General Help and Questions

Latest Activity...

Calling all Smoky Mountains TN OR users - mutual referral . 9 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Jun 5, 2019 3:39 PM
Member for 9 years 1197 posts

Can we add one more property to the widgets please: ORP228859

TIA

Any regular AirBnB user 7 replies

JTVRs
Jun 5, 2019 2:20 PM
Member for 7 years 385 posts

Thanks Chris. Yeah I already intend to FlipKey and HomeAway and booking.com and Craigslist. I cannot convince myself any other listing site / OTA is worth the effort. Except ones that send directly to my website obviously.

I am intrigued by the Expedia group (Orbitz, etc) outside of HomeAway or VRBO, but just not really sure how integrated that is with the others

Just seeking every advantage as I am a week or two away from starting and I prefer best practices and risk reduction

Recommendations on a smart lock? 5 replies

JTVRs
Jun 5, 2019 2:17 PM
Member for 7 years 385 posts

I live within a block, so not a big deal. I also have a handyman cleaner who can back me up. The erental lock it's about 330 and that seemed to be about my price point. I don't really want $550 locks or whatever. But it seems like there is a space for a competitor to come in for maybe a hundred fifty and wipe out the super expensive guys. Heck, even a basic code door lock is a hundred or more. Wish I had the bucks to compete

Field Codes 3 replies

Paul W
Jun 5, 2019 12:55 PM
OR Team Member Member for 16 years 883 posts

Yes, it's in the email editor. Click the Insert Field button and search for "check in" and it will narrow to that code. Pic or it didn't happen:

Recommendations on a smart lock? 5 replies

Paul W
Jun 5, 2019 12:53 PM
OR Team Member Member for 16 years 883 posts

I'm coming around to the Wifi locks myself. I currently only have algorithmic locks (no internet required) and they just work and work which is good, but the Wifi lock is really cool - you have see exactly when people arrive and stop codes from working if needed. Most Wifi locks will re-check every 15 minutes if there is a service issue and catch up on updates. So your internet has to be really lousy for the lock not to work on a regular basis.

Is there a documented follow up sequence when quotes are sent out? 1 reply

Paul W
Jun 5, 2019 12:49 PM
OR Team Member Member for 16 years 883 posts

There are no reminders sent for un-converted quotes (or when they expire or are preempted) though that is definitely something we want to add and it's often requested. So bottom line - you were imagining something! 😜😉

Setting Check-in and Check-out times for erental lock codes 5 replies

Paul W
Jun 5, 2019 12:40 PM
OR Team Member Member for 16 years 883 posts

Stacy S said:

Thanks so much, Chris! So if I set those rules and regenerate the codes, the new rules will apply to the new codes?

Yes, the new code will be generated according to the rules/settings currently set at the time you click the generate button.

Any regular AirBnB user 7 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 4, 2019 10:59 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1406 posts

No complexity in having multiple accounts on the OwnerRez side. We've got many people that manage separate accounts, cohost, etc.

Now, as for delisting, I'm not sure that's a good reason to set up multiple Airbnb accounts... I've heard stories about how arbitrary the process can be that but I'm not sure if multiple Airbnb accounts would help you. Maybe it would, but unless you completely separate the accounts (use a VPN, different names/emails/bank accounts etc) it wouldn't be hard for them to tie your accounts together. And going through the effort to do that splitting could possibly trigger fraud filters on the other side.

Definitely want to diversify, but I'd push for diversifying across multiple channels vs having multiple accounts per channel.

Any regular AirBnB user 7 replies

JTVRs
Jun 4, 2019 10:13 PM
Member for 7 years 385 posts

This didn't state whether you were able to group your own VRs under several Airbnbs or not (that was the question)

Any regular AirBnB user 7 replies

Julie B
Jun 4, 2019 10:12 PM
Member for 9 years 13 posts

We have over 20 properties on AirBnB through OR. No problem here!

