VRBO Experiences: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

[cral12]

We've just recently started using VRBO for potential vacation places to stay. We had a good experience, for the most part, in La Jolla (San Diego). (Have to look up the exact one we used - I'll add later).

Feel free to share your experiences in this thread or any other resources you use.

[photon]

We've used VRBO maybe 7-8 times now and they've all been fine for the most part, though I seem to have a knack of finding places where the Internet just happens to be broken, or isn't quite what was advertised.

But overall pretty happy with it.

[Bean]

We booked a great looking place in Kelowna a few years ago but got scared off due to the massive fires. I spoke to the owner and although he was disappointed, we got a full refund for cancelling within the allowable times.

Have booked a number of places in other interior BC areas without a hitch as well. VRBO has been great.

[Maccalus]

I have booked a couple places through them and my parents have booked several more. They have always been as advertised between the pictures and reviews. We have never had a problem with any owner/manager yet.

[OldDutch]

I have used HomeAway 5 times for Hawaii. HomeAway is the same company as VRBO, just different branding.

I like the interface of HomeAway a bit better, and if you have doubt you can purchase insurance. If you get screwed they will refund you.

[Nammer403]

Always use VRBO for vacays never had a bad experience yet *knock on wood*

[Regulator75]

We've used VRBO while staying in Spokane, Seattle and Portland.

We had no issues. Just be sure to check the feedback from others.

[SeeBass]

Same here have used it a few times and have enjoyed every place I have booked.

Most places have their listing on multiple sites so check all the reviews.

Don't forget to google the place/owner and google streetview is a great tool as well.

[Ace]

I've used it about 5 times, all good experiences. I always skip listings that don't take credit cards though, this to me is my insurance.

[psicodude]

I used it last year for a place in Cape Coral, FL and it was perfect. The only thing I could add is that because it was a rental property, there was pre-scheduled maintenance being done that we had no control over. So, when the pool cleaning guy showed up at 7:30 am, it was a bit of a shock. The other thing to pay attention to is that there is zero flexibility with the "check-out" time because another renter was coming 3 hours after we left. The penalties for staying even an hour late were really steep.

[rd_aaron]

Used OwnerDirect for a condo in Panorama village a few weeks ago. Worked out great. I also took out insurance through them for $20 for the whole stay which apparently protects me if the ad was a scam.

I think the best thing to do is look at reviews to help ensure that the place is legit. I also recommend taking the insurance if the website has it (in our case the $20 insurance was only about 2% of the total cost of our condo for 3 nights).

The place we stayed in was really nice and was over 50% cheaper than similar sized condos we could've booked through the Panorama lodging company. I will definitely look at using VRBO or similar in the future.

[Eagle Eye]

I use both VRBO and Ownerdirect to advertise our vacation rental property in Panorama. I get about 90% of the rentals with VRBO (allows us to have comments from past renters).

VRBO is paid an upfront amount each year to advertise, while OD takes a cut from each renter.

I haven't heard of any issues from renters using either services.

[scotty2hotty]

We're using Airbnb for the first time this month. One week in Hawaii. Reviews on the guest house look terrific. I'll let you know.

[bc-chris]

my wife and i used VRBO for our trip to phoenix - it was great

my folks used VRBO for their trip to hawaii and had no complaints at all

[AMG_G]

Used VRBO to book a house for 18 people at the Emerald Island - Florida. Pool and house was clean. Best bang for the buck if there are lots of people. Worked out to be $250 x 6 families for a 6 day stay.

[redforever]

I have used VRBO for 10 years, never one complaint.

Things have been spot on as shown on their site.

[undercoverbrother]

Used it a couple of times, and never had an issue.

[GoinAllTheWay]

We used VRBO to rent a place in Rome. It was fantastic. Great place in a wild old building. Walk out the front gates and to the right is the Coliseum. Awesome location. Guy running it even sent a car to pick us up at the airport.

[tvp2003]

Looking to book a place in Oahu with VRBO. A little annoying thus far as a few people are adding fees (i.e. for children under 4) even though their listing makes no mention of it. Same with cleaning fees. Also people that say "x" night minimum stay, and then when you ask about booking for "x" nights, they say "no, we only do 7 days". C'mon people -- full disclosure!

[username]

We use vrbo & OD for advertising our place. We've only had one bad renter but overall people renting are very respectful.

It's amazing how much money OD takes when it's all said and done at the end of the year.