DVC tips for mousekeeping

[Anal Annie]

I never call for those extra supplies. If you just go in the hallway and ask any housekeeper you find nearby, they'll give you one or two extras of whatever you need. I've never had one turn me down. (Of course, I'm not asking for two of everything. Usually just a laundry detergent and a dishwasher detergent.)

How much dishwasher detergent do they usually provide? We're staying in a 1-bedroom next week and I was wondering if I should bring some pod thingys from home or something?? We're only 3 ppl and won't be eating in the room other than breakfasts probably so we would only need to run it maybe 2x at the most (incl. upon check-out).

 

[jekjones1558]

How much dishwasher detergent do they usually provide? We're staying in a 1-bedroom next week and I was wondering if I should bring some pod thingys from home or something?? We're only 3 ppl and won't be eating in the room other than breakfasts probably so we would only need to run it maybe 2x at the most (incl. upon check-out).

We always have 3 or so packages of dishwasher soap. I have never heard of being charged when asking for more and we certainly have never been charged. They also give more on trash/towel and cleaning days.

 

[taaren]

How much dishwasher detergent do they usually provide? We're staying in a 1-bedroom next week and I was wondering if I should bring some pod thingys from home or something?? We're only 3 ppl and won't be eating in the room other than breakfasts probably so we would only need to run it maybe 2x at the most (incl. upon check-out).

For some reason we've always been left just 1 packet. Bad luck I guess (though we've mostly had rooms in great shape, so I'm not going to complain about that one thing). I've gotten into the habit of just packing the Cascade packets since we like to run the dishwasher every night and wake up to clean dishes. I pick them up at the same time I pick up our individual liquid laundry detergent packets right before our trip as part of my routine now.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have been charged when I asked for more dishwasher detergent. It was like $1 per pack, and we got three ... only ended up using one so we used other two extras the next two years we went. I know other people have said they've gotten it without being charged. It might just be a matter of who answers the housekeeping phone when you call.

That's wrong. If you look at the Pay as you Play info on the member website, there is no charge listed for extra dishwasher detergent, only laundry detergent.

With Pay As You Play service, you'll be provided with the following amenities at no additional charge at the start of your stay. After that, you may purchase more amenities for the following fees (fees are subject to change):
• Toiletries Package, $5 - 1 facial soap, 1 bath soap, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 shower gel
• Coffee Package, $3 - 1 package of coffee, 8 sugars, 8 creamers, 8 artificial sweeteners
• Towel Package, $6 - 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat
• Laundry Detergent (only in 1- and 2-Bedroom Vacation Villas), $1 - 1 box

So when members are stopping the housekeepers in the hallway and asking for more laundry detergent, towels or shampoo, that person is making the other members pay for their extras. But if they ask for extra toilet paper or dish/dish washer detergent, those don't have a cost assigned to them by DVC.

 

[maburke]

Some may think we are crazy but guess what.. we also throw the dishwasher on and bundle all the used towels etc into the tub as well to make things easier for them.

Do other people run the dishwasher when they leave? In other condos I've rented, it's usually been required, I'm sure to make the cleaning process shorter (they just unload instead of running it and waiting or washing the dishes by hand). But I've been a little nervous at DVC, wondering if they do it differently (just bringing in clean dishes?) and running the dishwasher would actually set them back in the timing for the next guest.

 

[disneynutz]

Do other people run the dishwasher when they leave? In other condos I've rented, it's usually been required, I'm sure to make the cleaning process shorter (they just unload instead of running it and waiting or washing the dishes by hand). But I've been a little nervous at DVC, wondering if they do it differently (just bringing in clean dishes?) and running the dishwasher would actually set them back in the timing for the next guest.

We pile the towels and run the dishwasher to reduce the turn over time for the next guest.

They do not replace the dishes.

Bill

 

[stmize]

We also run the dishwasher as we eat breakfast in the room. I throw the coffee pot in as well. I like to think this is pixie dust for the next guest getting in early.

