So I Did A Quote Request For Windsor Hills

[FayeW]

And I got one really great quote, about 1/2 the cost of the others for our dates. The only problem is that it is a straight 7 day rental (Sat-Sat), that's how they keep their prices low, because they don't have unrented days. We needed it for 8 nights, but we could A) stay elsewhere for the 1st night or B) cut our trip down by one day so we don't have to change resorts.

I am an optimist by nature, but sometimes if something "seems to good to be true", it usually is. Anybody ever rent from Dave, at vacationcentralflorida.com?

 

[FayeW]

Well this has certainly been an eye opening experience!

When I did my initial search I saw that several owners offer free internet and free international long distance, so when I made my rate request, I listed those two amenities in my "must have" requirements. I did that so I wouldn't waste the time of owners who don't offer it. They wouldn't have to bother giving me a quote. Almost all of my responses were positive, from owners with both internet and long distance included. Except two.

I received the following rude responses:

1) "You sure you only want free internet and free long distance? Maybe you 'd like free meals three times a day, free laundry service, and free Disney park passes? Oh, and let's not forget to include free car rental. After all, you are staying nine whole nights."

**Yeah, I want to rent from this guy!** and

2) "Go to motel 8 why don't you. Demanding everything free and treating owners this way is ridiculous. December is not slow and even if I were open I would not rent to someone who demanded free this and free that. Have you not learned to treat people with respect?"

I thanked this particular respondent for showing me just how respectful he was to prospective renters.

Jerks.

 

[dizneefamily5]

Are you allowed to post the authors of these responses? We, too, just received a large number of Windsor Hills quotes and I'd like to mark these two right off my list!

 

[FayeW]

I'm not sure if I am allowed, so I will PM you with their names.

 

[Gillian]

Those don't seem like such strange requests to me. Free internet is very common, and free international calling makes a lot of sense for a Canadian. I see that listed quite often myself, noting that it's useless to us.

It would be great to know who those rude people are.

So what else did you request?

 

[FayeW]

Those don't seem like such strange requests to me. Free internet is very common, and free international calling makes a lot of sense for a Canadian. I see that listed quite often myself, noting that it's useless to us.

It would be great to know who those rude people are.

So what else did you request?

That was all I requested! I did say "Give me your best rate now to secure booking for slower Dec period"; meaning, don't quote high and then expect me to let you know what others are offering so you can match or beat it. I know the first couple of weeks of Dec are typically slower rental periods...right after Thanksgiving and before Christmas break.

 

[Brian Noble]

On your original question: large variations in price aren't that uncommon. It's not a very efficient market. So, it may not be too good to be true. But, not moving is worth quite a bit to me personally---I'd either keep the 8 days and pick a place that can meet that need, or cut to 7. I wouldn't stay in two places on one trip.

 

[sympatico]

I am an optimist by nature, but sometimes if something "seems to good to be true", it usually is. Anybody ever rent from Dave, at vacationcentralflorida.com?[/QUOTE]

I looked at the site and it's great. I haven't really looked for condos in the past because we usually stay in pool homes but if I did want one I'd give it a go. All is good from the tax appraisers site for them.
Maybe you could spend the first night at a Universal or Disney hotel and do that park first if you're doing parks. If you do that at Universal you get their Express Pass included in your stay. Just a thought.

 

[FayeW]

I am an optimist by nature, but sometimes if something "seems to good to be true", it usually is. Anybody ever rent from Dave, at vacationcentralflorida.com?

I looked at the site and it's great. I haven't really looked for condos in the past because we usually stay in pool homes but if I did want one I'd give it a go. All is good from the tax appraisers site for them.
Maybe you could spend the first night at a Universal or Disney hotel and do that park first if you're doing parks. If you do that at Universal you get their Express Pass included in your stay. Just a thought. [/QUOTE]

Thanks for checking the tax site for me!

We always book through skyauction, which is also only 7 day rentals so in the past we've stayed at the Sheraton Safari for the first 2 days. We love the Sheraton and have gotten the travelzoo $59. & $69. deals when we stayed there before. We aren't opposed to moving, but obviously would have preferred to just settle in once.

We will go to Universal and SeaWorld, but not that interested in onsite at USO. We go at a slow time of year and most rides are walk ons anyway.

