You Get What You Pay For
I hate that phrase. It always implies some kind of guilt on the part of the person paying for goods or services, and that drives me nuts. It’s victim blaming, and I’m not on board with that.
To a certain extent, I get it. If you’re cutting corners, that’s kind of on you. Things like $225 lasik (somehow this Jeff Foxworthy joke from the 80s is still happening, I just got an email with an offer yesterday), using shoddy materials to save a buck, or going to Great Clips for your wedding hairstyle . . . all of these are choices you’re making to go somewhere they really can’t do what you need. This isn’t about that. This is about when you rent or purchase something and expect a minimum return on goods or services, and then don’t get them. That’s unacceptable to me, and the idea that it’s somehow my fault and I’m “getting what I paid for” is ridiculous.
The story at the heart of this rant comes from this past Wednesday. I was staying in Bloomington, IN because the weather was terrible and I didn’t want to make the drive home late at night after doing an open mic. Because this was an open mic, and therefore unpaid, I didn’t want to spend too much on a hotel, so I got a room at the Motel 6 on Walnut (I feel like being very specific today). Now, Motel 6 as a chain isn’t bad. They did a chain-wide remodel that made a huge difference. They changed the lighting and furniture, updated the televisions, and most importantly, they got rid of the carpet and went to a hardwood style laminate. It made a huge difference in what used to be a gross joke of a motel chain.
I don’t think anyone let the Motel 6 in Bloomington, IN (again, on Walnut St) know that changing furniture, lighting and flooring isn’t enough. You also have to do important things like maintenance, plumbing, and cleaning. The problems in this room included: one light didn’t work, the phone didn’t work, a thick layer of dust coated the top of each light fixture, and there was a long hair stretching across the pillows on one of the beds. I barely spent any time in the room, so I didn’t bother trying to switch. Instead I just did a detailed inspection of the other bed, and when it was clean I slept in that one. Another fun detail: the toilet overflowed when I flushed, despite nothing going into the toilet that should have caused it to do so (incidentally, this is when I found out the phone didn’t work). What’s crazy is that seconds after it overflowed, it immediately drained completely. I used all of the towels in the room to clean up the water, and then had to walk down to the lobby to get replacements.
I told a friend about it, and they replied “well, you stayed in a Motel 6. You get what you pay for.” I don’t buy that. I paid for a room to stay in, and at a minimum I expect it to be clean. I don’t expect the Motel 6 to have a whirlpool, a sleep number bed, or a great breakfast. What I do expect is a clean room, a working phone, and a toilet that doesn’t overflow on liquid alone. Ugh.
This week’s positivity is a celebration of Ignite Hospitality Services. They specialize in helping entertainers find affordable hotels on the road. Adam has never steered me wrong, and how much they’ve spoiled me only exacerbates how frustrated I am with experiences like this week. I should have known better. Don’t make the same mistake as me. If you’re an entertainer (of any kind), check out https://www.ignitehospitalityservices.com.