Timeslot Pricing Examples

# Timeslot Pricing Examples Learn how to configure complex pricing scenarios using timeslots and price rules. This guide walks through real-world examples you can adapt for your rental business. ## What You'll Learn - Set different base prices for different units in the same timeslot - Create weekday discounts for specific equipment - Configure weekend minimum stay requirements - Set up multi-day rental pricing - Combine multiple pricing strategies ## Overview RecSystems gives you powerful tools to create sophisticated pricing strategies: 1. **UnitTimeslot Pricing** - Set different base prices for each unit (sled, boat, etc.) in the same timeslot 2. **Price Rules** - Automatically apply discounts or surcharges based on conditions 3. **Day-Specific Minimums** - Require longer rentals on certain days (like weekends) ## Accessing These Features **Timeslots**: - Click the **Account** dropdown in the top navigation bar - Select **Timeslots** - Or use the direct link from your dashboard **Price Rules**: - Click the **Account** dropdown in the top navigation bar - Select **Pricing** (this takes you to the Price Rules page) - Or use the direct link from your dashboard **Note**: Throughout this guide, we'll refer to these locations simply as "Timeslots" and "Pricing" for brevity. ## Example 1: Powersports Weekend Minimums with Weekday Discounts **Business Scenario**: A powersports rental business wants to: - Require 2-day minimum rentals for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starts - Offer 20% weekday discounts (Monday-Thursday) for premium sleds - Set different base prices for premium vs standard sleds - Allow multi-day rentals with proper day-by-day pricing ### Step 1: Set Different Base Prices Per Sled 1. Navigate to **Timeslots** (from the Account dropdown in the top navigation) 2. Find your daily timeslot (e.g., "Daily Snowmobile Rental") and click **Edit** 3. Scroll down to see the list of units (sleds) associated with this timeslot 4. For each sled, set its base price: - **Premium Sled A**: Set base price to $150/day - **Premium Sled B**: Set base price to $150/day - **Standard Sled C**: Set base price to $100/day - **Standard Sled D**: Set base price to $100/day **How it works**: Each sled can have a different base price. This becomes the starting point for all pricing calculations. ### Step 2: Configure Weekend Minimum Stay Requirements 1. In the same timeslot edit page, scroll to **"Day-Specific Minimum Stay Requirements"** 2. Click to expand this section 3. Set the following: - **Friday Minimum**: `2` days - **Saturday Minimum**: `2` days - **Sunday Minimum**: `2` days - **Monday-Thursday**: Leave blank (uses default minimum of 1 day) **How it works**: When a customer tries to book starting on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, they must book at least 2 days. This prevents 1-day weekend rentals. ### Step 3: Create Weekday Discount Price Rule 1. Navigate to **Pricing** (from the Account dropdown in the top navigation, or go to **Price Rules** page) 2. Click **New Price Rule** 3. **Basic Settings**: - **Rule Name**: "Weekday Discount - Premium Sleds" - **Rule Type**: Standard - **Active**: ✓ Enabled - **Priority**: 10 4. **Price Modification**: - **Modification Type**: Percentage - **Modification Amount**: `-20` (20% discount) - **Charge Frequency**: Per day 5. **Rule Conditions**: - **Days of Week**: Select **Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday** only - **Date Range**: Leave blank for always active, or set your season dates 6. **Application Settings**: - **Units**: Select only the premium sleds (Premium Sled A, Premium Sled B) - **Timeslots**: Select your daily timeslot - **Cumulative**: Yes 7. Click **Save Price Rule** **How it works**: The discount applies only to Monday-Thursday days. For multi-day bookings, each day is calculated separately: - Monday-Thursday days get 20% off - Friday-Sunday days use regular pricing ### Step 4: Test Your Configuration **Test 1: Weekend Minimum** - Try booking Premium Sled A for 1 day starting Friday → Should be blocked - Try booking Premium Sled A for 2 days starting Friday → Should work **Test 2: Weekday Discount** - Book Premium Sled A starting Monday → Should show $120/day (20% off $150) - Book Premium Sled A starting Friday → Should show $150/day (no discount) **Test 3: Multi-Day Pricing** - Book Premium Sled A Monday-Friday (5 days): - Monday-Thursday: $120/day × 4 = $480 - Friday: $150/day = $150 - **Total: $630** **Test 4: Different Base Prices** - Premium Sled A: $150/day base - Standard Sled C: $100/day base - Both should show different prices in the booking flow --- ## Example 2: Boat Rental with Seasonal Pricing **Business Scenario**: A boat rental business wants to: - Charge $200/day in peak season (June-August) - Charge $150/day in shoulder season (May, September) - Charge $100/day in off-season (October-April) - Require 3-day minimum for holiday weekends - Add 10% surcharge for Saturday starts ### Step 1: Create Seasonal