Shocked
Johnson City,#2UPDATE Employee
Tue, July 15, 2008
Let me start by saying I, too, am a US Army veteran. I believe, under no circumstances, should military personnel use their status to perpetuate feelings of sympathy from unsuspecting readers when they get caught doing something they shouldn't. I am also a pet owner. I have two Pomeranians, four Sugar Gliders and a huge, black Lab that belongs to my neighbor, although I think she has her porches confused since she stays on mine most of the time. I have traveled extensively for years with my pets. There is not one, single thing you can tell me about motels and their policies (about pets) I have not encountered over the past 30 years. I am also the "worker at the desk" which (according to this young man) took 45 minutes to get him checked into his room at the American Classic Suites in Johnson City, TN. That statement alone speaks volumes. Not only did it take approximately five minutes to check him in, I can't see what one would do at a front desk for 45 minutes. I decided these were such a vicious, slanderous statements, someone should set the facts straight. This young man enters the office and asks if we allow pets. Our policy is we allow one dog as long as it's 20 lbs or smaller and there is a $25 pet charge. He agreed, put his initials beside the pet policy agreement and signed his name at the bottom of the "sign-in" sheet (on file if you would like proof). Later, the local manager and I were outside when we noticed he had taken two dogs out behind the dumpster. Both dogs were well over the 20 lb limit and he was only allowed one under 20 lbs. The manager decided to let him stay but there would be another $25 pet fee for the additional dog and he would be warned we would not allow the dogs back because it was against our policy. She would run it by the area manager (who was here for maintainence work) to make sure they were in agreement about letting them stay this time. While she was discussing it with her, he and his (wife) left. I assumed it was to get something to eat because he had asked me earlier if there were any good places to eat in the area. While they were gone their dogs began to bark. The area manager was outside and heard the commotion about the same time one of the other guests asked if we were going to do anything about the barking. She assured him we would. She waited approximately 30 more minutes for the couple to arrive and there was a meeting with them about the dogs. Her solution to the situation was to go ahead and charge them a $25 pet charge for the additional dog; move them to a room away from the other guests if they couldn't keep the dogs from barking; and advise them they were more than welcome to stay again in the future but they could not bring their dogs. He agreed and we went on with our work. How he could possibly say he was with his dogs at all times is beyond me. The local manager, the area manager, myself and the guest in the room next to then watched them drive up when they returned from what I assumed was dinner. The area manager did not knock on his door, she met him at his door when they arrived to have the discussion about the barking. Approximately 20 minutes later he came to the office and informed me he would not be staying because he had made arrangements with a "pet friendly" motel. I told him I was sorry he didn't agree with our policy but they were the rules. I had to enforce them because it was my job and he had to honor them because he signed the pet policy agreement. As far as the used condom he alleges he found in the sheets, our sheets are changed after every stay. Not once have I ever seen or even heard of housekeeping making a bed in a room that had been checked into or slept in. The spare toilet tissue is kept in a drawer of the vanity in the bathroom. If they ran out, we are like all other motels and suites, we keep extra rolls in each bathroom. And the statement, "What a way to treat a returning veteran!' was added, I'm sure, to evoke outrage and sympathy from readers. Being a veteran myself, I can tell you, for a fact, we always treat veterans with the respect they deserve and earned, along with all our guests. When you get caught doing something you know is wrong or goes against a company policy, you have to expect we will say something to you. I'm just sorry his embarrassment has given way to giving this beautiful establishment a bad mark. I love working here and I invite everyone to check out our place. We will be more than happy to give you a tour anytime so you can see how clean and safe we keep our rooms for you.