1.4 Checking out

Checking out

A: I am checking out. Here is the key to my room. OR:
– I’m leaving. Here is my key.
– This visit is over for me. Here’s your room key.
B: Thank you. I’ll just print out your receipt, and then you’re free to go. Here you go! OR:
– Thank you. And here’s your receipt, sir.
– Thank you for that, and in return, here’s your receipt.
– Just one second, sir, and I’ll give you your receipt. Here you go.
A: Thanks. OR:
– Thank you very much.
– And thanks to you.
B: If you don’t mind me asking, how did you enjoy your stay at New York Hotel? OR:
– I hope you’ll visit us again, sir.
– May I ask, sir, if you enjoyed your stay?
– I hope your stay here was satisfactory, sir.
A: This hotel could use some insecticide, but my time in New York was thoroughly delightful. OR:
– This could be a great hotel, once you get rid of the insects. The city itself is great.
– I’d be willing to try this hotel again, if you can promise me no more cockroaches.
– Most of my time here was pleasant. And New York itself is fantastic.
B: That’s very honest of you. Rest assured that this hotel will have no insects next time. OR:
– I’m glad you enjoyed the city, anyway. But please don’t think too unkindly of us.
– I’m glad that the little problem didn’t ruin your visit. Please have a pleasant trip home.

Disputing the Bill

A: My amenities bill says that I owe $10 for a movie, but I never ordered one. OR:
– I just discovered that I owe $10 for a movie that I never ordered.
– You guys are charging me $10 for a movie that I never ordered or saw.
B: Let’s see. It says that you were charged Monday at 9:00 p.m. for the movie “Titanic.” OR:
– Let me check, sir. You were charged for watching “Titanic” Monday night.
– Sir, according to your file, you spent Monday evening watching “Titanic”.
A: That’s absolutely wrong! I was out exploring the city Monday night. OR:
– Monday night? Monday night I was at a great concert.
– The wrong information is in my file. I was at a concert Monday night.
– That is absolutely incorrect! I was out on the town Monday night.
B: Okay, let me see what I can do. OR:
– Okay, sir, bear with me a moment.
– Well, your word overrules the file, sir. One moment, please.
– Well, as they say, garbage in, garbage out. Let me correct this error, please.
A: Thank you. I didn’t think it would be this simple. OR:
– Thank you. It’s very nice when problems can be solved quickly.
– I knew you’d see it my way.
– Thank you for taking my word over the computer’s word.
B: I can take the $10 off your bill, but I need to charge you $2 for the service. OR:
– One slight problem, sir. I need to charge you $2 to remove this error from your file.
– Sir, when I deleted the $10, the program automatically added a $2 service charge.
A: Are you serious? I have to pay $2 for a movie I never watched? OR:
– You can’t do that! You can’t charge me for a mistake that you made!
– Are you crazy? You made the mistake and now you’re charging me for your mistake?
B: Unfortunately, sir, it’s how the computer is programmed. OR:
– Sometimes you can’t win for losing, sir.
– Please don’t blame me, sir. Blame the computer programmer.
– I feel your pain, sir.
A: This is outrageous! I’m never coming back to this hotel again! OR:
– Absolutely unbelievable! You people should be ashamed of yourselves.
– This is highway robbery. I’ve got a good mind to call the police!
– Now I’ve seen it all! What a rip-off this place is!
B: I’m sorry, sir. Perhaps you’d like to write a letter to headquarters. OR:
– Unfortunately, sir, you’ll have to pay the $2, whether you like it or not.
– I don’t blame you, sir. Two dollars is a lot of money.
– I agree with you, sir, but all I do is work here.

Storing Luggage for a Few Hours

A: I’m checking out in about half an hour. OR:
– I should tell you that I’m checking out in about 30 minutes.
– Do you know that I’m checking out in about 30 minutes?
B: Whenever you’re ready to check out, I’ll be ready, sir. OR:
– I’m ready when you are, sir.
– Thirty minutes or 30 seconds, sir, it doesn’t matter, I’m ready for you.
A: Great! As you know however, the day in New York has hardly begun. OR:
– That’s good to hear. Now there’s still a whole New York day ahead of me.
– Very good! Now, it’s still morning here in New York.
B: You’re right. It’s only 9:00 a.m. OR:
– You are so right, sir. The clock just struck nine.
– I agree. The dew is still on the grass.
– There’s nothing like getting an early start, sir.
A: Therefore, I think I’ll explore New York some more. But I need to store my bags. OR:
– What can I do with my baggage while I visit a few more tourist spots?
– I still have time to explore more of New York, but I need a place to secure my baggage.
– I’m going to spend some time exploring the city. What can I do with my luggage?
B: Sir, our storage facility is merely $5 an hour. You also need to leave a deposit. OR:
– Sir, right here we have a storage site. Its only $5 an hour, but you need to leave a deposit.
– We do have a storage space for your bags. There’s a small charge, plus a deposit.
A: My luggage isn’t enough of a deposit? OR:
– Leave a deposit? Isn’t leaving the luggage enough of a deposit?
B: Unfortunately, it isn’t. VISA or MasterCard will suffice, though. OR:
– Just present your VISA card, and there won’t be any problems.
– I wish it was, but it isn’t. They will still want a credit card.
– Regrettably, no. But simply present your VISA to cover your deposit.
A: Let me put on my thinking cap for a moment. OR:
– That deposit bothers me. Give me a minute.
– It’s always something, isn’t it? Let me think about this for a second.
B: Better hurry, sir. Remember you have to check out in less than half an hour. OR:
– Don’t forget that you have very little time, sir, before you have to check out.
– Okay, sir. But don’t take too long. You only have 30 minutes.

To Hold a Parcel for Pick-up

A: I’d like to leave a parcel for one of my friends. Is that okay? OR:
– I want to leave a parcel for a friend to pick up. Can I do that?
– A friend is picking up a parcel. Can I leave the parcel with you?
B: All I need is your name, the name of your friend, and the time of pick-up. OR:
– By all means, sir. Just give me your name, his name, and when he will be coming by.
– I just need your name and your friend’s name. Also, tell me when he is coming by.
A: All of that’s on the package. Can I just bring it down to your desk? OR:
– I’ll put all that information on the package and just bring it down to you. Is that okay?
– I’ll just write all that info on the parcel itself and then bring it to you.
B: That would be most convenient for me. Thanks for your consideration! OR:
– Well, thank you for doing that, sir. I wish all guests were like you.
– Sir, you make my work too easy. Thank you.