 

[bscs]

This is Your vacation. Don't let anyone of those people quoting prices tell you it has to be this many days or that many days. We are going to WH for 9 nights an odd number but that is what we want and the place we called had no problem with that. Try looking up www.floridasunshine.com

 

[SondraC]

Wow! That kinda sums it up. I guess they both felt they didn't need the business now or any time in the future!
I hope you find something that meets your needs!!

 

[isla bonita]

They are all individually owned and can treat any one how they so choose. I do not think they would get much return guests if this is how they choose to do business. JMHO

Just know that there are many lovely home owners out there who would treat you with respect and love to have you as their guest.

 

[beccawes7471]

I too recently did a quote request, and if possible I too would like those names pm'd as we have not made our decision yet and would not want to rent from these owners. I agree with the post previous, many advertise these as free, so I don't think it is asking too much to eliminate those that don't. Good Luck!

 

[FayeW]

This is Your vacation. Don't let anyone of those people quoting prices tell you it has to be this many days or that many days. We are going to WH for 9 nights an odd number but that is what we want and the place we called had no problem with that. Try looking up www.floridasunshine.com

Almost all of the ownerswould book on a per night basis, but the one with the lowest price (they were about 50% less) only books per week, Sat-Sat. Doing it that way means they don't have part weeks not rented out (for example, if we rented for 8 nights, they might not be able to rent out the 6 days before we arrived). I understand why they do it but now I have to decide if it is worth $400 more to be able to stay all 8 nights in one location, or if I just want to stay elsewhere for the first night and then check in for 7 days. We are used to staying in two locations because we always stay longer than 7 days, and we always book with skyauction (they only rent per week as well).

I got another really great quote for all 8 days, but they want a $200 NON refundable deposit. I think I am going to let that one pass, because most of the other owners have fairly reasonable cancellation policies.

 

[gqchicago]

And I got one really great quote, about 1/2 the cost of the others for our dates. The only problem is that it is a straight 7 day rental (Sat-Sat), that's how they keep their prices low, because they don't have unrented days. We needed it for 8 nights, but we could A) stay elsewhere for the 1st night or B) cut our trip down by one day so we don't have to change resorts.

I am an optimist by nature, but sometimes if something "seems to good to be true", it usually is. Anybody ever rent from Dave, at vacationcentralflorida.com?

I know Dave! He lives right by me here in Chicagoland, I've spoken with him on the phone a few times, super nice guy. He's the marketing director for a big radio station here in Chicagoland actually, and they've done very well with their homes in Windsor Hills, and have added more homes. (Hint: you don't get to the point of running 7 homes successfully by not being a great owner!). I'd rent from him. They do offer nice homes at a very reasonable rate, you're absolutely right, the "catch" is that you have to stay Saturday-Saturday, that's how they maximize rents and rent at such a cheap rate and can deliver at a low cost, by not having gaps in their schedule.

 

[Mainebound]

I got another really great quote for all 8 days, but they want a $200 NON refundable deposit. I think I am going to let that one pass, because most of the other owners have fairly reasonable cancellation policies.

If you are comfortable moving, then go for it.

But I would double check the refund policies wherever you decide to rent. My experience is that most places do not refund deposits, either at all, or if cancellations are made within a certain number of weeks of the rental period.(And many owners require the nonrefundable balance 6-10 weeks out.)

That's one reason we usually buy trip insurance when we rent from owner.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

We have broken up our stay before. First night at BWLBV and then moved to WH. It worked out fine. We packed just what we would need for the first night seperately so we wouldn't have to unpack everything.
We loved WH and plan on renting there again in the future. If you would, please P.M too with the names of the rude owners. I would like to advoid them in the future.

 

[emmsmama]

I'm pm'ing you for the names of the two rude respondents so I can be sure not to rent from them as well. Free internet and calls isn't that unreasonable and if they didn't like the request then they could have simply chose not to respond.

 

[Cailin'sMom]

Could you also pm me the names of the rude owners that you dealt with. I have entered a request for our Feb 2009 trip and I would like to be aware of who I am dealing with.

Thanks

 

[Zeebs]

We have just done a request for a quote as well and I am currently sifting through them so if you could PM me the rude ones as well so I can strike them off my list if they are there. Quite tricky choosing they all seem similar except for price in most cases. I am going to have to go with one I like the sound of.

Thanks Kirsten