In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
From our own experience over several years, some owners request a deposit but the large majority don't and are happy to wait until you arrive. What we always do is to keep in touch until we leave and to reconfirm in writing at least one week before our departure.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nielo;96093]I............I am in Abruzzo and I am constantly amazed by how relaxed the Italians are about payment here. ................[/quote]
Not only Abbruzzo - we had a plumbing emergency a couple of years ago - arrived at house with friends for a holiday to find a radiator had sprung a leak - so we had no heating [January at 2000 feet in northern Piedmonte can be a bit cool]
Our Italian neighbor got a plumber round next day for us, who removed the faulty radiator and fixed things so we could run the rest of the heating. The plumber arranged to fit a new radiator when we returned to the house 3 months later at Easter. When I asked how much there was to pay, he replied that he didn't want paying until he'd fitted the new [cast iron] radiator at Easter.
Total cost, when i finally paid - about £50, including parts and labour. [Wouldn't have got a plumber to the house here in UK for that - let alone any repairs]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
It all makes good business sense. Which villa will you rent next time - which plumber will you call? Who will you buy your next car from?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Nielo is quite right with his thought that the owner will be probably expecting a cash deposit from you when you arrive - as indeed they will be most likely be looking for everything in cash if they possibly can. It is the way of things here that cash is still the preferred method of accepting payment. Not that I think that they might be looking to avoid any tax payments that would be due if the payment was traceable, of course.
We have had some excellent experiences of tradespeople here in Italy - as well as one or two that were not so good, of course. When you find a good one, treasure them. Just as when you come across a poor one, never go back to try them again - and tell your friends as well!
Incidentally, Poste Pay is another interesting way to accept payment, if you are not wishing to broadcast the fact of having received any third-party payment, or the source...
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Whew! I feel a bit better now having read your replies :smile:
This will be our 3rd year renting villas in Italy, but the first time we've not had to pay a deposit, so hence my concern. Initially I was in communication with the lady several times, requesting further info. etc. and after she confirmed the booking, I'd written saying how much we were looking forward to our trip. But its been a few weeks since I've been in touch and her website hasn't been updated to indicate that the villa's been booked. Time for another email :winki:
Of course all payments are required in cash - is there any other way in Italy :bigergrin:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=GerryH;96136].................Of course all payments are required in cash - is there any other way in Italy :bigergrin:[/quote]
make sure you get a receipt
.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=alan h;96139]make sure you get a receipt.[/quote]
Hahahaha! Ooops, sorry.
I'll get my coat...
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
isawitfirst, well you are completely confusing me so early on a Sunday morning with your posts, it seems you are promoting car hire, but I see little relevance to the content of the threads, am I missing something?.
A
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Angie if you look at the post above yours Tuscanhills deleted the post. Slightly hungover from the festivities in Francavilla last night??? lol
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Cheeky, it was still there Sal when I was up bright and early this morning, hung over moi!
A
I assume you have been in correspondence with the owner and have written confirmation of your booking? If you are nervous, e-mail and ask for further confirmation.
I am in Abruzzo and I am constantly amazed by how relaxed the Italians are about payment here. We had some work done and offered to pay 'up front' but the chap wouldn't hear of it. Even after the work was done he waited about a month before calling round for his money. When we bought a car, again the garage owner let us drive away and said 'pay me later' and we have just ordered a load of gravel and again we offered to pay but he said 'no wait till I have delivered it'. It might be because we are known in the area and word has got round that we pay our debts but I think that, in this part of Italy at least, people are a lot more trusting and relaxed.
It could also be that the owner hopes you will pay the deposit in[I] cash[/I] when you get there.