General Help and Questions

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Two name fields on guest record 3 replies

TheGrandHacienda
Dec 17, 2019 10:36 PM
Joined Apr, 2018 17 posts

Hi - it would be great to be able to enter two different names on a CRM record...for those who are partners or have different last names but should be on the same record. Thanks!

Channel bridge import - you have to enable channel management to use C/B? 3 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Dec 17, 2019 9:09 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1159 posts

?

Affiliating a VRBO Review with Specific Guest 5 replies

Lydia B
Dec 17, 2019 7:34 PM
Joined May, 2019 159 posts

Bumping this in hopes Chris or Ken can tell us what's going on. THANKS!

Deleting templates 4 replies

Rich S
Dec 17, 2019 4:05 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

Ken T said:

You shouldn't be getting stuck in a Catch-22 like this. Can you write in a support request to help@ownerreservations.com and tell us the specific name of the template and triggers that is doing this to you?

I'm having a problem too....

triggers I can't delete
- allergies
- yapping dog
- car payment

email templates I can't delete
- Are you drowning in debt?
- Have Arthritis Pain, then this message is for you !!!
- We have your wanted meds at low prices only

Is it a problem that I'm sending 10,000 of these an hour from Owner Rez?

;-)

Deleting templates 4 replies

Ken T
Dec 17, 2019 3:50 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

You shouldn't be getting stuck in a Catch-22 like this. Can you write in a support request to help@ownerreservations.com and tell us the specific name of the template and triggers that is doing this to you?

Deleting templates 4 replies

Lydia C
Dec 17, 2019 1:04 PM
Joined Oct, 2016 4 posts

I am trying to delete a few email templates. They say they can't be deleted because they are associated with triggers. I tried to delete the triggers, but it says that they can't be deleted because they are associated with email templates.

Adding a third party to process payments 1 reply

Ken T
Dec 17, 2019 9:26 AM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

If you have low volume, we've found that Stripe is more willing to establish a merchant account for you than other providers. You might give them a call.

As far as using your PM for payments, the simplest solution would be if your PM would agree to use OwnerRez, or to allow you to use his payment processor in your OwnerRez account to receive payment. That would work normally.

Otherwise, what did you have in mind for payment - that your guests would be sent over to some other website where your PM is able to accept payments? You could give instructions for that in "Add A Custom Payment Method", but I think a lot of guests would find that kind of sketchy and be reluctant. You'd also have no automatic way of knowing who made what payments when, and of course OwnerRez wouldn't be able to schedule or collect any payments on its own. We don't recommend this approach.

Hosting Fees default commission... 6 replies

Sherri Z
Dec 16, 2019 11:49 PM
Joined Oct, 2019 2 posts

I found the setting. Please ignore / delete this post. Thanks!

Hosting Fees default commission... 6 replies

Sherri Z
Dec 16, 2019 11:00 PM
Joined Oct, 2019 2 posts

Hi there!

New to OR this month. In our environment we don't do commission on hosting fees (but oddly, we do on taxes collected).

For the hosting fees, is there an option to set them specifically to "Deduct Commission at [ ]%?"

I see that I can do it manually on each transaction associated to each booking, but I'd rather have it deducted by default as not to pay commission on the amount.

More Detail:
We are API integrated to AirBNB, VRBO, Booking.com. When we receive bookings at least from AirBNB integrated, a "AirBNB Host Fee" is created automatically and commission is generated based on "Gross" instead of "Net" charges. If there is a different approach I'm all ears...

Thanks!

How to generate a mailing address list (snail mail, not email) to export to Excel 2 replies

Ken T
Dec 16, 2019 12:56 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

The CRM > Guests report includes snail mail addresses, and can be exported to Excel.

You can find a similar report containing a list of guest email addresses under Reports > Mailing List, which also can be exported to Excel.

Both these are driven directly by the main database that stores guest information as it is available, and will include whatever has been recorded.

Stripe Error 1 reply

Ken T
Dec 16, 2019 12:44 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

For anyone who is setting up a Stripe account and runs into this error, this support document will be useful:

https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/stripe-process-payments-unsafely-setting

Adding a third party to process payments 1 reply

Becky G
Dec 15, 2019 11:32 PM
Joined Nov, 2019 29 posts

I am still undecided about setting up my own merchant account due to my low volume of direct bookings. I currently have my PM handle all my payments, and then of course the other big websites as well. Is it possible to add a link to my PM under the category "Add A Custom Payment Method" so that renters can still instant book but so that all my payments for direct bookings run through my PM?

How to generate a mailing address list (snail mail, not email) to export to Excel 2 replies

Becky G
Dec 15, 2019 8:10 PM
Joined Nov, 2019 29 posts

Yes i would be interested in this as well, but for email. Could guest email addresses automatically populate, upon confirmation of booking, to a collective list?

