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Post by quaysider on Nov 28, 2017 16:15:05 GMT
I'm putting together the "rules of the boat/booking" kind of affair for Ellis and wondered if I can put WHATEVER I like? IE... I would like a clause that says, "if we dont like you - we'll give you your money back (less days youve been on) and send you on your way" kind of affair - I'm wording it more nicely... what do you good folk think? Here's what I've got at the moment. Sorry it's a long read - I WANT it to feel more friendly than "ZEEG HILE" if you follow: www.narrowboatellis.com/booking-terms-and-conditions.htmlto avoid the WHOLE read, THIS is the bit I'm wary of...: #Personal Hygiene and Clashes of personality: We appreciate this is an unusual item to have in a “terms and conditions” section but as the boat is our home, feel it important none the less. A 57ft narrow boat is a confined space and as such, all crew and guests are expected to maintain ‘pleasant levels ‘of personal hygiene. We will ensure wherever possible the boat has hot water available for all passengers and crew to shower daily. The ‘main’ bathroom will be for guests exclusive use overnight but the crew (that’s us) will require access to shower facilities daily. We’ll endeavour to make use of this when underway so as to minimise the disruption to your quiet enjoyment of the facilities. In the unlikely event there is a major clash of personality – we reserve the right to terminate the trip at an acceptable location and will refund, pro-rata (daily) the value of the remaining trip duration ... Boaters tend to be a relaxed , accepting and tolerant group of folk so having this clause is really just a final get out of jail card for us in our home… we’re sure you appreciate the sentiment behind it – even if we’ve not worded it very eloquently.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 16:34:25 GMT
#Personal Hygiene and Clashes of personality: We appreciate this is an unusual item to have in a “terms and conditions” section but as the boat is our home, feel it important none the less. A 57ft narrow boat is a confined space and as such, all crew and guests are expected to maintain ‘pleasant levels ‘of personal hygiene. We will ensure wherever possible the boat has hot water available for all passengers and crew to shower daily. The ‘main’ bathroom will be for guests exclusive use overnight but the crew (that’s us) will require access to shower facilities daily. We’ll endeavour to make use of this when underway so as to minimise the disruption to your quiet enjoyment of the facilities. In the unlikely event there is a major clash of personality – we reserve the right to terminate the trip at an acceptable location and will refund, pro-rata (daily) the value of the remaining trip duration ... Boaters tend to be a relaxed , accepting and tolerant group of folk so having this clause is really just a final get out of jail card for us in our home… we’re sure you appreciate the sentiment behind it – even if we’ve not worded it very eloquently. If I read that in a T&Cs for a holiday (and didn't know you) I'd not book. It comes across as if you are intolerant and possibly anti social and would chuck me out at a whim! I'll have a think about how you could reword things better...
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Post by quaysider on Nov 28, 2017 16:47:49 GMT
#Personal Hygiene and Clashes of personality: We appreciate this is an unusual item to have in a “terms and conditions” section but as the boat is our home, feel it important none the less. A 57ft narrow boat is a confined space and as such, all crew and guests are expected to maintain ‘pleasant levels ‘of personal hygiene. We will ensure wherever possible the boat has hot water available for all passengers and crew to shower daily. The ‘main’ bathroom will be for guests exclusive use overnight but the crew (that’s us) will require access to shower facilities daily. We’ll endeavour to make use of this when underway so as to minimise the disruption to your quiet enjoyment of the facilities. In the unlikely event there is a major clash of personality – we reserve the right to terminate the trip at an acceptable location and will refund, pro-rata (daily) the value of the remaining trip duration ... Boaters tend to be a relaxed , accepting and tolerant group of folk so having this clause is really just a final get out of jail card for us in our home… we’re sure you appreciate the sentiment behind it – even if we’ve not worded it very eloquently. If I read that in a T&Cs for a holiday (and didn't know you) I'd not book. It comes across as if you are intolerant and possibly anti social and would chuck me out at a whim! I'll have a think about how you could reword things better...I'm struggling .... we've said ALL along that IF we HATE someone (or they hate us) we would give them their money back and get rid... Since stopping "propper work" we want to enjoy our lives not live in fear of a week from hell... Dunno how else to put it. or should i just take it OUT and do it IF it ever occurs?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 17:10:56 GMT
If I read that in a T&Cs for a holiday (and didn't know you) I'd not book. It comes across as if you are intolerant and possibly anti social and would chuck me out at a whim! I'll have a think about how you could reword things better...... or should i just take it OUT and do it IF it ever occurs? If you can find other words that are simply based upon 'we reserve the right to cancel the holiday and provide a full refund' that is much better. Regarding access to the shower, try to find words that don't make you sound so uptight, something simple that lets the booker know that you will be using the shower but don't go into details about daily usage. If you are going into the hospitality industry you will need to be able to cope with arseholes (not that kind! ) so find a way to have a get out clause without shouting about it beforehand.
