General Help and Questions

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Ribbon calendar still coming up as October 5 replies

Cheryl R.
Nov 6, 2019 6:51 AM
Member for 8 years 23 posts

Morning- since November 1, when I log on to Owner Rez, my ribbon calendar is still opening in October instead of November. Not a huge deal, but I would prefer it to open to November. Anyone out there know an easy fix?

Possible to push only minimum night rates to VRBO? 10 replies

Ken T
Nov 4, 2019 1:40 PM
OR Alum Member for 6 years 1704 posts

If you are using Channel Bridge to push rates, it's all or nothing. There isn't a way to selectively push rates. Given that, your suggested approach is the best one - import spots, update your min nights, push out.

You might also find this easier using the Rate Calendar, under Tools. Generally it's best to make changes in OwnerRez, and then push from there.

Possible to push only minimum night rates to VRBO? 10 replies

Rich S
Nov 4, 2019 10:33 AM
Member for 7 years 303 posts

I only want to update min nights, and I think I've manually changed some rates on VRBO, what's my best approach here? Do I first need to update the spot rates (nightly) to whatever is on vrbo and then overwrite them while adding in the min nights column?

Disentangling from BDC 5 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Nov 3, 2019 12:55 PM
Member for 9 years 1190 posts

After a 1+ year and 3 properties (initially 2), that platform is a total dud. I used channel manager, and even with that was exceedingly hard.
1)One of my properties was on my own (ownerrez ) payments. My settings were 60 days no cancellation.
Initially BDC would pass CC info to channel manager at time of booking, channel manager validates and stores card on file.
If card not valid it would send guest email to update card.
If not done, it would cancel within 24 hrs.

Well BDC decided to change rules mid flight on my already existing property. They STOPPED sending CC info to channel .. channel expects card due to settings.. I am emailing and calling BDC.. mess goes on for 2 weeks. Until finally someone at BDC says that oh yeah, they will NOW only provide cc info 2 WEEKS prior to arrival. Great idea (NOT!). So if the card is bad, the reservation would have occupied my calendar all that time till 2 weeks prior to arrival??? Then CS says you can switch to BDC payments and they will validate the card. Great, but I am not able to - the dashboard says I am <<already>> on BDC payments (which I am not - I am on channel payments). They say they are looking into it (I guess still looking to this day). So property stuck neither here nor there and cannot be corrected.
2) My property 2 is on channel payments.
3) property 3 is on BDC payments.

I ask BDC - can we make it all the same, one way or another? apparently not with BDC. Coz there is some glitch. and they change settings on the fly do everything conflicts with everything now.

With all that torture, I maybe had 4 bookings that actually stayed in 1+ years among 3 properties. Not much for all that trouble. Add to that one bogus chargeback (renter claimed it was "fraud" after booking, sending me her ID and signing rental agreement - I guess she did not realize she could not cancel) and overly "slow" renters. The platform is HORRENDOUS, buggy, ever changing and UTTERLY unsuitable for vacation rentals. I cannot fathom how they can be #1 anywhere. FWIW

Disentangling from BDC 5 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Nov 3, 2019 12:39 PM
Member for 9 years 1190 posts

I have disconnected on Bdc side, how do I disable on OR side? thnaks

Additional Charges 1 reply

Stacie S
Nov 3, 2019 9:58 AM
Member for 6 years 24 posts

Found the answer!

Additional Charges 1 reply

Stacie S
Nov 2, 2019 8:51 PM
Member for 6 years 24 posts

I want to be able to offer things like beach chair rentals and late check out as options for my guest. I know how to set that up as a surcharge where I can add it to their reservation...but is there a way that they can see it as an option they can chose to add when they are booking directly on the website?

chrome plugin for channel bridge is erratic 2 replies

Chris Hynes
Nov 2, 2019 6:06 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1405 posts

This was caused by an update on VRBO's site and solved in Channel Bridge v 10.15.

default rental agreement 3 replies

Chris Hynes
Nov 2, 2019 6:05 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1405 posts

Right now you've got a renter agreement template but the criteria is set to Listing Sites: None so it will never be applicable.

If you want to use that instead of the default, set it to Listing Sites: All on the criteria.

If you don't want an agreement signed at all, go to the Rules section of the property and set the Legal Agreement rule to "No agreement will be signed" -- looks like you already found this one.

