Casa Rabatti in Florence wants cash up front? Is that a thing now?

I'm normally either asked for no money up front or a credit card hold. However, last year at a chambre d'hote in France, they didn't take credit cards, and asked for a small deposit up front ($25 I believe), via wire transfer. I told them that my bank's fee for the transfer would probably be more than the deposit. They said they understood, and not to bother. Your situation is different, though, because it appears they're asking for the full amount far in advance.

I don't know if it is a "thing" but we have in the past rented flats that required a deposit by wire transfer. We do not book those any more, as our credit union does not do wire transfers to foreign banks.

Is this rental directly through them? What is the cancellation policy?

I see Casa Rabatti is available through VRBO, with payment by credit card. Still full payment up front, but the cancellation policy is full refund if canceled 30 days or more ahead. And payment through VRBO is protected by them.

https://www.vrbo.com/8087571ha?adultsCount=1

Its a big risk for them too, if you don't show up. Small businesses cant eat their losses like big hotels.

I would just move on, there are plenty of lodgings that don't require wired cash (only a credit card as a deposit). Don't limit yourself to Rick Steve's books when searching for hotels. Check out www.booking.com

We do many deposits by wire transfer for European lodging. Transferwise is an excellent service with far better terms than US banks have. That said, I would draw the line at full payment 6 months in advance. Even for condos in Hawaii and London the full payment is due 30 to 60 days out, not 180 or at time of reservation.

This is also a good reason to have good travel insurance in case of need to cancel for health or other covered reasons.

I stayed here on my first visit to Florence. And it was nice enough.

On my second trip to the city, I found lodging closer to the historic center, which is where I prefer to be, that cost less and I was very happy with that. And the place in the storico centro is where I'll be staying again in August when I return for my third visit.

You can find something with your terms, maybe better than what you were aiming for. It's worth a look on the booking site that has that word in it.

Wiring money to a foreign bank account leave you with almost no recourse in case anything happens, to you or to the accommodation. With the multitude of vendors that provide easier-than-ever electronic card transactions, card holdings etc., I'd stay clear of any price-ish accommodation that asks for bank transfers in advance.

That would be hard pass for me. Plenty of other hotel fish in the ocean.

I have paid in full pretty far in advance for weekly rentals or large villas, and always through agencies when I did so. I haven't been burned but I was in constant contact with the agencies and was careful about reviews. I think it's not entirely out of line if it's a week or more. But certainly there are other options if you don't feel right about it. Hard to evaluate third hand, but good that you're being cautious.

If they are cross listing it on VRBO and other sites it starts to make more sense that they might have these kinds of requirements, it struck as really odd for a regular BnB. I'm going to stick with my initial reaction and pass. As others have said there are too many other options and I just feel like too much can happen in half a year - either on my end or on theirs - for me to send them cash this far ahead.

Thanks for the replies and perspective everyone. It's great to have a place to get seasoned opinions from other people when planning putting these things together.

=Tod

I agree with Agnes and Michael. There are plenty of good hotels that require a credit card with free cancellation that you don't have to book this. If they fold, have a flood or fire, what's your recourse?