Setting Check-in and Check-out times for erental lock codes 5 replies

Stacy S
Jun 4, 2019 11:37 AM
Member for 7 years 31 posts

Okay, so I did have those rules in place. It looks like I just needed to switch the code generation setting to the check-in/check-out option instead of all day. Fingers crossed!

Setting Check-in and Check-out times for erental lock codes 5 replies

Stacy S
Jun 4, 2019 11:35 AM
Member for 7 years 31 posts

Thanks so much, Chris! So if I set those rules and regenerate the codes, the new rules will apply to the new codes?

Setting Check-in and Check-out times for erental lock codes 5 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 4, 2019 11:29 AM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1406 posts

Sure thing, go over to the Rules section of each property and you can set the check in and check out times there. That'll set the default times for the property, and then you can override specific bookings to set early or late and a time.

All of that will be picked up by the lock integration and used to generate the code for the appropriate time (and you can also reference those values on email templates, so you can write "Check in is at {BCHECKINTIME} on {BARR} and your door code is {BDOORCODE}".

Setting Check-in and Check-out times for erental lock codes 5 replies

Stacy S
Jun 4, 2019 11:09 AM
Member for 7 years 31 posts

I had my settings for all day on check-in days and check-out days. Guests are ignoring our policy and just entering the house early without permission. Because of this, I need to update my codes for specific times on those days. The option in OR code generation is "all day" or at check in or check out times with a grace period. I don't see where I can set the times and I don't see where it could be a permanent setting on ERL for the automatic code generation. Anyone else figure this out?

Thanks for any help!

Is there a documented follow up sequence when quotes are sent out? 1 reply

SunshineVilla
Jun 2, 2019 7:24 PM
Member for 7 years 3 posts

When I was playing around and setting up fake quotes, I seem to remember getting some reminders on quotes that I didn't take action on, but I don't see any of those emails in the email history for the quote. Was I imagining that or is there a sequence of reminders running in the background that aren't documented in the email tab? If so, is there a list of what is sent out and when?
Thanks,
Kent

Recommendations on a smart lock? 5 replies

SunshineVilla
Jun 2, 2019 7:20 PM
Member for 7 years 3 posts

Thanks for the feedback all! I read the guide and decided to roll the dice on a wifi deadbolt from RemoteLock. I had the same reservations as JVTR, so I'll let you know if I regret it once it's up and running!

Any regular AirBnB user 7 replies

JTVRs
Jun 2, 2019 4:54 PM
Member for 7 years 385 posts

On forums, I often see complaints that AirBnB hosts get delisted suddenly, often without explanation.

In such a case, is it possible to group properties under several Accounts, rather than 1? Would that make no difference?

Is there a complexity in doing that from OwnerRez?

Hosted website glitch? 4 replies

JTVRs
Jun 1, 2019 8:39 PM
Member for 7 years 385 posts

I don't know other major celebration days, but mothers day and valentines day are pretty big in the bed & breakfast circles. Not a good weekend to be discounting.

Field Codes 3 replies

JTVRs
Jun 1, 2019 8:36 PM
Member for 7 years 385 posts

Great. Is that in the interface menu? I thought I saw that one time, but last night I was scratching my head while I was trying to figure out the check-in time code.

Early Check-In/bag dropoff. 1 reply

Chris Hynes
Jun 1, 2019 5:59 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1406 posts

You can see these visually on the calendar because of the red lines at the beginning or end of a booking respectively, but we don't currently have rules based logic on them. We may do some rules at some point, but once you do programmatic logic you have to handle every single case of which there are many for check in/out.

What I do on my properties is this:
- If the guest requests early check-in/late check-out, I give them the option to pay 50% night fee to lock that in. If they do, I'll block off that night.
- If not, I'll tell them to check back within 2 weeks of arrival to see if it's still available. If it is, I'll mark it as early or late, but tell them that could change if another guest books the night.

Recommendations on a smart lock? 5 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 1, 2019 5:56 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1406 posts

Yep, it's a tradeoff for sure. eRentalLock is nice because you can generate the codes automatically in OwnerRez (based on the algorithm) but it doesn't require a Wifi connection. I use that at a couple of my properties and it's been rock solid.

