usvi-on-line
Asking for discounts on villas
Supply and demand...hopefully with with coutesy and manners.
No harm in asking if there are any specials...but the answer can be "no" too...
supply and demand
No harm in asking if there are any specials...but the answer can be "no" too...
supply and demand
STJ Villa Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
Along the same lines, I've wondered whether there are discounts for longer stays. Not long term 6 month/1 year stays, but what about a month in off season, say May, June, whatever. First, I'm not in a position to do that at this point due to schedule, but I can see the potential in the not too distant future, few-several years out. Longer term discounted car rental rates would be good, too.
Anyone have any experience with this? Opinions from owners/renters?
FWIW - I'm no economy genius, and while I still have the option of spending money, as I watch my accounts decline, I make decisions about value. The combination of plane tickets, rentals, cars, food, etc. is enough that I've made plans to do something else next year. My thought is that down the road if things stay this way with money, I could still consider a trip but would like to take a longer trip/less often due to transportation costs. If I have some flexibility I would like to get a break. I figure if I ever got to the point where I was seriously considering it I'd ask.
Thanks for any thoughts!
irbgolfin
Anyone have any experience with this? Opinions from owners/renters?
FWIW - I'm no economy genius, and while I still have the option of spending money, as I watch my accounts decline, I make decisions about value. The combination of plane tickets, rentals, cars, food, etc. is enough that I've made plans to do something else next year. My thought is that down the road if things stay this way with money, I could still consider a trip but would like to take a longer trip/less often due to transportation costs. If I have some flexibility I would like to get a break. I figure if I ever got to the point where I was seriously considering it I'd ask.
Thanks for any thoughts!
irbgolfin
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
We got a discount at a place a couple years ago for staying more than 7 days...and doing so was the standard practice for that villa.irbgolfin wrote:Along the same lines, I've wondered whether there are discounts for longer stays. Not long term 6 month/1 year stays, but what about a month in off season, say May, June, whatever.
Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
- Mark Twain
- Mark Twain
I used to sell new cars and I worked with a guy who hated the attitudes of some people who would insist on haggling down to the last penny. He felt it was his duty to educate people about haggling. He would get the owner of a restaurant to come over to the table and he would start haggling about the cost of his meal.
"Well, $16.95 seemed a bit steep for my entree. I really don't think I should have to pay more than $12.50."
Sometimes he would get a discount, sometimes not. Regardless, he would pay the full price and leave them his business card. He seemed to sell a lot of vehicles... of course you would want to crawl into a hole when he started haggling.
There's nothing wrong with politely asking. Demanding a discount is a whole different ballgame.
Peace,
Cid
"Well, $16.95 seemed a bit steep for my entree. I really don't think I should have to pay more than $12.50."
Sometimes he would get a discount, sometimes not. Regardless, he would pay the full price and leave them his business card. He seemed to sell a lot of vehicles... of course you would want to crawl into a hole when he started haggling.
There's nothing wrong with politely asking. Demanding a discount is a whole different ballgame.
Peace,
Cid
I'm happy to pay cash and skip the credit card transaction fee for villas I've rented before. It would be nice to get some credit for that. I'd also love a deal where I paid the actual electricity used, since I like to keep the a/c off unless things get hellish hot. We also do not need a greeter as long as we have directions. Incentives for lower prices seems like a good thing for everyone.
We tend to pick houses in the mid price tier and go off-season, so we're self-selecting our price. Last minute is something we've only done a few times, but that's a different concept where renting at a loss is better than missing the income all together, as long as the costs of occupancy are more than covered.
Cheers, RickG
We tend to pick houses in the mid price tier and go off-season, so we're self-selecting our price. Last minute is something we've only done a few times, but that's a different concept where renting at a loss is better than missing the income all together, as long as the costs of occupancy are more than covered.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
I assumed that unless you're going really last minute (30 days or less), the price is the published price, non-negotiable.
The only time I've experienced some flexibility on price was when we went with a large group with some infants/toddlers. I emailed/called the management companies to get a quote on price since some count kids, some don't, some count only if they use a bed (vs. pack-n-play or crib) and I wanted an accurate price. A couple of times when I've heard the grand total, if it was outside our budget, I told the agent "thanks but that's over our budget" and they have volunteered to contact the owner to see if there was any flexibility on price since we had little kids sharing rooms etc.
It will be interesting to see how villa rates go. Airfare is up, making the villa budget go down.
The only time I've experienced some flexibility on price was when we went with a large group with some infants/toddlers. I emailed/called the management companies to get a quote on price since some count kids, some don't, some count only if they use a bed (vs. pack-n-play or crib) and I wanted an accurate price. A couple of times when I've heard the grand total, if it was outside our budget, I told the agent "thanks but that's over our budget" and they have volunteered to contact the owner to see if there was any flexibility on price since we had little kids sharing rooms etc.
It will be interesting to see how villa rates go. Airfare is up, making the villa budget go down.
