Not Answering Email for Three Days is Simply Bad Business

I've been invited by the New Orleans chapter of the AMA to speak about business blogging in April. I've never been there so I want to stay a few extra days. I went online to look for a bed and breakfast so i could get the real flavor or the town without staying in a cookie cutter hotel.

On Thursday, I found a site called Bed & Breakfast, Inc. and filled out their form to get a price quote.

I finally got an email from them today telling me that, since the French Quarter Festival is going on during my stay, there is a four-day minimum.

Then they tell me, "If you can stay longer, please let us know. Feel free to check back with us as minimums can change. Sincerely, B&B Inc." And guess what? There's not even the name of a contact person in the email.

Thanks guys, I made my plans without your lousy customer service or your outdated website.

Incredible that companies still think this kind of customer service is enough to make a successful online business work.

Try the Hotel Monteleone. It's my favorite place to stay in New Orleans. It's walking distance to the debauchery but in the thick of antique and art shops on Royal Street. Their Web address is http://www.hotelmonteleone.com/. I've also stayed at the Hotel Monaco in New Orleans, and it's nice but further away from the Quarter, on the business district side of Canal Street.

Thanks Shawn. It looks beautiful. AMA already made reservations for me at the hotel where I'll be speaking. I will certainly go look at the Montelone because I know that once I see Nawleans, I'll go back.

Great...and that's probably best in New Orleans. You just have to beware that we sometimes use the term "bed and breakfast" very loosely down South! ;)