General Help and Questions

Latest Activity...

VRBO issues 4 replies

Rex C
Jul 18, 2022 4:59 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2021 64 posts

Hi Celia,

You are correct, if you have any form of an account already created that triggers the longer API connection. The shortcut only works if the Vrbo account is created during the API process. 

 

The option is totally yours, if you're OK creating a new account then that will give you the faster API option which is likely preferable. Just keep in mind that a new account would require a different email address and different contact phone number. It's best to have as much detail unique between the accounts as possible to avoid Vrbo trying to link them together when you create the new one.

 

If you need any assistance with the process, write in to help@ownerreservations.com and we'll be glad to work with you on it.

Reports: Calendar for sorting dates not working 4 replies

Ken T
Jul 18, 2022 2:27 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

We're aware of this issue, and there's a fix scheduled for the next release.

Is there a way to block regular dates? 1 reply

Ken T
Jul 18, 2022 1:19 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

There's no function for recurring blocks - you'd need to set up a separate block for each year.

Is there a way to block regular dates? 1 reply

James L
Jul 18, 2022 5:42 AM
Joined Oct, 2021 78 posts

I don't want to allow bookings at my place during the Christmas period. Is there a way of blocking 20th Dec - 4th Jan every year on a reoccurring basis? Or do I have to do it every year?

VRBO issues 4 replies

Celia W
Jul 17, 2022 12:36 AM
Joined Jun, 2022 13 posts

I just went live on VRBO a week ago. They have my sleeping arrangements all wrong and I've spoken to them many times and they cannot correct it. I can't correct it from my dashboard. 

That prompts my question:  I heard if I had created the vrbo API account in OwnerRez it would have been completed in 2 weeks or less. All I've done so far is bring my basic VRBO info over, but I haven't started API Integration yet. I was still told I did too much and it would be months from when I start now??

So, should I just create a new VRBO (no bookings yet or anything) and then do the API Integration the quicker route?  That would be two birds, one stone on correcting my VRBO and API faster?

Sorry if this was long. Very frustrated. 😩

Reports: Calendar for sorting dates not working 4 replies

Donna M
Jul 16, 2022 2:36 PM
Joined Sep, 2017 41 posts

What is the trick to plugging in specific dates for making reports (in any/all categories)! It is practically IMPOSSIBLE to keep the date that I selected to actually stay in the tab!
I will select a date, on "from" tab and then try to select a date on the "to" tab and then this happens:

  • dates revert back to what was originally there when I started
  • I have the dates I want finally set in the from-to tabs and hit apply only to get a different date all together
  • I'll have the from date finally stick...but when I go to from- with the date clicked on to the one I want it changes the from date to read as from date
  • I finally get the actual dates I want and it won't let me apply

If this doesn't get fixed or someone share the magic secret to doing this correctly I'm going to need therapy and a new computer!
And in case it is the computer's fault - I'm using a MacBook Pro up to date with Monterey 12.4 on Google Chrome-up to date Version 103.0.5060.114 (Official Build) (x86_64)

 

verified email 1 reply

Ken T
Jul 15, 2022 11:02 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

Normally, you'd set your Theming to use your new email address:

https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/theming

verified email 1 reply

Celia W
Jul 15, 2022 4:11 PM
Joined Jun, 2022 13 posts

I just went through all the steps and spoke to Namecheap and they got all my DNS stuff connected, etc.  Everything is showing good.

So.... do I change my email to my business email now?  Or do I leave everything in my account as my @gmail.com? 

I guess I'm just a little confused how everything needs to be set up. 

 

Thanks!!

Rate adjustments 4 replies

Rex C
Jul 15, 2022 12:51 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2021 64 posts

Hi Brian,

Rate Adjustments for API channels are made within the Settings > API Integrations > (Channel Name) page options.

 

If you're connected to Airbnb or Vrbo via iCal only, you can use Settings > Channel Bridge to push rates to them, and it will allow an adjustment option in those pages too.

Rate adjustments 4 replies

Brian C
Jul 14, 2022 11:03 PM
Joined Apr, 2022 3 posts

Paul, did you ever figure this out? I'm trying to add 3% higher rate to accommodate for commission/service charges the platforms require. Where is this able to be done on the OR website?

