A quick questionI have been emailing with a B&B in the Radda area (the emails aren't signed by anyone) for a while; one response from them took three days, one took three hours, one took a day, and now I haven't heard back for three days. I asked a question about apartment availability and whether they close up their gardens, and when I didn't hear back I assumed I annoyed them with my questions so I said we'd like to book, but no response. This worries me. I would think any establishment would want to respond quickly. I love the B&B but perhaps I should book elsewhere in Tuscany? Sorry for all the questions!
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
It could be a few things: remember Italy is some 9-12 hours ahead of where you are - an instant response is unlikely. B&Bs are usually family run and don't have staff around at all times. It's offseason so the owners might not be around much. If you need a quick response, you can try calling (coordinating the time). Do they have an online booking? If so, use that. If not, either wait them out a couple more days or look elsewhere.
Posted by
OP
Edmonton
35 posts
Thank you :) I am worrying a bit that I've frustrated them with my many questions.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
From your other posting, I see that you're not traveling there until September. That may just be too far in the future for them to feel any sense of urgency to respond.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
"I would think any establishment would want to respond quickly" That's North American thinking. In my experience, how "businesslike" a hotel is depends on the country as well as the individual establishment. French and German hotels tend to be prompt in their responses; Italian and Spanish ones, not so much. And B&B's everywhere, as said above, are small places with few on staff; they don't have a full time reservation staff that just handles e-mails. I also agree that if you're looking months in advance, they won't feel any sense of urgency in responding. So, I'd hang in there, or if you really want to know, call.
Posted by
OP
Edmonton
35 posts
Okay, thank you for your advice!
Posted by
OP
Edmonton
35 posts
Okay, thank you for your advice!
Posted by
Weston, MA, USA
67 posts
Whenever I get a bad feeling like that, I stay away. As the others have said there could be a perfectly good reason for the lack of response, but for me it raises a red flag. Personally I would move on.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
You didn't mention the website you used for booking this reservation! I've found B&B Planet and VRBO to be reliable, others not so much. Make sure you look at and confirm the recommendations on the website. I'd suggest opening another thread on here with the website in the subject column. You may get more help from the other advisors here! I'm sure there are many reliable online companies that I haven't used, but there are also a lot of dishonest people out there who will take your $$ and you will not have your reservation.
Have you checked them out on Trip Advisor?
Posted by
OP
Edmonton
35 posts
I emailed them directly through their siteVilla Sant Uberto. I did check them out on Trip Advisor and their reviews from the past couple of years have been pretty good. Their recent silence makes me uneasy as most every other B&B I have emailed has been prompt. We have looked at a few other B&Bs so we may end up booking elsewhere. Thanks for your replies :-)
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
The smaller places sometimes shut down this time of year and the owners may be traveling. It's up to you whether to drop it. But you've got oodles of time to make lodging arrangements.