How long is appropriate to wait for a response for hotel deposit payment?

clumsyklutz · 09-01-2014 02:38PM #1

Hi all,

The OH and myself have finally made our concrete plans and decided to wed at a small ceremony in Malta. We had been back and forth with a lovely lady at the hotel we chose (via e-mail) and said we could pay the money yesterday, however she informed us on Monday that she wouldn't be in, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but I could send either a bank transfer or money via Visa card.

We chose the visa card option, and tried to get a hold of someone yesterday to pay it over the phone, but reception couldn't do it. Eventually, this morning they located someone who could do it for us and I rang them up to pay, and gave my card details over the phone, to which he said, he would confirm it and send me on a receipt, this was at 11:20 this morning, and I still haven't received anything.

Would it be appropriate to give them a gentle reminder or wait it out?

January · 09-01-2014 02:43PM

It was only this morning, give them 24 hours and then ring back and enquire, or pop an email through.

Triceratops Ballet · 09-01-2014 02:45PM

follow up now! you paid, you're entitled to a receipt and a confirmation letter of your booking. I used to plan weddings in a hotel and as soon as a payment was taken I'd have a contract and deposit receipt out to the couple. for my own sake as much as theirs. It's such a hectic job you have to be sure to file everything properly after each dealing with each couple because its such an emotive subject!

Edit: unless of course the wedding co-ordinator has a wedding in today, then unfortunately you're not the highest priority bride in her life at the moment

clumsyklutz · 09-01-2014 02:45PM

January wrote: »

It was only this morning, give them 24 hours and then ring back and enquire, or pop an email through.

Yeah, I was thinking that, but it just seemed to me if they took the card details there and then, a receipt would follow soon after. Think I'm just a little on edge :P

clumsyklutz · 09-01-2014 02:50PM

dottie_lottie wrote: »

follow up now! you paid, you're entitled to a receipt and a confirmation letter of your booking. I used to plan weddings in a hotel and as soon as a payment was taken I'd have a contract and deposit receipt out to the couple. for my own sake as much as theirs. It's such a hectic job you have to be sure to file everything properly after each dealing with each couple because its such an emotive subject!

Really? See that's the way I thought it was done, but everyone's just telling me to calm down, including a poster on here :P.

The lady who I was dealing with wasn't in though, and it was another gentleman who took my call and told me that he could do it. I did have to send on my e-mail correspondence with the other lady to him but gave him card details over the phone and asked for a prompt receipt so I know for sure I can start telling people!

Triceratops Ballet · 09-01-2014 02:58PM

if it was her you were dealing with I'd give her the time, to do a job like that you have to be very organised so I'm sure she'd remember about the receipt. But I used to hate my colleagues dealing with weddings on my day off cos invariably they would forget something, as it wasn't in their normal remit....maybe I'm just a control freak!!

clumsyklutz · 09-01-2014 03:10PM

dottie_lottie wrote: »

if it was her you were dealing with I'd give her the time, to do a job like that you have to be very organised so I'm sure she'd remember about the receipt. But I used to hate my colleagues dealing with weddings on my day off cos invariably they would forget something, as it wasn't in their normal remit....maybe I'm just a control freak!!

I'm sure she would have, as she was quite good at answering every question I had but as we had to take the money out of the Credit Union to put into our bank account we were anxious to get it out of the account before one of us spent it on something stupid!

That and if I don't get to tell someone soon I think I'll burst :P. God help the poor people that have to deal with me!

clint_silver · 09-01-2014 07:00PM

can you check with your visa card company to see was there a transaction?

TBH, Id be even surprised if its with one of the main companys you didnt get a call from them. Im with AIB and theyve called me several times over last couple of years to ask did I make a foriegn transaction (which I had, online).

clumsyklutz · 09-01-2014 07:25PM

clint_silver wrote: »

can you check with your visa card company to see was there a transaction?

TBH, Id be even surprised if its with one of the main companys you didnt get a call from them. Im with AIB and theyve called me several times over last couple of years to ask did I make a foriegn transaction (which I had, online).

He's with PTSB so they've never called! OH checked his account and money was still there (it's not a lot for a deposit TBH) but we still want it gone. Seems odd that they'd take the card number and not take the money out straight away.

AoifeCork · 09-01-2014 07:40PM

A gentle reminder to the email of the lady you have been dealing with wouldn't go amiss.

If she is busy with a wedding or another event today, she will see it later or tomorrow morning perhaps.

I usually go with "bank times" for stuff like this. If money is still there just after lunch tomorrow (2pm-ish) maybe give them another ring and check did they make the transaction.. That way they can still make transaction that day and maybe there will be a chance it will be processed by closing time tomorrow...

If not, then maybe enquire where your card details are hanging about and if they are being kept in a private file?.. That would be my big concern! I used to work for a company where "standard practice" was to have post it notes scattered everywhere with card numbers, names, CVNs and expiry dates galore! Nightmare...

clumsyklutz · 09-01-2014 07:45PM

AoifeCork wrote: »

A gentle reminder to the email of the lady you have been dealing with wouldn't go amiss.

If she is busy with a wedding or another event today, she will see it later or tomorrow morning perhaps.

I usually go with "bank times" for stuff like this. If money is still there just after lunch tomorrow (2pm-ish) maybe give them another ring and check did they make the transaction.. That way they can still make transaction that day and maybe there will be a chance it will be processed by closing time tomorrow...

If not, then maybe enquire where your card details are hanging about and if they are being kept in a private file?.. That would be my big concern! I used to work for a company where "standard practice" was to have post it notes scattered everywhere with card numbers, names, CVNs and expiry dates galore! Nightmare...

Thanks for advice! That's my main concern, that my details will be laying about for everyone to see, well that and I don't want the temptation of spending the money in the account!!!

The lady isn't in until Saturday AFAIK but I'll definitely e-mail the other gentleman tomorrow.

How long is appropriate to wait for a response for hotel deposit payment?

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