 

VRBO review template issues 1 reply

Ken T
Jul 14, 2022 6:07 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

There could be a great many reasons, and we'd need a lot more detail and likely some screenshots showing what's wrong.  You'd do best to write in to the Helpdesk.

VRBO review template issues 1 reply

Celia W
Jul 14, 2022 4:03 PM
Joined Jun, 2022 13 posts

Hi, I have the reviews in a template, but I cannot seem to get the widget up and running correctly. I feel like I've tried just about every option.  Any tips?

 

VRBO sync 1 reply

Ken T
Jul 12, 2022 4:03 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

It's true that OwnerRez is quite complex and powerful.  But actually, the vast majority of our clients have only a handful of properties, so, YES, it is useful even if you are still small!

I'd recommend attending one of our live demo webinars, to get a better understanding of how to use the tools:

https://www.ownerrez.com/webinars

Delete custom source 9 replies

Ken T
Jul 12, 2022 11:33 AM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

No, there's nothing wrong with that, it's just a little more complicated potentially.  If you've gotten it configured so it's all working as you want it, no need to change it further.

Airbnb rejecting links? 1 reply

Joel P
Jul 12, 2022 11:24 AM
OR Team Member Joined Oct, 2009 150 posts

Hi Fabian,

Yep, we're seeing this pretty widespread today. We've opened a ticket with Airbnb to figure out what's going on. 

Airbnb rejecting links? 1 reply

Miapartamentos
Jul 12, 2022 10:28 AM
Joined Nov, 2020 21 posts

Hi everyone! For some of my properties I need people to register themselves with the building but now I'm getting an error that I can't have links in my description so my check in instructions aren't being sent!

This has worked for years and suddenly today it stopped working.. 

Any workaround? 

VRBO sync 1 reply

Celia W
Jul 11, 2022 10:57 PM
Joined Jun, 2022 13 posts

I just got my website all set up with OwnerRez and thought I'd need to get VRBO synced up before I went live.  I "added from VRBO" and the information came over.... and I didn't realize my description would change on my homepage (didn't want that).  Any way to keep these two separate on that info?

Next, I'm reading up on API Integration and I'm wondering if it's too much for a one STR. I was hoping OwnerRez would be what I needed to trigger all the emails and messages I would like to send out and that I could also deal with all inquiries in one place (no direct bookings).  But with one STR, do I need a more simple program?

Delete custom source 9 replies

Ellie A
Jul 11, 2022 5:09 PM
Joined May, 2022 4 posts

Hi Ken,

Ok, I should have read the user manual first!

I have been through and changed all the SoHo-PCB Test to SoHo-PCB and the widgets are all working now on the live domain.

I presume there is nothing wrong with having a Booking/Inquiry widget per property now that I have them there. Please let me know if this presumption is incorrect.

Thanks for you help!

 

Delete custom source 9 replies

Ken T
Jul 11, 2022 2:34 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

Short answer: You can't currently delete a custom source.

But, we took a look at your account, and it isn't optimally configured.   It'd be easier if you did just one widget and mapped to multiple properties:

 https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/widgets#multi-property-widget 

And, the widget needs to be mapped to the new source. Some of your widgets are still linked to the test source.

Delete custom source 9 replies

Ellie A
Jul 9, 2022 12:26 AM
Joined May, 2022 4 posts

I created a custom source for when I was developing our Wordpress website which pointed to a test domain.

I created a further custom source for the live domain.

Our website is now live on its permanent domain but the custom source for the test domain is still there though the test website is not accessible.

I got an Inquiry for a booking this evening and it shows the test custom source name in the Via Listing Site column.

I can't find an option to delete the test custom source name.

If I haven't explained this very well then:

SoHo PCB Test points to Widget/Email Matching Domain mytestdomain.com

SoHo PCB points to Widget/Email Matching Domain sohopcb.com

How do I remove SoHo PCB Test?

I should add that the Wordpress Plugin points to the live domain - soho-pcb.com.

Why would the Inquiry show the Via Listing Site as SoHo PCB Test?

