Hi All.
UPDATE .........The outcome currently is that the Guest hasn't booked!
From my perspective it was helpful to have shown someone around because it got me into tidying up and getting motivated (anyone else find this challenging?). The prospective Guest did appear to want to attempt to negotiate the fee as they are planning to stay longer term in the area but I decided just to refer to the discount already offered . (They may have had it in mind to suggest going outside of our Agents too but I wasn't having it and they seemed to lose confidence in their 'script'). I have been ok in the past with dropping the fee and have offered a rate just somewhat above the going market rent as the Guest at that point was proposing an extensive length of stay and we decided it was worth it. I think if this particular guest had messaged me with a firm proposal for a reduction in advance using the system I might have been more amenable and have made a 'special offer'. Under the circumstance there was an element of 'creepy' which was unwelcome.
I also sensed a bit of a 'snooping' agenda. Has anyone else experienced this? In the past I had a neighbour send a Guest, without saying anything upfront to me about this... who was clearly up to something ....!! It is not a comfortable experience and was unwelcome. Has this happened to others? Would love to hear more.
Meanwhile THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED to each and everyone of you who so kindly commented and have contributed to inspiring me to do better....! Thank you again xxxxxxxxxx