I can’t make it any more simpler...

Heather106
Level 4
New Orleans, LA

I can’t make it any more simpler...

Tell me honestly, are these instructions difficult to understand?

 

To unlock the front door-

1. Enter in the code.
2. Press the LOCK (middle) button.
3. Wait a few seconds until you hear the lock disengage and then open the door.

 

Because about 1/3 of my guests can’t figure out how to open the door. And every time I go to help them, I find that they don’t follow step #2. Its only 3 steps! It’s not rocket science people! ugh...

15 Replies 15
Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

Do you include photos of each step with your self check in instructions @Heather106 ?

Ian-And-Anne-Marie0
Level 10
Kendal, United Kingdom

Maybe try the instructions first... Then send the photos as @Helen3 suggested when they can't work it out. Words and pictures all at the same time just might send them into meltdown! Afterwards - you will have to go help, but at least you tried!

Lisa723
Level 10
Quilcene, WA

Sign on the door?

Susan151
Level 10
Somerville, MA

@Heather106  If a full 33% of your guests are confused, then your instructions are not clear enough. That is a huge percentage. Perhaps you can post a picture of the lockset and we can make some suggestions?

Branka-and-Silvia0
Level 10
Zagreb, Croatia

@Heather106 

yes, statistically, at least 33%  of humankind is incapable to resolve simple life tasks, I came to the same conclusion shortly after I start hosting.

 

our recent guests left the entrance door, apartment door and all three bedroom doors wide open during the entire night and they were sleeping like babies when I arrived (my neighbor called me) The apartment is in the residential building, on the mezzanine floor, in the very city center of the Croatian capital. It is not a little house on the prairie. So what is worth to have expensive digital smart lock if 6 adults are too stupid or too drunk to close the door?

 

Nothing is fool proof, try to send them step-by-step photos ...or video... or draw them a picture, mama 😛

 

 

Emiel1
Level 10
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

@Heather106 

Rename the "Lock" button to "Unlock" button and change step 2 accordingly ;>)

 

Ann72
Level 10
New York, NY

@Heather106 @Emiel1 If it says "LOCK" on that button, I think there's your problem right there.  They're not stupid, they're just confused about why they would press a button that says LOCK when they're trying to UNLOCK it.

 

Maybe just say MIDDLE button, and then in parentheses say (It says "lock," but pressing it as Step 2 will unlock the door)

Heather106
Level 4
New Orleans, LA

The middle button doesn’t say anything. It’s a picture of a lock! All the other buttons are numbers. 

@Heather106  So, a picture of a lock is not a lock button. [Oldest Windows joke is tech support having to answer "where is the any key. the system says hit any key!"

 

Can you buy a rubber gasket to surround the middle button that is red? Or use nail polish to paint the key a distinctive color? Or, try:

 

2. Press the middle button (the one with the piture of a LOCK.) 

 

and Enter in the code is not great grammer. Enter the code will translate to other languages without the ambiguity [assuming I understand how this thing functions.]

@Heather106 Then why don't your instructions say "Press the middle button that has a picture of a lock on it"?

Heather106
Level 4
New Orleans, LA

@Susan151  Surprisingly none of my foreign guests have had an issue with the lock. It’s all been Americans who have trouble...

Similar issues. My guests who don’t speak English are fine.

Sarah977
Level 10
Sayulita, Mexico

@Heather106  I think the suggestion to paint the lock/unlock button red is a great idea- just use some nail polish. Then say press the RED button. If your American guests have the comprehension skills of a 2 year old, you'll have to make it easy enough for a 2 year old.

It’s true!

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