VR BO? Anyone?

[Silverspoon]

Just wondering if anyone uses this listing site. Arks? And what’s your experience been.
In our transition from B and B to guest house I am exploring possibly listing with VR BO. We have never used an OTA for the B and B because there was not much competition in town for full service, high end lodging. Our location, TA listing and Fodor’s, Frommer reviews were great for the Band B. But vacation rentals abound and It seems like I might have to jump onboard the pay-per-reservation train! Looking for the best way to get our cottage out there to those looking for a vacation rental.
Any help appreciated.

 

[Morticia]

Is there a rental company in town? Generally, they will handle everything, including cleaning and getting waivers signed and getting deposits.
The % will be more, but there's a buffer between you and the problems.

 

[Arks]

I was with them a couple of years, but at the time they were charging about $700/year to be listed (no additional charge when I had a rental). I never got much business from them, so I dropped it about a year ago. Not worth it to me.
Other areas might get more business from them, but people in this part of the country never heard of VR_BO.

 

[Silverspoon]

I was with them a couple of years, but at the time they were charging about $700/year to be listed (no additional charge when I had a rental). I never got much business from them, so I dropped it about a year ago. Not worth it to me.
Other areas might get more business from them, but people in this part of the country never heard of VR_BO..

Thanks, Arks. Lots of visitors use that service out this way and with the 8% fee for booking as opposed to a flat fee it might work for us...to at least get our name out there in the vacation rental market.

 

[Silverspoon]

Is there a rental company in town? Generally, they will handle everything, including cleaning and getting waivers signed and getting deposits.
The % will be more, but there's a buffer between you and the problems..

At the moment we are renting the cottage as either a B&B or Guest House using just our web site and our locaton to attract new guests. I am not ready to give up control to a realtor quite yet, although it will be in the plan in the next 5 years. For now I’m looking to find one other source to supplement our bookings in order to beef up the Guest House bookings.
In the meantime I am recertifying my Servsafe and still offering all the bells and whistles of the B& B for the house and cottage, but on a limited basis....encouraging our regular guests to try the Guest House option by reducing their rate.

 

[Morticia]

Is there a rental company in town? Generally, they will handle everything, including cleaning and getting waivers signed and getting deposits.
The % will be more, but there's a buffer between you and the problems..

At the moment we are renting the cottage as either a B&B or Guest House using just our web site and our locaton to attract new guests. I am not ready to give up control to a realtor quite yet, although it will be in the plan in the next 5 years. For now I’m looking to find one other source to supplement our bookings in order to beef up the Guest House bookings.
In the meantime I am recertifying my Servsafe and still offering all the bells and whistles of the B& B for the house and cottage, but on a limited basis....encouraging our regular guests to try the Guest House option by reducing their rate.
.

I sincerely hope Gomez took the last ServSafe test in 2016.

 

[Silverspoon]

Is there a rental company in town? Generally, they will handle everything, including cleaning and getting waivers signed and getting deposits.
The % will be more, but there's a buffer between you and the problems..

At the moment we are renting the cottage as either a B&B or Guest House using just our web site and our locaton to attract new guests. I am not ready to give up control to a realtor quite yet, although it will be in the plan in the next 5 years. For now I’m looking to find one other source to supplement our bookings in order to beef up the Guest House bookings.
In the meantime I am recertifying my Servsafe and still offering all the bells and whistles of the B& B for the house and cottage, but on a limited basis....encouraging our regular guests to try the Guest House option by reducing their rate.
.

I sincerely hope Gomez took the last ServSafe test in 2016.
.

Yeah, well I thought the last time was MY last time too....but we have built a strong following because of our breakfasts so we can’t give it up just yet. It’s that double edge sword of distinguishing yourself with amenities you would like to discontinue but can’t.
Thank goodness we never got into family friendly, pet oriented, groups, special events, or too much mingling with guests. But, we are a bed and BREAKFAST so there is no way to eliminate that without sacrificing all our good will.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

People looking for houses or cottages around here go straight to air. I'd probably list with the local Summer Rental company.