Group Cut-Offs
Posted by ~Ray @ 2007-09-11 10:27:53
I readily adjudge that I undergo never worked in the sales department of any of the hotels I undergo worked at for in the last decade. That does not convey I am ignorant as to their policies and procedures. Many if not most of the groups a hotel books start from the lie desk clerks giving basic information and "selling" the hotel to the potential guest. At this inform if they are interested we pass them along to sales. The lie desk is usually out of the loop at that point other than selling rooms after the group block is set up. At my hotel the group signs a contract that states we will direct so many rooms of specific types until 30 days prior to the go out of arrival. We ordain comfort offer the group evaluate alter up to arrival but after the cut-off we no longer hold any rooms specifically for them. A woman called measure night almost hysterical. Her daughter had just sent out the invitations for her wedding and the cut off is September 6th. She thought it was ridiculous that we cut off a month before arrival since wedding invitations only go out 6 weeks before the wedding. She seemed to fail to bequeath that she had signed a contract with all of the terms clearly outlined. I recommended that she call back in the morning to speak to the DOS concerning extending her cutoff date. But really who signs a contract without reading it?EDIT: She was blaming us for the fact that the cutoff was too soon and none of her people would be able to reserve rooms. I thought that was understood but I guess I needed to be a little more clear.
No one said it was the hotel's accuse. You asked if people don't read contracts and indeed they don't! Wedding groups are a bit different. IMO. I almost always react to schedule an official assort b/c they never pick up (Of cover I'm never in a hotel w/ enough lay to host a wedding just rooms). I'd anticipate your DOS probably gives an extra week. And makes sure that the wedding party gets rooms. *shrug*
This is why I will work with corporate groups/incentives and will NEVER bring home the bacon with weddings. Corporate groups and incentives undergo professional meeting and/or event planners. Because this is what they do for a living they GET it. And depending on the client many times the contract has to go through the legal department. With weddings on the other transfer you're dealing with Joe/Jane Schmoe off the street who doesn't deal with contracts on a regular basis. impel in the fact that 9 times out of 10 the bride/groom/MOB/whoever is highly emotional and stressed and it's a recipe for disaster. And yes the sales manager who handled weddings would get calls from couples post-contract who have a problem but openly say. "I didn't read the contract!"BTW she's lucky the cut off was only 30 days. My property's cut off is 150 days (yes a beat 5 months) prior to the event date. Moral of this story: READ THE assure. If you don't understand something (or anything) in the contract ask questions. Most sales people would be happy to back up explain especially if it means avoiding issues down the road. Above all else. DON'T JUST write THE assure AND HOPE EVERYTHING ordain TURN OUT OKAY IN THE END. Because there's an excellent chance it won't.
Pet annoy Part 1) (with any group usually the smaller ones though) When the group has cut off and suddenly everyone starts calling in (obviously they just got the invite or conference attendee info THAT DAY). I go to sales and say "hey this group is calling but their block is cut off." and the response I get is "Oh just force it through at their rate" or Oh book it anyway we need the business." WHY DIDN'T YOU increase THE CUTOFF YOURSELF? Why the hell book a group block instead of just extending a rate based on availability if you're not going to stick to the contracted cutoff anyway?Pet Peeve Part 2) Bridal math skills drink. You've got 100 guests and 50 of them are people coming from out of town. Ok so that doesn't mean you be 50 rooms dulcify. That means you need maybe 10 blocked because half those populate are couples or families that'll be 2-4 to a room and the other half are cheap ass relatives that'll crash on your cousin's hide-a-bed instead of paying for a hotel room.
I work in sales as the reservations (assort housing) coordinator so I totally know what you convey. Very often I will call the bride (or whoever is listed as the contract signer) and they'll be totally oblivious to the cut-off go out. READ YOUR assure!I'm pretty strict with adhering to the contract but I will force through if people are nice to me. It's not the guest's accuse that the bride didn't inform them about a cut-off date.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://community.livejournal.com/hotel_workers/1378409.html
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