Bed and Breakfast.com Commission Only Now

Bed & Breakfast / Short Term Rental Host Forum

Help Support Bed & Breakfast / Short Term Rental Host Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Country Girl

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 20, 2009
Messages
1,257
Reaction score
21
Good afternoon. It has been a while since I've been here. Rough summer, personally, so consequently a rough summer all the way around. One of my sisters' passed away in July after becoming ill in early June. Heartbreaking.
So, I am now getting back in business mode and received an email from BNB.com that my renewal is coming up in one month. They are the only bed and breakfast site we still use. They are dropping their annual fee and switching to a commission based fee only, which is 15% for the first year and then 18% next year. We will now be listed on BNB.com, Home Away, VRBO, Expedia, Hotels.com, Travelocity, and Orbitz. We can elect to join this new program or opt out of being on their site. It's non-negotiable. So, is anyone currently using them with the new commission only option, and if so, how is it working out? Are there any other bed and breakfast sites you like? I dropped I Love Inns and other sites a long time ago. Thanks!
 
Sorry about the passing.
If those were my only option, I'd drop them. These indexes are really a thing of the past.
 
So sorry about your sister.
I've heard horror stories about the new system. They put your rooms on 2 sites that are advertised extensively as 'full house rentals'. You have little control over what photos they use leading to misconceptions about what is being rented.
I'll let some other folks who have experienced the new system tell how they like it and if they are getting any bookings from it.
 
Sorry about your loss.
bnb.com has already gone down in my estimations after they stuck a copy of my listing on their vacations rental site and I got innundated with emails asking to rent the house for a week.
There's also been a long term issue with them that even with platignum membership you can't simply have an availability calendar updated from someone else, you have to take bookings through them as well.
Now their business model is to abandon all their uniqueness and go into competition against the likes of expedia and booking...... I think greed has over-ruled common sense!!
 
Im am also sorry for your loss. I'm also sorry to hear about what B&B . com is doing. I was shocked and not shocked at the same time. I called and talked with them today and its true. When it comes time to renew its either you work for them or you no longer advertise on their site. They will be collecting all the money for the guests stay and then send you whats left after their fees. Guys, its over. This is one of the last directories that has falling to greed. Sure, there are other directories like bnbfinder and such but they will soon die out they hardly have any listings at all on their sites and the new generations don't use them. It's to bad that in the very near future we most likely will fully depend on the Big Boys to feed us because we no longer can feed ourselves. Very sad...
 
Im am also sorry for your loss. I'm also sorry to hear about what B&B . com is doing. I was shocked and not shocked at the same time. I called and talked with them today and its true. When it comes time to renew its either you work for them or you no longer advertise on their site. They will be collecting all the money for the guests stay and then send you whats left after their fees. Guys, its over. This is one of the last directories that has falling to greed. Sure, there are other directories like bnbfinder and such but they will soon die out they hardly have any listings at all on their sites and the new generations don't use them. It's to bad that in the very near future we most likely will fully depend on the Big Boys to feed us because we no longer can feed ourselves. Very sad....
I think it's a shame because I get a lot of enquiries through them, but I'm not paying anyone else OTA commission rates and I'm not starting with them.
 
Sorry to hear of your sister's passing.

I am using the new commission based model. Love/hate relationship believe me!!! Customer Service is NULL!

This all has come to pass because Homeaway which purchased B&B.com is now owned by Expedia.

It took me for ever to be set up. And they had my information on file!!! I had dropped them last December after dwindling stats. Was offered the new model in early March, was not live until mid June. (dead time for my business)

Then they sent out emails stating they were putting all the properties on Homeaway. I went out and looked at my listing - many vital pieces of information were incorrect. I submitted ticket after ticket for assistance. Emailed my Rep., called my Rep., contacted a Mgr of Client Relations. Nothing seemed to help, in fact my Rep told me at one point that they were unable to correct or remove my listing on the Homeaway site and told me that I should just tell someone when they book that xyz info is incorrect!
angry_smile.gif
It has recently been removed.

