We recently had a request to consider a discount for a longer term booking in May for our three bedroom house (turned out to be 19 days). I explained that this period really didn't qualify for the 'long term booking' discount but did offer them a discount taking into account changeover costs etc.
THey came back and said that their budget was £300 under what I had offered as discounted rate, but 'would I close off some of the rooms in the house and let them have it at the cheaper rate for not using them'. I said no, this wasn't possible - then found out that it was a 'business' booking. Guest was working in the area and bringing her family with her and her employer was paying and would only allow up to a certain budget. I suggested that she enquire nearer the time to see if those three weeks were still free and we could then offer late availability rate and didn't hear back.
Alternatively I had a couple enquire about our one bedroom apartment but it was already booked, so I offered the two bedroom one at a discount for just the two of them. They said no, however, came back a few days later, saying having thought about it they would like to take my offer. But in the meantime that week had gone. So they have now booked later in the year for a more expensive week (but still with a small discount)
Our first "Offer"
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harcourtv57
- Posts: 1433
- Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:14 pm
- Location: Southsea, UK, Porto Cristo Mallorca
- Contact:
Slight resurrection of this but it made for an interesting read. Have just received one of the first enquiries for our chalet and they have requested a price reduction and actually suggested a figure they want to pay for the last week of August which is IMO significantly less than the rate (its not like we are expensive anyway 
) .
OH can't understand why i was offended and i had quite an "emotional" response to it.
This thread at least made me feel slightly less daft about the whole thing.
Obviously we are playing serious catch up this season having just started but i did wonder if i should offer a smaller reduction than the one he wants and tell him that to qualify for the reduction he is suggesting then he would have to wait and see if the chalet was available on a "last minute" rate nearer the time. Or should i just bite his hand off at this stage and take the money?????
) .OH can't understand why i was offended and i had quite an "emotional" response to it.
This thread at least made me feel slightly less daft about the whole thing.
Obviously we are playing serious catch up this season having just started but i did wonder if i should offer a smaller reduction than the one he wants and tell him that to qualify for the reduction he is suggesting then he would have to wait and see if the chalet was available on a "last minute" rate nearer the time. Or should i just bite his hand off at this stage and take the money?????
"May you always have a shell in your pocket and sand in your shoes"
I'd go for win-win if you can and suggest that although you can't reach the discount level he is proposing, as a caring owner you would like to help him manage his budget by offering xyz.
He won't be offended that you've knocked him back, yet you get satisfaction that you've offered something you can achieve.
Mousie
x
He won't be offended that you've knocked him back, yet you get satisfaction that you've offered something you can achieve.
Mousie
x
One martini, two martini, three martini floor!
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barbersdrove
- Posts: 985
- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:48 pm
- Location: crowland south lincolnshire
Thank you this is exactly what i did. I said that basically i couldn't consider a reduction at that level for such a desirable date as i considered that a Last Minute discount therefore they could wait and see if that date was still available nearer the time or if they booked and paid in full in the next 2 weeks they could have a discount of £XX. (an amount i was happy with)Mouse wrote:I'd go for win-win if you can and suggest that although you can't reach the discount level he is proposing, as a caring owner you would like to help him manage his budget by offering xyz.
He won't be offended that you've knocked him back, yet you get satisfaction that you've offered something you can achieve.
Mousie
x
THEY BOOKED !!!! HOORAH !! I was happy with that
"May you always have a shell in your pocket and sand in your shoes"
Just noticed this post and had a bit of a chuckle as it's like seeing double!Marks wrote:I have 10 days available in August which I would not think of discounting until mid July but I am thinking of adding 10% to my August weekly rate now and then perhaps 'discounting' by that amount if unsold come July. A tactic used by most retailers.
We too have 10 days remaining of our high season so I have just upped the weekly rate by £100 to see if we can winkle a bit more profit out of the golden period.
To some degree I am testing the market for next year, as this would be my preferred price for high season 2012.
Fingers crossed!
See the job, do the job!
http://www.premiumturkishvillas.co.uk
http://www.premiumturkishvillas.co.uk
Yip - I've done that often and succeeded. Twice I sold it at the increased amount and once had to discount it back to the original, but of course the client thought he was getting a discount.but I am thinking of adding 10% to my August weekly rate now and then perhaps 'discounting' by that amount if unsold come July. A tactic used by most retailers
Mouse
x
One martini, two martini, three martini floor!
I was also tempted to give the cheeky answer when someone asked "2 seniors, please advise availability, special rates."
I did not have availability, but I wrote that "last minute" worked better than "senior" around here (it does with me).
She asked if she could come and have a look, both for some friends and for next time the come (every 1-2 years).
- so I may gain something for biting my lip!
I did not have availability, but I wrote that "last minute" worked better than "senior" around here (it does with me).
She asked if she could come and have a look, both for some friends and for next time the come (every 1-2 years).
- so I may gain something for biting my lip!
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kendalcottages
- Posts: 2474
- Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:08 am
- Location: Kendal, between the Lake District and the Dales
- Contact:
If it was the only remaining vacancy, I wouldn't consider a reduction unless there was less than a fortnight to go...
Kendal Holiday Cottages Ltd., Kendal, Cumbria - between the Lake District & the Yorkshire Dales.
200€ under the weekly price! Why on earth do 3 of them want a 6 bedroom house, that is clearly booked on the web site - flip key.we have a budget this year of 1400 euros .Would this be adequate to hire your home for two weeks from 2nd july?
My reply
2nd enquiry for those dates in 24 hours - LV I told you you'd have no trouble getting rid of yours.We do occasionally get cancellations, but the per week price is 1600€ in high season
