17/12/2024
🚨 Did you know? On platforms such as AirBNB, VRBO etc... They BLOCK words and phrases such as 'email me' 'call me' 'contact' 'text' 'locate' 'google' 'cheaper' 'contact us' 'direct' 'price' 'whatsapp' 'website' and any numbers so you just can't form a logical sentence e.g. Your welcome to contact me directly for a better price - WHY?
Because they usually add a substantial service fee onto your booking which they get. Now while that seems reasonable for a service, owners also pay them annual membership and another booking fee (aprox 14-20%) gets deducted after the base price so its quite a difference (between 20-30%) between what is paid by a guest and what is received.
🚨 BUT booking direct isn't SAFE? 🚨
✨TRUE owners CAN verify themselves
✨Are they registered on google maps?
✨Do they have their own website (see when it was created)?
✨Have they got reviews that clearly show a history (reviews in 2011 and forwards).
✨If really in doubt, call their number and ask for a LIVE VIEWING of the property or even visit before booking.
Everyone is capable of doing a little due diligence and saving hundreds of £'s.
