Help Dealing with Villa Guests

[flip-flop]

My point is NOT that $280 isn't a lot of money, it surely is. However, a bad review (justified or not) could easily cause a potential renter to move on to another house. The happens one time and you've lost a lot more than $280.

I know when I am looking at reviews I generally take the negative ones with a grain of salt, especially if there is a lot of positive there too. However, many people are very risk averse and ONE negative review will send them in another direction.

[Greenskeeper]

First of all, I wouldn't worry if the guests are reading this. The OP was just looking for advice and did not say anything negative about the group at all. He's in an awkward spot and is looking for suggestions.

I think Liam's aunt gave great advice. Feel it out on the charter and proceed from there. I understand those who suggest to "let it go", as a business person, sometimes you do but there are other times where you have to take a stand. You will know that afternoon.

You have a real advantage in that you are spending a good deal of time with them on the boat. People on vacation seem to want to forge a connection with people like you and as such, you might have an easier time broaching the subject and coming off as "a good guy" as they had just spent and entire day enjoying your boat and many days doing the same in your villa.

As far as "it's only $280", I've done business with people with that same attitude and it quite honestly stinks. You get 10 people with that attitude and it's a good portion of the cost of a vacation. You can't run scared because the converse of people bad mouthing you for you wanting to get the charges that were fairly stated in their contract is them telling others "hey, you can have as many people as you want just say you have 12." With a group of 13 (if that is the case) chances are there will be at least one person in the group who lives a life of integrity and wants to do the right thing and will point out to the others "the extra $280 adds up to about $20 pp", and won't let it ruin their good time or be the subject of conversation and internet ranting at the end of vacation.

Good luck.

[shoemak38]

wow shoemak38 - ever been in business for yourself?

$280 may not seem like much to you guys, but think about it - this is his livelihood - suppose this happened each time he rented the villa - adds up quick - policies are set for a reason. I hope he is able to collect if indeed this extra person did stay at his villa.

No I work in Manufacturing (medical devices) I’m in charge of purchasing; I get same issue from a different viewpoint “vendor did not give me everything they promised me I’m being cheated”
When you look at the issue from a distance the problem boils down to
A misunderstanding by the renter or the renter is shady
The group renting the house may have forgotten that rental charge was per person and may get appalled that they were corrected; the shady renter will get mad that they were caught in both these cases they will blame the owner and get on the internet and give the house bad PR. In both these cases they will accuse the owner in ruining their vacation and still not pay up.
I’m a numbers guy so if 1/3 of the guests renting in a given year have an extra unpaid guest that is a loss of $5,000 a year (if rented all 52 weeks) if you only recover the extra fee 1/3 of the time you recouped $1,700 a year and get 12 renters giving you bad PR on the internet.

[wonderlost]

Well, Thanks for all of the advice. Since my last post, I have had many interactions with our guests, all positive. The first, we passed on the road and they stopped me to say that they found out that I was the captain(i am not the owner), and asked if I would be taking them the next day. This is a small island and Coral Bay is even smaller, so organically finding things out like this is highly likely. I said yes, and they were genuinely looking forward to it. We had interacted a few times before that as I did the check in, and had seem them in passing a few other times. They came to my gig that night and the next day We had a great day on the boat. It turns out that all of them are in-fact staying at the house. I get the impression that it may not be understood about the extra fee, and may ask the lady who booked if she realized that. The contract lists names of all guests, so one was omitted at the time. They may have added one later. I don't feel that I would create ill will, based on the level of our relationship at this point, by asking at the check out, but will still proceed with caution about whether or not to ask for the cash. As far as them being on the forum, I feel there was no disrespect done, but if you are here, Thank you for your business, I have enjoyed meeting you and your family, and please do what you feel is right. If you feel it was not clear that extra guests need be reported and paid for, I accept the feedback and will alter my website and contract. If you feel you got a service please allow your conscious to guide you about our fee. Thank you all again for helping me learn more about this business.

[tipsy]

Well, Thanks for all of the advice. Since my last post, I have had many interactions with our guests, all positive. The first, we passed on the road and they stopped me to say that they found out that I was the captain(i am not the owner), and asked if I would be taking them the next day. This is a small island and Coral Bay is even smaller, so organically finding things out like this is highly likely. I said yes, and they were genuinely looking forward to it. We had interacted a few times before that as I did the check in, and had seem them in passing a few other times. They came to my gig that night and the next day We had a great day on the boat. It turns out that all of them are in-fact staying at the house. I get the impression that it may not be understood about the extra fee, and may ask the lady who booked if she realized that. The contract lists names of all guests, so one was omitted at the time. They may have added one later. I don't feel that I would create ill will, based on the level of our

relationship at this point, by asking at the check out, but will still proceed with caution about whether or not to ask for the cash. As far as them being on the forum, I feel there was no disrespect done, but if you are here, Thank you for your business, I have enjoyed meeting you and your family, and please do what you feel is right. If you feel it was not clear that extra guests need be reported and paid for, I accept the feedback and will alter my website and contract. If you feel you got a service please allow your conscious to guide you about our fee. Thank you all again for helping me learn more about this business.

Excellent, very well done and professional. Kudos to you and your willingness to look at things from both sides.

[XOXO]

I agree! Well done.

Gina