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Reservation at B&B asking for payment when we arrive

I found a B&B with great reviews on Tripadvisor in Scilla, Italy. I have been in touch with the contact at the B&B. They quoted me a price and said the room is available for my 3 nghts in April. I asked what was the next step and they said to just pay for the 3 nights by cash when we arrive. Is the the usual way to reserve in Southern Italy? I'm worried we will arrive and the room will be sold to someone else.

Posted by
7731 posts

Yeah that's common but usually you have to give them a credit card # to reserve in advanced as remedy or so they won't have to worry about losing money on a room in case you don't do show up.

We reserved a room online in Italy with a credit card but they stipulated in the online posting cash only when you show up.

Are you seeing any complaints from previous customers about them selling the room to someone else ?

Posted by
11247 posts

In smaller towns some owners still adhere to an honor system and trust you will arrive as promised. Sounds like that is the case. 10 days or so before your scheduled arrival, write to confirm and let them know about what time you will arrive. Just a cordiality but you will both feel better knowing the arrangements are still good.

Posted by
286 posts

Also if it's a small B&B maybe they don't have way of taking the money without the physical credit card, so it makes no sense to ask you for it, it doesn't represent security for them.

Posted by
16893 posts

...or even have no way of charging a credit card at all, physical or not. Some places only deal in cash and holding the reservation on the honor system still exists. When you get there, you might find the reservations still to be a handwritten in a book, not a computer.

Posted by
4527 posts

I always reconfirm each and every accommodation booking 7-10 prior to arrival (or departure from home). If you do the same, if there is a problem, they should know by then, or at least they will reconfirm and you can feel better about things. It isn't just Italy that still practices this way.

Posted by
1025 posts

Let us not forget that many times, receiving a payment in cash is advantageous to the landlord for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the possibility of tax avoidance. If the reviews look good, then who am I to question their motives for preferring cash?

Posted by
2165 posts

Yes, Scilla is tiny and trusting! I'm sure you'll be fine.