They simply push the button at the office window, and we know that someone needs assistance.
The office is open from 8:00am until 9:00pm.
We're on call throughout the night for emergencies, but otherwise, 9:00pm until 8:00am is our time! So of course we don't want people ringing the buzzer during those hours unless it really is an emergency.
So I had made a sign and put it in the office window...
It seemed really clear to me, but apparently it's not.
I get people apologizing for ringing the buzzer during open hours. "Sorry, I didn't realize...it's not an emergency." they say. Yeah, but the office is open. It doesn't have to be an emergency.
So I'm going to have to change the sign. Only problem is, we can't figure out how to word it to make it more clear. Maybe I'll have to make two signs. One for when the office is open, and one for when the office is closed. Then, I just have to remember to change the sign at those hours!
Edit: Here's the new sign...
Better?
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If you love America's roadside diners, you have to buy this book!
And in Canada, this digital infrared thermometer has never been this cheap!
Ah, dealing with the public. So glad those days are over for me, and in my case it was mostly the parents, some of whom perhaps didn't think all that highly of this particular Caretaker. So sad. *snort*!
ReplyDeleteSo glad we had clearly defined things we'd "do" and "not do". (Ya, it was even in a great big binder)
Boosting your car in the dead of winter for example? Oh and, I dont' know you from a hole in the ground? Comes under "not".
Good luck with the sign. Now if they could only read and comprehend.
Yep, dealing with the public can have it moments!
DeleteAfter hours, buzzer for Emergency only. Seems simple enough to me?
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem, the buzzer is for anytime during office hours when we aren't psychically in the office, but only for emergencies after hours.
DeleteHOW ABOUT:
ReplyDeleteOFFICE HOURS: 8am - 9pm
If not in office during those hours, please press button at left.
AFTER HOURS IN AN EMERGENCY ONLY
press the button to call us
(NEEDING FIREWOOD IS NOT AN EMERGENCY) :)
The idea is to keep it simple with the least amount of words. I, too had suggest something similar to this.
DeleteDo you have instructions for those who show up to register after hours?
ReplyDeleteNo, it's really not necessary here. We get very few campers arriving unannounced because we're quite a bit off the beaten path.
DeleteGood luck dealing with the public I did that for most of my working days (40 years), at least you never have a dull moment. I always just smiled and carried on after all a large part of the job is PR.
ReplyDeleteIt comes with the job and for the most part it is going very well, especially if you consider this to be one of our "bigger" problems. :-)
DeleteEMERGENCY CALL BUTTON
ReplyDeleteWhen Office is Closed
Right, but that will confuse them because we also want them to use it when the office is open, but we're not around.
DeleteOffice Hours 8am-9pm
ReplyDeleteIf office is open, simply come in!
If office is closed during the day, we're out working---so press button to call us.
After hours, press button FOR EMERGENCY ONLY.
I like this one. Very clear.
DeleteOnly problem with this is that the office may be "open" (it is an outside wicket window, so they don't actually enter the office itself) but it isn't always manned, especially during the week when it is much quieter at the park and we are out working in the park. Generally on the busy weekends Kevin is sitting in there or is very close by in our trailer.
DeleteYou also need a sign on the firewood:
ReplyDeleteFirewod $5
After hours $50
Yep, that is a good one! :-)
DeleteI like Dinah's. I'd just change it to After Hours buzz for emergencies only and add the Firewood thing at the end.
ReplyDeleteThe issue is that we want them to buzz anytime the office is open but we aren't in the office, not just to use the buzzer for after hour emergencies. This way we aren't sitting in the office all day twiddling our thumbs, but can actually be out there getting things done especially during the quiet times. Generally on the weekends Kevin is sitting in the office though.
DeleteDugg's.
ReplyDeleteWith Dugg's idea though that would mean that someone is in the office all the time that it is open which isn't the case, we could be out doing something in the park, this is why we want them to press the buzzer during the office hours when there isn't someone actually in the office.
DeleteYou're still going to get that one in every crowd that will drive you crazy. Nice try, though. ;c)
ReplyDeleteWe know! :-)
DeleteNow you have me confused. When do you want me to push the dang button???? :-)
ReplyDeleteDuring office hours when nobody is actually in the office and only for emergencies after office hours. :-)
DeleteMake firewood self serve not having firewood when camping can be an emergency to a camper. If issues put a camera in it they are dirt cheap today.
ReplyDeleteNope, we won't be doing that! We do make it easy to make sure people have firewood before the 9pm deadline. Our helper even goes around to all the sites with firewood to see if anyone wants to buy any saving them a trip to the office. And when Kevin checks in new campers towards the end of the day he will ask them if they want firewood so that it can be delivered before 9pm. The only ones who would lose out are the ones checking in after 9pm which are very few and far between.
DeleteYour choice and I admit 9:00 PM is pretty late, any one getting there that late shouldn't be needing a fire that night. However I stayed at on campground in Pa that did the self serve and it worked well, no one had to deliver so labor was saved, they had a wheelbarrow and it was a buck a load. They didn't bundle or anything just a big pile. So you got more wood for your money they netted as much money and every one was happy except the few that were too lazy to push the wheelbarrow.
DeleteIt would't be up to us to make this choice to begin with it would be up to the board and I doubt that they would go with this suggestion. We live in the prairies where the only trees that grow here are ones planted by people around their houses and farms so the wood has to be delivered from way up north and it doesn't come cheap so it is a commodity that is in high demand around here and we just don't want to risk losing more than necessary. As it is when we sell the wood it is pretty much a break even endeavor, they aren't selling it to make money just to make sure they don't lose money and keep people happy.
DeleteYour's was the winner Dinah! We will try that and see how it works, thanks.
ReplyDelete