will leave a note for management. Of course he wants compensation, which I am not authorized to give. On their way back to their room, they start telling the surrounding rooms about bed bugs in the hotel. This of course worries a few guests.

This would obviously only happen at a pet-friendly hotel, but has anyone ever run into this situation with a guest?

Guest works at a pest control company, but is on vacation. Guest's dog, when off duty, is the family pet, but when on duty is a bedbug detection specialist (yes, some pest control companies have dogs that are trained to sniff out bedbugs, since they hide so well). At checkin, guest's luggage is still in their car, but they brought the dog in (on leash). They hand the desk clerk one of their business cards, explain the situation, and say they want to have Fido check out the room before they bring in their luggage.

Would be great if such a guest were checking in, overheard SC's complaint to management, and offered to check their room for bedbugs.

[Argabarga]

Why fight Da Man (tm) when you can easily make him give you a paycheck? That's what I always say.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Being stupid has nothing to do with nationality.

True. Last time I checked, Stupid is not a legally recognized racial or ethnic group.

[Seanette]

True. Last time I checked, Stupid is not a legally recognized racial or ethnic group.

Thanks for the new contribution to my "forum memorable lines" file.

[Bardmaiden]

International Travelers are often not aware that US don't include tax.

First time I went to the states I didn't realise that prices didn't include tax, asked about it at the till, they explained. I mentally went oh they do things differently and went on with my day rather than throw a hissy fit about how it wasn't done that way in my country.

[workerbee222]

Poison ivy is sneaky. I'm going to guess poison oak is, as well.

I am terribly sensitive to poison ivy. One of the worst exposures I got I hadn't even been around it. I had called Kitty in for the night, though, and when she appeared, I had picked her up and snuggled her against my neck and face. What a good Kitty she was, I told her, to turn up from wherever she'd been hunting cute little woodland creatures when I called.

[csquared]

Unless the bedding is checked for poison oak first, there is no way to know if the bedding was to blame or the guest brought it in with them.

[Ironclad Alibi]

True. Last time I checked, Stupid is not a legally recognized racial or ethnic group.

Be careful saying things like that. Some politician might try to make it so.

[taxguykarl]

Be careful saying things like that. Some politician might try to make it so.

Not in an election year anyway.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Be careful saying things like that. Some politician might try to make it so.

I'll save my comment on that one for Fratching.

Also related: Stupidity is not a legally recognized handicap, either. Of course, I know of one crotchety old guy named Walter who would like to make it so.