I am very familiar with Rivard. We have repeat renters year after year, and they are all satisified with Rivards service. I don't care who is manageing your property, from time to time there will be issues, it simply cannot be avoided. The gentleman who posted his experience with the man in the red corvette, may have used a tone of voice that sounded threatening or harsh, or just plain irate. It sounds to me that the man in the red corvette was simply trying to avoid what could have been a very unpleasant exchange. It certainly sounds out of character from the man I have known for such a long time.
Management Company Experiences
- Thread starter SablePoint
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My cottages are managed with Beach Rentals of South Walton. As I've mentioned before, I think it's very important that you think of your relationship with your management company as a partnership. Well, it sure paid off this week. I had made an error with a rental (no need to go into details but I was embarrassed) this week (fortunately, it was the first and only time I made such an error and it will be the last time I make such an error). BRSW managed it beautifully. If I hadn't had an ongoing very respectful relationship with them, if they weren't familiar with the cottages and the options available with our rentals, the situation would have been even more embarrassing. But they solved the problem beautifully and with good will toward the guests as well as toward me despite my error. So, the message is (aside from the fact that Beach Rentals saved my behind and took great care of our guests) to develop a respectful partnership with your management company, help the staff get to know your property(ies), and be sure to notice what they do very well. We often focus so much on what rental companies do not do well, we forget to notice and show appreciation for what they do well (and sometimes we aren't even aware of what they do because they just take care of problems and don't tell us -- it's just part of their job).
Paula said:
We self rent and also use BRSW. When we bought the house we met with Mary Brown at BRSW, walked the house, discussed what both sides expected from the relationship, my wife handles any issues with the cleanliness or household items and I handle any issues with the bookings, $$, and any maintenance items. We have had several minor issues with BRSW but we always seem to get positive results at the end of the day. In the year that we have been with them, we have been down 4-5 times and we always go by their office and say hi and discuss any issues outstanding or just let them know about the positive things as well. So, as you discribed, we treat the relationship as a partnership and with respect and all is going pretty well. I am getting the majority of the bookings this coming season from my 3 self rental sites but BRSW got us some very good guests last season. The biggest issues have been some nit picky charges on the monthly statement and some follow thru with some issues but over time they have been good for us. I figure that you get out of the relationship what you put into it and I have heard some real horror stories about rental companies. Not everyone has had a good experience with BRSW but we are happy.
Great imput guys. It sounds like it comes down to being reasonable and responsible. If a company has been in business for awhile here then they are keeping the majority of their customers happy. Unfortunately, these days all businesses know that there are some people that it is impossible to make happy no matter the level of service.
Many problems come from the lack of labor quantity and quality that is covered in other threads.
Many problems come from the lack of labor quantity and quality that is covered in other threads.
Yes, Wet Willy and Kurt, managing multiple vacation rentals is a complex job (and it is hard for management companies to get consistent great staff). And things will go wrong in the best of circumstances. The issue for me is how the problem is handled and BRSW has handled a few problem situations (that I'm aware of) very well on my behalf. So I agree that we need to have a realistic picture of all that a management company has to deal with, help them do the best job that they can, let them know we appreciate all they do, and do whatever we can to make their job easier, not harder. The more respect we show the staff, the more likely the staff will enjoy their job and stay -- and it's that longevity that gives the staff the experience they need to handle tough situations.
Paula said:
Wise words, Paula, and they apply to all aspects of life and business.:clap_1:
BTW, even though we have BRSW, we have heard awesome things about Angie at Beach Seekers from several people. I have met her when I had some folks looking at 2-4 houses inc mine and since she owns in/near Summer's Edge in Eastern Lake and she is very nice. Her agency is smaller, she is very selective, but everyone that I have spoken to about her agency has great things to say about it. Check them out at www.beachseekers.com. Alot of the houses in Summer's Edge use them but they are not exclusive to SE.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Smiling JOe said:
Thanks, SJ. It's good to be humbled now and then to remind us to be appreciative of the people who help us out!
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BRSW drew us into the area. ( great website with lots of VT's) The first year we booked with them we had rented a brand new house across the street from the beach in Seacrest. (Bare Necessitites) We would have been the first renters. We arrived and the pool wasn't finished and some minor interior details. They pulled up the website and showed us a tour of Memories by the Shore in Water's Edge. It was beautiful, huge and oceanfront. No private pool but they offered the Seacrest pool for us to use. We drove up to see it to see if it would meet our approval. Well, that was a no brainer. I think we rented BN for $2700 and we were getting a $4,500 a week house for no extra charge. We were tickled to death!!! Anyway, they've had our business ever since because we were treated so well.
Have to totally agree with Wet Willy. Beachseekers and Angie have been a great company to work with. Superb service.wetwilly said:BTW, even though we have BRSW, we have heard awesome things about Angie at Beach Seekers from several people. I have met her when I had some folks looking at 2-4 houses inc mine and since she owns in/near Summer's Edge in Eastern Lake and she is very nice. Her agency is smaller, she is very selective, but everyone that I have spoken to about her agency has great things to say about it. Check them out at www.beachseekers.com. Alot of the houses in Summer's Edge use them but they are not exclusive to SE.
Good luck.