We found a nice Gite in Provence on Gite.com and the owner wants full payment 6 weeks in advance. It seems like a legitmate rental but I feel uneasy about this. Is this customary? Larry
Salt Lake City, Utah
Posted by
Whittington
984 posts
Yes - I have done this many times for self catering accommodation. Hotel or whatever other titles of accommodations take your money beforehand, it guarantees your commitment, but - 1. Are there enough satisfied testimonials? 2. You will surely not be sending cash and there will be a paper or electronic 'trail'.
Posted by
OP
Salt Lake City, Ut, USA
45 posts
The property seems very nice and has a number of glowing testimonials. They want a credit card (with a 3% surcharge), Paypal, or bank transfer. We would have to use a credit card with Paypal.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
We've run into this ourselves. Sadly there are the no show folks who don't realize (don't care) that weeks suddenly being left vacant are a real hit on the Gite or B&B owner. One lovely B&B owner told us she'd cancelled her own Christmas holiday with her family in order to accommodate 4 women flying in from GB. No phone call, no explanation other than, something better came up! We pay in advance with our credit card or Pay Pal. Have never had a problem. Provence is lovely...plan on eating in frequently after stopping to buy whatever is fresh and in season. At the end of the day, eating fresh vegies, cheese, some great bread and some great wine while looking out over the countryside. Ahhhh, the good life. Of course do a fair amount of damage $ wise eating out at well!
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Since someone erased all of the "heroic B&B" recommendations on the first page, if any of you would like to share specific names of the Gites on here, I would love to have them!