The other one I'd recommend if you do want Wifi is RemoteLock. The nice thing about Wifi is you can see the access log dynamically. And most of them are pretty safe for guests because the codes are programmed in advance. So as long as the code is programmed, even if Wifi is down at the time the guest arrives they will still be able to enter based on that already programmed code.

I wrote up a bunch more about the details and tradeoffs of different lock types here: https://www.ownerrez.com/blog/encyclopedia-of-vacation-rental-smart-locks

Field Codes 3 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 1, 2019 5:53 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1406 posts

The insert field popup shows whatever is relevant to the current template. Note that there are different tabs of information there (property, booking etc) where the check in info would be related to the booking not the property, and you can also filter down in a tab to find stuff by name.

You can find the exhaustive list of all codes here: https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/field-codes

Hosted website glitch? 4 replies

Chris Hynes
Jun 1, 2019 5:52 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1406 posts

Yep, the holiday list right now is official federal holidays, but there are so many more lists we could add. Do you know of a standard list of vacation rental industry holidays for US or elsewhere? That's the other side of it -- holidays vary so much based on location some things like Christmas and Valentines day are nearly universal but many others are not.

You can't set a repeating holiday based on day of month. They're all based on dates of year because most tend to change. What you'd do is create one and fill out say 10 years of dates.

Recommendations on a smart lock? 5 replies

JTVRs
Jun 1, 2019 5:39 PM
Member for 7 years 385 posts

I use erentallock. I dont want any dependency on wifi or power if it goes down and the guest is stuck outside. If you get it, get the slightly more expensive lock. Ask them the reason!

Recommendations on a smart lock? 5 replies

SunshineVilla
Jun 1, 2019 10:15 AM
Member for 7 years 3 posts

Hello,
I'm looking to upgrade an "unconnected" keypad deadbolt with a connected deadbolt that integrates with Owner Rez. Does anyone have any recommendations on manufacturer and Model? I'll need some sort of connectivity obviously, should I go towards wifi/zwave/zigbee/all of the above?
Thanks in advance for the opinions!
Kent

Field Codes 3 replies

JTVRs
May 31, 2019 10:03 PM
Member for 7 years 385 posts

The "Insert Field" in the Email Templates only shows a handful of field codes.

Where is the full list? like check in date, check in time, etc?

Early Check-In/bag dropoff. 1 reply

JTVRs
May 31, 2019 9:33 PM
Member for 7 years 385 posts

Something that would be useful, is email templates/triggers which give some kind of control over the Early Check-In logic. This may exist, but not sure how to do or synthesize. For example

If some one checks in the same day that another checks out ==> no early check-in or early bag drop-off is possible.

If not ==> early check-in/bag drop off possible. 1) perhaps with advance request. 2) perhaps payment required for either.

It would be useful to direct an email template/trigger based on this.

Perhaps even a switch or custom code that is/is not possible within an email template?

Hosted website glitch? 4 replies

JTVRs
May 31, 2019 8:35 PM
Member for 7 years 385 posts

I am a little surprised given the importance of Mother's Day and Valentine's Day in the vacation rental industry, that is is not a default holiday.

I realize that it is not a day off/formal holiday, but they can be huge travel days for VRs.

Anyway how do I set up a custom holiday that will always be the second Sunday of each May? (Mother's Day - USA) and third Sunday in June (Father's Day)?

ARDi damage insurance 2 replies

Chris Hynes
May 31, 2019 3:47 PM
OR Team Member Member for 13 years 1406 posts

Yes, you can have a different coverage per property. For bookings in the same property it has to be the same coverage, but different properties can be different.

ARDi damage insurance 2 replies

BlueMtnCabins
May 31, 2019 3:17 PM
Member for 9 years 1197 posts

I do not have it turned on, but was wondering if I can specify different coverage amount per different property? or they all have to be the same?