Am I Getting Nervous Over Nothing?
 

My husband and I have rented this Paris apartment at 21 Rue Beranger in the 3rd Arrondissement for the month of May. http://www.vrbo.com/33312
We read all of the positive comments from people who had stayed there previously, including one from someone I went to high school with hundreds of years ago; I got in touch with him for more information and his response was completely positive. We paid a deposit by credit card, but now the owner of the apartment, who lives in the U.S., wants the remainder of the payment via check. (The rental is in dollars.) He says credit card processing fees are the reason behind his request for check payment.
I don't know why, but I'm nervous about this change. I guess I'm afraid that we'll get to Paris and find out we have no apartment. When you're dealing directly with the owner of an apartment, what guarantee do you have that you'll actually have a place to live in when you get there? Or is there no rational basis for my nervousness (wouldn't be the first time)?

I think your fears are unfounded. I've had this happen before. The owners must pay credit card fees each time they process a transaction vs. money received in full when you pay directly by check. How lucky for you that it's in dollars!
I've posted before about the leap of faith we take as renters (got blasted for it too, if memory serves) trusting that the apartments will be "as expected". Sounds to me like you practiced due diligence in this case, getting in touch with prior renters. We've rented several flats in Paris over the years: some were directly from owners, some were through agencies. All were positive experiences, which we will be repeating in May. Just plan to have a great vacation and stop worrying. EJ ((#))

Wouldn't bother me in the least. Maybe there's been a hike in the cc fees he pays. When I rent my French house I always ask for payment by check, and at least 30 days before the rental, so I know we've got a firm commitment.

What's your objection to paying by check, and why would that increase the likelihood of there not being an apartment ready for you when you got there (which is a totally unfounded fear, IMO)?

Seems perfectly standard operating procedure to me. Relax -- you will have a marvelous experience, just as my wife and I did. This I would bet for sure.

After our Parisian apartment experience through VRBO, we have sworn never to stay in a hotel in that city again -- and we have been there many times over the years.

I don't have any objection to paying by check. I think there's a little more recourse if you pay by credit card and you're ripped off -- American Express has been great with problems we've had in the past. (Nothing to do with rental of apartments -- other kinds of travel problems.) It's just the change from credit card basis to check basis that has made me uneasy. I was once badly scammed some years ago, not travel related, so now any little thing makes me start obsessing. Yes, I have sought therapy for this. :-)

I can understand your concern. Paying completely by credit card gives you leverage. If anything goes wrong, you can dispute it with the cc company. They do say on the website that they accept credit cards, so why would they change it?

Why don't you offer to pay the cc fee?

When we rented from an American owner we paid by check, even the deposit, and had no problem. I understand the notion of having some leverage with cc payment, but given the overwhelmingly positive reviews - especially one from a person you actually know p I would not worry.

For what it's worth, I've visited that apartment both as a possible future rental for myself and once again while good friends were staying there.

The kitchen is modern and spacious, the bathroom roomy and while the apartment is on the ground floor, opening off a courtyard, the only other traffic passing there is for an office that is closed in the evenings and on weekends.

It's a perfectly fine apartment, the local "concierge" was charming and helpful, the owner responsive. I wouldn't worry.

Thanks, everyone, for your very reassuring replies. I've been a lurker on this wonderful site since I discovered it a month or so ago, and I've gotten a wealth of information from it.

Looks like a good find.

There have been cases where I had to WIRE the balance months before my arrival. I would have LOVED it if all I had to do was send a check...

More succinctly, yes, you were getting nervous over "nothing".