 

[stmize]

I usually have washed all the towels too except for what was used that morn of ck out

 

[LSchrow]

I always tip for T & T and check out day. ......
It is a personal decision. I do appreciate what they do even though they are paid and it is not a tipped position. A few dollars makes us both feel better so I have no problem with that. I am happy at the end of the day.

ditto
for a studio:
usually $5 on full clean, and $3 on T&T, and a few bucks more at end of stay if we feel warranted (btw, we remove all trash, make the beds, and clean up after ourselves).
$10-15 isn't going to make or break us, but we've seen how that small amount can mean to a HKer (doesn't everyone like to hear, "hey, great job!!" - an unexpected tip says just that, and is something they can actually use outside of work).

our philosophy: do what makes you feel good

 

[jekjones1558]

we pile the towels and run the dishwasher to reduce the turn over time for the next guest.

They do not replace the dishes.

Bill

+1

 

[DebbieB]

I usually have washed all the towels too except for what was used that morn of ck out

They have a central laundry for the towels that they are sent to.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

OP, as you can see there are wide swings of opinion regarding tipping mousekeepers. So that means you will be fine doing whatever feels right to you. I am one who tips for trash and towel and at checkout. I have a special place in my heart for these women (I have never seen a male housekeeper) who get my room ready for me and $8.70/hour is not much of a wage. They always seem so very grateful to be acknowledged. I also contact Member Satisfaction when we receive particularly good service. Doing so is good for the mousekeeper and good for all of us because it helps to retain quality employees. Just my 2¢.

MTE

 

[tidefan]

Hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but personally, if they are underpaid, I'd just as soon see dues up a little to cover it and not have to worry about tipping.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I wonder if it's a Texas thing-I rarely tip mousekeeping either. They usually don't do a great job. Usually not bad, but this last time on T&T day, they didn't even add more TP and there wasn't much left. Then when I called for more, they told me I'd have to pay for it, trash and towel meant just that, nothing more!

I certainly hope THAT is not the new normal!!! If I had been told that, I'd be contacting Member Satisfaction right then and there!

 

[Dean]

Hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but personally, if they are underpaid, I'd just as soon see dues up a little to cover it and not have to worry about tipping.

From a philosophical standpoint I despise tipping in general because it transfers business costs to the consumer in an end run manner. However, I'm also a rule follower so I need to know who's in a tipped position and who isn't.

It's always interesting (and a little hypocritical IMO) to see people talk about the pay grade for this position but ignore other people who serve the members and make as little or even others paid similarly who serve us in everyday life but aren't routinely tipped. Like other non tipped positions, this should be a market based approach. The market sets the pay range and those that are good at what they do have the opportunity to move up.

 

[bobbiwoz]

OP, as you can see there are wide swings of opinion regarding tipping mousekeepers. So that means you will be fine doing whatever feels right to you. I am one who tips for trash and towel and at checkout. I have a special place in my heart for these women (I have never seen a male housekeeper) who get my room ready for me and $8.70/hour is not much of a wage. They always seem so very grateful to be acknowledged. I also contact Member Satisfaction when we receive particularly good service. Doing so is good for the mousekeeper and good for all of us because it helps to retain quality employees. Just my 2¢.

Jean, you express my and DH's opinions as well!

Bobbi

 

[maburke]

From a philosophical standpoint I despise tipping in general because it transfers business costs to the consumer in an end run manner. However, I'm also a rule follower so I need to know who's in a tipped position and who isn't.

ITA. It's one thing to give a little something extra to someone who has done a great job, but in the normal course of business, to have someone rely on it for the majority of their income, is a broken system, IMO. To say nothing of the tax hassles!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I certainly hope THAT is not the new normal!!! If I had been told that, I'd be contacting Member Satisfaction right then and there!

Actually, yes I did contact Member satisfaction, and I got a very nice phone call from a CM (can't remember his name) saying that I'd gotten incorrect info. He didn't say "yes, that's a call center, not really the front desk" but.....He verified dates and times of what happened when. I felt MUCH better after our conversation.

 

[Apps]

Manual labor is so hard compared to the white collar office job that I enjoy and I remember my days in high school and college where tips were really really appreciated, I usually make it a point to tip whenever I can. I can't imagine cleaning all day as a job. I say tip those hard working people

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, but personally, if they are underpaid, I'd just as soon see dues up a little to cover it and not have to worry about tipping.

No, housekeeping is already the largest fee to members in the budget. CMs in the parks have lower starting pay than housekeeping. Plus housekeepers get bonuses for completing rooms quickly, etc.