I think some of you are being to hard on the OP. While I understand the owner's policies were clear, I think a good hearted person and good business owner would've been willing to apply those funds to another stay provided they were able to rent those dates at the original rates. I don't consider them to be theives,but I would never want to deal with people that are unable to put themselves in someone elses position....we never know when you might need someone to show us mercy.
It has nothing to do with the owners showing the OP mercy. She didn't cancel because of a family emergency or something - she cancelled because she decided she wanted to stay onsite with her family instead. That's not exactly circumstances out of her control - it's a
choice she's making.
The cancellation policies are spelled out in the FAQ. The OP had the opportunity to read them prior to booking, so that means this situation is resulting from one of two things:
1. She read the FAQ, was aware of the policy, but thinks it shouldn't apply to her. This is what I think applies here because she stated in the original post that it was "non-refundable".
2. She didn't read the FAQ at all and wasn't aware of the policy, in which case it's her own fault for not knowing she wouldn't get her deposit back if she cancelled when it was right there for her to read.
I'm not trying to be argumentative whatsoever. I think if someone has extenuating circumstances out of their control and have to cancel (ie: death in the family, family illness, etc.), then asking an owner to forego their policies is one thing ... and perhaps they will,
at their discretion. But asking someone to forego their policies because you changed your mind and want to stay onsite now ... that's a different matter entirely. And then to go onto a message board and complain against the owner and call them thieves for doing exactly what they said they would do (charge you a cancellation fee if you cancel), well ... I don't think that's right.
Either way, it's up to the owner whether or not they want to bend their rule for someone, so if they say no that's well within their rights ... particularly since the policy was spelled out crystal clear from the get-go. It has absolutely nothing to do with showing mercy, being kind, good-hearted, etc. Rental homes are a business, this was this business's policy.
Just my .02 cents.
Kungaloosh.
Excellent work, btw. 
I had a little sympathy for the OP originally, but even then understood the owner's position. Now - I ain't got none and still am shocked that people don't realize how available their posting history is. 
There are no secrets on the internet.
