TRM (Tongariro River Motel) need to apologise to guests. As with past incidents, TRM like to share these with our inmates on social media. That is what makes this old motel special. Or peculiar? SWMBO listens to what our guests ask. I try to listen but most know I am deaf. I listen but do not hear. Often management operates more like a fishing club than a motel. It might be to do with the history.
It was developed as the very first modern motel in Turangi in the late 1950’s. This is what it looked like back then… Taupahi Road was the main north-south highway. Units 1 & 2 were the village shop! Now SH1 extends across the back of the property and a link road (now renamed Piri Road) extends between SH1 and Taupahi Road forming another road boundary so it ended up as a corner site with roads on three sides.
TRM “growed” like Topsy. The caravans have all gone. I can vaguely remember staying in one over sixty years ago! The motel now comprises eleven units plus the owners’ house. SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is the Manager of everything except fishing at TRM) describes it as a “retro” motel – suggesting it is a step back into the 1960’s. It is in so many ways. Two units still have fold-down ironing boards! (SWMBO explains Her way around that suggesting they are fold-down fly-tying benches.) Part of the more memorable experience of staying at a 60-year-old motel is all these little quaint period touches that add so much character. Inmates love them.
At its core, Google describes “retro design” as a new design that utilises trends and characteristics of the past. It could be inspired by features of an older design style or it could be an updated version of it. Images from previous generations are brought back in a new creation that adopts old styles and presents them in a modern way. So TRM’s retro features qualify.
But sometimes – despite trying to retain Her retro image – all motels have to update to provide modern dark side technology, such as wifi etc. as well. One of these extras was “sky” tv – particularly so that TRM inmates could enjoy the rugby tests (?). Sadly, when covid struck, Sky TV was cancelled. So was the free morning newspaper. So many other “extras” like free bikes, etc. were no longer affordable. TRM could not afford to replace stolen bikes all the time. You understand – similar to all other tourist motels, TRM had to tighten our budget and were more concerned about survival.
Guests who have been supporting TRM for many years like to know about any changes via social media. In the last eighteen years we have used the website to keep them informed of everything happening that may be of interest. When Sky tv was canceled during covid, they accepted it. Very few even noticed. Most inmates stay to go fishing or biking/tramping the scenic trails; they do not stay at TRM just to watch TV. Understandable.
Sky appeared to understand and agreed to leave their equipment – decoders etc. – in place until after the covid restrictions had been removed in anticipation that eventually Sky coverage would be affordable again. Yesterday they phoned to advise their deadline was December to decide whether TRM should renew their previous contract, which would cost almost $10,000 p.a. on top of existing room rates. We cannot afford to increase room rates again. I advised that tourist trade had not improved enough yet to afford to reconnect and I would need to check with the real boss, SWMBO.
Soon after guests appeared at reception asking why they had no TV coverage at all? No TV1 or TV2 or TV3. Nothing. Without any warning, Sky disconnected everyone. Inexcusable! That is what this report to our guests is all about, so that they understand it. When SWMBO contacted them She suggested that their disconnection without warning amounts to commercial blackmail! That shows the power of a commercial monopoly. They can abuse it at will.
This was their response to SWMBO pleas:
“Apologies for the miscommunication today, good to clear things up with you though. I was of the understanding that Ross accepted the full disconnection of the account in which I instructed my team to do so, hence why you are no longer receiving any picture with your TV’s at the moment. Freeview channels included in this as you receive the Freeview channels via our Sky decoders so when Sky decoder gets disconnected, so too does your free to air along with it.
As it stands, your Sky TV services are suspended at Tongariro River Motel and have been for sometime. We are very nearing the end of our suspension option with all those customers who find themselves suspended.
Usually, you pay $657+gst per month for Starter/ Sport/ Entertainment package (see compendium attached to show which channels you get with each package).
If you were to reinstate your Sky TV services, you could save a little bit by decreasing this package to our minimum Starter/ Sport package for $569+gst per month.
I can offer you the rest of this month FREE and 50% discount for the next 2 months (Nov, Dec) to see you ease back into things with your Sky TV services.“
Obviously there was no way that we accepted or even knew of the full disconnection. That is pure BS – an arrogant corporate strategy to panic us to persuade TRM to sign up to their terms! Once again TRM apologises to their guests and invites their response. We think it stinks! We do not accept it was “miscommunication” at all. The sudden suspension is tantamount to a bullying form of commercial blackmail to sign up. Sorry guests. Sometimes we have to stand up to these commercial bullies, even if it means going without the sports channels. For crucial rugby tests against Australia, the inmates usually join us in the house anyway. If we were uncertain before about signing up, their suspension of all channels has decided for us. TRM is certainly no longer attracted to their terms.