Book Direct
Book Direct: What Does it Mean, and Why Should You Do it?
While shopping for your next vacation you may have come across articles and ads encouraging you to “Book Direct”, but may have been unsure of what that means. Booking direct means booking your vacation directly with us rather than through booking sites like VRBO, Booking.com, or Airbnb.
So why should you book direct with RiverDance for your next vacation?
You Get a Better Price by Booking Direct
Booking sites don’t actually own any vacation rentals. The booking site allows RiverDance to list our spaces in exchange for a commission on the rental amount.
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- Those sites charge you a commission for their services.
- Plus, some of these sites, like VRBO, also charge a booking fee on their reservations which makes the total price even higher.
- You may even avoid some taxes.
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You’ll always avoid higher prices and fees and get the best available rate by booking your vacation directly with us, and that’s before you arrive.
One Example
This is a receipt that a friend shared with me from a recent visit to Florida when we were talking about “Booking Direct”. Notice in the price breakdown the two items, Service Fee (that is the commission that you are paying directly, in addition to the commission you don’t see that is charged directly to the rental). Also Occupancy taxes and fees. At RiverDance we do have to collect the appropriate state use tax (6.75%) for North Carolina, but we avoid the Tourism Development Tax of 5% since we only have two suites. However, folks like Airbnb and Vrbo automatically collect that tax from you regardless of the number of units under management since it makes their life easier.
You Learn More about What You’re Booking by Booking Direct
Since booking sites don’t manage the rentals that are listed on their sites. They are not as familiar with the accommodations that they offer for rent.
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- Let’s say you’re looking at renting a suite at RiverDance on Vrbo.com. You’d be able to see photos and some kind of description of the suite you are looking at, but that’s all the information that Vrbo.com would be able to provide. Certainly not the details you would like to have in hand before you book
- What if you wanted to know more about the restaurants or activities around RiverDance or even just in the Hot Springs, NC area? Want to talk to someone who calls Madison County, NC home and who both lives and plays in this “Jewel of the Blue Ridge”. Vrbo.com would be unable to help you.
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When you deal directly with us, you are dealing with the people who are involved in running RiverDance every day so they have firsthand knowledge of RiverDance itself plus they will have feedback on all the fun things to do in the local area. You now have a go-to person available for any other questions that come up.
There you have it, booking direct is the best way to get the best vacation possible at the lowest rate. Many people looking to book a vacation don’t realize they have so many options when it comes to making their reservation, but doing the research before you book, and knowing the difference in your options, could make you the hero of your next vacation by saving it before it even starts.