Although it’s a tough thing to ask owners to constantly keep their calendars updated, or respond to renters when they send an inquiry for a date range that the owner already has booked, it is an unending source of frustration for renters.
Anytime I receive an email inquiry, I make an effort to respond immediately, even if I don’t have availability. A good response, with maybe even some suggestions for other rental units that you know of that might be available can go a long way to securing a booking the next year, or later that same season. I’ve even had renters delay their trip to a date that I had available after I responded courteously and promptly.
Although you do not want to give renters over to your “competition”, it may come back to you in the form of good karma and you’ll get a booking in return. For example, I’ve referred people to our Panama City Beach Vacation Rentals page to find another vacation rental when mine is not available and they can’t change their dates of travel, and I’ve received calls from those other owners thanking me. And, yes, I’ve even gotten some reciprocation. Everyone can win, here.
I think all owners can agree it’s bad for the industry as a whole that renters feel like booking a vacation rental is such a huge hassle. Thoughts, anyone (See feedback text below)?
“>>I could not find ANY that were actually available for the dates of
>>3/13 to 3/20, even though they were listed as available. I contacted
>>over a dozen condo owners and I’m very disappointed that they do not
>>care enough to update their availability calendar.
>>
>>It’s not a problem with your website, I think the site is pretty good.
>> It’s the owners that list their properties. It seems to me that they
>>don’t really care whether or not they are wasting time because they
>>only care about getting their condos booked — not about the
>>vacationer who is trying to find out what is available.”
