Guests charging their car

[Amanda660]

So we have some returning guests, this is the 3rd time they have stayed with us whilst visiting elderly parents in a care home nearby.  They always try and negotiate a deal

or messaged directly to try and cut costs.  Anyhow....

Tiday after check in I noticed the Dining Room window was open with a bright orange extension cable running out of it towards their car.  9 hours later it’s still there and I now realise that their car is electric  and they’re charging it overnight (very long journey).

I’ve not experienced this before - is it the norm for guests to do this?  Do you address the extra costs or let it go?  We don’t have many electric cars in the North if Scotland so be gentle with your replies. 

[Lawrene0]

Google says it costs $2.64 USD to fully charge an electric car with a 70-mile range at 11 cents per kilowatt hour. Doesn't sound like much to get worked up about, @Amanda660 , so if it was me, I would let it go. Here in Ontario, Canada, we have on-peak and off-peak rates, and overnight would be off-peak, so about the same as I found in that search.

Maybe work out the cost using google's help, and see whether or not you mind. 

But maybe also don't give in to any extra deals they try to negotiate. It would have been nice if they had mentioned charging the car instead of just assuming.

[Emiel1]

@Amanda660 

I think the guest should have asked you first, as you provide energy for let the car move, which has nothing to do with the stay at the accomodation. I googled to see the energy-costs are involved with an electric car and found a full charge (depending on capacity of battery in the car) can go up to 3 or 4 GBP , offcourse also depending on costs of elektricity (per Kwh) mentioned in your energy contract (or maybe you own solarpanels !)

Anyway, the guest should pay for the energy !

Best regards,

Emiel

[Lisa1831]

@Amanda660 

Just like @Lawrene0 @Emiel1

noted it doesn't cost much but I think it is more of the principle in that they didn't ask first. 

Definitely let it go as far as charging but keep it in mind the next time they book with you.  Really, if that is something other guests may need try to work it into your customer experience. 

[Amanda660]

Thanks for your replies.  It’s an unusual one for us as electric cars are so rare here.  A full overnight charge on our rate for that particular car is £7-10.  (We have no cheap off peak rates as they plugged it in around 3pm).  It’s not so much the money it’s the rarity of the situation and how do I best deal with it.  Letting it go seems like the way forward but I do think it’s a bit cheeky. 

[Helen3]

I think they are being really cheeky. I would find out how much it costs for them to fill up at a petrol station and say that you were a little disappointed to see they had used your utilities to charge their car overnight.

And that if they wanted to do so, you would be happy to consider it if they ask at a cost of XXXX.

[Helen744]

@Amanda660 just ask them if they will be needing to charge their car and point out the nearest charging station . Tell them that there will be a 10 pound charge for the charging fee, if you institute it, but until the electrician has been that you will not be able to provide charging through the house. Do this via messaging if you do not feel like having an uncomfortable conversation but this is not cheeky ,it is entitled and rude. H

[Lawrene0]

For £7 to £10 I am going to change my tune, @Amanda660 , and go with @Emiel1 on this. Really, I should have from the start. Even at £2, the guest should be paying you for the energy. We don't hand our guests cans of petrol for their cars. 

And if they had just asked, you could have worked it out together.

These are repeat guests, and otherwise good, is that right? They try it on with the discounts, but they don't insist? You are okay with them continuing to rebook with you?

In that case, you might bring up the electric car with them. Ask what it costs them at home to charge it, and note what it costs you. Ask their advice on how high a fee for it you should add to your house rules. 

You might get nothing from them this time, but they will know going forward that it will be part of the cost of booking. 

What do you think?

[Amanda660]

Thanks for the reply.  She is the only guest that has given me less than a 5 for value - ironic that she never books on a full rate night and get freebie leccy.

I’m go to let it go this time but if she books again I’ll bring the subject up.  

[Amanda660]

UPDATE

For goodness sake, so they’ve been out all day and they’re back now.....running the extension cable and charger out of the window again.  Aaaagh. 

[Helen3]

Hi @Amanda660 

Have you spoken to them yet about the charges @Amanda660 . Personally I wouldn't wait until next time to ask for reimbursement. They are in effect stealing from you by taking your electricity.

You now you can bloke them so they can't book with you again?

[Linda108]

@Amanda660   Already you have seen that if you do not address the issue as soon as you can, you will find the guest taking advantage.  When a guest does that,  a host becomes resentful and it becomes a problem with the review.  At this point, your communication around this obvious boundary breach will likely provoke a negative review.  However, I like the recommendation that you seek to get guest feedback to understand what might end up being a trend.  

When a guest presumes anything of the host's listing is fair game to use, I have a real problem.  I would not want to host such a guest.

[Amanda660]

Well they checked out this morning (after unplugging the extension) and left the house looking great.

I received her usual 5 star review for everything APART from value which she scored at 3.  Our regular rate sits at around £95 but she snagged these two gap days reduced to £68.  I had thought of pinging her message but life’s too short. 

Can you block someone from booking you again?  I don’t want her doing the poor value, stealing the leccy thing again if I don’t have to. 

[Valerie192]

@Amanda660 Yes in the review of her you will get asked would you host this guest again and Check No. 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Valerie192 

actually, the question is " Would you recommend this guest?" and I am not sure if you choose NO it would block him to book your place again.

@Amanda660 

You are too nice. You really should learn to say no 🙂

I wouldn't give any discounts to anyone and would not host some cheapskate guest who previously gave me 3* for value and charged his car at my house for free.

Remember - guest who haggles for discounts is the worst and ungrateful guest. Avoid.

I would leave them an honest review, would mention they asked for a discount, charged their car without asking your permission and gave you a low rating for value in return. And then I would block them.