My philosophy is it can't hurt to ask and I always ask. Of course, my request is alway polite, never demanding. Something like, "do you discount 2-week rentals, or do you discount return renters?"
Frequently the answer is an emphatic "NO", which I respect, I understand the cost of maintaining an island house.
If they say no and it's a villa I really want to rent, I suck it up and go for it. I do not let the lack of a discount sway my decision usually.
The great thing is, often we do recieve a discount for a 2-week rental, repeat rental or last minute booking.
I sincerely hope that does not offend the villa owner. As it has been stated - you have the final say after all.
Frequently the answer is an emphatic "NO", which I respect, I understand the cost of maintaining an island house.
If they say no and it's a villa I really want to rent, I suck it up and go for it. I do not let the lack of a discount sway my decision usually.
The great thing is, often we do recieve a discount for a 2-week rental, repeat rental or last minute booking.
I sincerely hope that does not offend the villa owner. As it has been stated - you have the final say after all.
Patr
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
It's funny that this has come up. Last month I received a post card from our villa agents on STJ offering a 20% discount on any of their rentals from Aug. 1st through Dec. 20th. I still can't swing it right now, though I loved being there in November 2006 for a couple of weeks.
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
I think offering/allowing a discount to repeat guests,
or a discount for referring someone to a property
would be a good idea. People in businss thrive on
referrals. Repeat guests are an asset that I believe
deserve a discount of some nature for their loyalty
to you.
Another idea if you choose not to discount at all,
possibly include a small perk. Welcome basket of
assorted beverages, transportation to the market,
specialty bathroom amenities, etc....
Sherri
or a discount for referring someone to a property
would be a good idea. People in businss thrive on
referrals. Repeat guests are an asset that I believe
deserve a discount of some nature for their loyalty
to you.
Another idea if you choose not to discount at all,
possibly include a small perk. Welcome basket of
assorted beverages, transportation to the market,
specialty bathroom amenities, etc....
Sherri
Sherri
been to stj 9 times in 4 yrs and have never paid rack rate; however we are last minute travelers and our discounts have been fairly significant of last minute variety. i like bargains but will not haggle over prices. i buy/rent when on sale.
we can (must) do because we have privilege of nonrev airline travel on space available basis. haven't always had the pick of the litter on villa selection but have always been pleased. also since usually just me and bride and maybe another couple, have lot more villa options than a bigger group. our 1st trip in oct 04 was change from cancun due to bad weather there and we booked on mond for a tuesday arrival at a 40% discount (posted not requested).
those willing to gamble a little on villa selection could do same most of fall to mid dec when there are plenty of villas available. you buy plane tickets when you find a reasonable(?) fare for a fall week that has several villas you like with openings that week thru one of the comp's that promote good last minute discounts like cloud 9, catered to, carib villas (small discounts). you book a villa as soon as you see price/villa combo you like. 4 of our trips were after dec 8th and never had less than 2 good options and usually several. sure wouldn't suggest for feb thru april because pickens can be thin then for last minute. its high season due to demand, so if demand starts tailing off so will prices.
my advise to villa owner, price your villa based on the market (and it maybe softening) and discount vacancies 30 days out in hopes you find a last minute traveler. but of course even a last minute rate should cover incremental costs (utilities, cleaning, supplies,wear & tear) plus some profit otherwise why bother. you never/ever give your product away.
papabou
we can (must) do because we have privilege of nonrev airline travel on space available basis. haven't always had the pick of the litter on villa selection but have always been pleased. also since usually just me and bride and maybe another couple, have lot more villa options than a bigger group. our 1st trip in oct 04 was change from cancun due to bad weather there and we booked on mond for a tuesday arrival at a 40% discount (posted not requested).
those willing to gamble a little on villa selection could do same most of fall to mid dec when there are plenty of villas available. you buy plane tickets when you find a reasonable(?) fare for a fall week that has several villas you like with openings that week thru one of the comp's that promote good last minute discounts like cloud 9, catered to, carib villas (small discounts). you book a villa as soon as you see price/villa combo you like. 4 of our trips were after dec 8th and never had less than 2 good options and usually several. sure wouldn't suggest for feb thru april because pickens can be thin then for last minute. its high season due to demand, so if demand starts tailing off so will prices.
my advise to villa owner, price your villa based on the market (and it maybe softening) and discount vacancies 30 days out in hopes you find a last minute traveler. but of course even a last minute rate should cover incremental costs (utilities, cleaning, supplies,wear & tear) plus some profit otherwise why bother. you never/ever give your product away.
papabou
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
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piscesgirl0314
- Posts: 598
- Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:31 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA
No offense to anyone but I don't look at villas I can't afford. I agree, there is no harm is asking but its just not something I would do...Unfortunately I am not in a position to make last minute travel plans...wish I were...so when we book our villa its 10 months in advance...I agree with what some of you have said...if the villa isn't rented and someone is calling to make last minute plans...giving them a discount is better then not renting it at all!
