VRBO - would you recommend them?

[thebeesknees]

I've seen them mentioned here and there on the boards, but never spoken with anyone who has actually used them. We are planning to head up to Canada for a week this summer for the Calgary stampede, and hotel prices are ridiculous! VRBO had quite a few properties that were reasonably priced, but I am a bit leery about using a company with which I am not familiar. Has anyone had any problems with them? What if you get there and the owner has absconded with your money - is there any sort of protection for the renter if you have reserved with a credit card?

 

[Disneyliscious]

Would I recommend them? ONE THOUSAND PERCENT. You will always have protection when using your credit card. Also, many of us are happy to provide links to VRBO owners we have rented from with great success if we know more about the type of property you are looking for.

 

[thebeesknees]

Thanks! I'd love to get recommendations of specific properties if anyone has them. There are 5 of us, (3 kids under 10), so we need something that would comfortably sleep all of us, although I do have a tot cot that we use for my youngest when we are on the road, so in theory we could go with something that sleeps 4, unless it breaks fire code laws or something.

 

[zeferjen]

Absolutely! Pay attention to the property reviews.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I have used http://www.vrbo.com/133146 and already have it reserved for next year. The owner is fabulous, the home was exceptionally clean and fresh, and the pool is very private. The neighborhood was great and its all of 5 minutes from Disney. Absolutely wonderful property and we simply couldn't beat the price.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We rented from Judy last year and highly recommend using her! She has several properties in the same neighborhood. She was wonderful to deal with and very quick with her replies. The neighborhood was 5 minutes from Disney property, great rates, private pool. She provided all linens and towels. I wouldn't hesitate to rent from her again!

http://www.vrbo.com/188410

 

[Missy29]

I have used VRBO twice, once for Hawaii and once for Disney, both times went smooth. It did make me nervous both times thinking we would not have a place to stay, luckly that was not the case.

 

[angierae]

I am hoping to use them next year for a family trip to Washington DC. Does anyone have any recommendations of a rental that will sleep 6 comfortably (2 couples and two individuals) and is close enough to public trans that we might get away with not renting a car?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

VRBO has been around for a while; one of my family members has rented from this site a number of times and generally been satisfied, with one glaring exception for a rental in Greece.

Keep in mind that you can't rely totally on the reviews on the site, as property owners can easily remove negative reviews.

Some sites which rate this service:

http://www.jasonmendelson.com/wp/archives/2011/01/vrbos-questionable-review-policy-shame-on-vrbo.php

http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.vrbo.com

 

[canadianjovigirl]

We have had no issue with renting from VRBO. Hope you enjoy your trip to my City!!! Are you just planning on going to the stampede or seeing other sights as well (Banff etc)?

If you want more info there are alot of local folks on the Canadian trip board that would love to offer you suggestions and help...........

 

[KarenAylwood]

Absolutely! We have a VRBO condo in Breckenridge booked for this February and the woman has been wonderful to work with.

Also, my IL's own two condos in Florida and use VRBO to rent them out. Great site.

 

[teamagic]

We used VRBO this summer to rent a house in the myrtle beach area. The owner was great to work with. I called and she actually lowered her price because the next week started the fall rates. We had a beautiful house within walking distance to the beach and a golf cart included. I plan to use VRBO more!

 

[love~disney]

Yes!! I love VRBO. We have used them twice when we went to Maui, and once in Colorado. Every time we have been impressed at the savings and the quality of the properties that we have been too. I will use them again and again.

 

[richmond282]

I have rented from vrbo.com many many times and never ever had a problem!

 

[Mickey527]

I have used VBRO twice and both timew were fantastic.
I rented a home near Parris Island when my youngest graduated from Marine boot camp. We had 4 bedrooms so all my son's had their own. They brought their video games and they had a great time at night hanging out in the house. It was much nicer than if we had a hotel room or two like most of the other families.
My brother and I rented a home in Venice, FL with a screened pool and we had a blast. We went to the beach during the day but it was nice to make dinner and hang out with the kids at the pool and not have to worry about the drive back home after.

 

[thebeesknees]

We have had no issue with renting from VRBO. Hope you enjoy your trip to my City!!! Are you just planning on going to the stampede or seeing other sights as well (Banff etc)?

If you want more info there are alot of local folks on the Canadian trip board that would love to offer you suggestions and help...........

We are going to see some sights, too, if we can. We'll be driving up from Colorado.

Thanks for the advice, everyone! I feel better about going with VRBO now that I've heard some first hand reports from my DIS friends.

 

[amylynne01]

In 2008, my parents rented a home on Lake Anna in VA for our family (my two sisters, our families, and my parents). It was superb. Hands down the best vacation we'd been on. The realtor we dealt with was awesome. The house was great (needed a few more kitchen items and some bath mats, but whatever) - spacious, quiet, clean. This past June, we rented the same house because we had such a great time. It has now become "our" house - my sister got engaged on the dock, we had a great fireworks show from my BIL, and just another great and restful time. Unfortunately, we are about to outgrow the house because of my 3rd baby and any potential children my sister and her fiance may have, but we're trying to make it work because we love it that much.

So yeah, VRBO is great. Most owners have a contract to protect themselves and you. If your gut tells you to walk away, do it. I think you'll be happy with the experience!

 

[polkadotminnie]

I have rented from VRBO (in Destin and Panama City Beach) at least half dozen times with no problem until this past month. We rented from a gentlemen who double booked the condo after we had paid him in full plus a deposit. He wanted to rent to the other people since they wanted 10 days instead of my five. He did not tell us until the week prior to travel. After a lot of stress, I did get a full refund but then had to scramble to find a place to stay in the same building as my parents (at a reasonable price) with only a few days to do it. I am going to think a long time before renting through VRBO again. I will probably only use someone I used prior to this trip.

 

[drcmk]

We've rented houses, condos and apartments from VRBO in California, Lousiana and New Mexico. We never had a problem. Renting a house is always cheaper than getting nice hotel rooms for the whole family and MUCH more comfortable--often even luxurious. VRBO is my first stop when I am looking for vacation lodging.

 

[Grog]

I would absolutely recommend them! I've used them a couple of times for WDW trips with no hassle. Recently my Brother used them to rent a house near my parents when he and his family were visiting. My parents live in a small town in the Texas Hill Country (pop. roughly 3000) and he still managed to find a really nice house just a couple of miles from them.