Back to Vacation Rentals

My Goodness The Bottom Feeders Are Out!

RiverOtter avatar
RiverOttergot any pics?
5,249 views
I just got a VRBO inquiry for my Gulf Front Condo:

"I saw your listing #2882677 on VRBO. We are looking for a quick get-a-way vacation. I am willing to pay 70$ a night. Whats the best you can do?"


Um..... That won't even pay the cleaning company :roll:


I swear every inquiry since the press hit Pensacola Beach has been like that. Thanks BP :angry:

Replies

26
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#2
You can stress over it or use this:

"Thank you for your inquiry, however our minimum price is listed on the website. If that amount is still too expensive then unfortunately this rental is not in your price range."

I used to use that exact response with inquiries, they either go away or give in.
Lisa Ruby avatar
Lisa RubyBeach Fanatic
#3
My favorite phone call was last week...."Don't you have a seller that might want someone to stay in their property for a week, in case they might want to buy it?"
RiverOtter avatar
RiverOttergot any pics?Author
#4
You can stress over it or use this:

"Thank you for your inquiry, however our minimum price is listed on the website. If that amount is still too expensive then unfortunately this rental is not in your price range."

I used to use that exact response with inquiries, they either go away or give in.

Trust me, I would love to give them the full RO response but I am a professional :cool:

My favorite phone call was last week...."Don't you have a seller that might want someone to stay in their property for a week, in case they might want to buy it?"

"Here's yer sign" :lol:
happy2BmeBeach Fanatic
#5
I just got a VRBO inquiry for my Gulf Front Condo:

"I saw your listing #2882677 on VRBO. We are looking for a quick get-a-way vacation. I am willing to pay 70$ a night. Whats the best you can do?"


Um..... That won't even pay the cleaning company :roll:


I swear every inquiry since the press hit Pensacola Beach has been like that. Thanks BP :angry:

Me being me, I'd have to reply "I'll let you borrow my tent.".
RiverOtter avatar
RiverOttergot any pics?Author
#6
Me being me, I'd have to reply "I'll let you borrow my tent.".


Now that's funny. Just got a call. $100 / night for 2 nights.
Lynnie avatar
LynnieSoWal Insider
#7
I'll offer you $80/nt. And, will be the bidding puppet for you!! Crazy touron listening to the media! ARGH - I wish we could all be firm in our rents, but I know some can't right now.
RiverOtter avatar
RiverOttergot any pics?Author
#8
I'll offer you $80/nt. And, will be the bidding puppet for you!! Crazy touron listening to the media! ARGH - I wish we could all be firm in our rents, but I know some can't right now.

I was willing and did negotiate with the last guy but he wanted our Gulf Front condo for Super 8 price (not that there's anything wrong with that 😀).

No biggy... on to the next one. :cool:
Rita avatar
Ritamargarita brocolia
#9
My favorite phone call was last week...."Don't you have a seller that might want someone to stay in their property for a week, in case they might want to buy it?"
.


Now that's a good one!


.
RiverOtter avatar
RiverOttergot any pics?Author
#10
Another "Trend" since the oil spill. Everyone has a "Story". :scratch:Hmmmmm do you think I'm jaded 😀
bluecatBeach Fanatic
#11
I have had people say to me that probably could get some good deals now. I say any time I'm at the beach ,that's deal enough for me.
tistheseason avatar
tistheseasonBeach Fanatic
#12
Can't blame the bottom feeders for trying, can't blame you for sending them on thier way! Good luck finding a place to rent at those rates. . .
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal Expert
#13
Out of curiosity, does anyone have a ballpark for occupancy rates right now?
Beach Runner avatar
Beach Runnerbeats on hood
#14
I just got a VRBO inquiry for my Gulf Front Condo:

"I saw your listing #2882677 on VRBO. We are looking for a quick get-a-way vacation. I am willing to pay 70$ a night. Whats the best you can do?"


Um..... That won't even pay the cleaning company :roll:


I swear every inquiry since the press hit Pensacola Beach has been like that. Thanks BP :angry:
My response to the few inquiries of that nature from VRBO that we've had is that accepting a low rate doesn't cover the wear-and-tear on our home. We'd rather use that week ourselves.

Another "Trend" since the oil spill. Everyone has a "Story". :scratch:Hmmmmm do you think I'm jaded 😀
A few guests who have made deposits have emailed me with the question, "Our child has asthma and we are concerned about the oil spill relative to our child's health." I guess this is cynical of me, but my response is always, "It is really coincidental that so many of our future guests have children with asthma." Yes, I'm cynical.

Out of curiosity, does anyone have a ballpark for occupancy rates right now?
Knock on wood, but we are full and haven't had one cancellation.
zipBeach Lover
#15
All the walk overs in Seagrove have a warning sign that say do not go in the water. How do you charge these people full price when there might be a chance they might get sick with dispersants and oil in the water?
Rita avatar
Ritamargarita brocolia
#16
All the walk overs in Seagrove have a warning sign that say do not go in the water. How do you charge these people full price when there might be a chance they might get sick with dispersants and oil in the water?
.
You're assuming the signs will be ignored?.:confused:




.
Beach Runner avatar
Beach Runnerbeats on hood
#17
The signs are there to protect the clueless. Just as there are risks in every medication that one might take, there are possibly risks in this current situation in the Gulf. Those who are trying to rent for lowball prices are obviously not concerned about the unknown and hopefully nonexistent health risks. If health were their concern, rental rates would not be a factor.
beachwanabe avatar
beachwanabeBeach Lover
#18
Are rentals going pretty well? Is there a feel for % of occupancy?

I would say if things are bad, why not start the fall rental rates ASAP. Would that make it more acceptable from the owners perspective? As a long term SoWal renter I feel that may be a reasonable solution for both sides.... Thoughts?
RiverOtter avatar
RiverOttergot any pics?Author
#19
Are rentals going pretty well? Is there a feel for % of occupancy?

I would say if things are bad, why not start the fall rental rates ASAP. Would that make it more acceptable from the owners perspective? As a long term SoWal renter I feel that may be a reasonable solution for both sides.... Thoughts?

I said I'm willing to negotiate, but I'm not willing to cut it 80%. Fortunately we are having our biggest year ever. That doesn't mean we are making money. It only means we are paying less of a loss.
melscuba avatar
melscubaBeach Fanatic
#20
My response to the few inquiries of that nature from VRBO that we've had is that accepting a low rate doesn't cover the wear-and-tear on our home. We'd rather use that week ourselves.


A few guests who have made deposits have emailed me with the question, "Our child has asthma and we are concerned about the oil spill relative to our child's health." I guess this is cynical of me, but my response is always, "It is really coincidental that so many of our future guests have children with asthma." Yes, I'm cynical.


Knock on wood, but we are full and haven't had one cancellation.

I'm a cynic too, but in the asthma defense..... if they live near or in Atlanta, it's probably true. Atlanta has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma. Or so I'm told by our pediatrician and neighbors. Anyway, we have only ONE WEEK left and we'll finally be there (with no discount btw). Seems things are pretty normal there. I have friends who say they've only had one cancellation. They have been reassuring their clients with links to current pictures and a flexible cancellation policy. It seems to be working for him.

Checking your forum account

Please wait while we verify your forum account.