Refunding of deposits - opinions please

[InletBchDweller]

I think that if it was 2008 then keep the $$ but lord, it is quite a while away and I am sure the place will get re-booked. In this day and age it seems the company would not want to chase away a customer....I think it stinks...:angry: even though it is only $50.

 

[scooterbug44]

Many people book in advance, there's no telling how many people would have like to book the same property while being held for you. In addition there is also the actual processing of the refund. Was this paid back via check? Those things cost money. That and a book keeper had to process it and then mail it.

I understand the advance booking issue, that's why I don't think a last minute cancellation should get a refund, but 9 months notice gives plenty of time to fill that room - especially for June.

Mailing a refund check does cost money, but I consider it part of the day to day operation and overhead of the business and not a $50 charge to pass onto someone who has already given you thousands of dollars in business.

 

[Matt J]

So I found an interesting thing on a local rental companies website...

http://www.rivardnet.com/rns/search/rentalterms.aspx

I found this by going to the companies website and then clicking on the very obvious link to "Rental Policies". I realize this is a long document, however the first paragraph is pretty clear.

If you don't read it = don't sign it!

 

[UofL]

They changed the website the day after I complained. I did print out a copy of it a couple of days before where it states JAN 2008.

 

[ShallowsNole]

After deducting the reservation fee, did they refund any of the rest of your deposit?

I can understand the reservation fee...that's pretty common, and I think that just about any of the local companies would still charge it. Haven't a clue why they would keep any of the rest so far out.

Do keep in mind that your being a repeat customer may not be apparent (unless you told them). Property management personnel change rapidly, and records from three years ago are not generally readily available. At least they aren't when I ask for them.

Good luck -

 

[yippie]

Also, if you paid in full using a credit card, the company not only has to pay the percentage when you made the reservation, some merchant services charge a fee when you refund, (credit back) a credit card.

Fees the rental company has to pay can be excessive......

 

[Matt J]

Also, if you paid in full using a credit card, the company not only has to pay the percentage when you made the reservation, some merchant services charge a fee when you refund, (credit back) a credit card.

Fees the rental company has to pay can be excessive......

I'd change processors, if we refund a credit card we don't pay a fee, that simple. I've never heard of paying a fee to refund.

 

[Minnie]

After deducting the reservation fee, did they refund any of the rest of your deposit?

I can understand the reservation fee...that's pretty common, and I think that just about any of the local companies would still charge it. Haven't a clue why they would keep any of the rest so far out.

Do keep in mind that your being a repeat customer may not be apparent (unless you told them). Property management personnel change rapidly, and records from three years ago are not generally readily available. At least they aren't when I ask for them.

Good luck -

My understanding is the deposit was refunded in full minus the processing fee of $50. I have never found any rental company in the area that this was not the norm. In fact some are much higher than that and don't handle refunds of any kind, they only offer travel insurance.

 

[spinDrAtl]

I guess it depends on what your rental agreement actually says. Obviously, things may be different for a rental company with multiple properties, but as an individual, my policy is usually (sometimes varies but always clearly spelled out):

Cancellations greater than 60 days in advance - full refund except cc processing fees, if any.

60-45 days - $25 fee - basically because I have held the property for some time, may have turned away other renters, and now may scramble to rent it and also, as stated by someone above, will have a number of tasks to process the refund and try to re-rent the unit.

45 days or less - no refund unless rebooked. Same reason as above except now it is truly last minute. We always recommend travel insurance right in our rental agreement.