No legal complaint is too small for a Pre-Paid Legal client if their rights have been violated.
On April 22nd, 2002 I spent the night at a Best Western in a small Idaho town on my way up to Boise Idaho for the next day. I was awakened in the morning by stinging on my legs and ankles. I turned the lights on only to find that I was covered in ants!! They were on me, the bed, the pillows, etc.
Upon checking out of the hotel, I explained the situation to the front desk and they informed me it had been a recent "problem" but they would surely exterminate the room. I informed the front desk person that I was on my way to Boise so it would be nice if they could give me some discount off the price of my room for the inconvenience of being "attacked" by ants.
The front desk person told me that she couldn't give me any money back. I did not get upset. I simply said, "fine, have a nice day."
After returning home from my trip to Idaho, I called my provided attorney to explain what happened to me. I spoke to Kristin Jocum at Snow Nuffer. She was amazed as was I, that the hotel staff didn't give me a discount. She told me she was "going to get my money back." I asked her what she planned to do and she told me she was going to write the owner a letter. After obtaining the name of the owner of the hotel she did write him a letter.
Here is what the letter said, "Dr. Mr. So and so,
This firm has been contacted by Mr. Soandso regarding difficulties he experienced while staying at your hotel. Mr. Soandso hopes that this letter will resolve all legal matters with you.
On April 22, 2002, Mr. Soandso stayed in the room 121 of the above referenced location. Mr. Soandso was awakened on the morning of his stay by a stinging sensation on his legs and ankles. He sat up to find that there were ants all over his legs, the bed, his pillow, and the bedside table in his room. The ants did bite Mr. Soandso, and he is still experiencing the side effects of these bites.
Although Mr. Soandso understands that your hotel was having difficulty with ant infestations, he found this experience to be disconcerting. Mr. Soandso therefore requested that some discount be provided to him for the inconvenience and pain of experiencing this situation. The hotel staff were unwilling to work with him.
Mr. Soandso hereby requests that you immediately refund him the amount charged to his Visa for his night's stay in your hotel. This is a reasonable resolution to the problem of providing him with sub-standard accommodations. Please immediately make such credit to his account, and send verification of this credit to the address listed on this letterhead.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
I received a letter from the owner of the hotel dated May 3rd, 2002. It read:
Dear Mr. Soandso,
I, with enthusiasm, am pleased to refund your money for your stay here at the (Best Western) Inn. I am discouraged that the staff did not immediately refund your stay. We are very diligent in working hard to insure every guest has a pleasant stay. I am very sorry in your case we failed.
I was not aware of your troubles but I appreciate you brining to my attention your experience. It will help us adjust our organization to be more responsive to future guests with needs. I apologize that we were not more responsive. In addition to refunding your stay I have included a check for $100.00 presuming that you spent some money in engaging your attorney.
It would be our desire to serve you in the future in the hope that we could restore your confidence in us.
Sincerely,
XXX
General Manager
