usvi-on-line
Asking for discounts on villas
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villa_owner
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 1:23 pm
Please don't misunderstand what I am saying about renting direct from the owner vs. using the rental company. They do provide an invaluable service, such as marketing our house, booking services, property management, housekeeping services (although we pay for that - they take care of the personnel which is not an easy job), guest relations, a "face" to the client, on-site problem management, advertising, etc. etc. that we obviously don't have the resources to do. If we had to do all these things myself, we could never rent or manage the amount of weeks we book, even if we were on-island, which we are not. I am also not saying that the percentages aren't fair - I just wanted to point them out as many people are not aware of that and think that all the money paid to rent our home goes straight to us and we laugh all the way to the bank. It's not like that at all - believe me!
I'm just saying that we prefer to book weeks ourselves when we can because we have to pay less of the booking fees and we have more flexibility with the renter if need be. (Notice I say less, not none - it's in the contract that they get a percentage whether they book the house not... Don't feel sorry for the property management companies - they definitely have themselves covered in all situations...) Also, when you rent either from us or the rental company, you still get the same services from the rental company regardless. So, it's not like you rent direct and then are left to fend for yourself on the ferry dock at 11pm or something!
Hope that makes sense. Thanks again for the insight.
I'm just saying that we prefer to book weeks ourselves when we can because we have to pay less of the booking fees and we have more flexibility with the renter if need be. (Notice I say less, not none - it's in the contract that they get a percentage whether they book the house not... Don't feel sorry for the property management companies - they definitely have themselves covered in all situations...) Also, when you rent either from us or the rental company, you still get the same services from the rental company regardless. So, it's not like you rent direct and then are left to fend for yourself on the ferry dock at 11pm or something!
Hope that makes sense. Thanks again for the insight.
That does make sense, because believe me, it's no fun fending for yourself on the ferry dock on an island you've never been to before in the dark and rain.
I guess I was just surprised because I figured that they charged you a flat fee and covered the incidentals, like the welcome basket and housekeeping, as part of that. You're right; owning a rental on STJ is not a picnic, but I'm sure someday you'll get to retire to a beautiful island and have a lovely house to enjoy.
I guess I was just surprised because I figured that they charged you a flat fee and covered the incidentals, like the welcome basket and housekeeping, as part of that. You're right; owning a rental on STJ is not a picnic, but I'm sure someday you'll get to retire to a beautiful island and have a lovely house to enjoy.