Sometimes even complaining first thing doesn't help. I remember when my family and I went on vacation last summer, we stopped over at the first hotel. I had made reservations and explained to them that I needed a room with a fridge since I had baby formula I needed to keep cold, plus medication.

When we got there, the room did have a fridge, but instead of 2 queen beds they gave us a double with a sofabed, and charged us the 2 queen bed price. I complained and we recieved the correct room. Only to find out this room was a smoking room. Now my son has severa asthma and he couldn't be in there due to everything reeking of cigarette smoke. I explained to the front desk and recieved a new room. Except the lights didn't work and neither did the toilet. The brought someone in to change the lightbulbs, but the plumber wouldn't be availiable until the next day. So we ended up in another room, this time with no fridge, and when I exlained to them my dilemma they proceeded to tell me that it was MY fault I didn't have a fridge because I complained about the other rooms that had them.

What ended up happening was that I asked to speak to the manager, who it turned out wasn't there. Then in front of them I used the house phone and called the 1800# they had and explained to them what was going on. Needless to say I recieved my room for free for the nights we were staying there, and I also recieved a voucher for 1 free night valid anytime.

So yes it does pay to complain in the beginning, but unless you are firm and won't take what they dish out will it be successful. They are in the business to make money, so unless they are in jeopardy of losing your patronage, they could care less about your happiness.

Reply