Brief Overview of Spot Rates (import/view/manage/push to VRBO) 7 replies

Chris Hynes
Nov 2, 2019 6:03 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1405 posts

VRBO no longer supports month rates -- instead they do length of stay discounts. Here's how to set that up: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/length-of-stay-discounts

When you're API connected, the updates will go over to VRBO within 15 minutes or so.

Call out page and cancellation policy 4 replies

Chris Hynes
Nov 2, 2019 5:38 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1405 posts

Yep, @Tim K, it's just something written into your agreement right now. We know there are cases for initialling clauses, a cancellation policy that's automatically enforced, etc. but cancellation is so rare and often has special cases so right now you're in full control of refunds etc and the system will not automatically refund for you. You will just follow the policy you outline in your renter agreement.

Disentangling from BDC 5 replies

Chris Hynes
Nov 2, 2019 5:36 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1405 posts

Ouch, sorry to hear it!

BDC support should be able to set a closed flag on their side on the properties which may be the best as then it's their responsibility.

Or you could go into the Channel Manager section of booking.com and disconnect from OwnerRez. Then you'll be able to set the calendar manually on the BDC side.

Disentangling from BDC 5 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Nov 2, 2019 5:18 PM
Member for 9 years 1190 posts

I finally had it. Just not worth it. Sent them email to discontinue my properties. I have couple of pending stays.
Properties show "closed/not bookable", but how do I know they truly are - when I go onto calendar on BDC it still shows some green dates?
How long should I keep channel connected to prevent bookings?
Right now I set arrival time from 2 to 3 days in future, that should essentially prevent new bookings. Their help article says I need to block calendar o their site but I cannot do that as it is controlled by channel. help?

Channel bridge import from vrbo double imports guest 1st name 1 reply

Chris Hynes
Nov 2, 2019 5:13 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1405 posts

Yep, looks like VRBO recently changed their iCal to include only First Name instead of both First and Last Name and this threw off the logic.

We've released a hotfix, let me know how it looks on your next channel bridge.

Channel bridge import from vrbo double imports guest 1st name 1 reply

BlueMtnCabins
Nov 2, 2019 12:09 PM
Member for 9 years 1190 posts

But no last name. Such as Jane Doe gets imported as Jane Jane.

Had to fix.
Booking # ORB2253920 - Michelle Michelle at Blue Mountain Lodge
Arriving Apr 3, 2020 and departing Apr 6 for a total of 3 nights with 7 adults

Call out page and cancellation policy 4 replies

Tim K
Nov 2, 2019 10:27 AM
Member for 8 years 79 posts

Isn't that just something written into your agreement? I'm not sure where else you'd want to have that? OR doesn't have the ability to initial clauses in an agreement, just e-sign the whole thing.

Call out page and cancellation policy 4 replies

Melissa J
Nov 2, 2019 10:01 AM
Member for 6 years 2 posts

I cannot figure out where or how to add our cancellation/ refund policy-- which is "NO REFUNDS will be given should you cancel, however you will have 1 year from original date of arrival to rebook your stay"
Do I make a custom field? Under booking or reservation??? And how can they initial beside it?
I also read something about a call field maybe going into effect and that was in 2014????? Surely its gone into effect, I just cant find it...

How do I set up a different payout per property? 3 replies

Ken T
Nov 1, 2019 6:37 PM
OR Alum Member for 6 years 1704 posts

It looks to me like you've already done it... I'm looking at your Settings > Payment Methods display, and it shows two Stripe entries, each of which is attached to a different property. You do that in the settings for the payment method entry, and I think you did that correctly. Can't attach a screenshot here though... if you need more, please open a help ticket where we can communicate privately.

How do I set up a different payout per property? 3 replies

Adrienne M
Nov 1, 2019 5:40 PM
Member for 6 years 8 posts

Thanks Ken. I was able to figure out how to set up a new stripe account but I don't know how to attach the accounts to the correct property in Ownerrez. I was scrolling through the forum and didn't see anything that stood out to me, but I really don't know what to look for. Can you point me in the right direction? Thank you

How do I set up a different payout per property? 3 replies

Ken T
Nov 1, 2019 11:18 AM
OR Alum Member for 6 years 1704 posts

You have to make a new Payment Processor entry for each separate Stripe account. Then you can apply each one to a different property. There's no limit on the number of different payment processor accounts you can have.

