Motel Riddle

A Motel Riddle

Here’s a riddle for you to solve that may stretch your brain!

Many years ago when prices were lower, three friends stopped at a motel to spend the night.  They asked the desk clerk in the lobby how much a room cost for the night.  The clerk answered $15.00  So each of the fellows reached into his wallet,  gave the clerk $5.00, then retired to their room.

After some thought, the clerk realized she'd  made a mistake.  She called over the bellhop and told him, "I quoted those fellows the wrong price.  Since they're sharing the room, not taking separate ones, the cost was supposed to be $10.”  She handed the bellhop five, $1.00 bills to take back to the men.

As the bellhop went up the elevator, he wondered, "How can I divide $5.00 among three guys?"  At the room, he explained to the men they'd been overcharged and he had $5.00 to refund them.  They each took back a dollar and let the bellhop keep the remaining $2.00 as a tip.

Where are we at the end of this transaction?  Since each fellow had originally paid $5.00 to the desk clerk, a total of $15.00, and each had received a dollar back, they paid $4.00 each for the room. 4 times 3 equals 12.  Add the $2.00 they gave the bellhop and that brings the total to $14.  Where's the other dollar? 

If you don’t know, go back and review this paragraph again.

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Have you solved the riddle?  If you’re confused, you’re not alone. This is how your staff can get confused, perhaps by a deceitful customer, when handling your money.

Here’s the answer and explanation:

I'm confusing you here by the way I'm presenting this.  It sounds plausible, but it's absolutely incorrect.

Let's look at the situation from the correct angle.  Where's the money at the end of all this?  How much is in the cash register?  Right, $10.  How much is in the pocket of the guests?  Right again, $3.  And how much is in the bellhop's pocket?  Yup, $2.00.  Add it all up and what do you get?  $10 plus $3 plus $2; in my book that equals $15.

There’s a lesson in this riddle that can save you money and grief. It's easy to be taken advantage of when it comes to money, so you have to be careful. You have to keep your eye on the money.   Forget how much money you're going to save when you buy from your suppliers, some of whom are notoriously slick.  Focus on how much money you’re actually going to pay.  Focus on getting good value for your money. That's the proper way to operate.

Here's a little poem that might help you do just that:

                            "As you travel down the path of life

                            It's wonders to behold;

                            Keep your eye upon the donut

                            And not upon the hole"