With the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2010 now six months away, the anticipated 400 000 overseas fans are about to scramble for accommodation in all the host cities around the country. The expected shortage of places to stay, particularly in smaller centres like Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Rustenburg, Nelspruit and PE has resulted in a number of Internet sites with private home accommodation rentals, many with little or no experience in property rental, all trying to capitalise on the projected crisis.
One well-known Internet company that has both South African and international experience is iStopOver.com, owned by Brightspark 3.0 Inc., run by two South Africans currently living abroad.
Mark Skapinker and Anthony Davis, the technology entrepreneurs who are Brightspark’s founders, have extensive experience operating their iStopover.com website and currently have international listings in over 25 countries. They have extended their expertise with a dedicated World Cup 2010 link to their iStopOver site.
Mark Skapinker, iStopOver founder
iStopOver was originally created to link travelers around the world looking for alternatives to hotels with homeowners interested in renting out their space, be it a room or an entire house.
iStopOver is a user-friendly site that allows homeowners to list their properties themselves and have direct contact with their prospective guests. Unlike other websites providing rental arrangements, iStopOver protects both parties by managing all financial transactions. The website provides tools and advice to hosts on creating a listing and facilitates communication between hosts and their potential guests. The transparency of communication between hosts and guests through the website is an asset for both parties. Listing is free for homeowners and the 15% surcharge is borne by the guest.
For the World Cup, iStopOver has partnered with many South African companies, including two of South Africa’s biggest real estate companies, Jawitz Real Estate and Seeff Properties. Homeowners have the option of listing directly with iStopOver or through one of the South African affiliates (such as Jawitz) who will manage the entire process. This would involve taking photos for the website, posting the listing, collecting the money, taking keys etc.
South Africans are well known for their warmth and hospitality and iStopOver has recognised this with its innovative Ambassador programme. It allows hosts to provide extra services for their guests by offering to pick them up from the airport, transport them to and from games, as well as serve as tour guides and provide advice on security concerns.
There is no question that many websites will offer great deals for prospective hosts, but a decision to open one’s home to someone else cannot be taken lightly. It is for this reason that homeowners should turn to well-established sites with international credibility and a proven track record, such as iStopOver.com to advertise their properties.
Blogger Muzi Mohale
I’m Muzi Mohale, based in Roodepoort (South Africa). Blogger with www.travelwires.com. Love Travelwires.com since I get to travel our beautiful country through blogging and get first hand tourism experience.
Good Evening Muzi,
Thank you for a very informative blog, well done.
I am writing about your iStopOver article. Please be wise when promoting this company. Yes, they are a very well organized company, but, many readers will take your advise without reading the Terms & Conditions properly, and will then come back to you if there are problems.
We also ask nothing to list accommodation properties for owners. The difference is… property owners receive their money months in advance of the World Cup. We list properties on multiple sites that have excellent international ranking, the owners have maximum exposure and within a week after the guest books, the owner receives full payment. This gives our clients maximum exposure on different sites, in different countries with cash on-hand to do alterations, buy bedding, furniture etc.
We went through the whole iStopOver listing process 2 weeks ago and were shocked by their "terms and conditions". iStopOver keeps all payments until the guests arrive / leave (both are mentioned). If South African home owners and Guest House owners knew that they'd only get paid in June or July for FIFA bookings being made now, many would de-list, and not know where else to list.
Small guest houses and homeowners need cash-flow now for this time of preparation before the World Cup. What does iStopOver do with the 100mil they keep for 6 months. They already make commission on the bookings, and now, interest on the monies that are being held back? If this is so, it's very sly.
Are the marketers of this product telling the old lady who runs a small guest house, that she'd only be getting her money after the guests arrive? She'll need to make breakfast, pay the plumber, extra bedding, paint, airport shuttle, dinner, water & lights, staff and unforeseen expenses out of her own pocket until the day her money arrives, if there are no international banking delays. Even large establishments will feel the squeeze, with building, architect and interior costs eating away at their cash-flow. An owner I spoke to the other day said he was not told anything about this massive delay in payments, and that he had almost been convinced by the marketer to sign. This could have meant financial ruin for him and his wife.
I included a small part of their Terms & Conditions for your attention below.
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How do I get paid for a Guest’s stay?
Once you and your Guest confirm a reservation, iStopOver interacts with the Guest. The Guest pays iStopOver for the stay in full and receives a Reservation Code along with your address. When the Guest arrives, they provide you with the Reservation Code for you to enter into the website. One business day after check-in, iStopOver releases the listing fee payment to you.
What is “Payment Method”? What payment methods are supported?
Your Payment Method is how you, as a Host, will be paid after a Guest’s stay with you is over. Currently, we support Paypal, checks (cheques) and direct bank deposit where viable as payment methods. (Please note that Paypal payments are not available in South Africa).
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If you know the site owners, please ask them to consider a "prompt payment policy", it will draw more clients to them, and help many struggling guest houses to stay afloat, many having taken loans to expand their establishment while others have asked tenants to vacate flats etc, in order to upgrade to accommodate FIFA guests.
As mentioned earlier; there are listing sites and businesses available where we can list properties for free with good results, and upfront payments.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best Regards
John
Greetings John, appreciate your concerns and I've forwarded 'Sari' their customer service representative/PR agent to solicit a reply on your concerns raised…
My recent post ABTA’s Travel Trends Report names SA as top destination for 2010
I was to rent out my Appartment and would to know the way to go about it. I have a 2 bedroomed house, fully furnished in Wonderpark Esatate, Karen Park, Pretoria North. My name is Collins, please call me on 073 157 3079, my email is collinsmp@webmail.co.za
Muzi,
I enjoyed reading your article. Where I live we do not have much of a need for renting a room since our community is pretty small. I could see how it would be a great idea for events such as the World Cup.