I'm a SC. And I'm a Mac.

[Mr Hero]

A month or so ago I mentioned an SC that tried to barter with us to leave his plane ticket as a security hold until the morning when payment would become available.

This time he's prepared to offer a Mac which may or may not work as a security deposit. SC claims it's a 1500 computer, but I'm sorry, my hotel cannot pay my paycheck in Macs.

He wants to have his "Dad" call in and give me a CC over the phone. Nope, I've gotta have a faxed authorization form. Of course, they don't have a fax machine and it's all my fault. Over the phone I over hear two people talking about SC, and wondering why SC's waiting until 1:30 in the morning to finally get a room.

This should hopefully be the end of it. His dad talks on the phone with me again. He's trying to guilt me into letting him stay in the lobby. Given his history, I decide against it. He warns me that karma is going to get revenge on me for this.

[PepperElf]

and that 1500 is ... only if the mac is new

if it's like my mac and 3 years old it would be worth a bit less than 1.5k

and... what happens if he can't pay... would he really let you keep his mac?

[Marmalady]

I wonder if this guy is any relation to Banana Bread Lady, who flutesandfabric had to deal with on several occasions? The one who tried to buy stuff with food?

[Grape The Cat]

Guy sounds like my first roommate in college. He always tried to barter, and it usually involved a Mac.

[bainsidhe]

What an amusing threat. Karma avoids smiting those who refuse to be taken advantage of.

[draco664]

What an amusing threat. Karma avoids smiting those who refuse to be taken advantage of.

I can't remember where, but I once read a quote that went something like "What goes around, comes around. But sometimes *you* are what's coming around."

[chainedbarista]

his reasoning is sound, if he were in the middle east, where bargaining is the normal mode.

here, as we normal, intelligence and common sense blessed workers know, it's cash/credit or see ya.

[MadMike]

At least he didn't try to pay you in gum.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

At least he didn't try to pay you in gum.

Actually, I'm waiting to see someone come into the Litter Box and try that sometime.

I did have that incident back at WD years ago when an older lady tried to pay me with Monopoly money. . .ended up having to get the supervisor out of the office to help explain to the poor lady that we couldn't accept it as currency.

She didn't seem sucky, but confused and it seemed to confuse her even more after I'd tried to nicely explain to her that her money wasn't real.

[Jay 2K Winger]

He warns me that karma is going to get revenge on me for this.

"Given that your son doesn't have the money to pay for his hotel room, I'd say karma is busy right now. I'll take a number."

[smileyeagle1021]

his reasoning is sound, if he were in the middle east, where bargaining is the normal mode.
.

Not so much actually... my boss at the hotel is from the middle east (well more central Asia, but still close enough to be very culturally similar to the middle east), and he's instructed us that if anyone tries to barter to tell them which bridge they can jump off of (I'm particular to the eastbound 201 to northbound 15 flyover, it's the highest bridge in the city )

[infinitemonkies]

Important fact to take note of:

If a guest offers collateral in place of payment/deposit, such as a watch, laptop, passport, etc, you should NEVER ACCEPT.

Unlike money, the hotel has no legal right to keep the item in place of payment. Let's say your guest offers the $1500 laptop in lieu of a damage deposit, then absolutely trashes the room anyway. If he asks for the laptop back, you are required by law to return it, and could be charged with theft if you refuse.



Disclaimer: As with all things legal, your area may vary, but I'm pretty sure in this case it's the same all throughout North America and Europe.

2nd disclaimer: This is also a different situation than if a guest skips out on a balance owing, but has left personal possessions behind.

[Salesmonkey]

If a hotel does not accept phoned in credit cards, the third party can always go to the chain's online site and e-book a room for their kid/spouse/coworker/etc. for that night. Or Travelocity or Orbitz. They will get a decent rate, you will get paid.

[Mr Hero]

If a hotel does not accept phoned in credit cards, the third party can always go to the chain's online site and e-book a room for their kid/spouse/coworker/etc. for that night. Or Travelocity or Orbitz. They will get a decent rate, you will get paid.

They could have, but I'd still need a CC at check in for a damage deposit.