Is this customer right?

Photo borrowed from The Sykes Group.

Mark G. commented—"My guess is that they would like to have some sort of commitment by the individual attending the conference that they are actually going to show. They want to be able to hold one individual responsible for the cost of the room should it happen to be empty for that first night."

I understand where he is coming from if his understanding is that the company wanted my credit card number to charge IN CASE I DO NOT SHOW. They wanted the credit card to CHARGE for the first night NOW. I won't be staying there until the end of July, but if I don't book now, I risk losing the room and not being able to attend the conference.

Basically, I think this company's ambiance SUCKS. I don't now how else to put it. They are going to make me choose NOT to attend the conference because of PRINCIPLE. I don't want to patronize a place that makes the initial conversation with a customer a difficult one.

I could relent, decide to attend the conference, and my family may have a great time. However, I don't think I would decide ever to go back to the place again personally just because of the ... whatever ...

Anyway, after talking to some folks today, they suggest that the reason the company is being so inflexible is that the may be enjoying cash–flow problems right now and have to show an accountant they're pulling in money. I don't really have any idea.


Cymbal Communications Web site photograph.