General Help and Questions

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OpenEdge - I DO NOT recommend! 24 replies

JTVRs
Mar 12, 2019 5:05 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

Talked to Lynbrook today. Nice people, VR specialists.

I told him my focus was not the cheapest price. And obviously you cannot use them for Airbnb and the HomeAway family because they use their own.

Will probably be activating this in a few weeks, when I'm closer to actually being live with vacation rentals

OpenEdge - I DO NOT recommend! 24 replies

ShenRent
Mar 11, 2019 7:58 PM
Joined Dec, 2009 59 posts

Check on Allrisks. Find an agent that sells them They've covered us for years with special short-term policies. I believe they're backed by Lloyds of London. https://www.allrisks.com/

OpenEdge - I DO NOT recommend! 24 replies

JTVRs
Mar 11, 2019 7:26 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but Blue's pain with openedge is how I feel

I have gone to 3 independent agencies.

Nationwide is looking promising. They had much better deal than cbiz (much higher actual cash value coverage for significantly lower price) and I am waiting for them to get back to me on the multifamily (has two commercial spaces alsop)

Of course, they haven't asked the questions above yet. They might ask questions and then drop me...

I may wind up with patchwork on the mutifamily. landlord policy which is pretty cheap, $2 million policy for cheap, and safelystay which has a middling pay per booking service. But if nationwide offers a decent price and doesnt drop me, I would go with that...

OpenEdge - I DO NOT recommend! 24 replies

Rich S
Mar 11, 2019 5:36 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

JTVR - every insurance company is different. They all have different underwriting guidelines, but I know the pain you're going through. My wife has an Allstate agency and I've seen lots of weird situations. Just move on to the next company and try them. Or try an independent agent, they might be better able to fit you with a company that **wants** these kind of properties.

OpenEdge - I DO NOT recommend! 24 replies

JTVRs
Mar 11, 2019 5:25 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

I am going thru hell trying to get a new VR ins policy for two diff buildings

Cbiz won't do my multifamily. What, you mean there's a common hallway? We can't do that.

There is only one exit from the second floor?

Do you have hard-wired smoke alarms? ( it would be over $10,000 for this large building)

Slice wouldn't do the building because there was a commercial space in the first floor...

How old is a building? Do you have knob and tube wiring?

We can only do actual cash value. Of course that means we will seriously depreciate any work like a roof or windows or etcetera Etc

You live in the building? We can't insure that!

You don't live in the building? We can't insure that!

Sprinklers?

Where are the nearest hydrants? Firehouse?

Is the building ever vacant? (no, vac rentals are never vacant. Have u ever covered this before???)

Do you allow people? (OK, made that one up)

OpenEdge - I DO NOT recommend! 24 replies

JTVRs
Mar 11, 2019 5:14 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

Online transactions like vacation rentals, especially card not present, are probably in the high risk category. Think Lynbrook specialized in VRs. Maybe openedge not. This kind of stuff may only get worse.

OpenEdge - I DO NOT recommend! 24 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Mar 11, 2019 2:22 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

Oh, initial conversation was fine too. he offered slightly lower rate than stripe. but now dragging me through over 3 weeks of 3rd degree...exhausted my patience. Not worth it.

OpenEdge - I DO NOT recommend! 24 replies

Rich S
Mar 11, 2019 2:08 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

I checked with Lynnbrook about 3 months ago and got a call from a very knowledgeable person. He was surprisingly open about how their system works, costs, etc, spent about 15 mins on the phone with me. I was impressed at least with that call, but haven't activated them yet (awaiting my website)

OpenEdge - I DO NOT recommend! 24 replies

JTVRs
Mar 11, 2019 1:36 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

I filled out the lynnbrook form like 3 weeks ago, and they never got back to me!

OpenEdge - I DO NOT recommend! 24 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Mar 11, 2019 1:28 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

So 3 weeks of dragging me through 3rd degree. I had to send proof of paid property taxes (they could have looked themselves online - it is publicly available) as they could not "verify ownership". I had to give statistics on how far in advance each cabin books, with percentage breakdowns of 1-5 days, 5-14 days, 14-30, 30-60 days etc. I had to give data on how much down booking deposit is. Now they are asking for last 2 years of tax returns saying this is "high risk". WUT? I have over 800 credit score and I am not even applying for a loan, mind you. All this nuisance is not worth to save .025 over stripe. I have been with stripe for over 2 years and NEVER had to go through such nuisance, I simply signed up online. I work for a major bank IT for Pete's sake, and they can see it by my email. All this for me to receive my own money? pass.

