Paying by cash
Jan 26th, 2009, 05:13 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Paying by cash
Can anyone one explain to me why most Villas require payment by cash instead of Credit Card. I'm in the process of planning my trip to St John and the Villas I'm looking at are asking for check or money order. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable sending a check.
Jan 26th, 2009, 05:22 AM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is very common for villa rentals in the Caribbean. It's an absolute certainty if you are renting directly from the owner (individual people don't take credit cards). But many brokers also don't take credit cards (too many fees and all the shared commissions, etc.). Remember that it can cost a vendor several percentage points just to process a transaction. The way to make yourself feel better is to make sure you are dealing with a reputable broker.
Jan 26th, 2009, 07:10 AM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,967
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Doug is right - it's common practice to pay by check or money order, not only on St. John but throughout the Caribbean. This has been going on for years and rarely has any renter been "burnt".
You'll probably also be asked to have the entire rental fee fully paid weeks or even months prior to your arrival - again common practice.
You'll probably also be asked to have the entire rental fee fully paid weeks or even months prior to your arrival - again common practice.
Jan 26th, 2009, 08:00 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is definitely for your own protection. We were once required to send a certified check and the boat transporting the mail sank. The dispute was handled bank-to-bank and we were (mercifully) out of it. These things happen in the islands.
Jan 26th, 2009, 04:00 PM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More recently, we've seen many owners accept Paypal.
Remember - you can send a payment via Paypal to anyone with an Email address and your payment is protected. Via Paypal, you may even pay via credit card to Paypal and the receiver can choose how they want to receive the payment and even direct it to their bank account.
Good luck!
Mom
Remember - you can send a payment via Paypal to anyone with an Email address and your payment is protected. Via Paypal, you may even pay via credit card to Paypal and the receiver can choose how they want to receive the payment and even direct it to their bank account.
Good luck!
Mom
