Does anyone else have this problem?
I'm still perplexed. It waqsn't just Brenda that said she didn't mention booking in response to an enquiry. My assumption is that when people enquire they are at least thinking about booking and so it's reasonable on my part to tell them how to.
But I don't send chase-up e-mails as a rule; only if someone has sounded keen and then someone else asks after the same dates very soon after.
TC
But I don't send chase-up e-mails as a rule; only if someone has sounded keen and then someone else asks after the same dates very soon after.
TC
Debut novelist at http://tinyurl.com/or89jle
http://wivenhoewriters.blogspot.co.uk/
Contributor to anthology 'In a Word: Murder'
http://wivenhoewriters.blogspot.co.uk/
Contributor to anthology 'In a Word: Murder'
I mention booking too, and follow up if they seemed keen, mentioned booking or I spent a long time answering questions. Sometimes I know that following up has got me the booking over others.
My usual response is to confirm the periods availability etc. and then try and engage them by asking if they've been before which allows me to offer to provide more info to help them decide if our place is right for their holiday.
I then say if they decide to go ahead then the deposit would be xyz payable by blah blah blah.
You've got to take them to the next stage as far as I'm concerned...and that is either more info or booking; what else would they want?
Mouse
x
My usual response is to confirm the periods availability etc. and then try and engage them by asking if they've been before which allows me to offer to provide more info to help them decide if our place is right for their holiday.
I then say if they decide to go ahead then the deposit would be xyz payable by blah blah blah.
You've got to take them to the next stage as far as I'm concerned...and that is either more info or booking; what else would they want?
Mouse
x
One martini, two martini, three martini floor!
I know what Brenda means and I think I do the same. If they have enquired from an outside booking site, I send them a link to our web page and mention that they will find there details of the area blah blah and in amongst that is mention of the booking form. Plus of course answering all the questions they have asked. That is as far as I go. I don't even mention booking at all when I chase - just that I hope they got my response and can I help with any more information. I don't think that people only enquire because they are thinking of booking - I think those are the exception. I only take them on to the next stage (fill in booking form, make payment), once they have said they want to book. I agree that it doesn't sound very pro active but I guess it works because our conversion rate is almost 50% this year.
I think mentioning booking first, when the enquirer has not done so specifically, can imply that your main interest is in raking in the money? Maybe not.
I think mentioning booking first, when the enquirer has not done so specifically, can imply that your main interest is in raking in the money? Maybe not.
Well then I think we're on the same wave length, basically. Just a misunderstanding - so easy on an e-mail.
TC
TC
Debut novelist at http://tinyurl.com/or89jle
http://wivenhoewriters.blogspot.co.uk/
Contributor to anthology 'In a Word: Murder'
http://wivenhoewriters.blogspot.co.uk/
Contributor to anthology 'In a Word: Murder'
We will all take the approach that feels comfortable to us, so there's no right or wrong, but it's interesting to see how many people feel that mentioning the 'b' word can come across as desperate/money grabbing to the client. Does it?I think mentioning booking first, when the enquirer has not done so specifically, can imply that your main interest is in raking in the money? Maybe not.
Why does someone enquire? Presumably to check out various facts already seen on the website and perhaps to check some that aren't...but at that point they're interested. You've got to hook them in.
We usually have an incentive; at the moment it's book for only 10% deposit. Previous years I've always offered free a/c. So I will always mention that; 'if you book now you can do so for only 10% deposit/have free a/c etc'.
No other place on Ibiza offers 10% deposit bookings (I do it for early bookings upto December and then default back to 50%).
I now have 5 weeks booked for next year (only 1 week a repeat), no one else even has their summer 2012 prices up...so I feel it works.
You will always get the ones who disappear after enquiring, but I don't think you would ever put any off by mentioning the booking stage, and you might just gain the edge (as opposed to another owner who hasn't mentioned it and so they have to send yet another email to find out about it all).
Interesting discussion.
