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PROS
- No advertising expenses
- By using an agent, you access a large customer base
- Increased business (well, you’d hope so, wouldn’t you?)
- Loyal customers (many return to the same company, year in, year out)
- Client confidence (the agents’ clients have peace of mind, knowing that the property conforms to a standard, and that they have back-up in the event of any problems, as opposed to dealing with a complete stranger)
- One-stop shop (some holidaymakers to Languedoc-Roussillon prefer to book through an agent, buying their travel, accommodation and insurance in one fell swoop instead of shopping around)
- Less time, less hassle (no more answering emails, phone calls or letters)
- Less involvement (in most cases, you won’t have to worry about meeting and greeting your guests, or caretaking)
- Less paperwork (and boy, is that a bonus in a country like France!)
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CONS
- You can’t pick and choose your clients (whereas when you handle your own bookings, if someone appears to be a tricky customer or mad as a stick, you can always invent a booking that had slipped your mind…)
- No more personal use whenever you please (your family and friends may be disappointed: naturally enough, many agents demand exclusivity during peak season)
- Someone else lays down the law (which can also be a benefit in some instances)
- A fixed pricing structure (agents normally set the rental prices for your property)
- Paying commission!
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