Since my fall season is coming up, I have received several reservations via the Expedia/Hotels OTA connection. * Note that I made these to be non-refundable bookings. All are 2 days or more and one is a 7 night booking. Payment is taken by the OTA at time of booking & I submit to be paid once guest checks in.
I am wondering if you can be on B&B.com without being listed on the OTA? That use to be the case, but that was when they had a partnership, not being owned by the giant.
 
Sorry to hear of your sister's passing.

I am using the new commission based model. Love/hate relationship believe me!!! Customer Service is NULL!

This all has come to pass because Homeaway which purchased B&B.com is now owned by Expedia.

It took me for ever to be set up. And they had my information on file!!! I had dropped them last December after dwindling stats. Was offered the new model in early March, was not live until mid June. (dead time for my business)

Then they sent out emails stating they were putting all the properties on Homeaway. I went out and looked at my listing - many vital pieces of information were incorrect. I submitted ticket after ticket for assistance. Emailed my Rep., called my Rep., contacted a Mgr of Client Relations. Nothing seemed to help, in fact my Rep told me at one point that they were unable to correct or remove my listing on the Homeaway site and told me that I should just tell someone when they book that xyz info is incorrect!
angry_smile.gif
It has recently been removed.

Since my fall season is coming up, I have received several reservations via the Expedia/Hotels OTA connection. * Note that I made these to be non-refundable bookings. All are 2 days or more and one is a 7 night booking. Payment is taken by the OTA at time of booking & I submit to be paid once guest checks in.
I am wondering if you can be on B&B.com without being listed on the OTA? That use to be the case, but that was when they had a partnership, not being owned by the giant..
Copperhead said:
Customer Service is NULL!
That may be the biggest reason I would be afraid to use any of the OTA's. Yes the visibility and some extra bookings would be nice, maybe I could live with the commissions that are paid, but the seeming lack of concern for the guest and the lodging operator don't fit the way I like to do business. I don't want to be one of the big guys I love my guests and enjoying the business is important to me
 
Sorry to hear of your sister's passing.

I am using the new commission based model. Love/hate relationship believe me!!! Customer Service is NULL!

This all has come to pass because Homeaway which purchased B&B.com is now owned by Expedia.

It took me for ever to be set up. And they had my information on file!!! I had dropped them last December after dwindling stats. Was offered the new model in early March, was not live until mid June. (dead time for my business)

Then they sent out emails stating they were putting all the properties on Homeaway. I went out and looked at my listing - many vital pieces of information were incorrect. I submitted ticket after ticket for assistance. Emailed my Rep., called my Rep., contacted a Mgr of Client Relations. Nothing seemed to help, in fact my Rep told me at one point that they were unable to correct or remove my listing on the Homeaway site and told me that I should just tell someone when they book that xyz info is incorrect!
angry_smile.gif
It has recently been removed.

Since my fall season is coming up, I have received several reservations via the Expedia/Hotels OTA connection. * Note that I made these to be non-refundable bookings. All are 2 days or more and one is a 7 night booking. Payment is taken by the OTA at time of booking & I submit to be paid once guest checks in.
I am wondering if you can be on B&B.com without being listed on the OTA? That use to be the case, but that was when they had a partnership, not being owned by the giant..
Copperhead said:
Customer Service is NULL!
That may be the biggest reason I would be afraid to use any of the OTA's. Yes the visibility and some extra bookings would be nice, maybe I could live with the commissions that are paid, but the seeming lack of concern for the guest and the lodging operator don't fit the way I like to do business. I don't want to be one of the big guys I love my guests and enjoying the business is important to me
.
See, I've had good experience with X, they are involved. But I absolutely refuse to pay TA, who just wanted 15% but did NOTHING, they wanted me to do everything. And so, I passed them rates where I added the commission back into the rates. They asked and I straight out told them that they wanted a commission, they needed to earn it. Otherwise, I was getting paid for doing the work and their customers can pay their share.
And that was the end of it. You do nothing and want to get paid, let your stupid customers pay it, not me.
 