VRBO downloads now called HomeAway? Duplicating data? 15 replies

MB
Mar 11, 2019 12:03 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 23 posts

Hi everyone. Are any other VRBO customers noticing that downloads are labeled "HomeAway" rather than VRBO? And because of that are duplicating data that has already been downloaded? I download bookings and reviews every Monday (and sometimes again on Thursdays). My downloads today are filenamed HomeAway rather than VRBO and all data is importing in duplicate.

Clarifying Security Deposit Automation Setup Options 2 replies

Monica R
Mar 11, 2019 10:00 AM
Joined Feb, 2018 86 posts

Hi All!
I have done a good search on this topic but can't find the answer to this scenario. I hope someone can clarify.

Here's my current secdep setup:

A few months ago I set up my property rules so the system does an automatic security deposit *hold* that happens three days prior to a guest's arrival. Just below where you choose that, in the next section on the page, you have to choose to either SEND an email reminder or NOT send. I didn't know which one to choose, so I selected the "recommended" option which is "An email reminder will be sent to the guest *IF* a security deposit is "NOT* scheduled to be automatically collected."

That language was a little confusing but because it said "recommended" next to it, I went ahead and selected it even though it felt in contradiction to prior setting. Honestly, I figured that because the secdep was going to be automatically collected, the email just wouldn't get sent except in specific cases.

Fast forward to today... I have a guest arriving on the 14th (three days from now) and my guest received an email (which I was CC'd on) asking her to "click here to submit your security deposit." That confused me, because I expected that the secdep was going to be held automatically, as per my property rules selections.

Are you still with me? LOL... :-)

She DID click through the link provided and submit her $500 deposit, but then I got worried that the OwnerRez system would ALSO do the automatic collection, so she would end up with a $1000 hold on her card. To prevent a double hold, I went immediately into her booking, clicked on TRANSACTIONS, clicked on the security deposit transaction, and switched the automated secdep deposit option to "Do Not Collect." Was that the right thing or the wrong thing to do? I really have no idea.

Secondly, since she received an email to click and submit a deposit, does that mean that my secdeps are NOT being automatically held, even though I chose the automatic hold option in my property rules? Because I thought the email reminder was ONLY going to come into play for bookings where the secdep was NOT going to be automatically collected.

Going forward, how should I configure my email reminder settings so this doesn't happen again? Do I just choose "Do not send reminder" and if so, will that work?

Thanks so much!

Quickbook Forum Topic 1 reply

DianneD
Mar 10, 2019 11:11 PM
Joined Oct, 2018 42 posts

Could you set up a forum topic specifically relating to all questions quickbooks pls.

Quick Books Integration 9 replies

DianneD
Mar 10, 2019 11:00 PM
Joined Oct, 2018 42 posts

Given that OR doesnt create deposit records in QB what is the best way for us to manage large deposits in advance. Should we raise an invoice for those?

Website designed by OwnerRez 13 replies

JTVRs
Mar 10, 2019 9:24 PM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

This is from the support page, good place to start

https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/hosted-websites

Website designed by OwnerRez 13 replies

Rich S
Mar 10, 2019 8:31 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

Julie,

Have you looked at the examples that Chris posted on Feb 12th in this thread? I imagine you could achieve similar look/feel. If none of those work, what feature(s) are you looking for?

I'm going through this myself right now but creating my own website. It's a lot more work and time since I don't do this professionally, but it's a fun project that interests me.

Website designed by OwnerRez 13 replies

Julie M
Mar 10, 2019 8:21 PM
Joined Jul, 2018 7 posts

Are there any preexisting templates available in OwnerRez to use, or would I have to design my own site (or hire someone to design it) while using the OwnerRez plugins and widgets to create the functionality?

I understand that the bones of building a site are present, but what platform is used to achieve it? What design options do I have? Yes I need a website, but I also need it to be attractive, and that's the part I can't get any grasp of via the existing information.

Setting up a new unit - what sequence to follow 3 replies

Rich S
Mar 10, 2019 4:22 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

If I want to add another unit, what should I do first
a) set up on VRBO/AirBnB and then in OR where I can import lots of info?
b) set up in OR and then after I get VRBO setup, import/overwrite info?

