Anyone else use VRBO/airbnb type sites much? I never have so don't know if this is normal/legit... All the reviews of this place are really good.

I found a nice cabin to rent in CO, emailed a question and got an email and text back. I said I was interested and got this after asking if I should reserve it on the site:

"Pardon me if you get this twice...i was typing and it disappeared. By eating directory with each other we keep our contract info confidential.  I do not trust middle men to safeguard my data as well as myself.  I will email you  a Rental Agreement for you after you send me the following info: Your home address Home phone Your cell number Sites cell number Your email address Names of all guests Any pets?  ."

Only experience has been with VRBO, and all have been positive. Keep in mind, VRBO properties are only vacation rentals, and are not being occupied by the owner or anyone else. Whereas, AirBnb could have someone living in the property while you are renting. We only stay in a VRBO when traveling from now on and never a hotel, it is just so much more comfortable with room to spread out. In the beginning of VRBO, i had a few owners choose to use their reservation and check-in policy rather than the website. I would imagine that some owners would still prefer that to save some money in their pocket and not go to VRBO. I personally, would only use the checkout option on the website or app; as I have had property owners forget to give detailed info about checking in and specifics we requested. Honestly, the Homeaway app makes it super easy and convenient, and is the best option.

My experience has been that airbnb customer service and app useability is much better. However, I manage a property so have mostly only seen the owner side of the process.

I know that VRBO or Homeaway allows owners to subscribe with an annual fee or pay per booking commissions. The only difference I know is that with the owner subcription contact info can be shared in advance.

 

In our experience anytume a guest or owner wants to contact us directly or go around the commission its a headache as nothing is covered deposit wise. What i tell people is that they can contact us directly if they would  like to but the booking will still be through the platform as this safeguards both parties. (The few dollars you save in taxes and fees isnt worth going around the website just because of issues related to deposits and cancellations which always seem to come up when we do this). 

 Its not sketchy but I would make the reservation directly through the website. Not sure if this was the question, but maybe itll be helpful in someway.

Edited: 10/15/2017 at 04:52 PM by Sector9surf

Everyone uses Air BnB. This is like asking if Instagram or Facebook is safe. Haha welcome to 2017 and the death of the hotel. You'll be fine : )

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R I P Mama G.

@Salt.And.Savagery.Fishing

@Laserwolf.Laserwolf

We use both VRBO/Homeaway and AirBnB for our condo in Nicaragua.  My wife just used AirBnB for an apartment in Paris and loved it.  The lady checked on them every morning and made them breakfast.   If there is any concern it is better to stay within the website (although as an owner I get frustrated with all their fees).  It helps us to have our guests pay cash in Nicaragua as it goes directly to our HOA fees and utlitiies. The vast majority of guests are fine with it but the ones who don't want to do it I just let them pay thru the websites.  I think both parties are better protected staying within the websites.  The reviews are key as both parties don't want a bad review as it prevents further bookings.  

Thanks for the feedback guys... and yes, long beard I know the sites are well known and used, the concern I had is the guy trying to skip the site. Now he wants me to PayPal him the whole $ amount now.

Use both. Airbnb is more user friendly. Watch out for the hidden cameras (https://www.google.com/amp/people.com/chica/airbnb-hidden-camera-smoke-detector-florida/amp/)

I've used both. Never had issues. But, never pay everything up front. Airbnb, is more legit as you only pay after you've checked in and have keys in your hand. 

Airbnb is totally cool but sending the whole amount via paypal now does sound sketchy. If he wants you to pay outside the site he should have to take the risk that you won't show. You shouldn't have to take the risk that he's gonna run off with your moolah

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"Grip it and rip it"

We've done both VRBO and AirBNB all over the world and have mostly had positive experiences, and never anything terrible. I'm sure there are negative experiences out there as there is with anything that involves an exchange of money, so be careful as always. Read the reviews! Refund/cancellation policies are usually clearly stated, and in some cases you may be asked to pay up front with a potential for no refund if you cancel. I'm with gatorsurf92, though, paying via PayPal seems unusual and unnecessary. Our most recent experience was three nights in an AirBNB cabin in Olympic Natl Park this past July that we didn't want to leave.

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"If I say it's safe to surf this beach, captain, then it's safe to surf this beach!"

