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Post by GitteK on Apr 26, 2008 17:29:00 GMT -5
www.parisvacationapartments.com/prop-nodier1bedroom.htmlThis is THE apartment of my wildest dreams, even if it is really much too expensive.......... I have just emailed the owners, if I could please please please see it in Aug/Sept. If I need character witnesses to be accepted, will you stand up for me ? Please please please keep your fingers and other bodyparts crossed for me ! AND I could do with some nifty "tips&tricks" about how to save up the extra 100 € per week which it will cost me to "splurge" on this one. (yes yes yes ........ of course I'll pay a commission for your character testimony. Could we settle it with champagne "à la discretion" on the terrace ?)
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Post by holger on Apr 26, 2008 21:23:34 GMT -5
;D
It looks great and about $200 more than you are paying for Pigalle Panorama at the current exchange rate of Euros to dollars. Since the one you love is in dollars. That is a couple of meals out at the rate of Mollard.
Having said that, I also like Pigalle Panorama. Maybe you could give a couple of walking tours to your secret streets or do an article for a travel magazine.
I will also cross my fingers and legs for you to get your wish.
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Post by Shoesy on Apr 26, 2008 21:24:40 GMT -5
Dearest Gitte - How can we be good character witnesses after learning about your mug incident? However, if you get the apt. of your dreams, you will be in lovely surroundings for writing trip reports, and since I absolutely love your reports, I'm willing to conveniently forget about that silly mug and wipe your slate clean. Besides, I can always say that you're the cleanest person in the world and you even schlep around your own duvet because of that.
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Post by Anne on Apr 27, 2008 3:18:22 GMT -5
Oh, I remember this appartment, you already posted a link several months ago ! So it has been titillating the back of your mind ever since ? As far as the price is concerned, you can cross your fingers about the $/Danish crown rate . You will be about the only one on the forum hoping for the $ to dip even further ;D ... And you know, with such a terrasse, you could decide to have ALL dinners at home and, more difficult I know, you could decide to skip wine on some restaurant lunches and have wine during your terrasse dinners instead : the difference in prices between wine bought in restaurants and bottles bought at Nicolas or other shops is usually huge and so savings would quickly add up . Of course I will stand up for you and I won't even ask for champagne . A bottle of Beaume de Venise just for myself will do the trick . Oooh, to be nursing my very own bottle of chilled Beaume de Venise on such a terrasse ...
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 4:47:30 GMT -5
Gitte,
You will have no trouble previewing the apartment. Alex and Isis are great.
Just get your reservations as far ahead as possible to get the ones you want.
Enjoy....
Joan
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Post by iloveparis on Apr 27, 2008 7:24:18 GMT -5
Gitte,
I stayed in that apartment in 2000! It is very nice. For me, the best part was the unobstructed, amazing view of Sacre Coeur as I was falling asleep each night. The lights are kept on until midnight and the view is really magical. I was there in January, so I could not make adequate use of the patio. The deep tub is wonderful after a day of wearing down the Eccos!
Elle
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Post by GitteK on Apr 27, 2008 8:20:14 GMT -5
elle and joan - one question:
I am somewhat sceptical of the fact that they do not leave any room whatsoever for cancellation ? Once you've paid, you have said goodbye to your money.
I have an annual cancellation cover, but of course only for illness, accident, acts/threats of terrorism in the travel destination, damages to my home etc. etc - incidents which would force me to stay home. Naturally, I have no cover for simply "changing my mind".
But isn't it rather unusual that there is absolutely NO cancellation option ? I find it not very customer friendly. Also they demand a signed contract. PerfectlyParis and ParisAddress don't do that, they just demand that you pay (!) for the rent and the security deposit (if not waived, for good friendship).
PerfectlyParis has 60 days limit for cancellation:
>>> We hope that you don't cancel, but if you do, our policy is as follows: 60 days or more prior to arrival: 100% refund, less €50 fee If you give less than 60 days notice, we will try to rent the dates we blocked for you. If we are successful, we will send you a 100% refund, less €50 fee.<<<
Also I wasn't offered a discount for 3 weeks, it was the full 3 x 1300 USD - which is quite a hefty price. So even if it is a fantastic apartment (and location) - their business terms are not very appealing ?
Have you any comments on / previous experiences with those things ?
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 9:36:58 GMT -5
Gitte,
I have signed contracts with most...Paris Perfect, Parisian Flat, a rental in Villefrance-sur-Mer..and Paris Vacation Apartments. They vary as to how they handle cancellations..their decision. That is the policy of PVA. As to trip insurance..I always take it out. Not so interested in getting air fare or lodging back, but foolish not to take out medical evacuation insurance! You don't have to be old to need that, as you have read recently the young gal that Madelyn and Phillipe of Paris Perfect helped. All kinds of things can happen. You just hope you don't ever need to use it. There is no such thing as insurance "just because you changed your mind"!
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 9:40:19 GMT -5
Gitte,
Forgot....no, they do not discount for staying a month, as a few do by you paying 3 weeks and staying a month...neither Parisian Flat or Paris Perfect....Gail, Yetunde and Michele do that sort of thing..............
Joan PS..neither does Doug.................
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Post by GitteK on Apr 27, 2008 10:12:05 GMT -5
Thank you, joan, for that information.
