Never had this before!
Never had this before!
We take deposits and final payment either by cheque or bank transfer. More and more people are opting for the bank transfer.
When I need to return their damages deposit I send an e-mail hoping they had a good holiday, got home safe etc. I then ask if they would like their deposit returned by bank transfer or by cheque and to send me bank details if they opt for the former.
Guest left on 24th September. I e-mailed on 26th September as above. No reply. I thought, perhaps, they had taken a slow journey home, stayed another week somewhere etc. Still no reply today. I have now posted a cheque.
Never had anyone not keen to get their money back before ........
When I need to return their damages deposit I send an e-mail hoping they had a good holiday, got home safe etc. I then ask if they would like their deposit returned by bank transfer or by cheque and to send me bank details if they opt for the former.
Guest left on 24th September. I e-mailed on 26th September as above. No reply. I thought, perhaps, they had taken a slow journey home, stayed another week somewhere etc. Still no reply today. I have now posted a cheque.
Never had anyone not keen to get their money back before ........
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- Posts: 1091
- Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:12 pm
- Location: Chester, North West England & Sidmouth, East Devon
- Contact:
You've just reminded me that we've got a deposit refund outstanding. I've sent several emails over a few weeks asking how they'd like it returned. No response at all. At first I thought they might be on an extended tour, but I think they'd be home by now, and even so don't most people check emails occasionally?
They're from Germany and I need their IBAN/BIC number so I can transfer the refund (I don't think a cheque would be much use to them). Like you, I'm surprised that they haven't been chasing for it - unless something was lost in translation and they're not expecting it back.
They're from Germany and I need their IBAN/BIC number so I can transfer the refund (I don't think a cheque would be much use to them). Like you, I'm surprised that they haven't been chasing for it - unless something was lost in translation and they're not expecting it back.
Jo
Joint owner of Baker's Cottage in Chester & Chandler's Cottage in Sidmouth
Joint owner of Baker's Cottage in Chester & Chandler's Cottage in Sidmouth
Try asking for bank details as a couple of extra questions on the BOOKING FORM.
That way you know you have the details well in advance.
That way you know you have the details well in advance.
** Richard
PIMS: Holiday Rental Management system
They say we learn from our mistakes. That makes me a genius !
PIMS: Holiday Rental Management system
They say we learn from our mistakes. That makes me a genius !
- PW in Polemi
- Posts: 1781
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:23 am
- Location: A village in Paphos, Cyprus
When we send out the directions in pdf format, we also send out a "Damages Deposit Reclaim" form so THEY write their bank account number & bank details, sign it and bring it with them. We make a point of seeing them a day or 2 before they leave, and ask for the form then. If we have not managed to catch up with them, the departure instructions say to leave the form with the key on the coffee table.
All our guests seem to appreciate that we simply assume we will be refunding the full amount of damages deposit.
All our guests seem to appreciate that we simply assume we will be refunding the full amount of damages deposit.
Dogs have masters. Cats have slaves!
Not just us then. It's never happened before though - they are usually chomping at the bit.
As it happens, I decided this morning that I could not/should not wait any longer and wrote a letter with a cheque - as I would do 'normally' until very recent years.
I walked to the post office and got back to find an e-mail from him with his bank details. No explanation why he's taken so long to reply to my e-mail. I replied that I'd just posted it!
As it happens, I decided this morning that I could not/should not wait any longer and wrote a letter with a cheque - as I would do 'normally' until very recent years.
I walked to the post office and got back to find an e-mail from him with his bank details. No explanation why he's taken so long to reply to my e-mail. I replied that I'd just posted it!
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- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:45 pm
- Location: Villa in Gale, Algarve, Portugal. At home in Fetcham, Surrey, UK
- Contact:
I had once who didn't reply to my emails for his bank details and I do charge extra for cheque refunds to try and encourage bank transfers. Months and months later he finally replied and used the security deposit towards another booking. He just seemed incredibly slow at all communication. I've also got a very repeat guest who just rolls her security deposit to her next booking.
TA lurkers walk among us; the LMH Walking Dead
dont mess in the affairs of cats for they are subtle and will p on your computer.
www.algarvevillatrinity.co.uk
www.facebook.com/villatrinity
www.gardenerscottage.promotemyplace.com
dont mess in the affairs of cats for they are subtle and will p on your computer.
www.algarvevillatrinity.co.uk
www.facebook.com/villatrinity
www.gardenerscottage.promotemyplace.com
- PW in Polemi
- Posts: 1781
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:23 am
- Location: A village in Paphos, Cyprus
I used to do it that way but now I use PayPal - then it's refunded with literally one click. I take the deposit the week before and refund it 24 hrs after they leave. I get refunded all Paypal charges too so it's free - there is a time limit on this to be aware of, 30 or maybe 60 days? Anyway it's all done within a week or two. Much easier.
Yeah I don't normally bother for repeat guests, either. Though actually there have been some where I did - typically people who are very nice but have rowdy kids. I think having the deposit helps focus the holiday mind a bit, to keep them in check.
Yeah I don't normally bother for repeat guests, either. Though actually there have been some where I did - typically people who are very nice but have rowdy kids. I think having the deposit helps focus the holiday mind a bit, to keep them in check.
Chalet la Foret, Chamonix
- Lets Go To Puglia
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2016 2:55 pm
- Location: Puglia, Italy
- Contact:
+1Martha wrote:I used to do it that way but now I use PayPal - then it's refunded with literally one click. I take the deposit the week before and refund it 24 hrs after they leave. I get refunded all Paypal charges too so it's free - there is a time limit on this to be aware of, 30 or maybe 60 days? Anyway it's all done within a week or two. Much easier.
Yeah I don't normally bother for repeat guests, either. Though actually there have been some where I did - typically people who are very nice but have rowdy kids. I think having the deposit helps focus the holiday mind a bit, to keep them in check.
Ciao, Debbie
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It's not the things you did you look back on and regret it's the things you didn't do!
Puglia Holiday Villas Facebook Page
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It's not the things you did you look back on and regret it's the things you didn't do!