Hi everyone,

We are traveling to Switzerland this fall, and are trying to book chalets in Interlaken & Zermatt for 3 days each. I am wondering if others have done the same, and how do they pay the deposit? Out there we can probably pay in cash, but how do you pay a deposit when the chalet owners do not do credit cards. Is deposit even the common practice?

Any help is greatly appreciated

Ask the chalet owners. I'm more worried about you finding chalets for such a short rental - a chalet is a house, and they don't usually rent for less than a week.

So, if you find one, surely the owner has a mechanism he can suggest for payment?

WK

It is possible to rent chalets for less than a week during the off season (we've done it), but it will depend on when in the fall you plan to go - September may be a problem, but October and November won't.

The owner we rented from wanted a bank transfer, but because we live in a remote area of Indonesia where bank transfers are a problem, she agreed to just take cash upon our arrival.

Asking for a deposit is common practice in my experience, particularly during the high season, as they've reserved the place for you. You might find that chalet owners are more flexible during the off season and may be more willing to work with you if sending a deposit is a problem.

Thanks for the responses. The owners have since asked for bank trf, and I am trying to get them to accept personal / cashier's checks, since bank trf cost $50!! Hopefully this will work out

Peripatetic:
I have stayed in private chalets or apts within chalets several times in Switzerland and Germany (sometimes for 5 days befor moving). Some owners have asked for deposit, others not. Because bank transfers cost quite a bit, I got Travelers Checks made out in Euros (available at AAA), signed one (50E) and mailed it, wrapped securely inside a lettter--she got it every time!
I felt uncomfortable about it the first time, but all went smoothly, and 50 E seemed enough of a promise of upcoming payment...