As to the cancellation cover for "changing ones mind". Yes, that does in fact exist. I have seen it on a British website for a travel insurance company. I have the link on my workcomputer. Very interesting new feature (I am in that industry, as you know), but I cannot imagine how they can make a sound business case out of it ?
But on the other hand: how many people DO cancel their trips for "no reason at all" ? And of course it must be possible to calculate a correct premium for the risk, so why not ? Uh-oh......... I'd better stop the shoptalking.......
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 10:29:55 GMT -5
I don't think insurance for changing your mind is available in the US. Can't imagine it anyplace!! It really doesn't make any sense. Doing it would/could only cause fraud...you rent, pay a deposit, or the whole thing, you "change your mind", get a refund and go free!! Everybody would be doing it..............
Must be some catch to what you are saying...or is cost prohibitive!!
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 10:38:05 GMT -5
Gitte,
This is with a cruise re insurance and might be what you were thinking of..
"Change of Mind coverage, which reimburses you up to $250 when you are charged a penalty for canceling your trip simply because you change your mind"
That would be cancel with whatever refund you were do less the penalty for doing so just because you changed your mind...
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 10:38:56 GMT -5
that was "due" not "do"........................
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Post by GitteK on Apr 27, 2008 10:47:19 GMT -5
Let us not go into statistics and actuary nerding and all that, but I rather think that you are wrong in assuming that everyone would be doing it. Why should they ? People buy tickets and book hotels in order to travel, not because they secretly plan to cancel it all in the last minute, just to cheat on the insurance company. And it appears to be also available in the US, look: tinyurl.com/4c3tyv
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Post by luckyluc on Apr 27, 2008 11:01:02 GMT -5
I do have a cancellation policy for our clients. We do not ask for any reasons! Our policy is similar to Douglas. If is 45 days before the reserved arrival date: 100% of the reservation deposit, less a 25 Euros administrative fee. Between 45 and 30 days before the reserved arrival date: 50% of the rental fee, less a 25 Euros administrative fee. Less than 30 days before the reserved arrival date: 0%.
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Post by holger on Apr 27, 2008 11:03:46 GMT -5
Hi, just went and checked the URL. It appears to cover only packages booked through United Vacations. But I did not read all the fine print. Looking back at all my notes when I was looking for our apartment for March 2009, Gail had the most generous cancellation policy. A very few others also allowed cancellation a few months before trip but with more of a fee. Others like Vacation In Paris, none at all. I do like their apartments and they do book up way in advance but that is why I am holding off on 2010. There are just too many balls in the air with family graduations, maybe a wedding, etc. so I just can't pick dates. Had hoped to spend my 75th in early June in Paris but that looks less likely and so am now thinking of September 2010. Will wait till this coming September. Right now I am waiting for airlines to open up March 30, 2009 so I can confirm those flights. We can book out but not back till later this coming week. Once that is done, I can relax, plan for July and August this year in Britain, write the paper I have to give, etc. When we get back, I will start for 2010. Just wish Gail had more airconditioned apartments.
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 11:05:03 GMT -5
Gitte,
Yes, I found it..the same $250 when you have cancelled and received whatever refund due and charged a fee for doing so...only pays up to the $250..in US$
The other could be that you set up a fraudulent deal with the owner....pay them in full...cancel for no reason..receive a full refund and do the rental!! You would have a lot of people working that kind of deal!!!
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 11:14:12 GMT -5
Holger,
Vacation in Paris has a policy re cancellations....can get most back if not close to rental time.
Paris Vacation Apartments is the only one that I can think of that does not release you.....
Joan
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Post by Truffaut on Apr 27, 2008 12:42:04 GMT -5
CANCELLATION POLICY Our policy is a 100% refund (for any reason) if more than 45 days, 50% refund between 30-45 days, and no refund for less than 30 days. Any cancellation is subject to a $100 fee (pays for the credit card merchant fees). Also, we will always refund the full amount if we're able to rent the nights to another client. This is actually a more generous policy than many rental companies offer.
EXTENDED STAY DISCOUNTS We personally know many of the owners of rental companies mentioned on the pages of this forum. Many of them have been guests in our Paris home or are people with whom we've had some professional relationship. Many of them have told us that they're very impressed with our low vacancy rate. As a matter of fact, we've booked 35-40 weeks every single year for the last 4 years. In that time, we've never offered a discount for a longer stay because it's simply not necessary to prop up our occupancy rate that way.
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Post by Truffaut on Apr 27, 2008 13:07:55 GMT -5
More on rental discounts...
Many of the people who rent out apartments in Paris are rental agencies (even though they often appear to be owners because of their advertising on VRBO and similar websites). They do not own the properties and don't have any financial burden related to the costs of carrying the property. They don't pay gas, electric, cable tv, internet, property tax, inhabitancy tax, syndic fees, property insurance, repairs, mortgages, mortgage insurance, etc. They profit from the 25-30% management fee. When they offer a "fourth week discount", they're able to do so because they don't have tremendous out-of-pocket expenses to factor into the equation.
Some rental agencies are superb, and others are significantly less so. Some have good properties at fair prices and others ask ridiculous prices for average or even substandard properties. Some advertise fairly with accurate photos and others use the magic wide-angle lens to make the property appear much more spacious than it really is.
Among all the rental agencies that are frequently mentioned on this forum, I'd particularly single out Perfectly Paris as an honest, reliable option.
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