Submitted by steved84 t3_yila3u in personalfinance
jgravy73 t1_iuj9i4v wrote
Reply to comment by barrycarter in Charged a “smoking fee” at a hotel despite never smoking by steved84
I manage a hotel. With the amount of times people charge back smoking charges even when they have clearly smoked in the room, I only post smoking charges when I have enough evidence to dispute the charge back. Chances are the hotel has that evidence. And vaping counts as smoking in alot of places.
steved84 OP t1_iujdfqz wrote
They appear to be leaning on this smoke sensor as it’s proof. I have no reason to lie on this board - I was there celebrating a friend’s 40th birthday - we had 4 people with us - none of us smoke (cigarettes or marijuana) or vape. The group I was with probably wouldn’t be known as the life of any party (my wife laughed when I told her this story, knowing the group I was with). And myself, I’ve probably smoked a cigarette 2 or 3 times in my life - tried it with friends in high school once, and maybe one or two other times at college parties. I am not a fan of smoking. The only thing I can think of is that we were sitting at a Blackjack table shortly prior stopping in the room, and somebody sitting behind the table had a cigar. Maybe the close proximity to that cigar smoke was picked up on some clothes and that kicked off an alert.
Conceptually, I like the idea of closely monitoring for cigarette smoke - I personally hate smoke - this seems like a money grab versus actually trying to enforce a no smoke policy.
I wish this wasn’t frustrating me so much, but I am being dinged by some clearly imprecise technology.
Glittering_knave t1_iujg6rx wrote
According to some quick googling, the sensors are pretty effective. The only thing that stood out was that they may need to replaced after every third detection. Could you ask for maintenance records?
Is there any chance that a cigarette butt or the packaging for a vape or other smoking garbage ended up in your trash? Something that could indicate smoking happened in the room?
Steve_Austin_OSI t1_iujnphi wrote
Or housekeeping is smoking where they shouldn't be.
steved84 OP t1_iujgrxz wrote
I will ask for maintenance records and see if they can provide anything. Though at this point it seems like I’ll be providing my defense more for my bank and less for them. It’s possible that there was something in a trash can from a prior visitor - it wouldn’t have been from us.
Glittering_knave t1_iujh5zf wrote
The other option seems to be someone else was smoking, and there was enough blown into your room to register on the sensors.
Or, someone in your party had a cigar on the balcony and isn't fessing up.
estherstein t1_iuk09di wrote
Is it possible some maintenance person was the one who smoked or something? Birthday candles?
[deleted] t1_iujjfs8 wrote
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burner46 t1_iujw8qf wrote
How exactly do the sensors work?
I can imagine that going to a casino for a bit would leave most people smelling of smoke. Could that have tripped the sensor?
steved84 OP t1_iuk4lwg wrote
They claim no, but I think that’s the only explanation.
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