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As long as you read the terms of the rental contract and know what you are committing to, there should be no problems. We rented a place out in BF Wyoming one year (we live in VT). The owner was in Mass. Great experience. No issues at all and all done through email and a brief phone conversation in the beginning.
Another thing (we think) is that once you have rented a couple of times through them, you're probably given references behind the scenes so other VRBO owners know your history.....you left the place clean, etc.
In COVID times here, as things are loosening up, owners are probably busy. Cut them a little slack (but not 2 weeks for sure). You are going to know the ones who are flakes right away. Caveat Emptor!!
As long as you read the terms of the rental contract and know what you are committing to, there should be no problems. We rented a place out in BF Wyoming one year (we live in VT). The owner was in Mass. Great experience. No issues at all and all done through email and a brief phone conversation in the beginning.
Key word being "should". I have also had positive experiences with both VRBO and AirBNB. A bit of basic consumerism can filter out the most risky ones but there will always be a risk. Chances are, you will not have any issues but if you do then it's a different ballgame. Honestly, I'd feel more reassured if I saw a review from someone who had an issue and the owner resolved it than to see just positive reviews.
This is why I only book with hotels and mainly high end ones
For years people have been telling me that because I don't use Airbnb or VRBO I'm just not "with it." I'm fine with that.
I know exactly what to expect when I book a hotel -- only Hilton properties -- and if anything at all goes awry or I need something outside the usual parameters they do it promptly because I'm a Diamond member.
I am very sorry some people have gotten reamed by unscrupulous people and uncaring companies. When you spend a lot of money repeatedly, you should be treated like royalty, if not by individual owners then by the company. If VRBO keeps this up they're headed for the dustbin of history.
It's what a company does for you when there's a crisis that shows who they really are.
For years people have been telling me that because I don't use Airbnb or VRBO I'm just not "with it." I'm fine with that.
I know exactly what to expect when I book a hotel -- only Hilton properties -- and if anything at all goes awry or I need something outside the usual parameters they do it promptly because I'm a Diamond member.
Some people want things that are not easily found in hotel rooms, like a full kitchen or a private yard.
Location: In a perfect world winter does not exist
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I want to give an update for those on the fence about using VRBO.
Its been one month and now 1 day as I type, my specialist to help my cancellation has not responded at all, I got deserted by VRBO. A company can't even process a simple cancellation. No responses to pictures I took of my computer screen which show I followed the process , I did everything according to the cancel guidelines for a refund.
With airbnb you pay them, not the host, so they are the ones who would issue a refund. The cancellation policy is stated before booking, as in cancel before whatever date for a full refund, cancel before this other date for half refund minus service fees, etc. and it happens automatically if you click the cancel button. Generally speaking the host has nothing to do with it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat
I am very sorry some people have gotten reamed by unscrupulous people and uncaring companies.
There are definitely different levels of risk with airbnb versus a hotel chain, but as our Ozzy mentioned there are aspects of airbnb people seek that your hotel doesn't offer. Living in a local neighborhood instead of the hotel tourist or business zone, getting an apartment with a longer stay discount where you can prepare food in and have more space, etc. There is no wrong answer here to each their own, but as an aside if you think that profit motivated publicly traded company really cares about you as an individual anymore than any other large company you are mistaken. You are a wallet to them, and those people are nice to you because that is their job.
VRBO's customer service has no power to do anything. If the owner refuses to refund I have found out they do nothing but give you claim# upon claim#.
You have to file a claim with your credit card company.
With Expedia, I had one complaint, they refunded my money when the hotel did not have the room I paid for and than on the spot gave me another hotel and gave me an extra money towards the stay to make up for the bad service. They also threw in an extra 50.00 dollar to use later.
AVOID VRBO!
Expedia's product is different from VRBO. If you want a house, you can't go to Expedia.
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