doris day Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 Just received a quote from a booking service sawasdee.com for a reasonably upscale serviced apartment. They want a deposit to be paid asap and then the full amount to be paid several weeks before I even arrive in Thailand. The booking service is run through the Pattaya Secrets website so it seems legit but I'm freaked out at the thought of paying upfront giving all the power to the hotel. As experience tells me, hotels in Thailand have a habit of losing bookins, putting you in different rooms to that you booked etc etc Is this usual practice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroyinEwa/Perv Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 Having only read about this, never using a service, yes......it seems the norm is to pay the whole amount up front. This, to me, is a scary prospect. If you shell out a bunch of money and obviously in life, things happen. If you were unable to make the trip, if your flight is delayed where you miss a day, if you don't get what you're promised....can you get a refund??? For me, I would rather pay as I go or pay after the stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Munchmaster Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 What happens if there are problems with the place or you just don't like it and want to leave early? Are they going to refund you for the unused days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doris day Posted September 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 Exactly. I can't stay at a place like that as I like to leave things as open as I can as things never go according to plan. It's a pain in the ass. If it was in Australia I could/would do it but I know Thailand too well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ckrisg Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 I had this choice a couple of years ago large payment upfront before arriving in LOS. In the end I fly to LOS get a hotel for a couple of weeks and then found an apartment. Cost me more overall but I got to see the place and meet the owner etc. Every Apartment I saw needed cleaning, light bulbs fitting and most important got to test the air con. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USVirgin Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 Good advice. Don't pay for any room up front unless you're certain where you want to stay and for how long, especially with the glut of rooms available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unit731 Posted September 13, 2009 Report Share Posted September 13, 2009 I almost never book a room in advance. And I have traveled from Belgium to Bangkok. I just walk in. I always seem to get a good room. Upon first arrival in BKK, I do book the first couple nights at the Nana Hotel and ask for a certain room/floor. But other than that, just walk across soi and there is another 5 hotels just begging for your money. Now if it is New Years/Christmas - well maybe a reservation is appreciated. But other times, no. And never money up front. Any taxi driver will take you to a "good" hotel !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doris day Posted September 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2009 Just got a response from another hotel who want me to pay upfront...but this time its only when i check in. That's better but it seems to be a growing trend all of a sudden to pay everything upfront. Shit i usually pay in arrears every few days. Wonder what's changed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Munchmaster Posted September 15, 2009 Report Share Posted September 15, 2009 Normal practice is to pay nothing up front but to let them take an imprint of your credit card, presumably for if you do a runner or steal or damage something. For a long stay they might also ask you to settle your bill every week or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooNoi Posted September 20, 2009 Report Share Posted September 20, 2009 Having only read about this, never using a service, yes......it seems the norm is to pay the whole amount up front. This, to me, is a scary prospect. If you shell out a bunch of money and obviously in life, things happen. If you were unable to make the trip, if your flight is delayed where you miss a day, if you don't get what you're promised....can you get a refund??? For me, I would rather pay as I go or pay after the stay. This is what travel insurance is for! Don't tell me you guys don't take travel insurance when you go to LOS... or anywhere for that matter! Silly sausages! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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