Shrewd Way into a "Booked" Hotel or Restaurant Mark Brenner
Brenmark House
Anyone can get a last-minute reservation at a popular restaurant or a room in a hotel that is booked solid -- if you know what to say and how to tip. RESTAURANTS You call at the last minute and are told no tables are available. What to do... - Ask to speak with the maitre d'. Get his/her name before your call is transferred.
- When the maitre d' picks up, address him by his first name, and give your own full name. That creates the impression that you have been to the restaurant before and know him.
- Give your name, and say with empathy, "I know how busy you are tonight. But if you could find a way to have a table for me at 8 pm, I would be happy to take care of you the right way." This language may feel uncomfortable or cagey, but it is the language that service professionals recognize.
Helpful: Never mention a dollar figure -- it is offensive and demeans his craft. Be precise in what you want. Otherwise you could end up eating at 5:00 pm or midnight. - If the answer is still no, take one last shot. Say, "I don't mind waiting in the bar for a bit if it would help you out." Your flexibility lets him know that you are experienced and not unreasonable.
- If you get a table, tip the maitre d' discreetly (no one should ever see). Give him the folded bill(s) in your handshake.
The tip amount depends on the caliber of the restaurant, how badly you want to get in and how hard the maitre d' had to work to get you the table -- $10 is fine for a good restaurant on a typical night... $20 to $50 for more extreme circumstances, such as conventions, holidays, etc. VALET PARKING: KEEPING YOUR CAR UP FRONT When your waiter hands you your check, hand him/her your valet ticket stub, and ask him to give it to the valet, so that your car is waiting up front by the time you pay the bill and leave the restaurant. HOTELS You are told no rooms are available. What to do... - Don't waste your time asking a clerk for special service. Ask to speak to the reservations or general manager. Be sure to get the manager's name before your call is transferred.
- Address the manager by Mr. or Ms. Unlike restaurants, better hotels are quite formal.
- Give your name (using Mr. or Ms.) and say with empathy, "Mr. or Ms. ____, I know how busy you are, but I'm in a bit of a spot. I'm meeting with an important client. If you could find a way to reserve a room for me, I can promise that you won't be disappointed."
Change the explanation, if appropriate, but keep it brief. Again, don't mention a specific dollar amount.
- If the answer is still no, don't give up. Try again by saying, "I can imagine how many calls you get like this, but I do a tremendous amount of business in the city. If you could help me out, I would really make it worth your while."
If this doesn't work, add, "If it would make life easier for you, I would be willing to arrive after 6 pm when you might have more cancellations." Be polite -- there is a big difference between being persistent and being insistent, which is obnoxious.
- When you get your room, a tip of $20 is probably fine, but go as high as $50 if, say, the city is booked solid for a convention.
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Mark Brenner, author of Tipping for Success: Secrets for How to Get In and Get Great Service (Brenmark House) and founder of Brenmark House, a marketing solutions think tank for companies that require branding, marketing, sales and advertising strategies, Sherman Oaks, California. brenmarkhouse.com
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