Trying to reserve a room at the Western in Las Vegas
What happened when I tried to reserve a room at The Western
Here's my phone conversation with an employee while trying to reserve a room at The Western in 2001. Of course, this is kind of what you expect when the rooms are only $16 a night.
Me: I'd like to reserve a room for the 27th through 29th.
Him: We don't accept reservations for Saturday.
Me: Okay, why is that?
Him: Because we don't accept reservations for Saturday.
Me: Okay, but why don't you accept reservations for Saturday?
Him: It's the policy of the hotel.
Me: But can you tell me why that's the policy? I'm curious.
Him: It's just the policy of the hotel.
Me: Can you tell me why it's the policy of the hotel? If you don't know, just say so.
(never did answer my question, I abandoned it)
Him: Check-in time is 1:00.
Me: Check-IN time? Not check-OUT time?
Him: We have a 1:00 Check-In time.
Me: And that's check IN time and not check OUT time?
Him: Check In time is 1:00.
Me: Can't I check in at any time after that, in the afternoon or evening?
Him: We have a 1:00 Check In time.
Me: So I can check in ONLY at 1:00?
Him: Check in time is 1:00.
Me: So I can't check in at 2:00 or 3:00?
Him: You can check in then.
Me: Okay, so you mean that I can't check in any EARLIER than 1:00?
Him: You can check in at 2:00 or 3:00 if you want.
(moving on...)
Me: Do you think the hotel will be full on Saturday?
Him: It's first-come, first-served.
Me: Okay, but do you think the hotel will be full on Saturday?
Him: It's walk-in only on Saturday, first-come, first-served.
Me: I understand that. But do you have any idea whether you think the hotel will be full on Saturday?
Him: You can just come in and try to get a room.
Me: I KNOW! But is it worth trying? Do you EXPECT the hotel to
be full on Saturday? is it TYPICALLY full on Saturday?
Him: It's first-come, first-served.
Me: Yes, but do you usually fill up on Saturdays?
Him: Yes, usually we're full on Saturdays.
Me: Well then, why didn't you tell me that any of the last five times I asked you? Never mind, let's skip to the next part.
Him: (after taking my credit card number) Okay, so that's $17.44 for the 28th.
Me: And the 29th, remember? Two nights.
Him: (says nothing)
Me: You got the Monday night too, right?
Him: (mumbles something)
Me: So shouldn't it be $17.44 times two, for $34.88?
Him: We don't actually charge your card now.
Me: Okay, whatever, but is my reservation for two nights or just one night?
Him: Check in time is 1:00. [Okay, he didn't actually say that at this point, just kidding.]
Him: (mumbles something)
Me: So I just tell them at the desk when I check in that I'm staying for two nights?
Him: They'll have it on their thing.
(abandoned this line of questioning)
Me: When I called the 800 number, there were options for three different hotels. [They're all owned by the same company.] If I want to get a reservation for Saturday at another hotel, do I need to call back now, or can you take a reservation for those other two hotels?
Him: If you want to cancel your reservation, just call back 24 hours in advance.
Me: I DON'T WANT TO CANCEL MY RESERVATION! I'm just asking about making a reservation for SATURDAY at a different hotel.....
No wonder it's only $16/night. You get what you pay for. :)