Condolences on the loss of your sister.
I haven't used OTAs except for Air. 2 room very rural inn plus an attached vacation rental here plus a vacation rental in a nearby city. We're on track to match and likely slightly exceed last year. Air bookings way up. Direct bookings way down, so a website update in is order. Loss here too earlier in the year. That has put an damper on everything but now that the season has slowed way down I'm starting to feel optimism again.
Very best to you.
heart.gif
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. So, if you are not using BNB.com, who are you using? We will virtually disappear if we don't keep them. We're on TripAdvisor, but only for reviews. All the OTA's take commission as well. I agree with Hillbilly, that all the small booking sites are disappearing. I don't want to be on ANY of those sites, but what choice do we have? Our local tourism site brings us nothing. They publish a bi-annual magazine and they also have a website, but we don't get much from them. AirBNB properties are popping up all over our area, which doesn't help. I wonder how much longer we can compete against someone offering a room for $35.00 a night.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. So, if you are not using BNB.com, who are you using? We will virtually disappear if we don't keep them. We're on TripAdvisor, but only for reviews. All the OTA's take commission as well. I agree with Hillbilly, that all the small booking sites are disappearing. I don't want to be on ANY of those sites, but what choice do we have? Our local tourism site brings us nothing. They publish a bi-annual magazine and they also have a website, but we don't get much from them. AirBNB properties are popping up all over our area, which doesn't help. I wonder how much longer we can compete against someone offering a room for $35.00 a night..
Country Girl said:
...what choice do we have?
I've dropped V- R- B- O- and Air, but I'm still on Booking and get a lot of reservations through them. They spend THEIR money to make their clients appear at the top, or high, on Google searches. I can't stand them, really, but I won't leave them because they get me so much business.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. So, if you are not using BNB.com, who are you using? We will virtually disappear if we don't keep them. We're on TripAdvisor, but only for reviews. All the OTA's take commission as well. I agree with Hillbilly, that all the small booking sites are disappearing. I don't want to be on ANY of those sites, but what choice do we have? Our local tourism site brings us nothing. They publish a bi-annual magazine and they also have a website, but we don't get much from them. AirBNB properties are popping up all over our area, which doesn't help. I wonder how much longer we can compete against someone offering a room for $35.00 a night..
No OTAs, but am getting tons of searches and bookings from TA Trip Connect pay per click. TA has really upped their ads as a portal for all OTAs. Plus they are now ranking results re best value.
 
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!
 
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!.
Arks said:
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!
'Splain this Ricky. How do you have an unpaid link on TA?
 
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!.
Arks said:
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!
'Splain this Ricky. How do you have an unpaid link on TA?
.
Morticia said:
'Splain this Ricky. How do you have an unpaid link on TA?
Glad you asked, because I had not looked at this in a year, and in fact had forgotten about it. Yes, I see that I AM signed up with TA Cost Per Click and that's what gives me the link to my own website. It's just that my monthly clicks never add up to more than a few dollars, so I'd completely forgotten I had that!
It's my connection to Booking that also puts a Booking click to book button on my TA page. At any rate, these direct booking links on my TA page are very valuable, I think, in getting bookings. Without the connection, TA puts "No availability for your dates" on your inn's TA page. A killer!
 
