Hello all,
we saw this thread on selfcateringhols and thought it worth clarifying a couple of points (I am from selfcateringhols).
Firstly, thanks for all who thought the site pleasing in one way or another, we have worked hard to make it so.
There are however a couple of misconceptions that really need clearing up:
> They take the bookings and then inform the owner of what they have done. No thank you! I want to be in touch with and get to know my prospective client before the booking.
We have a booking system that allows customers to book 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so certainly it is true that a customer could book without prior contact. In the main however we find that the large majority of customers like to have contact prior to booking. Customers can (and do) contact owners directly by clicking on 'have you got a question'. They can also contact us and we will act as an intermediatary. Customer service is very high priority for us and we tend to have a close working relationship with both our customers and our owners. Additionally, when a customer books, although we have payment authorisation from their bank (so it is in effect guaranteed), it is provisional and the owner ALWAYS has final say before it is confirmed.
>They collect the money and account to the owner at the end of each month. No thank you! I want the money up-front.
Our system is different to the way in which many websites work, but one that seems to go down well with both customers and owners: we do take all the money up front, this pleases customers because they don't then have to travel with large sums of cash to pay on arrival and they don't have to send money to a stranger who for all they know may be scamming them. From the owners perspective it also guarantees that people who have booked will actually turn up and pay, and not leave them with an empty slot they cannot fill. Furthermore, because we take the full amount 2 months prior to the start of the booking, the owner receives all their money before the customer arrives. Note that in the case of last minute bookings this isn't possible, but again, once owners are happy with the system they understand that once a customer has booked, they will then see the money in their account without further ado.
> They charge the owner 10% of each rental payment and they charge the client £25. No thank you! I want full value and I want my clients to have the same.
This is absolutely correct, and we consider it very good value for money (and below the market average). Owners will know that marketing a property is time consuming and often expensive if you advertise and or have your own website. Through our system, owners receive:
- an interactive webpage that receives ongoing optimisation and advertising
- a system whereby customers can book 24 hours a day 7 days a week
- a system whereby customers can contact them directly (and message threads are kept so you know what has been said before when replying)
- a system of displaying availability, so as to minimise availability queries
Customers furthermore receive a one-stop location where they can peruse properties, region guides, see availability, contact owners and also book directly.
We also have terms and conditions that are designed to protect both the interests of customers and owners, and will act as intermediataries in any disputes. We also provide 7 day a week email and telephone support. Because we believe in the value of our service, we charge nothing up front to have your property listed.
If you think that this is not good value for money, then we wish you good luck!
>Any similar site with a one-off annual fee would charge me £150 and my guests, nothing. No thank you!
I beg you to show me a site that offers anything more than an advertisement for £150 per year. It would then be entirely up to you to field all enquiries, manage cash transactions, and sell your property, something we do over the phone every day of the week. Again, it costs nothing to be listed with selfcateringhols unless we make it work for you, whereas you can pay your £150 up front and get nothing in return - no thank you!
One other point I saw in the thread was that we charge customers a registration fee - not correct. For more information on listing your property and our system I recommend reading
www.selfcateringhols.com/owners/help_co ... erview.php.
It's worth noting that we're *right* in the middle of upgrading our owners site so a lot of things are in the process of being upgraded and improved, much of which has unfortunately not yet made it's way onto our help guide.
[Edited in line with forum, guidelines]
