09/29/2024
I have rented rooms since a young age on app's, airbnb, and other platforms.
I have never been granted a refund due to a mistake even when I know the property was able to book the nights I was suppose to come to someone else (effectively getting double payments from 2 people on the same room in the same nights).
Last night, a guy tried to book my place, and made a mistake of not having enough money on his card to pay the refundable deposit fee..
Booking .com customer service was not going to help him and legit told me to KEEP the money and do not worry about refunding the client, as it was his mistake. Its a $500 reservation.
Its been tough with business lately, and my old mind almost cheered and said " YEs this must be God," but I've done too much work and life since my "old mind."
I could NOT do it.
I thought of him being in Destin solo, and maybe he just had a break up, or his family kicked him out, or getting off drugs, or he was just having a bad day .. and what if this incident which I could control, was the straw that broke the camels back ?
So, I told booking this wasn't acceptable and you all need to help support in some way. I also do not want to loose money on this as I have lost on fraudulent charges a few times, even when the guests stayed (I also always loose when I have actual fraud charges on me, in the amount of $6000+ this year alone but thats another story) So, I wanted to make this work for all parties.
It took going back and forth , being a human, and talking to booking and this guest, like humans, which they are.
Eventually, he was able to stay and pay the deposit.
This is just how I am, I am not gonna start hating and screwing other people (even if it means good financial gain for me) ever. As a business owner, you do have a choice, the policies and laws are made for different reasons, you do not have to follow them, but I do feel like you do have a responsibility to do whats right, and this is what felt right to me.
I hope more business owners, and property owners can follow this trend even if it means not getting the extra few dollars right then ..
Happy Sunday.
