Our VRBO won’t give us a refund

[Coffee66]

And excludes natural disasters... like hurricanes, once they're "named". Hurricane Dorian taught me that one.

Again, to me it's never worth it. A nice hotel room that's fully refundable up to check in is the best way to go. I know lots of people especially owners who sent condos would be opposed to my way of thinking

 

[robinb]

I would make sure to leave a short review of the place and note that the owner did not provide any refund under trying circumstances . The owners are certainly entitled to stand by the cancellation policy that both parties agreed to, however future renters should also be able to see that they are inflexible.

 

[mckennarose]

A nice hotel room that's fully refundable up to check in is the best way to go. I know lots of people especially owners who sent condos would be opposed to my way of thinking

There are a lot of us who have timeshares and will purchase a "getaway" through the company. Those are non-refundable, BUT they "highly recommend" travel insurance that will refund your money. The policies cover trip cancellations, so very close to purchasing a "fully refundable" hotel room, at least most people assume. But they do have strange rules for things like hurricanes and tropical storm that are "named". Then you're out of luck.

In this case, I can currently contact my trip insurance and tell them my doctor has said I shouldn't travel now and just get a note from my doctor stating it, which is an acceptable reason for cancelling along with required proof. But, with the national emergency statement, and the new cases of coronavirus in Orange and Osceola counties, I'm wondering if the insurance co. would use that as a reason for not paying.
Owners not refunding at least a portion of the renter's money is in very bad taste in this situation. We have a nation trying to come together to fix this, and people aren't willing to do their part by sharing the responsibility.

I fully understand and agree that if a refund is not part of the booking agreement then the renter shouldn't expect one. In normal circumstances. But this is an unprecedented event and the owners have an opportunity to set a new "tone" of promoting working with renters, just as other areas of government, industry, travel, and communities are currently trying to do also. I would be nice if owners tried working with renters, like the VRBO statement said.

This is an extreme circumstance with major health issues possible as a result for certain people. This is not an issue of "my hamster died last week, I don't feel like going".
JMO.

You can bet I would add that the owner wouldn't work with a renter in the comments and reviews of their property. While I agree it's not refundable under normal circumstances, the least they could do is attempt to work with renters. I wouldn't rent from those with poor reviews in the case of a national emergency.

 

[wilbret]

Maybe can't rent but your insurance probably made you whole+

Nope. Especially with assessments during the timeframe.

 

[Lewisc]

Many times I’ve booked non refundable hotel rooms, flights and other travel related services - all without trip insurance. I get that it sucks. But I also get that it’s a risk. By going the lesser expensive route and not buying an insurance policy it always comes with a chance for a higher price in the end.

At this point I think the situation should not be viewed as though “This time I’m screwed.” I think it should be viewed as “Look at all the times I’ve booked travel and lucked out.”

Most insurance excludes cancellation due to pandemics.
Travel companies are waiving terms, even Airbnb.

 

[2Gma]

I fully understand and agree that if a refund is not part of the booking agreement then the renter shouldn't expect one. In normal circumstances. But this is an unprecedented event and the owners have an opportunity to set a new "tone" of promoting working with renters, just as other areas of government, industry, travel, and communities are currently trying to do also. I would be nice if owners tried working with renters, like the VRBO statement said.

100% this. Key word, "normal circumstances". We totally would have traveled if this were "normal times." I know a contract is a contract but owners should at least consider going 50/50 like I asked.

Most insurance excludes cancellation due to pandemics.
Travel companies are waiving terms, even Airbnb.

Airbnb travel insurance is covering claims? allowing refunds? I haven't heard this.

 

[Ariel 1715]

Wow, that is terrible! Especially during something like this! Hope they have a change of heart and you get your money back!

 

[Brett Wyman]

For those that don't seem to understand how this works, VRBO cannot refund anyones money. The owner would have to do that. VRBO gets a fee for being the middle man but at no time do they have the rental funds, so they cant return them.

 

[2Gma]

For those that don't seem to understand how this works, VRBO cannot refund anyones money. The owner would have to do that. VRBO gets a fee for being the middle man but at no time do they have the rental funds, so they cant return them.

True, but the VRBO company is only stating that "they are encouraging owners to refund." Thus owners can make their own decisions and who of course wouldn't keep the $$$ if they are only being "encouraged." VRBO still makes money on every booking so they too are benefiting.

 

[Brett Wyman]

True, but the VRBO company is only stating that "they are encouraging owners to refund." Thus owners can make their own decisions and who of course wouldn't keep the $$$ if they are only being "encouraged." VRBO still makes money on every booking so they too are benefiting.

So how should VRBO take care of it. Send someone to each owners house to break kneecaps? They simply don't have the ability to force this. At the end of the day it's up to each owner.

Seriously tell me what you expect VRBO to do. Im curious.

