brief break for brand building 101We interupt this travelblog for a brief note about brand building.
We stayed in a Comfort Inn last night for the first time. I do have a certain level of expectation when staying in a place with a price point about 10 dollars more than the lower rate numbered motels (Motel 6/Super 8). I was dissatisfied.
The room was out of date, still using the heavy comforters that all good travelers know carry more germs than the toilet seat. (even the cut rate motel in southern Montana with the naugahyde chairs had replaced theirs with a thin, easy to pull off and hide in the corner version-intentional or not, we appreciated it) All in all though it wasn't the worst hotel. The customer service made up for in joviality what it lacked in professionalism, and the cable selection was one of the better ones we've seen. If it wasn't for the bathroom, I'd be blogging about our drive across Minnesota, the state that's fun to say.
Now, I'm willing to acknowledge that I've got semi high standards for any bathroom. Many folk may find a toilet seat with the finish worn off delightfully rustic, but I'm not one of them. The worst bit was the shower. After no more than 30 seconds it began to back up. The super low wattage lighting did nothing to hide the fact that this back up contained about half a head of hair left behind by some prior tenant. Enough said.
I tried to mention this to the staff upon check out, but they were a bit busy playing around and I got no more than a nod and a, "That happens sometimes."
So the lesson for the day is that for a first time consumer, your brand is only as strong as its weakest touchpoint.
Your regularly scheduled travelblog will continue tomorrow from Wisconsin Dell, WI.
Labels: cross country, dose of mikey, g, sharketing
* posted by me at 7:17 PM
