Trying to reserve a room at The Western

Here's my phone conversation with an employee while trying to reserve a room at The Western in 2001. Of course, this is kind of what you expect when the rooms are only $16 a night.

Me: I'd like to reserve a room for the 27th through 29th.

Him: We don't accept reservations for Saturday.

Me: Okay, why is that?

Him: Because we don't accept reservations for Saturday.

Me: Okay, but why don't you accept reservations for Saturday?

Him: It's the policy of the hotel.

Me: But can you tell me why that's the policy? I'm curious.

Him: It's just the policy of the hotel.

Me: Can you tell me why it's the policy of the hotel? If you don't know, just say so.

(never did answer my question, I abandoned it)

Him: Check-in time is 1:00.

Me: Check-IN time? Don't you mean check-OUT time?

Him: We have a 1:00 Check-In time.

Me: And that's check IN time and not check OUT time?

Him: Check In time is 1:00.

Me: What are you talking about? Can't I check in at any time in the afternoon or evening?

Him: We have a 1:00 Check In time.

Me: So I can ONLY check in at 1:00?

Him: Check in time is 1:00.

Me: So I can't check in at 2:00 or 3:00?

Him: You can check in then.

Me: Okay, so you mean that I can't check in any EARLIER than 1:00?

Him: You can check in at 2:00 or 3:00 if you want.

(abandoned that line of questioning)

Me: Do you think the hotel will be full on Saturday?

Him: It's first-come, first-served.

Me: Okay, but do you think the hotel will be full on Saturday?

Him: It's walk-in only on Saturday, first-come, first-served.

Me: I understand that. But do you have any idea whether you think the hotel will be full on Saturday?

Him: You can just come in and try to get a room.

Me: I KNOW! But is it worth trying? But do you EXPECT the hotel to be full on Saturday?

Him: It's first-come, first-served.

Me: Yes, but do you usually fill up on Saturdays?

Him: Yes, usually we're full on Saturdays.

Me: Well then, why didn't you tell me that any of the last five times I asked you?

Me: Never mind, let's skip to the next part.

Him: (after taking my credit card number) Okay, so that's $17.44 for the 28th.

Me: And the 29th, remember? Two nights.

Him: (says nothing)

Me: You got the Monday night too, right?

Him: (mumbles something)

Me: So shouldn't it be $17.44 times two, for $34.88?

Him: We don't actually charge your card now.

Me: Okay, whatever, but is my reservation for two nights or just one night?

Him: Check in time is 1:00. [Okay, he didn't actually say that at this point, just kidding.]

Him: (mumbles something)

Me: So I just tell them at the desk when I check in that I'm staying for two nights?

Him: They'll have it on their thing.

(abandoned this line of questioning)

Me: When I called the 800 number, there were options for three different hotels. [They're all owned by the same company.] If I want to get a reservation for Saturday at another hotel, do I need to call back, or can you take a reservation for those other two hotels?

Him: If you want to cancel your reservation, just call back 24 hours in advance.

Me: I DON'T WANT TO CANCEL MY RESERVATION! I'm just asking about making a reservation for SATURDAY at a different hotel.....

No wonder it's only $16/night. You get what you pay for. :)