Base Prices Since base prices are set per unit, you have two options: **Option A: Use Price Rules for Seasonal Adjustments** 1. Set base price to $150/day (shoulder season rate) 2. Create price rules for peak and off-season **Option B: Update Base Prices Seasonally** 1. Change UnitTimeslot prices manually each season 2. More work but gives you exact control **Recommended: Option A** - Use price rules for flexibility ### Step 2: Create Peak Season Price Rule 1. Go to **Pricing** (Account dropdown → Pricing) and click **New Price Rule** 2. **Basic Settings**: - **Name**: "Peak Season Surcharge" - **Type**: Standard - **Active**: ✓ Enabled - **Priority**: 20 3. **Price Modification**: - **Type**: Additive - **Amount**: `$50` (adds $50 to base $150 = $200) - **Frequency**: Per day 4. **Rule Conditions**: - **Date Range**: June 1 - August 31 - **Days of Week**: All days 5. **Application Settings**: - **Units**: Select all boats - **Timeslots**: Select daily timeslot ### Step 3: Create Off-Season Discount 1. Go to **Pricing** and click **New Price Rule** 2. **Basic Settings**: - **Name**: "Off-Season Discount" - **Type**: Standard - **Active**: ✓ Enabled - **Priority**: 20 3. **Price Modification**: - **Type**: Subtractive - **Amount**: `$50` (subtracts $50 from base $150 = $100) - **Frequency**: Per day 4. **Rule Conditions**: - **Date Range**: October 1 - April 30 - **Days of Week**: All days 5. **Application Settings**: - **Units**: Select all boats - **Timeslots**: Select daily timeslot ### Step 4: Configure Holiday Weekend Minimums 1. Go to **Timeslots** and click **Edit** on your daily timeslot 2. Set **Day-Specific Minimums**: - **Friday Minimum**: `3` days (for holiday weekends) - **Saturday Minimum**: `3` days - **Sunday Minimum**: `1` day (or leave blank) - **Monday-Thursday**: Leave blank (default 1 day) **Note**: For specific holiday dates, you may need to manually block 1-day rentals or use blocked dates feature. ### Step 5: Create Saturday Surcharge 1. Go to **Pricing** and click **New Price Rule** 2. **Basic Settings**: - **Name**: "Weekend Premium - Saturday" - **Type**: Standard - **Active**: ✓ Enabled - **Priority**: 15 3. **Price Modification**: - **Type**: Percentage - **Amount**: `10` (10% surcharge) - **Frequency**: Per day 4. **Rule Conditions**: - **Days of Week**: Saturday only 5. **Application Settings**: - **Units**: Select all boats - **Timeslots**: Select daily timeslot **Result**: Saturday bookings get 10% added to the base price (or seasonal adjusted price). --- ## Example 3: Flexible Duration Rentals with Package Pricing **Business Scenario**: An adventure rental business offers: - 2-hour rentals: $50 - 4-hour rentals: $90 (10% discount vs 2×2-hour) - Full day (8 hours): $150 (25% discount vs 4×2-hour) - 2-day package: $280 (7% discount vs 2×full day) - Weekend premium: Add $20/day for Saturday-Sunday ### Step 1: Create Flexible Timeslot 1. Go to **Timeslots** and click **Add Timeslot** (or **New Timeslot**) 2. **Basic Settings**: - **Name**: "Flexible Rentals" - **Duration Type**: Hourly - **Time Selection**: Flexible ✓ - **Available From**: 8:00 AM - **Available Until**: 6:00 PM 3. **Duration Options**: - Click **+ Add Duration Option** - **Option 1**: "2 Hours" - Duration: 2 hours - Price: $50 - **Option 2**: "4 Hours" - Duration: 4 hours - Price: $90 - **Option 3**: "Full Day" - Duration: 8 hours - Price: $150 - **Option 4**: "2-Day Package" - Duration: 2 days - Multi-day: ✓ - Price: $280 ### Step 2: Set Base Prices Per Unit 1. In the timeslot edit page, find your units 2. Set base prices (these are fallback prices if option pricing isn't set): - **Unit A**: $50 (2-hour base) - **Unit B**: $50 (2-hour base) ### Step 3: Configure Option-Specific Pricing 1. For each unit in the timeslot, you can set custom prices for each duration option 2. In the unit pricing section, you'll see each duration option 3. Set prices: - **2 Hours**: $50 - **4 Hours**: $90 - **Full Day**: $150 - **2-Day Package**: $280 **How it works**: When customers select a duration option, they pay the option-specific price, not the base price × duration. ### Step 4: Create Weekend Premium Rule 1. Go to **Pricing** and click **New Price Rule** 2. **Basic Settings**: - **Name**: "Weekend Adventure Premium" - **Type**: Standard - **Active**: ✓ Enabled - **Priority**: 10 3. **Price Modification**: - **Type**: Additive - **Amount**: `$20` - **Frequency**: Per day 4. **Rule Conditions**: - **Days of Week**: Saturday, Sunday 5. **Application Settings**: - **Units**: Select all adventure units - **Timeslots**: Select flexible timeslot **Result**: Weekend bookings add $20/day to the option price. A 2-day package starting Saturday would be $280 + $20 = $300. --- ## Example 4: Multi-Location Pricing with Different Rates **Business Scenario**: A rental business with multiple locations wants to: - Beach Location: Premium pricing ($200/day) - Inland Location: Standard pricing ($120/day) - Both offer weekday discounts (15% off Monday-Thursday) - Beach location requires 2-day