Vacation rental scam - how do I handle this?

[rgmartin]

We have rented vacation condos many times, NEVER had a problem, and have recommended VRBO to a number of friends. Now I am not so sure. Over Labor Day weekend, we rented a condo to meet an out of town family member at Lake of the Ozarks. Nice weekend, nice average condo. I emailed the property manager to ask when we should expect deposit refund, and she responds that the cleaning crew reported damage to a table. This completely catches me off guard, as we were not aware of any damage. I ask for details (i.e. which table), and she responds with a LIST of all tables in the LR and DR. Said they were all scratched, would have to be sanded, refinished, and they will contact me with a final price. Now this has me thinking SCAM ARTIST. Does anyone have any experience with this? We did not notice any damage (the furniture had a "distressed" finish), and I am positive that we did not damage every single table in the place! Suggestions? Words of wisdom?

 

[Mrs D]

We have rented vacation condos many times, NEVER had a problem, and have recommended VRBO to a number of friends. Now I am not so sure. Over Labor Day weekend, we rented a condo to meet an out of town family member at Lake of the Ozarks. Nice weekend, nice average condo. I emailed the property manager to ask when we should expect deposit refund, and she responds that the cleaning crew reported damage to a table. This completely catches me off guard, as we were not aware of any damage. I ask for details (i.e. which table), and she responds with a LIST of all tables in the LR and DR. Said they were all scratched, would have to be sanded, refinished, and they will contact me with a final price. Now this has me thinking SCAM ARTIST. Does anyone have any experience with this? We did not notice any damage (the furniture had a "distressed" finish), and I am positive that we did not damage every single table in the place! Suggestions? Words of wisdom?

I would first ask for a (notarized? certified?) copy of the correspondence she sent to notify you of this damage that allegedly occurred during your stay. Then I would request pictures of the damage that she alleges occured during your stay in ADDITION to the her proof that it occured during your stay and not prior or after your stay. My guess is she doesn't have that kind of proof.

Judge Judy would call her greedy, a scam artist and order her to return your deposit.

 

[monkey30]

Also check to see if you have any pictures that may have the tables in them. Note what kind of condition they are in.

 

[pigletto]

Damage to every table? Give me a break. Call her bluff. Tell her you customarily take pictures that are dated of the condition you leave rentals in. (Which seems like a good idea BTW now that I see this) and see what she says.
I could see maybe scratching a table without realizing it? But every single one? Hogwash.

 

[Maryr1]

Sounds like a total scam but you may be stuck. If you have pictures (even casual pictures) I would try calling them on their bluff-ask for the name and address of the cleaning crew, pictures supporting their claims etc. If you have no pictures, don't try to bluff them. You will then lose any credibility moving forward. Lesson learned, albeit an expensive one. It seems as if you are an honest person but you might be up against professional scammers-if that is the case, they will have all kinds of "proof". This may be how they suppliment their income if you know what I mean........

 

[Leajess99]

I would also make sure you let her know that you will be warning everyone of the scam so no one rents from them again. 1 table maybe but every table really is quite unlikely.

Do a search on the person to see if you can find any other complaints.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

Leave lots of reviews online if there is a place to. How much was the deposit? I think if they said one table got scratched I'd give them a maybe but every one in the house? um NOPE. Did you have a pet with large talons with you? lol. Was it dancing on the tables?

 

[dumbocutie]

Contact better business bureau. Contact rental company if she is a part of one who represents her condo to potential renters. See what kind of history they have on her. Read your contract small print.

Out her here too as well as review boards.

All the tables with no proof. SCAM to me

Good Luck

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My parents own a vacation rental that is cleaned and inspected by a lady after every tenant. A small scratch on a table wouldn't even be a big deal to them. They would probably consider it normal wear and tear, unless it was very large or very deep. Stuff happens. People put things on tables and little scratches appear, just like they do at their own houses.

If you put down a security deposit, the owners will probably keep it. If you really want to fight them for that, you could take them to small claims court, but it's probably not worth it. Now, if they try to bill you for refinishing every table in the place, do not pay them a dime! Don't give in to any subsequent requests or threats. If they want to take you to small claims court, let them. The burden will be on them to prove that you scratched every single table in the house. They probably won't go that far. They'll just move on to trying to scam their next renter. Sad but true. Be sure to keep all correspondence with these people in case you need it later.

 

[rynosmom]

Are there any reviews on the VRBO website for this owner? I would let the owner know that you will be leaving a detailed negative review on the site.

 

[Green Tea]

Ask the owner to email you photos of the damage. Then right cli for properties and see the date. Maybe she keeps pictures of her old tables trying to extort money from renters. If the date of the pictures is prior to your arrival.......

 

[rachel09985]

I had the same thing happen to me at a condo in PCB!!!! When we were there our door flew shut because of a wind gust and broke the door's hinge. We called maintenance that night and they came and fixed it THAT night!!! When I got back we did not get our deposit back and I called and they said it was because the door was broken. I told them yes, it broke becuase of the wind, but they had NO RECORD of anyone coming to fix it!!!!!

I did not want to sue them so I just gave up and never got my money back. I was pretty mad though.

 

[seashoreCM]

Don't you do a walkthrough of the propoerty beofre and after the rental?

 

[rvchat]

Don't you do a walkthrough of the propoerty beofre and after the rental?

maybe guests should start taking photos of everything before they leave. This is awful.

Has the op responded back here? news?

 

[plgrn]

I had a similar problem using VRBO. After telling the owner of my intention to report to VRBO and the BBB, I finally got back the deposit. I was also offered t a free weekend (which I declined; just wanted to be done with that owner)

 

[softballmom3]

OP-hate that you are having to go through this. We have rented through vrbo many times and I have always been concerned something like that would happen. We always take pictures when we enter and when we leave just in case. Drives my family crazy but hey....I want my deposit back and now when I show them this thread they will see I am not actually just a paranoid person.

I hope all is resolved well for you and I definitely would NOT send them any money for cough cough repairs....

 

[kidshop]

This is just an aside, but the house we rented for our Disney trip didn't have a security deposit. We instead had to purchase for $45 a non refundable insurance plan for any damage. It covers to $1500 I think. It is kind of like a home warranty I guess. Bad thing is it is non-refundable, good thing is that we don't have to worry about getting a deposit back.

 

[lync]

Tell the owner that you intend to leave a negative review. I rent from VRBO and I ALWAYS read the reviews!!

 

[seashoreCM]

Not the same scam but a scam nevertheless.

Someone reported, I think it was on elliott.org (Christopher Elliott) that he sent in a payment and the payment got lost to a fisher scammer who first targeted the recipient's (landlord's) computer. There was at least one obvious red flag; he was told to wire the money. (You should never wire money for vacation rental deposits or payments.) Not that a check or debit card payment could not similarly go astray.

The best thing I can think of now is that the best way to pay is through the rental agency (VRBO here). But not all rental agencies work that way.

 

[WDW Lover]

Aren't the owners the people you pay on VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner)? You don't pay through the website? I guess I am confused. I have a rental set up in a couple of weeks that is through the owners, not the website.