Booking an Apartment Online Full Amount or Deposit

taytoes

Hi I have a question for fellow users with experience of booking private accommodation in Europe.

We're interested in booking an apartment in Italy. It appears we may have to pay the full amount up front. Is this normal procedure? When I did this before in Paris we payed a deposit and then the balance on arrival when we got the key. Wondering if others have experience in paying full amount upfront. Thanks.

km79

taytoes wrote: »

Hi I have a question for fellow users with experience of booking private accommodation in Europe.

We're interested in booking an apartment in Italy. It appears we may have to pay the full amount up front. Is this normal procedure? When I did this before in Paris we payed a deposit and then the balance on arrival when we got the key. Wondering if others have experience in paying full amount upfront. Thanks.

When are ye going? If its within 2 months then full amount . generally speaking a deposit is paid and full amount 2(sometimes 3 months) in advance

keithclancy

taytoes wrote: »

Hi I have a question for fellow users with experience of booking private accommodation in Europe.

We're interested in booking an apartment in Italy. It appears we may have to pay the full amount up front. Is this normal procedure? When I did this before in Paris we payed a deposit and then the balance on arrival when we got the key. Wondering if others have experience in paying full amount upfront. Thanks.

Depend, sometimes its full amount and sometimes is deposit and payment on arrival, i've never noticed a concrete rule.

If you think the place is dodgy though then trust your instincts.

solargain

You normally pay a deposit & the balance 6 - 8 weeks before arrival . If you pay it through paypal you will have some comeback with them . Of course you may have travel insurance on your credit card .

cosbawn

I booked an apartment once in Spain, had no problems. Sent money by bank transfer and got my deposit back afterwards. If its with a reputable company like owners direct, home and away etc companies that have been around for a while you should be ok. Also ring the property owner, and see how you get on. I booked within a few weeks so all monies were upfront.

Mr. Nice

@Cosbawn. Owners Direct and Homeaway are listing sites, and are by no means immune from scams. I doubt if they verify every single property.

appleb

Mr. Nice wrote: »

@Cosbawn. Owners Direct and Homeaway are listing sites, and are by no means immune from scams. I doubt if they verify every single property.

My advice is not to send the total amount.
See link to a thread of mine:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057168882
It was a site that you contact owners directly...

cosbawn

Right well thats me told!! Was planning on splashing out on a really nice Villa for a significant B'day for the whole family. I suppose using paypay is safer ?? What do you think?

naughtysmurf

km79 wrote: »

When are ye going? If its within 2 months then full amount . generally speaking a deposit is paid and full amount 2(sometimes 3 months) in advance

This would be pretty typical, you could always google the Villa name or ask a question on tripadvisor in the relevant forum and see what shows up but I wouldn't pay the full amount at the time of booking unless the trip was only 8 weeks away or so. Ask the owner for the contact email of previous guests & make contact to see what kind of experience they had is an option also.

Mr. Nice

I'm actually involved in the holiday rental business, but I don't want to break the rules so I won't be specific. If anybody wants specific advice, feel free to PM.
Re. payment, credit card is probably best.