Hi everybody,
Once again I need your advices and I would deeply appreciate your help.
Here s the thing : a well spoken potential guest from Vancouver contacted me to book in june this year.
To secure a booking I request a breakage deposit (750 euros) AND 30% of the rent (in this case 600 euros), the rest, 6 weeks before the arrival.
This guest is telling me that the deposit is a lot of money in Canada (it s 750euros here in France) and does not undestand why I need it now since they re coming in June (he said he s rented villas in Europe before). Plus according to him, bank transfers are not common over there.
My question is :
If you have dealt with Canadian people before, what kind of payment do you take? (I don't have a credit card facility).
If he already finds difficult to pay the deposit and 30% of the rent I worry about his solvability/capacity to pay up. They re 3 couples, surely they re bound to be able to pay up. Am I a bit harsh???
Oviously I m ready to give him some time (how much time would you give him???)to pay but don't want to be taken for sucker/fool either.So I would appreciate your inputs.
Thanks again
Rgds
Isy
Potentials Canadian guests
I also ask for the security deposit with the balance 8 weeks before arrival. I think its unusual to ask for it up front together with a % deposit. The French people I've rented to query paying it even as early as 8 weeks before. Also, I don't know how big your property is, and everyone must set the deposit at a figure they are comfortable with, but €750 does seem a bit on the high side to me - its twice what I ask for.... and a lot of people on LMH don't take a security deposit at all.
I have a thing for Canadian guests as my very first guests were from Quebec 
I ask for 25% deposit at the time of booking, balance 8 weeks before arrival date and breakages deposit on arrival.
I think they have a point. They give you a breakage deposit now for something that might happen in 6 months time...
I suggest that you change that.
About the amount, I don't know your property, but it looks a bit high to me...
I ask for 25% deposit at the time of booking, balance 8 weeks before arrival date and breakages deposit on arrival.
I think they have a point. They give you a breakage deposit now for something that might happen in 6 months time...
I suggest that you change that.
About the amount, I don't know your property, but it looks a bit high to me...
Hi everyone,
Thanks a mil for your precious advices.I followed what you said and contacted the canadian guest to tell him that the damage deposit could be paid 6 weeks before arrival.
As for more info about our villa, here s a link :
http://www.gites.eu/en/for-rent/aquitai ... ing/10559/
Rgds
IS
Thanks a mil for your precious advices.I followed what you said and contacted the canadian guest to tell him that the damage deposit could be paid 6 weeks before arrival.
As for more info about our villa, here s a link :
http://www.gites.eu/en/for-rent/aquitai ... ing/10559/
Rgds
IS
How about a currency exchange website? XE trade I've personally used or I remember reading about Currency fair is used by some members here.
You have to set up an account but once that's done the cost of sending money abroad is vastly cheaper than most banks.
Ther are several threads on the subject if you enter the search term "money and overseas" into the LMH search facility.
I booked a property in Florida, US but ended up having to pay in Euros as the owners were Dutch. I saved myself a lot of money using XE trade.
You have to set up an account but once that's done the cost of sending money abroad is vastly cheaper than most banks.
Ther are several threads on the subject if you enter the search term "money and overseas" into the LMH search facility.
I booked a property in Florida, US but ended up having to pay in Euros as the owners were Dutch. I saved myself a lot of money using XE trade.
Hi IsyIsy wrote:Hi Windrush,
Thanks for your reply. Can you please be more specific about "option of paying by bank draft or money order"? Which one is the most reliable? I ve used Western Union a couple of time but I am sure there is lots of differents ways. Which ones do you recommend?
Thanks in advance
Rgds
Isy
We usually take payment by cheque or bank transfer but some overseas guests have difficulties with transfers or find them extremely expensive so we also accept bank drafts or money orders. Having said that I've never actually received a money order but bank drafts are popular, they're like cheques but are issued directly by the customer's bank in the currency of your choice. Guests like them because they're cheaper than bank transfer, we like them because they're as good as cash really with no doubts over whether or not they'll clear.
Hi Windrush,
Thanks for your input.
Our canadian guest changed his mind yesterday and sent me an email saying that he would transfer the money by banks. So I don't have to worry about it anymore. But I keep in mind what you said about bank drafts, you ve never know, I might another request one day.
Thanks again
Isy
Thanks for your input.
Our canadian guest changed his mind yesterday and sent me an email saying that he would transfer the money by banks. So I don't have to worry about it anymore. But I keep in mind what you said about bank drafts, you ve never know, I might another request one day.
Thanks again
Isy