Stripe Error 1 reply

Leonardo d
Dec 15, 2019 7:55 PM
Joined Oct, 2019 25 posts

Hi Guys... it's a second VRBO guest trying to pay with card and I receive this error message:
"Error processing card: The bank did not approve this request. Details: Sending credit card numbers directly to the Stripe API is generally unsafe. To continue processing use Stripe.js, the Stripe mobile bindings, or Stripe Elements. For more information, see https://dashboard.stripe.com/account/integration/settings."

What was my mistake? :)

How to generate a mailing address list (snail mail, not email) to export to Excel 2 replies

Myra
Dec 15, 2019 11:14 AM
Joined Jul, 2017 1 post

How do I generate a mailing address list (snail mail, not email) to export to Excel, so that I can print labels and send a gift to my guests from the past year? I don't see any reports that include guest mailing addresses. Thanks in advance for your help!

Send a Trigger on a Specific Date 5 replies

Chris Hynes
Dec 14, 2019 7:31 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

Yep, the system in OwnerRez isn't built for sending out newsletters. Our email provider only allows sending transactional email related to a specific booking, not a seasonal blast. When you're doing a newsletter, different rules apply -- CAN-SPAM act, unsubscribe links.

Instead, look in the Reports section for the Mailing List report -- that'll give you a dump of email addresses, just export to Excel. Then if there's just a few do the BCC method Rich mentioned. For more, use a tool like MailChimp or Constant Contact. That'll let you import the mailing list and create a really nice looking newsletter template. MailChimp is free for up to 2000 email addresses, so it's a great way to do a professional newsletter out to your guests.

Merchant_Foundry monthly charges 1 reply

Chris Hynes
Dec 14, 2019 7:28 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

We don't have any charge for analytics in OwnerRez, that's just something you enter in on this side.

Did you work with a someone else, a different company or person, to set up your analytics? We don't offer that service here, we just have that box in the settings where you can enter the analytics ID and we start sending the data to Google Analytics.

Airbnb API - keeps showing "Importing" on Airbnb side 3 replies

Chris Hynes
Dec 14, 2019 7:25 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

"Importing" is a status that used to mean something but doesn't really anymore. Try going to Change Property Mappings, set the property to disabled, save, then come back and set it back to Everything. Typically that'll fix it.

You won't be edit the items in the listing that are pushed from OwnerRez on the Airbnb side -- they disable all of the buttons when API connected.

Airbnb API - keeps showing "Importing" on Airbnb side 3 replies

Rich S
Dec 14, 2019 4:58 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

This might be self-inflicted. I've "snoozed" my listing until June 11th from Airbnb's dashboard, and after that I fully configured the OwnerRez API and (hopefully) all settings including taxes over on the OR side. I associated an OR property with my Airbnb property and allowed them to synch.

That all worked, I see photos and lots of other details that appear to be correct.

However, when I look at Listings in the Airbnb dashboard this property is continually showing "Importing" and it doesn't seem that I can edit anything else in the listing.

In OR for this property the Sync Status == Everything and the Listing Status == Inactive.

I'm a little paranoid about turning the listing on until I've exhaustively looked at fees, surcharges, rates, etc and confirmed that they are all correct. But perhaps my snoozing is interfering with the completion of importing?

Send a Trigger on a Specific Date 5 replies

Rich S
Dec 14, 2019 1:56 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

Lydia B said:

I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to send a trigger email on a specific date. For instance: Would like to send a Merry Christmas, or maybe a Happy New Year message to all previous guests.

If I were doing this occasionally I would just export the list of bookings that I want to email, then take the spreadsheet and grab only the email addresses. Then I’d combine them all with commas in between, And just paste them into my own email client. Or of course I could send the email from Ownerrez it self.

All you really need is a list of comma separated email addresses. Once youhave that you could paste it into any place where you were sending an email from

I think as long as you’re dealing with 50 or less you shouldn’t have to worry.

The Excel formula would be something like this, assuming that you have all of the email addresses in a single column, one address per row.

= A1 & “, “

If your email addresses are in a column starting at cell A1, type the formula above into the cell B2 and Then copy the formula down word. What you’ll find in the last cell in the B column will be all of the addresses separated by commas

Does pushing spot rates overwrite already booked dates with a (possibly) new rate? 5 replies

Rich S
Dec 14, 2019 1:41 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

I

Val Rogers said:

Hi Rich,

I'm curious...when you enter Spot Rates in OR, do you enter them directly on the Rates Calendar? Or do you use the OR import/export spreadsheet to do it?

If you use the OR spreadsheet then you could just create a new spreadsheet and save it to document those rates.

