hayleymn
newbie
Posts: 1

#1 Posted: 16/2/2007 - 19:45


A group of us recently booked accommodation with the "ROSE GUEST HOUSE" in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Due to personal reasons, we had to leave Chiang Mai 4 weeks early. Perviously we booked our rooms and to ensure the rooms were reserved for us, we paid in full and cash. We approached the owners with our matter and in the beginning we didn't intend to receive a refund although as soon as we mentioned we were cancelling, they were VERY RUDE. They continued to be quite volatile, using offending gestures and SHOCKING ENGLISH language such as, "piss off" and "f**k off". We asked the couple to be fair and understand our situation and refund half the money seens we had given 5 days notice, for their benefit, and had paid in full. In the end, we left appalled at the way we were treated and how terrible their business was ran. Although the prices were reasonable, it's the service that matters. We were not informed that we couldn't get a refund. For your own benefit, we advise you to stay elsewhere. Have fun in Chiang Mai and keep safe.

mrdome
longtail driver
Posts: 6

#2 Posted: 4/5/2008 - 05:32


The concept of getting your money back for anything already paid doesn't really exist in Thailand. Try buying something at Central Chidlom in BKK and then return it the next day (f.e. a pair of pants). Where the day before you were the highly valued commission bringing customer now you'll have accusation after accusation heaped on you by the same (underutilized) staff. "You washed this!!" "No, I didn't."

In Business Writing at BU I once had to teach a lesson that involved the concept of receiving a refund for a damaged item. Can you say non-comprehension? In Thailand after you've given the money, you might as well forget it!

Try it with other guesthouses and you'll see that it's a cultural thing. They don't mind if you never come back. At least they got your money.

SBE
tuk tuk driver
Posts: 199

#3 Posted: 4/5/2008 - 12:17


"At least you got your money"

It's not clear whether they got a refund or not.

Haleymm, it seems to me that either you were incredibly naive or you aren't telling the whole story.

What on earth possessed you to pay up front and in advance for such a long period??? How long were you planning to stay in total?

It's very unusual to pay in advance for more than a night or two for guest house accommodation in Thailand ... especially in Chiang Mai where there's a plethora of good value accommodation.

The only circumstances I can think of where you'd pay in advance as you did would be if you were getting a massive discount .... and then that money would be likely to be considered non refundable by the guest house.

dixonstreet
longtail driver
Posts: 10

#4 Posted: 7/6/2008 - 15:54


#2 that is so true .they have no idea of repeat business and only looking how much they can make today

travelrock
tout
Posts: 66

#5 Posted: 2/9/2008 - 07:26


"The concept of getting your money back for anything already paid doesn't really exist in Thailand."

Exactly, any thai can tell you this. If a product is faulty they will give you a replacement but money back not likely. Once you buy you buy. Paying weeks in advance is just plain silly.

Some Ghs give discounts if you stay for 5 nights or more but paying 4 weeks in advance is not wise.

Why would you want to stay that long in chiang mai anyway? It's grossly overtouristed.

khunwilko
tuk tuk driver
Posts: 160

#6 Posted: 29/9/2008 - 10:10


Customer service in Thailand does not exist....or at best it is in it's infancy. Time and again people believe that the service offered is amazing and leave after having a wonderful time.

What they fail to see is what happens if/when something goes wrong........you have experienced this.
i think people should be much more aware of the problems that will arise if you you feel that a good or service is not up to expectations.....you really have no comeback in Thailand...the situation of "caveat emptor" weighs heavily in favour of the vendor.....the punter has virtually no chance at all.