CASA YBEL OWNER'S FORUM

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CASA YBEL OWNER'S FORUM
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Re: check -in issue

Casa Ybel and Sanibel are expensive - everyone knows this. If you only have a few hundred dollars in credit, this resort and Sanibel are not for you.

Obama has initiated an all-out assault on capitalism and those who can afford (for now) to vacation on Sanibel. Please vote for "real" change in the next general election.

Re: check -in issue

My understanding with credit card companies is that if a transaction is authorised, they "reserve" the amount requested, but do not actually charge it to the cardholder's account until the transaction is actually received.

Therefore, in this case, $350 would be authorised, and that amount would effectively be blocked, but not charged to the card account, so no "over limit" fees charged. However, if the cardholder was already near the limit, it might prevent any further items being charged to the card once the account reaches the limit. I do not know at what point the "reserved" amount would be released if the transaction does not go through.

The clever thing, if you are near the limit, would be to take a spare credit card for the holding deposit, and then use another credit card or debit card for your holiday spending.

Re: check -in issue

I feel as an owner that Casa Ybel is very competitive
and better than any other timeshare around the USA.
Why do you need a credit card at all,when you are an owner, all expenses are paid come deadline February 15 each year. Taxes, maintenance, use of pool, electricity. cleaning of unit before you arrive, towels, soap, dishwasher soap, even picking up the keys is paid for through our payments up front to Hospitality and Hilton.

You do not owe anything up front when you arrive to your home away from home, it is up to you to decide what extra you wish to spend while staying at Casa Ybel.
If all the young couple had was the $350 spending money on the credit card, that was confiscated by the front office it would surely pay whatever they decided to do within this limit.
I think it is a wrong attitude by the front office to confiscate funds on arrival, after all, they must know they already have owners collateral in the value of the unit, which they can close down at any time in case of non payments and stop owner from using the unit next year?!
I wished we could feel like owners, and not be treated like someone trying to cheat the front office by not paying the bills.
It does make a big difference in your feelings toward our hired crew, after all we are giving them a living and constant flow of money with good profits, witch keeps them safe in today's uncertain almost bankruptcy state of our Nation, due to the creator of all the problems, the Chaney/ Bush combination that removed all financial control of our banking and our stock market.
I do not know what you think about Obama, but he inherited a mess, thank God he is trying to get us out of this and not giving up!
And now he is being blamed for having started all this.
I was a registered Republican, trying to resist all
this communistic socialism, but where are we?
We might find we have so many Republicans running for
President, and none of them agree on anything between themselves?
Where do we go from here? Is the US to big, perhaps we should go back to 50 independent states?

Re: check -in issue

Hold on, let's not make this a political conversation. Everyone in their right mind knows it's Obama trying to steal from the haves to give to the have nots.

My wife and I travel to Casa Ybel annually. We make sure we have adequate funds in our account to handle the hold placed on our credit card by the front desk. This is simply good business from the resort, and it guarantees they will not turn up empty-handed when it's time for checkout.

As Tommy states, if the $350 hold caused the couple hardship, then maybe this resort isn't for them. Obviously, this cost of Sanibel in conjunction with this "fee" keeps the resort from turning into a glorified trailer park community. In the future, there may be a Days Inn located in Ft. Myers that is more suitable for those who cannot afford Casa Ybel.

Re: check -in issue

I presume that the card imprint is taken to ensure that any items charged to the unit during somebody's stay (eg food at the restaurant or bar, telephone calls, etc) will be paid on departure. This is standard procedure at all hotels and resorts, so Casa Y'bel is no different here and should not be critisised for it.

There are some options here. One is to do as I said previously, and use a different card for the check in imprint. Another could be to arrange with the front dest that no credit will be allowed to be charged to the unit. That would mean telephone calls would be blocked, and you would have to pay for food and drinks etc as you receive them.

Re: check -in issue

I respectfully suggest that not every issue in simple commerce (and certainly not in life overall) is political. This core of situation can actually be traced to efforts during both Carter and Reagan in the late 70s and early 80s (my dad was a key player involved in setting up transaction processes for the overall banking and credit card industry).

I think it's helpful sometimes to try to think about the least conspiratorial perspective on a situation. We vacationed at Casa Ybel when our combined annual household income was only $7,800. I've been both up and down in this difficult economic period. No political party nor political leader has been directly responsible responsible for my economic circumstances. I suspect that the same is true for the situation on which you commented.

Re: check -in issue

Hello London!
Ft Myers speaking, Poul!
we almost hit the same moment to deliver our
thoughts this early morning!, we must both be on California time? or perhaps on another planet?
We broke all records for rain this month(since 1924, they say) for the month of October.
The top of Irene drifted over us (no storm) and dumped enough to stop traffic in and around SW Florida.
A range between 60 Fahrenheit low at night and 84 high day time will be with us with sunshine for the next week, and it snowed today on the East coast from Philadelphia to Maine! Turn on the solar pool heater!
How nice to live here in Florida!
Is your time at Casa Ybel coming up soon?
I enjoy your comments in the Forum, thanks
Carl

Re: check -in issue

I talked to Amy at the front office about your question. Her reply was that they do run your card at checkin to verify that the card is valid, but no charges are made on the card until you check out if you are an owner. If you are a renter, they will charge for two nights when you make the reservation.

