Tony KayIts only spilt milk, the cat will have it.....

But it's the 'Living In France' forum. Should the Admin not create a more appropriately named forum for such questions?   

  Fair comment Dick, spade away, game over    

My second posting on this topic read: "I meant a list of things you can expect to pay, not how much they would be unless standard items such as TV licence. But more importantly, the general charges that ALL will pay, although at different rates." In my next posting I said: " Maybe I should have phrased the question differently. (As in, I wasn't clear in what I was asking!) What would be useful would be a guide to what bills/charges/expenses,  new arrivals/residents in France will encounter, other than the more obvious electric, gas (if you have it) water rates, and so on." Your answers Ron, are now more confusing than my question! Oh, and please don't presume to know what sort of person I am simply by reading a few posts on a forum, ("As you are one of those people in life that are never wrong") It really doesn't do your credibility any favours at all.      

I give up. Even with the opportunity to read the posts again Ron, you still miss the point. You say 'Tax D'habitation' as though every one knows what it is. The same is true for Tax fonciere. There must be even more examples. Not how much. But what the charges are that people can expect to pay, ie, what they are called, and more importantly perhaps, what type of charge they are.

maybe it's just my poor English as I don't recall saying that Ron was wrong in posting. I posted an example of the sort of thing that I meant:   For example;   Tax Fonciere (and what it is) Tax d'habitation (what it is and how the amount payable is determined) Do you pay road tax for example? I've heard not, but I don't know for sure. I accept that it might just be me, but all replies just seem to assume that I'm actually asking a different question, and overlooking what was actually asked! But it's fine, I have found the information that I required. Thanks to those who tried.

Maybe I should have phrased the question differently.   What would be useful would be a guide to what bills/charges/expenses,  new arrivals/residents in France will encounter, other than the more obvious electric, gas (if you have it) water rates, and so on.   And Ron, if I'd wanted average household figures, I WOULD have asked for them. I'm just not clear on why you insist on replying when you clearly have nothing to contribute. This sort of thing is what constitutes research by people looking to buy in France, and frankly your attitude in assuming that either all questions and requests are stupid, or obvious, is less than helpful, and your replies bordering on downright rude.  

I think the point was missed here:   I meant a list of things you can expect to pay, not how much they would be unless standard items such as TV licence. But more importantly, the general charges that ALL will pay, although at different rates.   For example;   Tax Fonciere (and what it is) Tax d'habitation (what it is and how the amount payable is determined) Do you pay road tax for example? I've heard not, but I don't know for sure.   And Ron, why do you think that such a list could not be put together for the UK? I beg to differ, anyone coming from abroad to live in the UK could be informed by trhe average householder what charges and costs they are likely to meet.    

Hi All I think it would be really useful to have as comprehensive a list as is possible with regards to 'What you can expect to pay out' for people (such as myself) who are thinking of moving to France, or have just moved there.   I gather from the replies here that charges for certain things will depend on location, usage and so on. But that won't apply to everything obviously.   it would be very useful to have access to the sort of bills (even ball park figures) that will be payable, whether they be monthly, quarterly, or what have you. Anyone willing to put such a list together on here?    

I've just been having a look at www.Nochex.com which can be used for taking credit card payments online with a fee of 2.6% and a 20p transaction fee. That seems very reasonable to me. The only downside is that only transactions on UK credit cards can be processed, which isn't a problem if the bulk of your customers are in the UK. The other thing is that if they are NOT a member of Nochex, they can pay up to 100 pounds on any given day, so long as you are a member of xtra at nochecks. Sounds ideal for taking deposits. Has anyone used it?  

I agree with you about having the 'book now' facility. I suppose that 10% of a 400 quid booking adds up pretty quickly and does seem steep, but by the same token it doesn't sound too bad for 40 or 50 euros Can I ask who you use?

Thanks Arnold I had a look at your site and it's seems to be geared up for people to just type in the card details. Is this done through paypal also, or am I missing the plot? (I'm certainly losing it, that's for sure! )

thanks to you both for that.

Can anyone tell me how I would go about setting such thing up? I have access to a secure server, but I don't know how I would process the payments, or even how I would go about setting such a thing up. Any information gratefully received.  

How so been stung Arnold? Is it a case of the listing just not turning into bookings? I'd be interested to know what owners of B&B's etc expect of sites like Chez Nous. By that I mean, what do you hope for when you sign up? (quite aside from achieving bookings) Do they list all the information that you would hope for? As many pictures as you would like? The ability to book online? Is that important to you? Do you feel like you are competing with too many other outlets? Do you have your own website, and does the listing link to it?

That's naughty, expecting to arrive at 5am yet not pay for that night? Damn cheek. It just seems to me that the way forward is to offer discounts for 2 nights or more. Basic economics. If you can persuade 2 people to stay an extra night, you get more money, for a similar amount of work. But . . .what if your policy persuades a couple to stay for 3 nights instead of one, then you get a phone call from someone wanting a week starting on your current guests 3rd night? What then? There's no easy answer. But you can make it easier on yourselves.  Take deposits for advance bookings. If the booking is for the peak period, take the money in full. Yes, in full, why not? When did you last turn up for a flight and pay the balance at the airport? I wouldn't mind paying in full, in advance if I knew I was going to be there. If I thought I might 'stiff' the B&B with plan changes, then I'd be reluctant.  That's only a 'maybe' booking, I can wait for the next. If word gets out that you can book a sat night, but turn up at 5am, expect to be busy I say. Tell them to bug ger off (in polite parlance of course) And if you really don't want to lose that 7 nighter but you have a single night booked, deposit paid, slap bang in the middle, either farm it out or give YOUR room up. You do really want that lucrative weeks booking, right?  

I have to say that I understand your dilemma. It's also happening more and more in the UK. But as a 'punter' I have to admit that I find it all rather disappointing that B&B's are refusing one night stays. I know you have a business to run, and want to make as much return for your efforts as possible. but, whatever happened to the providing of a service? this seems to be going out of the window. I will need several one night stays when I visit in July as we want to move around, I don't plan to stay for just one night to upset the owners, and I wouldn't expect to be turned away, just in case a more lucrative offer comes along. I worry that some B&b owners (not aimed at anyone here) are starting to think that they are doing paying customers a favour by alowing them to sleep on the premises and charging for the privelege. Either way, it's your business, and you must do what's right for you I guess.

Hi Euge What a shame, 67 views of this post, and not one reply. I for one will be extremely interested to read about your quest for a self build, and the slips, falls, and learning curve involved. Sadly, I don't have anything to offer in terms of knowledge, but I can't wait for your story.

Blimey, all that over a simple question about someone who does web sites. To try and bring things back on track, and keep with the forum rules, I'll tell you about a site done for a gite place with a fishing lake on it. I know about it because I've been there on my hols. The web 'site' used to be just one page, but the owner has had a makeover, and I think it looks great! It's simple, gets to the point and gives all the info I need when I want to book. The site is now at www.loirefishing.com if you want to have a look at the layout. I couldn't find any name of the designer on there, but I'm sure the owner would tell you if you mail him. That is, if you like the look of it. I hope this helps and hasn't broken any of the rules on advertising.   Cheers