Moral of the Story is...

[Evan]

I don't see the problem with buuteeq, i mean if they now want to charge 10% commission then you just get a new website from someone else or get one commission for a few thousand that you "own".

 

[gillumhouse]

I don't see the problem with buuteeq, i mean if they now want to charge 10% commission then you just get a new website from someone else or get one commission for a few thousand that you "own"..

In ads, rack cards if they do them - there are places all over the place where one might have the web address. The whole idea is to make you to be found. It is not just as simple as just getting a new web site - the ols address is out there and they either pay up or go dark.

 

[gillumhouse]

I don't see the problem with buuteeq, i mean if they now want to charge 10% commission then you just get a new website from someone else or get one commission for a few thousand that you "own"..

In ads, rack cards if they do them - there are places all over the place where one might have the web address. The whole idea is to make you to be found. It is not just as simple as just getting a new web site - the ols address is out there and they either pay up or go dark.

 

[OnTheShore]

I don't see the problem with buuteeq, i mean if they now want to charge 10% commission then you just get a new website from someone else or get one commission for a few thousand that you "own"..

In ads, rack cards if they do them - there are places all over the place where one might have the web address. The whole idea is to make you to be found. It is not just as simple as just getting a new web site - the ols address is out there and they either pay up or go dark.
.

unless, of course, you own and control the domain name... if so, you can point it to a new hosting account easily enough.
If, however, you have ceded control of your domain name as well as the website itself, then .... creek, no paddle....

 

[Breakfast Diva]

I don't see the problem with buuteeq, i mean if they now want to charge 10% commission then you just get a new website from someone else or get one commission for a few thousand that you "own"..

I don't see the problem with buuteeq, i mean if they now want to charge 10% commission then you just get a new website from someone else or get one commission for a few thousand that you "own".

Evan, I expected you to say something like this. The product you're selling is much like this, isn't it? Your customer doesn't own the website. When you don't own your own website, you're at the mercy of the owner. They can change the terms any time they want. These innkeepers didn't sign up for a website that charges commissions, and by you saying what's the problem, just spend thousands of dollars getting a new one says you don't understand the small b&b business. A lot of these owners that signed up for buuteeq did so because it was a cheap option. Maybe they don't have thousands to spend on a new website and even if they did, it takes time to build a quality one. A b&b losing 10% of every sale that used to be free can cost some pretty big bucks quickly.

 

[happykeeper]

I don't see the problem with buuteeq, i mean if they now want to charge 10% commission then you just get a new website from someone else or get one commission for a few thousand that you "own"..

I don't see the problem with buuteeq, i mean if they now want to charge 10% commission then you just get a new website from someone else or get one commission for a few thousand that you "own".

Evan, I expected you to say something like this. The product you're selling is much like this, isn't it? Your customer doesn't own the website. When you don't own your own website, you're at the mercy of the owner. They can change the terms any time they want. These innkeepers didn't sign up for a website that charges commissions, and by you saying what's the problem, just spend thousands of dollars getting a new one says you don't understand the small b&b business. A lot of these owners that signed up for buuteeq did so because it was a cheap option. Maybe they don't have thousands to spend on a new website and even if they did, it takes time to build a quality one. A b&b losing 10% of every sale that used to be free can cost some pretty big bucks quickly.
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I agree BD. These practices are predatory. You get someone where you want them and drop the bomb. Just look at what the nice folks at Booking.com have done. These companies are not your friend. They are not loyal and they owe you nothing.

 

[Flower]

There seems to be a bit of a misconception around the buuteeq/BookingSuite website.
The 10% commission may apply to the new being contracted for. We have been using buuteeq/Bookingsuite for many years & we are not being charged 10% commission on bookings made using their booking engine.
We have been paying the same flat fee we have been since we have started with them. They advised clients like us that the flat fee will remain at the same level for perpetuity.
If they are offering free websites in exchange for the 10% commission then those that take it are making a business decision that is based on their concept of operation.
Now of course, we are paying to use their Digital Marketing System which includes hosting. They own the template (Design) but we own the contents - pics, text, etc. We are very pleased with our ability to make changes to the content including which of their many templates we want to use. If we decide to leave them, there is no penalty & we have up to 30 days to remove our contents.
Over the years, we have been very happy with their service. They are quick to respond to our questions & always ready to help us over the telephone or via e-mail in solving any issue we have had. They are ready to listen to us & implement changes that we have requested. There has never been an added charge for any assistance/change & we have not noticed a reduction in service since buuteeq has been bought out.
By the way, I am not so certain buuteeq was that cheap. The monthly charges over a few years would equal what you would pay to have a website built. The value of buuteeq was & remains is that they stay up with Google's many changes. If you own your own website, you have to deal with whomever built it to make the changes to keep abreast with Google. This takes time & money - a feature included within your buuteeq contract at no charge. Don't know if that is part of the new BookingSuite offer.

 

[Evan]

I don't see the problem with buuteeq, i mean if they now want to charge 10% commission then you just get a new website from someone else or get one commission for a few thousand that you "own"..

I don't see the problem with buuteeq, i mean if they now want to charge 10% commission then you just get a new website from someone else or get one commission for a few thousand that you "own".

Evan, I expected you to say something like this. The product you're selling is much like this, isn't it? Your customer doesn't own the website. When you don't own your own website, you're at the mercy of the owner. They can change the terms any time they want. These innkeepers didn't sign up for a website that charges commissions, and by you saying what's the problem, just spend thousands of dollars getting a new one says you don't understand the small b&b business. A lot of these owners that signed up for buuteeq did so because it was a cheap option. Maybe they don't have thousands to spend on a new website and even if they did, it takes time to build a quality one. A b&b losing 10% of every sale that used to be free can cost some pretty big bucks quickly.
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I don't think they changed any contracts from pay monthly into commission based. If they did then shame on them.
Yes my service works in much the same way (pay monthly), you just fill out the details with your text, images and other data (which you own) and the website engine creates a beautiful website for you.
You can make any change and get the website updated any time you wish. Any updates to the website engine or templates will be automatically applied to the hotels website.
What do you really own when you own your own website? Personally I think you own a lot of headaches of looking after it and keeping it updated and secure.
Buuteeq wasn't a cheap option, last time I got a quote from them for a 17 room property they wanted $250 a month and that did not include a PMS and Channel Manager. I'm not sure they have changed since last year so I may be mistaken.
I do understand small properties a lot and that's partially the reason I started my own business, I know that many small properties have no idea on websites and other digital assets so I wanted to help with a low cost entry solution.
I agree that their 10% "offer" is absolute bollocks, and is such a rip off it's amazing that anyone actually uses their service. I guess I need to find their customers and do some educating.