VRBO...Is is a safe bet?

[Reneelew]

I found a condo at the Wyndham Palms on VRBO that we are interested in booking. Please tell me your experiences with VRBO. I know you can save a lot of money dealing directly with the owner, yet I feel a little uneasy about it.

Thanks!

 

[JANNYANS]

As an owner -but not on Wyndham Plams- I may be able to put your mind at ease .if you were to say what you felt uneasy about.Are you unsure the place exists?-ask for the name of the management company-are you worried aboutthe condition -ask for a recent guest to contact-are you uncertain what would happen if there was a problem-thats what the management company are for .

 

[horseshowmom]

First off, let me say that VRBO has had excellent reviews on this board and has some wonderful deals.

However, if at all possible, I would try to use an owner who accepts credit cards. Using a credit card gives you a little bit of recourse should a problem arise.

I rented a house off of VRBO this summer in San Antonio, TX. It was a beautiful two-story restored ranch house. We loved it - until we found the first scorpion that first night.

Okay, we rationalized that it came in while the doors were open while we were unloading the car. The next night we had 3 scorpions. They just weren't coming out until pretty late.

We were two families, and the smaller children were pretty upset. Fortunately, the lady did return our money (minus the deposit), but we wound up leaving that second night which resulted in our having to stay in an overpriced hotel.

I realized that she could have refused to return the money, and we would have had a major problem. So, I'm planning on trying to stick to credit cards from now on.

Don't let this turn you against renting a house. We've done it several times in Orlando and love it (just no more in San Antonio! LOL).

 

[disneysteve]

Reneelew - Keep in mind that VRBO.com is strictly an advertising board. They don't own or manage the homes advertised there. So renting a place you see there is no different from renting a place you see listed elsewhere. In fact, most owners advertise their home in multiple places to maximize exposure.

And not all properties listed at VRBO are being rented direct from the owner. Some of them are being advertised by the management company.

Anytime you are renting a vacation home, you need to do your homework. Find out exactly who you are renting from - owner or management company. Get references. Get pictures/video of the actual home, not just a "representative" property. Get the cancellation policy. Find out who is available in the area if you experience a problem during your stay.

We have rented pool homes in Kissimmee numerous times both direct from owners and through management companies. Every experience has been superb. Not to say we never had a problem, but problems were always remedied quickly and courteously. Its a great way to vacation and, in my opinion, offers many advantages over staying in a regular hotel on or offsite.

Personally, we're booked in a 3-bedroom condo at Windsor Palms in 4 weeks. That will be our first visit to that complex but I've read numerous great reviews so we're really looking forward to it. I'll post a full review when we get back.

Steve

 

[FLeisure]

Not much I can add to Steve's advice...follow it and you'll be fine. Use your common sense above all.

Trained you well Steve