Anyone using online stores for convenience services/revenue?

Question

Stumbled on this service, which appears to be an interesting business model in itself and got me thinking about how this might work for convenience items such as toothbrushes, deodorants, or other items that are not necessarily stocked in the unit, but are often forgotten by guests coming to stay:

https://www.thehost.co/

Anyone using services like this?
How’s your experience been so far?

https://www.thehost.co/

Anyone using services like this? How’s your experience been so far?

Cliff H. · Answer

Right so I’m not imaging doubling revenue through toothbrushes, more so that this is commonplace n hotels where the essentials are fully stocked by check-in and some destinations are pretty far from stores or (as with a few of mine) in areas where stores close early so it becomes another avenue for improving first XP. It’s certainly the case that many of the high net worth folks I know have their caretakers fill their fridge for them before they arrive, which in cases of STRs could be coordinated through turnover staff for added revenue (same as restocking supplies).

Gerald Pitts · Answer

For sure.   I think if it's not really eating into your own / or your cleaner's bandwidth significantly, and is a value add to the guest and not super "upsell-y", I would be down to give it a go.

Gerald Pitts · Answer

I agree.  I've gone the other direction actually when trying to smooth things over with a guest and instacarted snacks, supplies, etc. This has gone a long way.

Minoan, however is interesting I think. Providing QR codes in your house manual sending guests to an affiliate link for your mattress etc if they like it and want to buy their own.  I haven't tried it yet but it seems like less work for the extra revenue.

John Underwood · Answer

That is a good point. I hadn't thought of that.

Michael Baum · Answer

This wouldn't work for us, but I am wondering if this would be considered by the IRS as significant services. It is a third party, like telling someone where to rent a boat, but you are actually running the store and technically are providing the service.

Ryan Moyer · Answer

I did the intro call with them.  The software seems good.  It just seemed like too much extra work for a little extra profit.  I could see how it would make more sense if you're local and renting out a cheaper place where these upsells would represent a higher percentage of your revenue.  But didn't seem worth the extra effort to arrange some of these services remotely to turn a $4800 booking into a a $4820 booking.

Leslie Anne Morris · Answer

I have not, but you also might want to check out Mount - the CEO is an inspirational visionary whom I had the pleasure of meeting recently.  rentmount.com

Andrew Steffens · Answer

This is interesting, following to see if anyone has had success.