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!.
Arks said:
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!
'Splain this Ricky. How do you have an unpaid link on TA?
.
Morticia said:
'Splain this Ricky. How do you have an unpaid link on TA?
Glad you asked, because I had not looked at this in a year, and in fact had forgotten about it. Yes, I see that I AM signed up with TA Cost Per Click and that's what gives me the link to my own website. It's just that my monthly clicks never add up to more than a few dollars, so I'd completely forgotten I had that!
It's my connection to Booking that also puts a Booking click to book button on my TA page. At any rate, these direct booking links on my TA page are very valuable, I think, in getting bookings. Without the connection, TA puts "No availability for your dates" on your inn's TA page. A killer!
.
Yes, but if you are indeed using TC it will still show your availability, you don't need Booking for that. PLUS, rather than saving that commission by directly reserving via Trip Connect, that Booking button is luring them and your dollars away. Which could also be why you're not seeing many TC clicks.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. So, if you are not using BNB.com, who are you using? We will virtually disappear if we don't keep them. We're on TripAdvisor, but only for reviews. All the OTA's take commission as well. I agree with Hillbilly, that all the small booking sites are disappearing. I don't want to be on ANY of those sites, but what choice do we have? Our local tourism site brings us nothing. They publish a bi-annual magazine and they also have a website, but we don't get much from them. AirBNB properties are popping up all over our area, which doesn't help. I wonder how much longer we can compete against someone offering a room for $35.00 a night..
98% of our bookings come through our own website and the biggest driver to that is organic searches and adwords on Goo gle.
 
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!.
Arks said:
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!
'Splain this Ricky. How do you have an unpaid link on TA?
.
Morticia said:
'Splain this Ricky. How do you have an unpaid link on TA?
Glad you asked, because I had not looked at this in a year, and in fact had forgotten about it. Yes, I see that I AM signed up with TA Cost Per Click and that's what gives me the link to my own website. It's just that my monthly clicks never add up to more than a few dollars, so I'd completely forgotten I had that!
It's my connection to Booking that also puts a Booking click to book button on my TA page. At any rate, these direct booking links on my TA page are very valuable, I think, in getting bookings. Without the connection, TA puts "No availability for your dates" on your inn's TA page. A killer!
.
A TA listing will not necessarily show no availability for your dates of you don’t maintain links to OTAs. If you simply never establish a paid link to OTAs your listing on TA directs all lookers to contact the B&B directly for availability.
Granted, not using OTAs reduces the # of prospective lookers. But if you are marketing to a segment that is motivated, expects customer service and hospitality, and does not mind paying for the personal attention, you can still effectively use TA to drive business directly to you without paying any fees. You still need to keep reviews coming into TA Nd Go ogle so you don’t get buried in the masses. But the motivated customer will find you if you work at your own marketing. Just sayin’
 
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!.
Arks said:
Being listed on Booking means people can book through my website directly via a link on my TA page, and I don't have to pay a penny to TA. I like that!
'Splain this Ricky. How do you have an unpaid link on TA?
.
Morticia said:
'Splain this Ricky. How do you have an unpaid link on TA?
Glad you asked, because I had not looked at this in a year, and in fact had forgotten about it. Yes, I see that I AM signed up with TA Cost Per Click and that's what gives me the link to my own website. It's just that my monthly clicks never add up to more than a few dollars, so I'd completely forgotten I had that!
It's my connection to Booking that also puts a Booking click to book button on my TA page. At any rate, these direct booking links on my TA page are very valuable, I think, in getting bookings. Without the connection, TA puts "No availability for your dates" on your inn's TA page. A killer!
.
A TA listing will not necessarily show no availability for your dates of you don’t maintain links to OTAs. If you simply never establish a paid link to OTAs your listing on TA directs all lookers to contact the B&B directly for availability.
Granted, not using OTAs reduces the # of prospective lookers. But if you are marketing to a segment that is motivated, expects customer service and hospitality, and does not mind paying for the personal attention, you can still effectively use TA to drive business directly to you without paying any fees. You still need to keep reviews coming into TA Nd Go ogle so you don’t get buried in the masses. But the motivated customer will find you if you work at your own marketing. Just sayin’
.
Silverspoon said:
But the motivated customer will find you if you work at your own marketing.
I fear, if finding me depends on my guests being motivated, I'll starve!
But this discussion has helped me a LOT, especially Mort making me realize that my pay-per-click had expired and my own site was no longer appearing on TA. It's back now. I'm really surprised TA didn't notify me, even badger me, when that PPC expired!
 
Back
Top