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Cancellations - anyone else seen an increase?

Hello all,

Some advice please.

I have recently been getting several cancellations all within 30 mins-1 hour of making a reservation. I used to have very few indeed but I remember completing a Partner survey recently where a question was along the lines of "Do you have problems with many cancellations?" I replied No - because I didn't. I had very few.

Ever since then, in the past month or so, I have received several cancellations as if my property listing has been exchanged or moved up the priority list to appear in front of those guests who are more likely to cancel. I get the distinct feeling the system is shifting properties around to give everyone a fair share of cancellations.

It rarely happened before. Now it happens frequently and I can only suspect it is as a result of completing that questionnaire.

Has anyone else seen an increase recently and can give feedback? It's annoying to say the least ...

Thanks,

Robin


Profile picture for the user t
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Thuild - Your … 5 years ago

Dear Robin,

It has absolutely no relation to questionnaires. That's one thing for sure.

Guest behavior is weird and most of the time what happens is, that they book multiple places for the same date and then cancel when they choose which one they actually want or cancel it all.

Are you familiar with the Shopping Cart effect on shopping websites? This is exactly the same thing.

And some are plain ignorant people who care less of your property and business than any trash they throw out and will even be a no-show (if you don't have cancellation charges set up).

That's all I can tell you.

Best regards,

Zsolt - www.thuild.com

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Robin 5 years ago

Thank you, Zsolt, for your reply. Yes, I'm familiar with the shopping cart effect but I didn't think it was necessarily a thing in holiday bookings having had very few in the past and I'm now getting several. (My property has been listed for just over a year.)

Booking.com have also replied and there is a part in my profile settings I can edit to help address this which I'll take a look at.

Many thanks again.

Best regards,

Robin

Profile picture for the user m
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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Zsolt thanks for your info. Yes I think people are not responsible, they dont care about our properties. They think they are doing the right thing by booking several places. Something has to be done about this. Maybe BDC can find a way to stop this.

Keep well all...

m
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Mary 4 years ago

In just the last few weeks 5 of our guests have cancelled. Most often it's after I've run their credit card for payment. One guest was furious that we would charge the card before her stay. Others cancelling without a comment.

Is anyone else dealing with more cancellations that usual?

Mary

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M Adamopoulou 4 years ago

Maybe we should change our cancellation policies having stricter ones in order to have less cancellations.

s
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Stevew407 4 years ago

Very interesting comments and responses. Like everything it is simple and easy. Isn't it all just business but some of us are small operators without much inventory and that has an impact more. Travel and Lodgings have many factors involved and then there was mention of holidays. But doesn't it all get down to supply and demand?