Theft by Guests

Not something that we've really been troubled with at our own b & b, but it happened this weekend.

Not only did they manage to break a shower fitment and not bother to say anything but they walked away with a new toilet roll plus a full packet of sanitary towel scented disposal bags!

Not a huge value in monetary terms but theft just the same and earns them and the rest of their party a place on the black list. They won't be crossing the threshold again.

I'm told these bags are excellent for dog poo as well (but not too good for sandwiches!).

Mobile Phones - choose a provider

Following on from yesterday's post I've outline below a few pointers when choosing a new mobile provider.

Without doubt the first thing to check is whether they provide coverage in your location. Don't rely on the maps they provide - these are fairly vague in accuracy. If possible, see if you can borrow a phone on each network and see what strength signal you can achieve in a few of the places yoi are likely to use the phone.

Then have a look at handsets and price plans. The only real advice here is to check price plans, it is often cheaper to sign up for 18 months than for 12 months.

The big difference appears to be on support provided and what it costs to call the phone company.

Orange - ring from mobile for free call - otherwise charged at mobile rate.
O2 - charged at 0870 rates.
Vodafone - charged at 0870 rates.
T-Mobile - free from mobile or 0845 local number.

I had to phone T-Mobile as I couldn't fathom out how to change a setting on the phone. Rang, just 2 buttons to press before speaking to someone in England, asked the question and got an immediate answer which worked first time.

Call Orange and be kept on hold before speaking to someone who really doesn't care if they help or not.

No experience of others as no O2 signal and Voda didn't have any phones I liked the look of.

If you need to do an extended test before purchasing most operators offer a free PAYG sim via their web sites and you can pick up an old phone on EBay for £30 - £40. Worth the investment if you need a mobile for business and after tests you can always sell it on again.

Mobile Phone Providers - don't you just love them!

For most people a mobile phone is an essential business tool.

Recently it became necessary to look at a new provider, our Orange service was only available when it felt like it. Initially, Orange blamed the handset - and over the course of a month replaced it five times! They also admitted to having network issues and needing to shut transmitters down but ... as I had made one call they believed they were offering a service that was acceptable.

Next, a brand new different handset was sent out - fine apart from the fact that to make a call you had to use a stylus to tap out a number on the screen !!!

Telephoned again, and interestingly, if you do not call them from the mobile handset you are charged at mobile rates for the call. I was told the sevice provided was fine, if I didn't like it - tough - and their "support" staff suggested I pay contract off and sell the phone on ebay.

I did just that. Sold the phone and made £50 profit over the cost of cancelling contract.

I've now signed up with a new provider - details on the search for that in the next post.