Mousie
x
One martini, two martini, three martini floor!
Yes it is interesting, and we all have different variations on the same theme I think. I do answer quickly and say if the dates are available. Then if more interest is shown, I ask them if they'd like me to send a booking form.
After that I keep an eye on things, as you can be waiting a while for nothing to happen.
I did ring someone last week who said they were definitely booking as Id had another enquiry for both houses...lucky I did, as she said weve decided not to go ahead, and the second people booked straight away. But its not something I usually do.
Dont feel bad Kaz, I get lots of enquiries that go nowhere and maybe one in five answer saying'' thanks but weve found somewhere else.'' I always thank them and say hope you have a nice holiday. You get used to it, dont take it personally.
Some people dont even get enquiries, now that would be upsetting.......
After that I keep an eye on things, as you can be waiting a while for nothing to happen.
I did ring someone last week who said they were definitely booking as Id had another enquiry for both houses...lucky I did, as she said weve decided not to go ahead, and the second people booked straight away. But its not something I usually do.
Dont feel bad Kaz, I get lots of enquiries that go nowhere and maybe one in five answer saying'' thanks but weve found somewhere else.'' I always thank them and say hope you have a nice holiday. You get used to it, dont take it personally.
Some people dont even get enquiries, now that would be upsetting.......
I've tried all combinations of first reply - with and without booking forms, short and cryptic, long and descriptive and frnakly I don;t think it makes much difference. Some are window shopping, some wish to go ahead.
What I do think is important is to be very clear on what the next step is - however you approach it.
Tangentially, and for amusement only - to prove that it takes all sorts of guests to send enquiries:
I received an enquiry this morning for my 2 bedroom (sleeps 4) apartment advertised on H-R with bang up to date calendar for a party of 7 in August ! Grrr. Counted slowly back from 10 to 1 and replied with a very simple and polite "Sorry full up, but enjoy your holiday". Within 5 mins I received an email with just a simple "thank you!".
What I do think is important is to be very clear on what the next step is - however you approach it.
Tangentially, and for amusement only - to prove that it takes all sorts of guests to send enquiries:
I received an enquiry this morning for my 2 bedroom (sleeps 4) apartment advertised on H-R with bang up to date calendar for a party of 7 in August ! Grrr. Counted slowly back from 10 to 1 and replied with a very simple and polite "Sorry full up, but enjoy your holiday". Within 5 mins I received an email with just a simple "thank you!".
** 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 !
I think I'd prefer to say:la vache! wrote:Oh goodness, that would be like a red rag to a bull for me!
Sorry, u r 2 l8
"Sorry, I am unable to help you."
and click send.
** 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 !
I don't expect people to get back to me, they are often making lots of enquiries. I do have quite a few people who enquire more than once over the years so I think it's worth sending a carefully thought out email. Lots of people remember, even though they don't reply.
I agree that a "next steps" message is handy, just so people know what to expect. People did quite often ask what the next stage is, what's the deposit, when't the balance due, what are the cancellation terms etc - so rather than get into the detail of bank transfers etc, which (possibly wrongly) I do feel is a bit pushy in an initial enquiry, I just link to them:
http://www.chaletlaforet.com/booking/booking-process
This does get accessed quite a lot so I think it is useful.
If I'm offering an incentive, I definitely put it in the email, like Mouse, and if they are dates I'm particularly keen to sell I'll offer a deal.
I agree that a "next steps" message is handy, just so people know what to expect. People did quite often ask what the next stage is, what's the deposit, when't the balance due, what are the cancellation terms etc - so rather than get into the detail of bank transfers etc, which (possibly wrongly) I do feel is a bit pushy in an initial enquiry, I just link to them:
http://www.chaletlaforet.com/booking/booking-process
This does get accessed quite a lot so I think it is useful.
If I'm offering an incentive, I definitely put it in the email, like Mouse, and if they are dates I'm particularly keen to sell I'll offer a deal.
Chalet la Foret, Chamonix
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