Or, have a "Master" spreadsheet to archive the rates and each time you change the spot rates just copy that particular OR spreadsheet onto a new page of the Master, with maybe the date as the name of the sheet?

I start at the beginning of ski season with a spreadsheet. An also at beginning of summer season. In between I make countless minor adjustments using the new rate calendar.

I agree I can track it outside of ownerrez with spreadsheets, and in fact I try to export a new spreadsheet after each session of changes with rate calendar. But even though I’m extremely experienced with excel it’s still a pain to try to determine how rates changed over time.

A database would Be a much better approach, especially if it could automatically display a small visual of rate changes per date.

So in short, it’s just too hard to do outside or OR, that’s why I’m asking them to add a history feature.

Send a Trigger on a Specific Date 5 replies

Lydia B
Dec 14, 2019 12:50 PM
Joined May, 2019 159 posts

That would work, but I'm lazy! :) Not sure I want to be repeating that process 50 times or more. Would be nice to be able to send to everyone without going through something like that.

Using API and want to block certain check in/out dates 3 replies

Lydia B
Dec 14, 2019 12:46 PM
Joined May, 2019 159 posts

Lots of folks in my area (Smoky Mountains of TN) don't allow check-in or out on a holiday. Most of us also require longer stays for a holiday. I don't know your market so hard to say what you should do. Also, keeping housekeeping happy is SO IMPORTANT!

Using API and want to block certain check in/out dates 3 replies

Val Rogers
Dec 14, 2019 11:35 AM
Joined Oct, 2016 34 posts

I recently had a conversation with our housekeeper about scheduling cleanings on a holiday (like Christmas or Christmas Eve). My solution is if we take a booking that checks out on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day I'll just block off that night so that we don't get a booking arriving on that day.

Yes, it means I might cheat myself out of one night's rent...but is the chance of this happening greater than the possibility that you might be hurting your opportunities of renting your holiday week by placing a requirement on when the guest can check out?

Does pushing spot rates overwrite already booked dates with a (possibly) new rate? 5 replies

Val Rogers
Dec 14, 2019 11:25 AM
Joined Oct, 2016 34 posts

Hi Rich,

I'm curious...when you enter Spot Rates in OR, do you enter them directly on the Rates Calendar? Or do you use the OR import/export spreadsheet to do it?

If you use the OR spreadsheet then you could just create a new spreadsheet and save it to document those rates.

Or, have a "Master" spreadsheet to archive the rates and each time you change the spot rates just copy that particular OR spreadsheet onto a new page of the Master, with maybe the date as the name of the sheet?

Merchant_Foundry monthly charges 1 reply

cp9293
Dec 14, 2019 11:20 AM
Joined Apr, 2012 395 posts

Anyone else being charged a surprise $19.95 monthly charge for analysis? I have been charged since May.

Paul, is this connected anyway to OwnerRez?

Thank you,
Claudia

Send a Trigger on a Specific Date 5 replies

Val Rogers
Dec 14, 2019 11:19 AM
Joined Oct, 2016 34 posts

Hi Lydia,

This solution is not as smooth & seamless as a trigger, but it would work:

You could create your email template first. Then (even though you'd have to do this manually on each booking) you can use the "Scheduled Emails" option at the bottom of the "Email" queue/tab. That option allows you to select your specific template and then choose "Send on the specific date of" and pick the date from the date-picker calendar.

Affiliating a VRBO Review with Specific Guest 5 replies

Val Rogers
Dec 14, 2019 11:14 AM
Joined Oct, 2016 34 posts

Hi Lydia,

I recently downloaded all of our reviews from both VRBO/Homeaway and Airbnb. I hadn't realised you could see the guest's review on the booking until you mentioned it in your post.

I just checked my reviews, and I see the same thing. I can see Airbnb reviews on the guest's booking, but not the VRBO/Homeaway. So, I don't think this is only happening to your reviews.

I'll be interested in hearing what the OR Support staff has to say about this.

Affiliating a VRBO Review with Specific Guest 5 replies

Lydia B
Dec 13, 2019 9:02 PM
Joined May, 2019 159 posts

I'm being dumb, again.
I know how to import reviews from OTAs. But, when I look at specific bookings, the only ones which display the guest's review are those who booked thru AirBnB. I know my VRBO reviews have imported to OR because I can see them in the list of reviews. But when I go to that booking, there's nothing under "Reviews." What am I doing wrong?

Send a Trigger on a Specific Date 5 replies

Lydia B
Dec 13, 2019 8:57 PM
Joined May, 2019 159 posts

I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to send a trigger email on a specific date. For instance: Would like to send a Merry Christmas, or maybe a Happy New Year message to all previous guests.