Paying through paypal is sketchy... I would try to force him to use the AirBNB portal. That protects both sides

That response seems sketchy to me. I would not send money to him.

Email him back dead seriously and say "to answer your last question pets? yes I travel with my tiger"

 

But yeah sketchy... I wouldn't do it as no need take risk as I'm sure their are many other legit options through site!

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get up early and go surf - it'll make that hangover go away and/or make the workday more tolerable :)

Do NOT go outside the Airbnb site - I had an issue with a rental and they handled it brilliantly (host forgot to leave a key, and I was locked out, couldn't get hold of her). Not only did they contact her and get action quickly, they paid for me to have a dinner while I was waiting, and if they hadn't gotten her in one hour they would have paid for a room up to 1 1/2 times what I paid for that one. It ended up ok (she used a cleaning service and they forgot to set out the key). But if I hadn't been corresponding through the site, I would have had no recourse.

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[Feminism is] a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians. ~Pat Robertson

Do not pay with paypal! I was ripped off of a couple hundred bucks in Boston paying with paypal. I showed up and the apartment didn't exist. Called Paypal and was told to pound sound, stating they only cover items that are bought and sold, not "services". I filed the complaint anyway with corresponding emails between the "owner" and I as well as a link to the ad. I did get my money back but it was a huge hassle.

***** I do not trust middle men to safeguard my data as well as myself. I will email you a Rental Agreement for you after you send me the following info: Your home address Home phone Your cell number Sites cell number Your email address Names of all guests Any pets? ." *****

No. Bs. Don't do this.

I prefer VRBO to airbnb because it seems the selection and prices are better. But they are owned by the same company Homeaway. They do offer some protection on security deposit and dispute which a private contract won't.

That being said, I have managed to contact some VRBO owners directly after an initial rental and I worked with them directly and saved money.

Here's what everyone is probaby missing.  Way back when VRBO was like craigslist.  It was feee and great.  You'd contact the owner, get a rental agreement and send them a check/deposit, or maybe paypal.  Never had an issue. zero fees to the renter except a cleaning fee if identified which most charge.

About 3 years ago, Homeaway (AKA Expedia/hotwire/owns every internet booking sight) bought all the free internet sites (VRBO/Airbrb) and immediatley starting gouing both sides with "booking" fees.  If I book thru them now, I always email the owner and try and go around VRBO to avoid the fees.  Some will, some wont.  If you use paypal, especialy if thru your credit card and not your check account you are totally covered.  My guess is that is what this person is doing.  he also may have it listed with an agency that will take a cut if you book thru site.

Side note - these greedy bastards (Homeaway) actually want a full payment up front INCLUDING refundable deposit, which is the part I have a problem with.  So lets say you book 10 months out...they require you to charge your credit card with say $700 for the refundable deposit.  You will either pay interest on this if you carry a balance or have to front the deposit for 10 months.  Then they refund after.  So in esence, they are borrowing your money for free for 10 months, certaintly using it to make themselves money and then returning it interest free to you.  Genius.  But greedy and dirtbag.  

i agree 100%.  It's even worse now on VRBO/Homeaway.  They charge the renters a $140 "service fee" and then make them buy an "damage protection policy" for another $59.  So that's $200 extra per booking.  Don't forget they charge me (the condo owner) a yearly subscribtion fee and make me use their payment methods.  If you don't use them to process your payments they drop you to the bottom of the listing.  Guess how many bookings you will get when your rental property is sitting on or near the bottom of the list? It used to be seniority that kept you at the top of the list (you know, reward years of loyalty!).   Most of our guests don't mind going around the websites and just paying cash on arrival in Nicaragua. For the ones that think that is sketchy I just let them book thru the websites and pay all fees.  Times have definitely changed for the worse for both owners and renters using VRBO.  FYI all the sites keep their email and cellphone numbers hidden so you can't go aroud them without a lot of work.

I'm not sure how recent your experience with VRBO or Homeaway is, but I have a few owner listings through Homeaway and we are given the option to allow guests to pay only 25% of the reservation cost up front. The other 75%+ the $250 damage deposit is due on the day of check in. We don't require renters insurance for the extra $59, although some owners might require it. But that is just another feature which is optional.

Edited: 10/20/2017 at 12:40 PM by Sector9surf