How dodgy does this look?

GreenMint · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:04

Hey guys, I know the general answer will be "If it looks dodgy, or too good to be true, its not worth it" Which is what I think about this situation, but my friend is is trying to book a holiday for the 20th and stumbled upon oe she liked, after a few emails the woman has basically said she would like to be paid by bank transfer right away before anything can be sorted, most places i've booked or been to haven't been like that at all and it all just seems a bit strange down to the overly short replies to some email and the willingness to drop the price right away, just seemed a bit strange along with a few things that didn't ring true and reminded me of a lot of the "Is this a scam?" posts on here in the past.

Here's the email exchnages:

Subject: ***
From: ***
Reply To: ***

Hi
My other guests are leaving on the 19th so available after that
Regards
_____________

From: ***
Subject: Re: ***
To: ***

Hi,
Just trying to sort flights etc. Is your villa still available on 20th?
Regards
______________

Subject: Re: ***
From: ***
Reply To: ***

Yes still available

Regards

________

From: ***
Subject: Re: ***
To: ***

Hi
I have been trying to contact you by phone to confirm booking the 20th July but can't get through.
Could you tell me the number I should be ringing?
Regards
___________

Subject: Re: ***
From: ***
Reply To: ***

Hi
I am actually in Greece at the moment so apologies that you could not contact me
House still available from 20th to 27th July
I will give you discount of 50 now making price 600 per week instead of 650
Bank details as follows

Bank of Piraeus
Zakynthos
Greece
Account Name - *****

IBAN - GR54 **** **** **** **** **** ***

ACCOUNT NO - EUR **** ******-***

Pls confirm when money transferred, I will forward you booking contract shortly

Regards

Ben M · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:05

What looks dodgy?

The fact that she randomly reduced it? Or the fact that she lives abroad?

Neoni · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:06

I'd want to see the place first, and talk in person/phone before anything is transferred.

Burnsy2023 · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:07

Sounds very scammy to me. I'd avoid.

"andy" · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:07

im assuming his mum has seen pics though ? on a travel or holidays site maybe ?

Neoni · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:08

"andy" said:
im assuming his mum has seen pics though ? on a travel or holidays site maybe ?

There/Their? is no guarantee of it being genuine, i certainly wouldnt be transferring anything, id be very hesitant

Windle · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:08

Most places operate on a deposit paid when booking or very shortly after then full balance paid 2-3 weeks before arrival.

Neoni · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:09

Windle said:
Most places operate on a deposit paid when booking or very shortly after then full balance paid 2-3 weeks before arrival.

But this is private so therefore theres no insurance as such if it is a scam

Burnsy2023 · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:10

I'd only want to do it via credit card, then I have fraud protection.

GreenMint · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:12

I think it was actually on holidaylettings.co.uk but it just reeked of a scam when she called this morning saying the woman wanted her to pay now by bank transfer, the lack of fraud protection in that case is, as you say the biggest worry.

I know in usual cases you obviously pay before etc.. just the way its all worded seems very odd, either that or she's just very blunt!

Windle · 11 Jul 2009 at 16:12

Neoni said:
But this is private so therefore theres no insurance as such if it is a scam

So are most self-catering places if booked directly, otherwise if you go through an agency/letting website then you normally pay them as they take a cut before passing onto the owner.

Nothing wrong with booking direct, as long as the place is advertised on a couple of proper websites then I'd see nothing wrong with it. We booked our long weekend in Arran directly, paid via cheque. It's relatively standard in self-catering places.

Darg · 11 Jul 2009 at 17:45

Never pay 100% up front on anything by bank transfer unless you know the person. Pay by CC or pay 10-20% deposit (that's how it's always worked when I've booked places privately).

Tefal · 11 Jul 2009 at 17:54

any chance that after the 20th we can get an update to see if it was a scam?

I'm sick of never getting closure

GreenMint · 11 Jul 2009 at 18:17

Closure will be delivered, I'm just hoping she doesn't bother taking what is, in my eyes a silly risk!