When to offer discounts?

[stork]

I just had en inquiry from one of the best price hagglers - he (?, name is Zil) then asks for an early booking discount for 22-27 April which I find silly.

Now, as it is 5 days I could normally convince myself to discount a bit (say, 10%) on our standard weekly rate (day price is 20% of week rate), but I am getting a bit annoyed by the manners.

What would you do?

I tend to ignore the Best Price requests, unless it
- is getting close and is off-season, or
- just fits a gap.

[kendalcottages]

I would say "no".

Early booking discount is a nonsense. It's closer to being a last minute discount, surely!

I'm generalising grossly but, invariably, the people who want the best possible price, are often not the kinds of people you want coming anyway.

[Nemo]

That's Easter? Surely that makes it a desirable time and certainly not time to discount? Having said that, I have not booked it yet, but I would be very surprised if I don't.

Quote the price and the dates that work for you, I'd say.

[Marks]

My rule of thumb is that I do what I'm comfortable with. If it suits me to fill a gap then perhaps I'll offer a keen price to fill it but as its Easter then I would refuse unless last minute which to me is 3 weeks or less to the arrival date. It also depends on the manner in which the discount is asked for!

[stork]

I ignored the "Best Price" in the first email (as I usually do).

Here's what I answered:

I am sorry, but I do not consider this quite in advance. It is our last available slot around Easter, and I do not see a reason to reduce prices yet.

Best regards