Why Do Stop-Sell Restrictions Sometimes Fail, and How Can I Manage Them Effectively in Resly?
Stop-sell restrictions are a critical tool for managing availability and preventing bookings during specific periods. However, there are scenarios where these restrictions may fail or be bypassed. This article explains common reasons for such failures, provides troubleshooting steps, and outlines best practices for managing stop-sell settings in Resly.
Overview of Stop-Sell Settings
Stop-sell settings allow you to block availability for specific dates or rate plans. These restrictions are typically applied to prevent bookings from online travel agencies (OTAs) or direct channels during periods of unavailability. However, stop-sell settings do not block manual bookings made by staff within the Resly system. To completely block inventory, use the "Close Room" feature from the Calendar View. This ensures no availability is shown for the selected dates.
Common Scenarios Where Stop-Sell Fails
1. Timing of Stop-Sell Application
If a booking is made before the stop-sell is applied, the restriction will not retroactively cancel the booking. For example, a booking made at 5:59 PM will not be affected by a stop-sell applied at 7:22 PM. To review stop-sell history, navigate to Reservations > Rate Plans > Stop Sell tab and select the relevant rate plan.
2. Unmapped or Derived Rate Plans
Unmapped rate plans or derived rate plans on OTAs like Booking.com may not inherit restrictions such as stop-sell. For instance: - Unmapped Rate Plans: These do not inherit rules from your standard mapped rate plans. To resolve this, deactivate or map the unmapped rate plan in Resly. - Derived Rate Plans: These inherit only the price from the main rate plan but not restrictions. To align restrictions, remove derived rate plans and manage availability via the main rate plans synced from Resly.
3. Floating Rate Plans
Floating rate plans on OTAs remain active and bookable but are not mapped to Resly. As a result, Resly’s restrictions do not apply. Ensure all rate plans are properly mapped to avoid this issue.
4. Inconsistent Rate Plan Restrictions
A stop-sell can be bypassed if another active rate plan allows the booking. For example, a stop-sell for a 1-night stay may be overridden by a "2-night rate plan" with a minimum stay set to 1 night. To prevent this, ensure all active rate plans have consistent restrictions.
5. Stale Checkout Sessions
A guest may bypass a stop-sell if they had the OTA listing page open before the restriction was applied and completed the booking without refreshing the page.
6. Delayed Updates to OTAs
Stop-sell updates may be delayed due to high traffic or technical issues, causing bookings to be accepted before the restriction takes effect. To resolve this, re-sync the affected update with the OTA.
Troubleshooting Steps for Stop-Sell Issues
Verify Stop-Sell Application - In Resly, navigate to the Individual Channels stop-sell view. A light blue background indicates the stop-sell is applied.
Review Rate Plan Mapping - Ensure all rate plans, including derived and floating rate plans, are properly mapped in Resly.
Check for Manual Bookings - Remember that stop-sell settings do not block manual bookings. Use the "Close Room" feature to block inventory completely.
Re-Sync with OTAs - If updates are delayed, remove the affected update and re-sync with the OTA to ensure restrictions are applied.
Best Practices for Managing Stop-Sell Settings
Apply Stop-Sell Early: Set restrictions well in advance to avoid timing issues.
Map All Rate Plans: Ensure all rate plans are mapped in Resly to inherit restrictions.
Align Restrictions Across Rate Plans: Maintain consistent rules to prevent bypass scenarios.
Use the Close Room Feature: For complete inventory blocking, use the "Close Room" option.
Monitor OTA Sync Status: Regularly check for delays or errors in syncing updates with OTAs.
FAQs
How can I add stop-sell dates in Resly?
To add stop-sell dates:
Go to Reservations > Rate Plans.
Select the relevant rate plan and add the required stop-sell dates.
How can I see how long a stop-sell is set for?
Navigate to Reservations > Rate Plans > Stop Sell and click through the dates to view the range the stop-sell applies to. By understanding these scenarios and following the outlined steps, you can effectively manage stop-sell settings in Resly and prevent unexpected bookings.