You are not alone as I have had the same problems with booking.com. They double booked a room but was able to put the double booking into another room after consulting with booking.com and the guest. Then another double booking was made for that room on the same date. I again consulted with booking.com who told me that they would relocate the guest. The guest ignored my email telling me they did not get that email when they turned up. That night I was busy with other guests cooking dinner for them and then had to find somewhere for the double booked guest. Everything in this area was fully booked so fortunately a neighbor was able to accommodate them. I have had so many conversations with booking.com about this and have yet to get a satisfactory answer. I even wrote a letter to head office which has been ignored. Every year they make double bookings and quote incorrect prices. I do not know what the solution is? In the future I will not relocate double bookings,but then run the risk of bad reviews.
Maybe other partners out there maybe be able to advise.
Booking.com guests are so different to airbnb guests. They do not read the information provided then complain. They do not respond to messages. And they give awful reviews, even though they tell me they have enjoyed their stay and have written positive comments in the visitors book.
My advice is to get a credit card facility through your bank and charge them for damages. Also inform booking.com. That is what I have been doing for the past 17 months. Having the credit card facility enables you to be paid for all bookings along with late cancellations and no shows. It is interesting that the guests that were charged for damages and taking my property with them did not contact me even to apologize!
Thank you Ella. Yes, I would be interested in having a channel manager. But in the case of the triple bookings they all came through booking.com and I would have thought their system would avoid over booking? I am in Peel Forest.
I suspect you are having problems with guests arriving and say they are not aware of what your policies are...I am surprised at the number of guests who arrive here and have not read the information provided. I would not worry about checking what is on you site in Saudi. What you have provided on booking.com will be seen no matter where the guests come from. I have lived in Saudi so know where you are coming from! I now have my policies printed in different languages for guests to read and sign to say they have read the policies. I have also included in the policies that any damages will be charged for. I have had things taken and so many towels ruined so had to do something! I take payment via credit card so that is there are any issues I inform the guest then charge the card accordingly.
I would check with booking.com regarding guide dogs. Here in NZ it is illegal to refuse guide dogs. The host is advised to check that the guest has a registered guide though just in case someone is not truthful. I would not stress though as all guide dogs I have had anything to do with are well behaved and lovely!
I would suggest that the guest should be asked to pay by pay pal or by internet banking with 24 hours and they do not you could cancel their booking. This is what booking.com advised me when I first joined up with them. But this was a hassle for me constantly having to go back and check if payment had come through or not. I now have a credit card facility so when a booking comes through the guest is charged right away. This has made things alot easier for me and guess what I have had no "no shows" since doing this! I had 4 guests last year who did not come for breakfast and when I went to check found they had gone during the night without paying. So having the credit card facility really helps. Good luck.
Hello Sova,
You are not alone as I have had the same problems with booking.com. They double booked a room but was able to put the double booking into another room after consulting with booking.com and the guest. Then another double booking was made for that room on the same date. I again consulted with booking.com who told me that they would relocate the guest. The guest ignored my email telling me they did not get that email when they turned up. That night I was busy with other guests cooking dinner for them and then had to find somewhere for the double booked guest. Everything in this area was fully booked so fortunately a neighbor was able to accommodate them. I have had so many conversations with booking.com about this and have yet to get a satisfactory answer. I even wrote a letter to head office which has been ignored. Every year they make double bookings and quote incorrect prices. I do not know what the solution is? In the future I will not relocate double bookings,but then run the risk of bad reviews.
Maybe other partners out there maybe be able to advise.
Kind regards.
Mary
Booking.com guests are so different to airbnb guests. They do not read the information provided then complain. They do not respond to messages. And they give awful reviews, even though they tell me they have enjoyed their stay and have written positive comments in the visitors book.
Hello,
My advice is to get a credit card facility through your bank and charge them for damages. Also inform booking.com. That is what I have been doing for the past 17 months. Having the credit card facility enables you to be paid for all bookings along with late cancellations and no shows. It is interesting that the guests that were charged for damages and taking my property with them did not contact me even to apologize!
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Kind regards.
Mary
Great advice.
Thank you.
Kind regards.
Mary
Thank you Ella. Yes, I would be interested in having a channel manager. But in the case of the triple bookings they all came through booking.com and I would have thought their system would avoid over booking? I am in Peel Forest.
Kind regards.
Mary
I suspect you are having problems with guests arriving and say they are not aware of what your policies are...I am surprised at the number of guests who arrive here and have not read the information provided. I would not worry about checking what is on you site in Saudi. What you have provided on booking.com will be seen no matter where the guests come from. I have lived in Saudi so know where you are coming from! I now have my policies printed in different languages for guests to read and sign to say they have read the policies. I have also included in the policies that any damages will be charged for. I have had things taken and so many towels ruined so had to do something! I take payment via credit card so that is there are any issues I inform the guest then charge the card accordingly.
Good luck and enjoy hosting.
Kind regards.
Mary.
"Waikonini Homestead" Peel Forest. NZ
I would check with booking.com regarding guide dogs. Here in NZ it is illegal to refuse guide dogs. The host is advised to check that the guest has a registered guide though just in case someone is not truthful. I would not stress though as all guide dogs I have had anything to do with are well behaved and lovely!
Good luck.
I would suggest that the guest should be asked to pay by pay pal or by internet banking with 24 hours and they do not you could cancel their booking. This is what booking.com advised me when I first joined up with them. But this was a hassle for me constantly having to go back and check if payment had come through or not. I now have a credit card facility so when a booking comes through the guest is charged right away. This has made things alot easier for me and guess what I have had no "no shows" since doing this! I had 4 guests last year who did not come for breakfast and when I went to check found they had gone during the night without paying. So having the credit card facility really helps. Good luck.