 

[robinb]

For those that don't seem to understand how this works, VRBO cannot refund anyones money. The owner would have to do that. VRBO gets a fee for being the middle man but at no time do they have the rental funds, so they cant return them.

I suspect there are some instances where VRBO could issue a refund, like when the place is not habitable. They are not without risk here either.

 

[mckennarose]

100% this. Key word, "normal circumstances". We totally would have traveled if this were "normal times." I know a contract is a contract but owners should at least consider going 50/50 like I asked.

Wow, that is terrible! Especially during something like this! Hope they have a change of heart and you get your money back!

Sadly, we have people not willing to help others in this uncertain time. I know they're not under any contractual obligation to, but morally? I couldn't do that. And I wouldn't do future business with them.

In other news, Canadian couple made over $70,000 re-selling Lysol wipes at inflated charges.

I'm watching companies like UT actively reaching out and working with clients. Even Disney is working on solutions for tickets so everyone is not out $$.

 

[SCCNJ]

We are in the same situation. We have been refunded the pool heat fee but we are not being refunded the over 4000 Canadian we paid for the house. I have been understanding with the mangement company and have also suggested they keep the money and allow us a credit towards a future stay, but so far it's a no. To me, it is just plain greed. I doubt I will use VBRO again.

 

[SteveMouse]

The difficulty is that VBRO's role is establishing the marketplace, not in supplying the product promoted in the marketplace.

The property owner wants to rent their property. A smart owner shouldn't assume that 100% of available time will be rented, although that's their goal (same as a hotel owner such as Disney).

We don't know how long the current situation will last. Will the property owner have no/limited ability to rent their property in April? May? How long can they carry empty property? What are the impacts?

The same set of questions impact a wide range of establishments- individual rental properties, restaurants, wedding venues (what's the impact on a wedding pavilion with 5 weddings scheduled in the next 3 weeks?), small hotels and, yes, even larger hotels.

It gets messy quickly. No one wants the situation to have a negative impact on their lifestyles. Unfortunately, it will impact many/most of us.

 

[piccolopat]

I understand the difficulty of the OP's situation but they did enter a contract with a no cancellation clause. In addition, there is nothing stopping them from using the reservation even if they can't go to Disney. The owner has their reasons for not doing a refund and they shouldn't be criticized for holding the OP to the terms of a contract that they agreed to. That said, the OP should try to negotiate a change in the reservation date so that the owner isn't refunding money but the OP has a chance to use the reservation at a better time. They may have a better chance at making this kind of change.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

In other news, Canadian couple made over $70,000 re-selling Lysol wipes at inflated charges.

Unrelated to this discussion and I think it's a bit offensive to bring it up here. The homeowner never intended to benefit for a crisis but is now in that scenario.

I'm watching companies like UT actively reaching out and working with clients. Even Disney is working on solutions for tickets so everyone is not out $$.

Large companies have significant financial resources and public images to uphold. An individual homeowner, not so much. Those are the risks we take to save money on travel.

 

[Miffy]

Nevertheless, the home owner could meet the renters at least halfway. No one expected this to happen or could have predicted it.

 

[wilbret]

So how should VRBO take care of it. Send someone to each owners house to break kneecaps? They simply don't have the ability to force this. At the end of the day it's up to each owner.

Seriously tell me what you expect VRBO to do. Im curious.

I would expect VRBO to not want a PR hit. They could easily deal with owners to reach an agreement. A percentage to apply to a future rental, in the same unit. Etc. This is a good example of why I’d never deal with them. Trip insurance for essentially a hotel room is ridiculous, when the competition is working with customers....

 

[mckennarose]

Unrelated to this discussion and I think it's a bit offensive to bring it up here. The homeowner never intended to benefit for a crisis but is now in that scenario.

For the sake of not derailing the thread... my point was only to point out the mindset of some people in this crisis time. Including VRBO owners who won't work with clients and even in spite of their own company (VRBO) suggesting they do. It's my observation and opinion. There are people who see the problem is everyone's, and people who won't. "Too bad for you..."

Nevertheless, the home owner could meet the renters at least halfway. No one expected this to happen or could have predicted it.

Exactly.
And even if owners are not major corporations with spare cash, everyone is going to take a hit financially, including the renters. Some of whom have saved for years to take trips. It would be nice if owners met people half way because they do take in rent from that particular property the remainder of the year.

It's called customer service. Even if they're not major corporations or businesses, they're still selling a "good" for a price to customers. Their renters are customers.

 

[mckennarose]

One more thought.... those VRBO owners wouldn't have a business at all if it weren't for Disney or Universal parks. What would they expect if the parks close? That tons of people are clamoring to vacation in the middle of Florida?

I completely understand prior contracts, that's not the issue. The issue is the owner not being willing to even have dialogue or have concern how this unprecedented thing is affecting others. It's too bad and a sad situation.