I'm not quite ready to spend the time on VRBO yet, maybe in a few weeks, and the rentals will only start May 1st. Just want to avoid having to input information first in OR and then again in VRBO

How to import (simple) legacy data 8 replies

Rich S
Mar 10, 2019 1:58 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

Getting close to completing the first round of imports (260 rentals across 5 years)

I've had a variety of (mostly self-inflicted) issues, here's a list for others to watch out for:

- Must have all template columns, and (I think) the headers must match exactly
- Must have the sheet named same as the template (eg: Bookings)
- Don't have garbage data on trailing rows (my replacement operation accidentally added thousands of zeroes in otherwise empty rows)
- Must have a last name (first name can be empty)
- Double check for having duplicate Booking IDs (my mgmt company split bookings that spanned end of month)
- Payments must be no less than $.01 (I had a bunch of $0.00 bookings for some reason, probably personal use)

I sure appreciate having all my historical data in OR !!

Pricelabs 1 reply

Chris Hynes
Mar 10, 2019 7:40 AM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

I haven't used it on my properties yet, but we've gotten some great feedback from other users who've had great results and really increased their bookings.

Quick Books Integration 9 replies

Chris Hynes
Mar 10, 2019 7:36 AM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

Right now you can only map one product/service to rent. We do have a per surcharge product/service mapping.

What would you be using the mapping for? The best way to break things up per property is to use class/location mapping.

Contact Us form 1 reply

Chris Hynes
Mar 10, 2019 7:31 AM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

I was able to reproduce this by pasting in an email ending up with some extra whitespace at the end. Just pushed up a hotfix that will clear out any whitespace. Does it work for you now?

You can also submit a ticket by emailing help@ownerreservations.com

Pricelabs 1 reply

Gail C
Mar 9, 2019 10:05 PM
Joined Oct, 2018 2 posts

Hello, I am looking at using a Dynamic Pricing tool. I"m looking for feedback regarding Pricelabs. Anyone here using them? I figured I'd start there since they work with OR. Thanks!

How to import (simple) legacy data 8 replies

Chris Hynes
Mar 9, 2019 6:00 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

Oof. I forgot about that 😬​ -- if you don't put any name or contact info, the import will treat it as a blocked off time.

To fix this, put in Imported as the last name.

How to import (simple) legacy data 8 replies

Rich S
Mar 9, 2019 3:10 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

I emailed y'all the test file I'm trying. I used the template, kept all of the column headers as is and just added my own info, using just 2 rows as a test.

The import failed with status 'Invalid' for each of the two rows, and the issue is listed as 'Charges aren't allowed for blocked-off time'

I don't have any blocked off time in 2014 (or anywhere else for that matter) so not sure what the issue is.

I have currency values (eg: $123.34) in three columns: RentTotal;Total;HostFee

email address not verified 4 replies

Cathleen C
Mar 9, 2019 12:55 PM
Joined Aug, 2018 23 posts

Thanks Chris; I'll be in touch. I need to set up a mail account with Siteground for my domain name.

How to import (simple) legacy data 8 replies

Chris Hynes
Mar 8, 2019 7:38 PM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2012 1403 posts

The columns need to match exactly, so start from our template, clear out all of the data, and then copy/paste from yours into the standard template.

How to import (simple) legacy data 8 replies

Rich S
Mar 8, 2019 7:15 PM
Joined Dec, 2018 302 posts

Chris - Just getting around to this, I pasted my column headings below, are these sufficient? I kept them in the same relative column order I think, and I have all of the required (colored) columns.

Your Booking Id OwnerRez Property Id BookedDate ArrivalDate DepartureDate Adults Children FirstName LastName RentTotal Total HostFee ListingSite Notes

Contact Us form 1 reply

JTVRs
Mar 8, 2019 10:50 AM
Joined Jun, 2018 385 posts

I tried to use a contact us form, but got error messages that was not a proper email.

I used two different emails, and I can guarantee they were proper form. I took screenshots, but this shouldn't be hard to reproduce. This was on Android using the Chrome browser

Quick Books Integration 9 replies

DianneD
Mar 7, 2019 9:52 PM
Joined Oct, 2018 42 posts

No I didnt. but I'll follow Jesse up.
In the meantime - In the General settings of the Quickbook Integration - Rent mapping - I want to be able to select more than 1 product, how can I do this?