Do you ever bargain on lodging rental fees?

I have bargained and gotten a reduced price on two house rentals last year and this year. I check the online reservation calendar (there was one for each house) to see how booked the property is. I make sure that the amenities listed are actually available. Then I simply ask if the stated price is best they are willing to do. Twice the rent was reduced a few hundred dollars. Othertimes not. Worth a polite inquiry.

Always ask. Do they have a AAA discount? Can they reduce the rate if you are renting more than a week? Discount for paying in advance. The economy is still very soft and it's still a buyer's market.

I often use vrbo or similar and always bargain, esp for longer term rentals. I am always offered a substantial discount, even in prime time. Recently got 65% off asking price on a beautiful, newer townhouse. I email many owners through the site and wait to see what comes back. Some get back to me with discounts, some don't. I usually return a very polite FYI for those who don't so they realize what their competition is.

Yep - I always ask. Nicely, of course

Thanks. You are helping me get my nerve up to ask. The one time I did ask (and politely), the response was a I'd rather keep it vacant than lower my price. And, I know this is the attitude some people have because I have a friend who took that approach with her rental condo this past winter. If it were me, I'd take the it's better to get something for it than let it sit vacant.

If you don't ask...you don't get!


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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

See this recent thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/can-you-negotiate-on-vrbo-have-you.cfm

With a hotel this Spring, I ventured a new approach (I am usually not built for bargaining). It was one of those places in a high-demand tourist area, where we were able to get an OK rate mid-week $159/night, but the hotel held fast to the $379 rate for the weekend. So I booked the place for 2 nights mid-week only. Once there, I told reception that we loved the place so much we would like to stay for 2 more days (Fri and Sat) but only if we could have the same $159 rate. "Of course!" they said. I don't know that this would work with a home rental, though.

Some people aren't interested in droping their rates - and that is fine. Other times you've got to figure out what will make it worth it to the owner. Cash on arrival? Payment in full in advance? A full week's rental rather than just over a weekend? People are motivated by different things.

we politely told someone who wanted to bargain 'good luck in finding a place at that price'

as an owner, I have been asked and I write back with the best price I can do for them. There is a threshold where it is not worth it.

You should never be discouraged by a previous response.

Just say you're really interested but the price is a bit higher than you can afford, and see what happens. Everyone is different, just as with you and your friend.

I tried it. One owner refused. The other, before I had even asked, offered a 20% discount over what he had previously quoted. I should add in I wasn't expecting a huge drop in price, just a modest adjustment and just asked if that was the best possible price. I guess it all depends on whether you have your heart set on one place and one place only. We are staying at the place where we were offered the discounted rate.