Some hotels use RFID chips to keep linens from checking out

[marmar]

from USA Today:



The plush robe in your hotel room now comes with an electronic leash.

To keep robes and towels from checking out, a small but growing number of hotels are starting to use new radio frequency chips to keep track of their inventory.

The RFID technology — which stands for radio frequency identification and requires an installed chip that can be read by an electronic reader — has been used by various industries for several years to organize product storage and tally shipments.

With cotton prices rising and fewer employees in housekeeping, hotels are using the tech to monitor the whereabouts of bathrobes, bed sheets, duvet covers, bathmats, pool towels and banquet linens. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/story/2011/07/Some-hotels-use-RFID-chips-to-keep-linens-from-checking-out/49688484/1

[Blue_Tires]

1. who would steal a hotel bedsheet? nasty...

and it's not like the quality of towels is especially high -- You can find similar or better at Target...

I do know that once upon a time, exclusive hotels or resorts would put an elaborate monogrammed design or logo on linens and towels and some people (my parents) would keep them as souvenirs, but i'm not sure if anyone does that anymore...

[marmar]

3. Yeah, I don't get why anyone would want to take used linens.......

...... Maybe they want some pet bedbugs. :P

[O_a_DEMorDINO]

7. it depends upon the hotel

I have stayed in hotels where the sheets are not sold at Target and if you do find them in a store a king sized set will run you close to $400 a set. I have a good friend who works in a 5 star hotel who deals with upscale clientele, a cheap room will start at $400 a night, and according to him, the more money they have the more apt they will steal/take what ever is not nailed down.

[midnight]

2. This electronic leash is about more than public storage, or the

whereabouts of bathrobes... Some times you have to just wonder if enough is ever enough...

[Nye Bevan]

4. Or it *could* just be that hotels don't want people to steal their stuff (nt)

[robcon]

5. I think it's both: manage inventory and prevent theft.

n/t

[WinkyDink]

6. Bring yer own da*n robe!