Ownerdirect.com

OTA = Online Travel Agency, which means those sites that sell the booking and take the payment for you.
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Gloria - Casina di Rosa
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Ownerdirect.com

Post by Gloria - Casina di Rosa »

I have seen this mentioned in a few posts. Can somebody explain to me how does this portal work?

And what about villarenters.com?

Thank you!
Hells Bells
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Post by Hells Bells »

Hi, I use Owners Direct (ownersdirect.co.uk), but haven't heard of ownerdirect.com. Villarenter is a listing site, but also has an instant booking system, they take a percentage of your rental fee. If you go for the instant booking, you do not received the money for your booking until after your guests have stayed. You can add the property and ask for direct payment though.
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Gloria - Casina di Rosa
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Post by Gloria - Casina di Rosa »

Ciao Helen,

thank you for your reply. Is ownersdirect.co.uk good? Worth the money?

Thanks.

Gloria
Hells Bells
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Post by Hells Bells »

Gloria, sorry I can't answer you yet, as I have only just listed on there in the last week. Some of the others have had success though. Casa Ciapolin has had some bookings from there. (I think)

Helen
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Ciapolin
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Post by Ciapolin »

Ciao Gloria!

I am using Owners Direct and have been pleased with them so far. This is our 1st season and we started late so haven't had many bookings this year, but of the sites I am using, so far this is producing the best results.

I also use ItalyMag.co.uk, and frankly it has been a waste of money. I have a friend (also in Italy) who has has the same experience. I don't think either of us will be renewing our listings.
Carole-Anne
Cascina Ciapolin
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Giddy Goat
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Post by Giddy Goat »

The site you have asked about is a matching service Gloria, where it seems you can list for free, and if you receive a minimum of two bookings in any given year, there is a USD100 charge. If you look at their website and click onto 'Register' from the menu at the top of your screen, you will see how the fee is collected.

I don't use it though and am not sure I've seen any other references to it on LMH.
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be
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Angel
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Post by Angel »

Hi Gloria

Villarenters has recently been acquired by the Daily Mail group which includes Teletext Holidays, so their marketing exposure is getting better.

I use them primarily for the automated booking system and the credit/debit card facility. I've had several bookings from them, but don't rely on them completely.

HTH
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Ciapolin
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Post by Ciapolin »

You can't list for free - there is a fixed fee per year, regardless of the number of bookings you get.

I particularly like them because I can link to my website.
Carole-Anne
Cascina Ciapolin
www.piedmont-holidays.com
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Gloria - Casina di Rosa
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Post by Gloria - Casina di Rosa »

owner... you mean? Or villarenters?
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Ciapolin
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Post by Ciapolin »

Sorry, Owners Direct.
Carole-Anne
Cascina Ciapolin
www.piedmont-holidays.com
Hells Bells
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Post by Hells Bells »

Carole-Anne, ownerdirect as opposed to owners direct appears to be free.
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Giddy Goat
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Post by Giddy Goat »

'Appears' being the operative word - see my earlier post. :wink:
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Chalky
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Post by Chalky »

Gascony Goat wrote:'Appears' being the operative word - see my earlier post. :wink:
Goat,
In your earlier post you mentioned the $100 fee after two bookings, but you missed out the 10% they cream off the top of EVERY booking:
10% Matching Fee: On every confirmed booking, we collect from the Guest, 10% of the total rental plus a tax on this 10% portion. The remaining 90% is paid directly to you by the guest.
:!: :shock:
Chalky

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Giddy Goat
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Post by Giddy Goat »

Free lunches come to mind - thanks for that, Chalky!
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Gloria - Casina di Rosa
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Post by Gloria - Casina di Rosa »

Well, you can always add that on top of your price. And I suppose they would not be the only source of one's bookings.

I am looking into ways to market to the British market a bit more.

I take 80% of my bookings for Casina di Rosa from my website, but Behind the Tower need more work, and so do other properties I manage.

What I wonder is, they collect 10% from the guest, and then I am left to ask my part of the security deposit, because if they cancel then I am left with nothing.

This might be a real pain in the neck for guests, having to pay twice I mean.


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