Confessions of a New Motel Front Desk Agent: Roaches, Refunds, and Really Strange Guests

If you ever wondered what really happens behind the front desk of a budget motel, buckle up. Forget what you’ve seen in movies—reality is way messier, stranger, and, dare I say, more entertaining. A recent Reddit post from r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk by u/fools_set_the_rules gives us a hilarious and slightly eyebrow-raising peek into the first three weeks of a rookie motel worker’s adventure… and let’s just say, it’s not your average starter job.

Imagine being hired on the spot, tossed into the deep end with a handful of equally clueless new hires, and expected to keep the chaos at bay—all for a paycheck that barely covers California gas prices. If that sounds like a sitcom setup, you’re right. But for this new front desk agent, it’s just another day (or night) on the job.

Welcome to the Motel: Where Drama Checks In Without a Reservation

First things first: the staff is cool, the manager is chill, and there’s no office drama. Sounds surprisingly decent, right? But as soon as the sun sets and the managers clock out (and turn off their phones to avoid the madness), the real show begins.

The Roach Refund Racket

One of the strangest—and most frequent—encounters? The mysterious “roach sighting” scam. It goes like this: A female guest checks in, waits for her “client” to show up (yes, the Redditor quickly realized many of these guests were, ahem, working professionals), and after an hour, the pair storms out demanding a refund due to “roaches.”

Twice this happened, and both times, our hapless front desk friend found the room trashed—towels everywhere, bed a disaster, but suspiciously no sign of any actual roaches. Coincidence? Unlikely. Apparently, “roach sightings” are the hot new excuse in the world of hourly hotel hustles. If only pest control could handle sketchy refund requests as easily as they handle actual bugs.

Long-Term Residents: The Real Soap Opera

Every motel has its cast of long-term residents, and this place is no exception. The author learned quickly: trust no one. There’s the sweet old lady who flips out over missing mail and barks at guests with service animals. She’s the type to call the front desk just to chat (read: vent), and has a hair-trigger temper that could rival any reality TV star.

Mix in a few folks with legal issues, some who are clearly battling mental health struggles, and others who seem to be running their own side businesses out of their rooms, and you’ve got a living, breathing episode of “Motel Confidential.”

When Management Ghosts and Guests Grumble

Perhaps the most relatable part? The managers, who seem laid back—until 5 PM hits. The moment they’re off the clock, their phones go dark. Want to call for backup? Good luck! It’s just you, the flickering fluorescent lights, and a parade of guests complaining about room smells, ancient TVs, and (of course) demanding room switches or refunds.

And let’s talk about those rooms: old, smelly, and with TVs so dim you might as well just stare at the wall. It’s no wonder guests are always angling for an upgrade—or an out.

$17 an Hour: The Price of Admission

All this for $17 an hour—barely above minimum wage in California. The author sums it up best: “$17 in California is nothing.” But as every seasoned front desk agent will tell you, the stories you collect are priceless. (Or at least, they’d better be, because you’re not getting rich.)

Lessons From the Trenches

So, what’s the big takeaway for our hero, and maybe for anyone considering a similar gig?

Trust your instincts (and maybe double-lock the cash drawer).
Invest in a good sense of humor—it might be your best defense.
Never underestimate the creativity of guests angling for a refund.
And remember: At the end of the day, you’re not just running a motel—you’re starring in your own real-life sitcom.

Final Thoughts: Your Turn at the Desk?

Whether you’re a hospitality veteran or just love a good behind-the-scenes tale, it’s clear that the front desk isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’ve got your own wild motel stories or just want to commiserate about weird jobs, jump into the comments below! Ever survived a solo shift? Ever encountered a “roach refund”? Share your stories and let’s swap some laughs—after all, misery (and motel madness) loves company.

Original Reddit Post: Lol third week into the job, solo shifts now.