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Post by peterboat on Nov 28, 2017 17:15:52 GMT
What e said^^^ Its hard work looking after people and you will come across all sorts, but tolerance soon grows on you when its paying for your new way of life honestly it does
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 17:24:21 GMT
It does read a bit along the lines of 'we reserve the right to ditch you if you're an irritating smelly waste of blood and organs'
No idea what the answer is, a get out clause sounds a good idea on the face of it, but as others have said, It could put normal clean, pleasant people off from booking with you.
That said, I'm a bit of an insular bugger that works with lumps of steel, the thought of being in the service sector would fill me with dread!
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peter
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Post by peter on Nov 28, 2017 17:41:45 GMT
If I read that in a T&Cs for a holiday (and didn't know you) I'd not book. It comes across as if you are intolerant and possibly anti social and would chuck me out at a whim! I'll have a think about how you could reword things better...I'm struggling .... we've said ALL along that IF we HATE someone (or they hate us) we would give them their money back and get rid... Since stopping "propper work" we want to enjoy our lives not live in fear of a week from hell... Dunno how else to put it. or should i just take it OUT and do it IF it ever occurs? How about: "In the unlikely event of our planned journey being disrupted by the canal being closed for emergency repairs, breakdown of boat engine or hygiene facilities that can not be repaired quickly, or crew illness, we will compensate you for the need to cut short your holiday on a pro rata basis." That should give you some wiggle room.
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Post by quaysider on Nov 28, 2017 18:11:56 GMT
hmmmf!
I've gotten rid of it for now... I might sneak it in somewhere in really small print on the booking form to "look" like it's a copy of the same set of terms and conditions in the hope that no one will read it anyway.
IF someone DOES stink however, I'll just have to abandon "mr tact and diplomacy" - it's not like we'd HAVE them back again anyway
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 18:20:10 GMT
Is it really necessary to have such a clause on every booking?
I suspect most people attracted to what you're offering will be tolerable for the period they'll be with you. If they're not, deal with it as a 'one off' in a fair and even handed way.
Similarly, you are inviting people to share your life for several days. I can't see that it's necessary to explain details of your personal hygiene up front. If they understand they are staying with a couple on a 57 foot boat, their own imaginations can fill in details......should they feel so inclined.
For my money, you're over thinking this and trying to be too fair.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 18:20:12 GMT
So your idea to throw the first customer that didn't have a daily shower off the boat at the nearest bridge hole is no longer written in stone...
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Post by quaysider on Nov 28, 2017 18:25:18 GMT
Is it really necessary to have such a clause on every booking? I suspect most people attracted to what you're offering will be tolerable for the period they'll be with you. If they're not, deal with it as a 'one off' in a fair and even handed way. Similarly, you are inviting people to share your life for several days. I can't see that it's necessary to explain details of your personal hygiene up front. If they understand they are staying with a couple on a 57 foot boat, their own imaginations can fill in details......should they feel so inclined. For my money, you're over thinking this and trying to be too fair. Rog you're probably right... I think it's time to chill a bit more and see how things play out - I'm sure I can be tactless direct enough to tell someone they stink and unless they wash, they can go home!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 18:40:39 GMT
"If a personal hygiene issues arises we will vacate the vessel for the remainder of the contract which will default to a self steer self catering hire holiday subject to damage and cleaning deposits" You need to have two boats
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 19:05:48 GMT
I think quaysider needs to lower his standards. Having high standards can be a problem.
Fortunately I myself do not suffer from this I am a dedicated soap dodger but if you are inviting random strangers onto your boat you need to accept that not everyone is going to be spick and span all the time. A narrow boat can be a home but to make it paid for accomodation for strangers at the same time is a big ask. I hope it works because it's a really nice idea but it's going to need a lot of tolerance unless you can do some sort of advance interview where you take the customers to the pub for a few beers and learn a bit about them?
Might be a good advertising idea.
"Free beer for prospective clients"
Hmm. Well.. Anyway...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2017 19:07:39 GMT
Donkey is right. You could always seek advice from other traders, or the trading standards office, consumer protection office, and suchlike. You can bet thousands of others have been wary of getting wrong 'uns come along to their business. Many shop keepers wish to have signs in their doors saying No Gypsies but you're not allowed by law to be honest. How about people searching for child minders for their precious ones? They must have the same concerns. Personality clashes - if there's some 'grating' once the undesirables have been aboard for a few days already and left their sweaty socks strewn around their cabin, and the toilet bowl full of fag ends (I mean cigarette ends!!), then you may just have to grin and bear it and act professionally. If they really do get out of hand, suggest the Northern Oxford Canal is very pretty at this time of year. You know who lives there, like Gollum leading Frodo into Shelob's lair. Problem gone! I didn't know that Mrs Tabby dabbles in subcontracting. I thought he only went in for violent bloody killing to protect his own family. And prostitutes. obviously.
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Post by Telemachus on Nov 28, 2017 19:37:15 GMT
Yes I think you are overthinking it a bit. No need to have shower rotas in the Ts and Cs, it’s just something to explain to the punters when they step aboard. I think you just need a clause that says you reserve the right to terminate the agreement and refund pro-rata, without going into details as to why it might happen. And if you want to be fair about it, that should work both ways ie the punters have a right to abandon ship when they realise they’re sharing space with a couple of benders - and worse, one of them is ginger!
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