TIA

 

New - Stripey Colour of Blocked Off Events - very distracting 6 replies

Cheryl S
Jul 8, 2022 2:01 PM
Joined Jun, 2020 6 posts

Thanks!  Much easier on the eyes... and I can even pick an entirely different color for blocked dates.  My color and pattern sensitive brain cells are delighted.

Guest adding a night to already paid booking 5 replies

Ken T
Jul 8, 2022 12:45 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

Here are our general instructions for extending a stay:

https://www.ownerrez.com/support/articles/extending-a-stay

Guest adding a night to already paid booking 5 replies

Felicia S
Jul 7, 2022 11:16 PM
Joined May, 2022 9 posts

I'm wanting to offer my guests a discount for extending their stay, or coming in a day earlier, to help cover one night gaps in my calendar. How do I go about this exactly when they have already paid for their trip up front?

 

Thanks

Felicia 

Third Party Alerts 6 replies

Dan B
Jul 7, 2022 1:32 PM
Joined Jul, 2022 2 posts

Not sure. I checked "subscribed." We'll see what happens.

Thanks!

Third Party Alerts 6 replies

BlueMtnCabins
Jul 7, 2022 12:58 PM
Joined Jun, 2016 1155 posts

On the third party alerts page, under the space for the email address, there is a selection "Subscribed" or "Unsubscribed." Subscribed to what? 

by Dan B – Jul 7, 2022 4:57 PM (UTC)

3rd party emails? 

Third Party Alerts 6 replies

Dan B
Jul 7, 2022 12:57 PM
Joined Jul, 2022 2 posts

On the third party alerts page, under the space for the email address, there is a selection "Subscribed" or "Unsubscribed." Subscribed to what? 

Junk Mail 2 replies

Ellie A
Jul 6, 2022 7:04 PM
Joined May, 2022 4 posts

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the prompt reply.

You are correct, email protocols are very old, buggy and unreliable!

We do use OR verified email.

We use very simple messages - no emojis or anything like that.

The main culprits for sending mail to Junk are Gmail and Yahoo. 

It seems email is becoming increasingly useless as a means of communicating these days!

Thanks for replying anyway....

Junk Mail 2 replies

Ken T
Jul 6, 2022 6:54 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

Unfortunately, there is no way to be absolutely sure the emails sent to your guests won't end up in their spam folders instead.  The nature of the Internet email system originated half a century ago, and was never designed for how it's used today.  The best we can do is to work within existing systems, and lower the likelihood that your emails will be viewed as spam.

1. If you're not using the OwnerRez Verified Email system, and an email address from a domain you own, you should do so - it's a straightforward way to significantly reduce the risk of spam identification.  Free Gmail accounts are notorious for spam, so you don't want to use those if at all possible.

2. Does the content of your emails look like spam?  There are a number of testing tools and resources on the Internet you can use to see how spammy your standard emails are:

https://www.mail-tester.com/

https://blogs.constantcontact.com/how-to-avoid-spam/

3. Many email client programs include the ability to add addresses or domains to a whitelist, that the inbox knows not to flag as spam.  You can ask your guests to look into this and add yours.  However, every client is different, so they'd have to research how to do that themselves.

4. Sometimes, if your guests simply add your email address to their address book, your messages are automatically accepted.

5. Even with all of the above, anyone receiving any email can flag it as spam manually.  If you are getting regular spam complaints, perhaps the problem isn't computer systems in between, it's what your messages look like in the inbox?  For example, if you are using many emojis in your subject line, that's a hallmark of spam.

Junk Mail 2 replies

Ellie A
Jul 6, 2022 6:50 PM
Joined May, 2022 4 posts

We have verified our domain but even so many times the emails we send from OR end up in the guests' Junk/Spam mail folders.

We are now in the somewhat crazy situation of having to text everyone to ask them to check their Junk folder whenever we send out an email.

Are we doing something wrong...Is there a work around anywhere for this?

Any help appreciated!

 

7 Day discounts 1 reply

Ken T
Jul 6, 2022 2:48 PM
OR Team Member Joined Aug, 2019 1704 posts

If you are using API connections with Airbnb and Vrbo, yes, a length-of-stay discount will also be sent there.

Unfortunately, at the present, not with Booking.com - you'd have to configure the discount directly in Booking.com control panel.