Crash Convert Block(iCal) to Booking 13 replies

Marcos B
Oct 31, 2019 5:56 PM
Member for 6 years 25 posts

Ow... works under IE :( do not works with Chrome

Crash Convert Block(iCal) to Booking 13 replies

Marcos B
Oct 31, 2019 5:54 PM
Member for 6 years 25 posts

It's make no sense, because block off is already on ORB side, right? Or it still having relationship with iCal?

How do I set up a different payout per property? 3 replies

Adrienne M
Oct 31, 2019 3:40 PM
Member for 6 years 8 posts

I have two rentals and the each have their own bank account. I set up an account with Stripe. I can figure out how to add the second account on Stripe but I can't figure out how to to assign different APIs from stripe to each property. Hope I'm explaining this clearly. I want each property to have it's own Stripe payout bank account. Is this possible?
Thank you!

Brief Overview of Spot Rates (import/view/manage/push to VRBO) 7 replies

Trident P
Oct 31, 2019 9:51 AM
Member for 8 years 15 posts

I cannot seem to figure this out, any help is appreciated. I have API integration. I want to change my rates for January so that if someone wants to book the whole month it is a set amount - let's say $50 a day for 30 days, so $1500 for the month. However, if they only want to book 3 days it would be $85 a day.

How do I do this? Right now I just have the daily rate set, when someone inquires about a month stay (as in a snowbird) through VRBO, it gives the a quote at $85 a night for 30 days which is way more than the monthly rate.

Also, when I make changes on the rates, how long does that take to reflect in VRBO.

I have someone right now inquiring for the monthly rate, so I did a spot rate for the month at $50 a day with a min of 30 days. But I do not see that it is updating in the quote VRBO gave them for the inquiry.

I have to be missing something.

Marcy

Email Marketing Processes 2 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Oct 29, 2019 10:31 AM
Member for 9 years 1190 posts

Joe S said:

Are you using a 3rd party process to stay in touch with your customers via email? What is recommended? Will take tips and pointers here. I am not interested in emailing frequently, so I am not sure which would be the best company to use or if the functionality I need is right here in owner rez. Thanks!

I use mailchimp and send periodic specials/ newsletters. I have been doing for 3 years. at least once a quarter, sometimes more. Very limited success (maybe 2-3 bookings that I can trace)

Email Marketing Processes 2 replies

Rich S
Oct 29, 2019 9:22 AM
Member for 7 years 303 posts

great question, I'm interested in hearing whether anyone has had success doing this. I already get some repeat business and I assume I'd get more since surely some people have forgotten my info.

Email Marketing Processes 2 replies

Sarah H
Oct 29, 2019 6:35 AM
Member for 6 years 110 posts

Are you using a 3rd party process to stay in touch with your customers via email? What is recommended? Will take tips and pointers here. I am not interested in emailing frequently, so I am not sure which would be the best company to use or if the functionality I need is right here in owner rez. Thanks!

Report Listing Guests who have not yet signed the legal agreement 1 reply

Rich S
Oct 28, 2019 11:04 PM
Member for 7 years 303 posts

You can filter the booking report, such as the ribbon, to highlight bookings that have or have not signed the agreement.

You can also set up an email trigger to send yourself an email if legal agreement wasn’t signed, I do this for some days after booking created.

The forum search feature is in the help page. Or rather the help search will find forum articles.

default rental agreement 3 replies

Lydia B
Oct 28, 2019 6:26 PM
Member for 6 years 159 posts

Found it! If you again look at "Settings", "branding and legal", then "form messages." I have disabled step #3 where they would sign the agreement. Beyond that, you can edit the header for each page in the process. Since I have guests sign an agreement outside of OR, I put this in the header of Step #1:

Please look over the following quote and make sure the details are correct.  When you are finished, click the button at the bottom of the page to begin finalizing your reservation.  Your dates will not be reserved until you've completed the acceptance process.  IMPORTANT:  MAKE SURE YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RENTAL AGREEMENT BEFORE FINALIZING YOUR BOOKING.  A formal agreement will be emailed separately for your signature.  A generic rental agreement may be viewed here:  
RENTAL AGRMNT - OwnerRez.pdf

default rental agreement 3 replies

Lydia B
Oct 28, 2019 6:10 PM
Member for 6 years 159 posts

Have you looked at "Settings" then "System Messages" then "Send Renter Agreement Form to Guest"? Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but you can turn that off so the automated message does not go out. I know I also did something else, but can't remember right now. I'll look - I just remember it's part of the steps to book and pay for a reservation.