Lay My Hat

I just ask them to send the money to my bank in my currency (Sterling) and charge them what my bank charges me for receiving foreign payments (£7). This way, it's easy and I don't lose out. I don't need to have anything to do with exchange rates.

Rather a strange message. Doesn't strike me as a scam. But why is she writing at all? She's not asking to book - or did she do that previously by SMS?

I agree with Mols. Turkey is lovely in October.

Same here, Richard. However, having used one of the "free credits" both have disappeared! No-one available till Monday to sort it out either!

I had a cottage in North West Norfolk until recently. I got most of my bookings through Holidaylettings and a fair few through Webcottages. No other sites were successful for me, just the odd booking here and there.

I would say this is a scam. It sounds very like lots of the other scams we get.

Yep, definitely a scam!

Do you mean holiday home exchange in general or a specific website? I use:
http://www.exchangeholidayhomes.com/
It's an excellent site with a points system, so you don't have to swap with a particular house.

I use Rentalsystems, which works very well. It fulfills all your requirements except that it processes the credit card. Take a look:
http://www.rentalsystems.com/newowner/j ... m=textlink

Looks fine to me too. Nothing to suggest it's a scam.

Owner login is right at the bottom of the home page under help. Very difficult to see. It takes you back to the old website pages.

It does say quite clearly that payment should be made at the time of booking. I expect she was waiting for the answer to her question, which you provided straight away. I would give it overnight and if the payment hasn't arrived then email her pointing out that you need immediate payment or you will...

I used to have a cottage in Norfolk (just sold it). At the beginning I used a rental agency. They recommended 70% for 3 nights, 80% for 4 nights, 90% for 5 nights and full rate for 6 nights (very rare). I continued to use this formula after I stopped using them. It worked well and guests never comme...

It is situations like this which make T's &C'S really important. It is the responsibility of the guest to get to your accommodation. You cannot be held responsible for bad weather. Some people will have a very low threshold of deciding not to travel, whereas others will get through no matter wha...

I used Lark Insurance for my cottage in Norfolk.