Best Way to Return Left Behind Items?

Question

Hi all,

Does anyone have a go-to method for returning lost items? I currently have a retainer and a set of car keys and want to get them back to their owners as easily as possible.

Would love any tips or suggestions—thank you in advance!

Lisa Graesser · Answer

If a guest leaves an item that they would like returned, my cleaner will charge $25 + the cost of shipping and send it to them. The guest will send me the payment and I will send to the cleaner.

John Underwood · Answer

I send them via USPS with delivery confirmation.

I usually cover the costs, but you could ask to be reimbursed or send you money ahead of time to cover shipping.

Christina B. · Answer

We do what @Lisa Graesser does and charge cost of shipping along with our cleaner's time (she quotes us). Once I have approval from the guest and payment, our cleaner texts me a photo of the tracking info which I pass along to the owner. One thing to be aware of is that if you do this on the same platform the guest booked on (e.g. VRBO), VRBO still charges both a VRBO commission fee and a payment processing fee. Those fees were irritating as even though I should have known better, our cleaner charged $50 for both postage and her time (heavier items) and while I still had to pay her $50, I actually only received $46 from VRBO as a result of those fees. Great question. I do recommend checking with the guest what their preference is as we've had guests pass on having things such as glasses (!) returned to them. (Someone should start a post here on the funny things guests leave behind, some deliberately because they don't want to cart home beer, mead, etc.!)

Mike Grudzien · Answer

We check over property right after check out.I immediately call the guest. (they might still be in town)I text them a picture.I ask if they want it mailed back.(many folks are willing to skip returning a phone charger.  I now have a collection)They text me the best mailing address.Mail it.  Done.Everyone is happy.:-)

Diana Mulvihill · Answer

@Lisa Graesser oh my gosh, I have such a collection of fancy beer now! People always leave alcohol. I am not much of a drinker, so I am always saying 'Do you want some fancy beer or wine? I have a garage full of it.' Ha ha ... always trying to give it away to friends ...

Thank you for the tip: It's helpful to have different methods shared. I typically put things in a lost and found (also in my garage) unless they are looking for it. With the car keys and the retainer, unsurprisingly, they contacted me right away looking for them.

For smaller items like this, I might use John's simple method, just send it back with tracking, no charge: For bigger items or if things start being left and requested back more frequently, I may indeed need to both charge for shipping and maybe loop the person who cleans in on it ~ She'd likely appreciate a bit of extra, relatively simple work.

Thank you!

Diana Mulvihill · Answer

Okay, this seems simple and efficient. Thank you for sharing!

Alessandro Di Luciano · Answer

Unless you have their contact info and are comfortable reaching out, Honestly handing them off to the local police station is probably your best bet.

take pictures, and record any communications with the authorities to cover your butt. Maybe send an email to the authorities first so you have a paper trail to refer back to.

Diana Mulvihill · Answer

@Alessandro Di Luciano thank you for your suggestions! I really appreciate it.

Alessandro Di Luciano · Answer

@Diana Mulvihill I would say use the authorities as the middlemen unless you know the owners and are comfortable meeting in person. If they agree and again if you are comfortable you can leave them in a ziplock on your porch for them to pick up (I assume they know where you live) If they are out of state get their permission to mail it out.  save all communication, take a picture and advise them you won't be responsible should anything be lost or damaged. Keeping a record will be the most important.

Not sure how helpful all that was and I apologize if I've missed read the question again!

Diana Mulvihill · Answer

@Alessandro Di Luciano Apology maybe I was unclear: These are items that the owners have reached out about because they need them and want them returned.

Best Way to Return Left Behind Items?

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