minimum on weekends ### Step 1: Set Base Prices by Location 1. Go to **Timeslots** and click **Edit** on your daily timeslot 2. Set base prices for each unit based on location: - **Beach Location Units**: $200/day - **Inland Location Units**: $120/day ### Step 2: Create Location-Specific Weekday Discounts **For Beach Location:** 1. Go to **Pricing** and click **New Price Rule** 2. **Basic Settings**: - **Name**: "Beach Location Weekday Discount" - **Type**: Standard - **Active**: ✓ Enabled - **Priority**: 10 3. **Price Modification**: - **Type**: Percentage - **Amount**: `-15` (15% discount) - **Frequency**: Per day 4. **Rule Conditions**: - **Days of Week**: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 5. **Application Settings**: - **Units**: Select only beach location units - **Timeslots**: Select daily timeslot **For Inland Location:** 1. Create similar rule but select inland location units 2. Same 15% discount, Monday-Thursday ### Step 3: Configure Beach Location Weekend Minimums 1. Go to **Timeslots** and click **Edit** on your daily timeslot 2. Set **Day-Specific Minimums**: - **Friday Minimum**: `2` days - **Saturday Minimum**: `2` days - **Sunday Minimum**: `1` day (or leave blank) **Note**: This applies to all units in the timeslot. If you need location-specific minimums, you may need separate timeslots per location. --- ## Understanding How Pricing Works ### Base Price (UnitTimeslot) - Set per unit, per timeslot - Starting point for all calculations - Can be different for each unit ### Price Rules - Modify the base price based on conditions - Can apply per day, per hour, or one-time - Multiple rules can stack (if cumulative) ### Day-by-Day Calculation For multi-day rentals: 1. System gets base price for the selected unit 2. For each day in the rental: - Checks if any price rules apply - Applies modifications - Calculates that day's price 3. Sums all days for total ### Example Calculation **Premium Sled A** ($150/day base) with 20% weekday discount: - **Monday-Friday booking**: - Monday: $150 × 0.8 = $120 - Tuesday: $150 × 0.8 = $120 - Wednesday: $150 × 0.8 = $120 - Thursday: $150 × 0.8 = $120 - Friday: $150 (no discount) = $150 - **Total: $630** --- ## Best Practices ### 1. Start with Base Prices Set your base prices first. These are your "normal" rates before any discounts or surcharges. ### 2. Use Price Rules for Variations Don't change base prices frequently. Use price rules for: - Seasonal adjustments - Day-of-week pricing - Promotional discounts - Special events ### 3. Test Your Configuration Always test before going live: - Try booking different days - Test multi-day rentals - Verify minimum stay requirements - Check that discounts apply correctly ### 4. Keep It Simple - Start with 1-2 price rules - Add complexity gradually - Monitor how rules affect bookings - Remove rules that don't help ### 5. Document Your Strategy - Name rules clearly ("Weekday Discount - Premium Sleds") - Note why each rule exists - Set appropriate priorities - Review quarterly --- ## Troubleshooting ### Different Units Showing Same Price **Problem**: All units show the same price even though you set different base prices. **Solution**: 1. Go to **Timeslots** and click **Edit** on the timeslot 2. Verify each unit has a different price set 3. Check that you're looking at the correct timeslot 4. Ensure prices are saved (refresh the page) ### Discounts Not Applying **Problem**: Price rule discount isn't showing up. **Solution**: 1. Check price rule is **Active** 2. Verify **Days of Week** includes the booking day 3. Confirm **Units** and **Timeslots** are selected correctly 4. Check **Date Range** includes the booking date 5. Verify **Charge Frequency** is set correctly (Per day for daily rentals) ### Weekend Minimums Not Enforcing **Problem**: Customers can still book 1-day rentals on weekends. **Solution**: 1. Go to **Timeslots** and click **Edit** on the timeslot 2. Expand **"Day-Specific Minimum Stay Requirements"** 3. Verify Friday/Saturday/Sunday minimums are set to `2` (or your desired minimum) 4. Ensure the timeslot is saved 5. Test with a new booking (existing bookings aren't affected) ### Multi-Day Pricing Incorrect **Problem**: Multi-day rental total doesn't match expected price. **Solution**: 1. Check base price is set correctly 2. Verify price rules have **Charge Frequency: Per day** 3. Review which days get discounts (Monday-Thursday) 4. Calculate manually: base price × days, then apply discounts per day 5. Check for multiple price rules that might be conflicting --- ## Related Guides - [Price Rules Management](./price-rules.md) - Detailed guide on creating price rules - [Pricing Strategies](./pricing-strategies.md) - Overall pricing approach - [Availability Rules](../02-inventory-setup/availability-rules.md) - Setting up timeslots - [Unit Management](../02-inventory-setup/unit-management.md) - Managing your equipment --- *Remember: Pricing is an art and a science. Start simple, test thoroughly, and adjust based on what works for your business.*