Motel intruder question

NedHelpPlease

New Member
Recently, I stayed in a little motel during a quick get-a-way.

On our last day the tenants in the next room were also checking out.

Not to be too personal, but the person I was with and myself were both totally undressed and all of a sudden the man next door walks up to our room slides his key card and opens my door.

Luckily I was quick enough to run to the door and push the door closed to keep him from walking in.

I am not sure if he saw anything or how much if he did, but we were both totally shocked the card worked in our door.

I called the office and left a message, then called back a gain and got the person who (I guess) was in charge.

She seemed very young and laughed repeatedly, but did apologize and told me that the other tenant had demagnetized his key card, so she unlocked the entire corner of rooms to his key!!!!!

Then, when we were packing our luggage, she walked by and laughed and apologized again. She turned to the cleaning lady and told her, I found out who got walked in on, and they both had a little giggle. SUPER unprofessional !

I was not nearly as upset as my partner. Some people have fears about people being able to walk in on them and they are one. The incident was very upsetting and now around 2 weeks later we are still very upset.

I have tried to contact the owner with absolutely zero response.

I belong to a group legal that I may ask for direction, but I thought I would start here first.

Most of all, I want the owners to know what happened. I don't think my messages are making it past the people who are left in charge. I have wanted to leave unkindly reviews, but fear legal response from them.

What can I do?
 
What can I do?
You can certainly leave an honest review and account of the incident. Don't embellish.

You can also refuse to ever patronize that establishment again.

In the future, utilize the safety latch at the top of the door, as well as the deadbolt built in to the door whenever you are inside the room.
 
Recently, I stayed in a little motel during a quick get-a-way.

On our last day the tenants in the next room were also checking out.

Not to be too personal, but the person I was with and myself were both totally undressed and all of a sudden the man next door walks up to our room slides his key card and opens my door.

Luckily I was quick enough to run to the door and push the door closed to keep him from walking in.

I am not sure if he saw anything or how much if he did, but we were both totally shocked the card worked in our door.

I called the office and left a message, then called back a gain and got the person who (I guess) was in charge.

She seemed very young and laughed repeatedly, but did apologize and told me that the other tenant had demagnetized his key card, so she unlocked the entire corner of rooms to his key!!!!!

Then, when we were packing our luggage, she walked by and laughed and apologized again. She turned to the cleaning lady and told her, I found out who got walked in on, and they both had a little giggle. SUPER unprofessional !

I was not nearly as upset as my partner. Some people have fears about people being able to walk in on them and they are one. The incident was very upsetting and now around 2 weeks later we are still very upset.

I have tried to contact the owner with absolutely zero response.

I belong to a group legal that I may ask for direction, but I thought I would start here first.

Most of all, I want the owners to know what happened. I don't think my messages are making it past the people who are left in charge. I have wanted to leave unkindly reviews, but fear legal response from them.

What can I do?
What state was this?
 
Most of all, I want the owners to know what happened.

That will be very easy for you to accomplish, simply write a letter explaining/detailing what you wish the owner/general manager to know, mail the letter, and sooner or later the owner/general manager will receive your correspondence.

I have wanted to leave unkindly reviews, but fear legal response from them.

Most of the things that happen to us, we could have prevented with a little extra care.

For example, mate, all you had to do was engage the double lock device/deadbolt/etc... on your door.

Had you done that, even a passcard would NOT have been able to open your door.

I have stayed in many hotel during my life, and I always engage the deadbolt, chainlock, or the manual device that keeps a key or card from opening the door.

Do not allow others to determine how you protect yourself, YOU must protect YOU!

If I were you, I'd forget this event and move on with my life, knowing that it is my responsibility to protect me.

You, however, are free to do what you think best serves you.

However, CA law limits the innkeeper's liability to a mere $1,000.

2005 California Civil Code Sections 1859-1867 :: :: :: Article 4. :: Innkeepers

2005 California Civil Code Sections 1859-1867 Article 4. Innkeepers
CIVIL CODE
SECTION 1859-1867
1859. The liability of an innkeeper, hotelkeeper, operator of a
licensed hospital, rest home or sanitarium, furnished apartment house
keeper, furnished bungalow court keeper, boardinghouse or
lodginghouse keeper, for losses of or injuries to personal property,
is that of a depositary for hire; provided, however, that in no case
shall such liability exceed the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000)
in the aggregate. In no case shall liability exceed, for each item
of described property, the respective sums of five hundred dollars
($500) for each trunk and its contents, two hundred fifty dollars
($250) for each valise or traveling bag and its contents, two hundred
fifty dollars ($250) for each box, bundle or package and its
contents, and two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for all other personal
property of any kind, unless he shall have consented in writing with
the owner thereof to assume a greater liability.

My lazy, limited, quick perusal of the statute failed to reveal any mention of the value of hurt feelings, insult, or embarrassment.
 
It might if the OP isn't even in the States.

Since Army Judge replied it is safe to assume the OP's IP Address is in the US.

And it isn't like the OP's post sounded like it was from outside the US.

I don't even think the term "motel" is used much outside the US.
 
True,

I am in CA

The doors didn't have extra latches and the deadbolt is part of the actual locking mechanism on the door and the key card DOES open both.

I will not do business with the establishment again. If I felt there was a heart felt apology, I might.

We love the place and have stayed quite a few times.
 
True,


The doors didn't have extra latches and the deadbolt is part of the actual locking mechanism on the door and the key card DOES open both.

Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!!!



I will not do business with the establishment again. If I felt there was a heart felt apology, I might.

We love the place and have stayed quite a few times.


You make smart choices!

 
True,

I am in CA

The doors didn't have extra latches and the deadbolt is part of the actual locking mechanism on the door and the key card DOES open both.

I will not do business with the establishment again. If I felt there was a heart felt apology, I might.

We love the place and have stayed quite a few times.

Then get a portable hotel lock. Amazon has tons - here's one (as an example - I have no affiliation):

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Add...ortable+hotel+door+lock&qid=1601658897&sr=8-5
 
The doors didn't have extra latches and the deadbolt is part of the actual locking mechanism on the door and the key card DOES open both.

That alone is enough reason to not stay in the place. I don't think I've been in a hotel or motel in the last couple of decades that didn't have some sort of manual, guest controlled security feature on the door.
 
I am not looking to sue the business, but I do think it is bullshit the staff did this and I want to hold them accountable.

I don't see how you can do that other than contacting the owners of the motel. And if the owners don't care enough to have better security than you have described I doubt they will care.
 
I am not looking to sue the business, but I do think it is bullshit the staff did this and I want to hold them accountable.

People nowadays - OY!

Look, sometimes stuff happens that shouldn't happen. You're not going to hold anyone "accountable". Do you really think that some random kook making a complaint against their trusted employee is going to make the owner do anything?
I'm not saying that you are a kook, rather, I'm just telling you how the matter will really be viewed by the owner.
 
I am not looking to sue the business, but I do think it is bullshit the staff did this and I want to hold them accountable.

Not gonna happen.

If this is the worst thing that ever happens to then you will have a wonderful life.

If worse things happen to you this will pale in comparison.

So get off your high horse and get over it.
 
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