I hope that answers your question.

Re: check -in issue

Lynn;
Welcome back to the board!

I was told front office charge the full stay up front when taking the reservation.
So they charge an additional 2 days on top of this when checking in, just in case the renters run off?

Owners tell me they do not see any rental payments for a long time when renting, even after the rental took place, that is why they like to rent it themselves and receive payment way up front with no 35% cuts!

So if you send your children with their new family you better give them some more cash for the deposit?
Even if you own the unit?

Perhaps the rules on security deposits with two nights deposits should be sent to the owners?

Re: check -in issue

Carl, I don't care what you were told (and I don't know who told you) but my information came from Amy and she is the person in charge.

Lynn

Re: check -in issue

After just leaving a wonderful week at CY as always, I will tell you that they do swipe your card to make sure the card is valid, and they DO request "authorization" on the card to "cover the week with incidentals". On checkout, you pay whatever you may have charged during the week using cash, credit, or debit, however you wish. However, the "authorization" on your account - is $300 -- which is made unavailable to your use the minute they swipe the card at check-in. I agree with Carl, it should be an option to block a charge to your unit, and be able to "pay as you go". No matter what others have said about not going to Sanibel unless you can afford it, that is a pretty cruel comment to make. We have owned since 1979 and have no intention to not go to Sanibel or to sell our week. It is very possible to have a wonderful, relaxing, and glorious week at minimal expense on Sanibel. It is never necessary to eat at the most expensive restaurants. The Island Cow is great for every meal, the Lazy Flamingo is a must, the Hungry Heron is always good, Grandma Dot's wonderful. We ate great food every night and with a glass of wine, spent under 20.00 / person per meal. I believe, as owners, we should be treated differently and given more options than as a "renter". It is us, as long time owners, that have kept the resort going. We just received our maintenance bill -- which should be more than enough to cover everything!!! Including the use of chairs and umbrellas!! Maybe consideration could be given to owners regarding this rental?? Thanks for keeping this forum going.

Re: check -in issue

I agree, I would like to be treated like an owner and not a renter. Casa Ybel is very special to us and we are preconstruction owners. We are not interested in selling our units, but would like to be appreciated when we check in and not be made to feel like we are intruding on the staff. It hasn't always been like this!!!

Re: check -in issue

Sheila,
Thanks for your suggestions for dinner on Sanibel.
Did you read my input Nov 15 in previous string about making it possible to expand on what YOU brought up right now.
I can see you have a great sense for planning dinners out and our new addition to www.casaybel.com will be right in line.
May I quote your input "It is very possible---- a glass of wine, spent under $20.00 / person per meal" in our new www.SanibelWhatToDo.com? will be out shortly.
It makes for a fun time exploring Sanibel! You did hit some good spots.

Re: check -in issue

Sheila,
Thanks for your suggestions for dinner on Sanibel.
Did you read my input Nov 15 in previous string about making it possible to expand on what YOU brought up right now.
I can see you have a great sense for planning dinners out and our new addition to www.casaybel.com will be right in line.
May I quote your input "It is very possible---- a glass of wine, spent under $20.00 / person per meal" in our new
www.SanibelWhatToDo.com? will be out shortly.
It makes for a fun time exploring Sanibel! You did hit some good spots.

Re: check -in issue

Carl- you must have be mixed up with someone else. I was commenting on check in and how we don't feel like the staff appreciates the owners. Sorry I don't remember saying anything about dinners.

Re: check -in issue

Hi Shelia:

I'm truly sorry that you didn't receive friendly service at check in at Casa Ybel. The staff that checks you in are employes of Casa Ybel Hospitality, but they should give you nothing but the best service. You should contact Amy though the main number (239)472-3145 and make your complaint with her. She is a super person and should be able to make sure that you do not have problems in the future.

Lynn Perkins, President FGH.

Re: check -in issue

In the 30+ years we have been coming to Casa Ybel, there has never been a less than friendly, enthusiastic reception at check-in. Further, I have gone to or called the front desk for help numerous times during our stays, and at all hours, and I can remember only one incident where I dealt with someone who was rude or short. If encountered, I definitely think rude or unhelpful desk personnel should be reported; it is not the norm.

Re: check -in issue

Thanks for your inputs!
Our Forum is designed to help in any situation, and "things" do happen.
You see various types of written inputs for better or for worse, where the subject sadly enough has no way to
defend him or her self!
Look at what people do write in our restaurant reports!
Thanks again,
Carl