First impressions of Vacation in Paris apartment #154 Eiffel Tower Lookout
Jun 4th, 2009, 08:41 PM
#81
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The ending customer service seems to fit what you received during the trip!
Knowing that you will not be a returning customer, should not affect their customer service treatment. That is what reputations are built on. In your case, certainly a most negative experience, all the way around.
Joan
Knowing that you will not be a returning customer, should not affect their customer service treatment. That is what reputations are built on. In your case, certainly a most negative experience, all the way around.
Joan
Jun 5th, 2009, 04:54 AM
#82
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I agree that applying a discount to a future stay is a shoddy way to do business, a lot of companies do that because it doesn't cost them anything in a lot of cases (for example, I imagine you won't deal with them again, I wouldn't). It really doesn't make any sense, either, if they agree you deserve a discount due to the conditions, then it should apply to the stay they agree should be discounted.
I don't think you could ever complain to a credit card company about this, though, I wouldn't think that at all likely. Those kind of complaints are for services or items that basically are not even delivered, not just because you are having a dispute over the quality of something you bought. I can't imagine any credit card company would take up this issue. Besides, they've already been paid by the credit card. YOu did rent an apt. and had one for the time, and it was habitable and you stayed there. I still don't believe them that they didn't know about it (although I can see they might not know the extent of construction) since the owner said he told them. Well, I realize both have reasons to stretch the truth, but I feel they lied to me so that's my bias. But at this point, I guess it doesn't matter.
It really isn't real likely for an agency to have a lot of empty apts to give to people, I don't think. That would mean they had a lot that weren't booked up for no reason, and that just doesn't seem to be the norm, and it wouldn't be for apts that were any good. From checking and renting Paris apts for years, I know the good ones are usually booked up 6 to 12 months ahead of time.
I don't think you could ever complain to a credit card company about this, though, I wouldn't think that at all likely. Those kind of complaints are for services or items that basically are not even delivered, not just because you are having a dispute over the quality of something you bought. I can't imagine any credit card company would take up this issue. Besides, they've already been paid by the credit card. YOu did rent an apt. and had one for the time, and it was habitable and you stayed there. I still don't believe them that they didn't know about it (although I can see they might not know the extent of construction) since the owner said he told them. Well, I realize both have reasons to stretch the truth, but I feel they lied to me so that's my bias. But at this point, I guess it doesn't matter.
It really isn't real likely for an agency to have a lot of empty apts to give to people, I don't think. That would mean they had a lot that weren't booked up for no reason, and that just doesn't seem to be the norm, and it wouldn't be for apts that were any good. From checking and renting Paris apts for years, I know the good ones are usually booked up 6 to 12 months ahead of time.
Jun 5th, 2009, 05:54 AM
#83
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Yes, the fact that good apartments (and good/value hotels)book many. many months ahead is what made their eventual offer (the last 3 nights) of leaving the apartment and getting a full refund of any unused nights so ridiculous. They told me themselves (again, not until our stay was almost finished) that they had no open apartments to offer us and that's why they hadn't offered to move us when we first complained. Bad business all around as far as I'm concerned.
Jun 5th, 2009, 06:39 AM
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I'm sorry to see you are still having problems with VIP.
I am just shocked because I have rented several apartments from VIP over the years and had exactly the opposite experience with them.
In fact when we sent he keys and asked for a check for the deposit and the discount we had been offered, we recieved the check in two days.
I am just shocked because I have rented several apartments from VIP over the years and had exactly the opposite experience with them.
In fact when we sent he keys and asked for a check for the deposit and the discount we had been offered, we recieved the check in two days.
Jun 5th, 2009, 07:03 AM
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I want to spend time with the guy in the cranes 'bubble' - he definitely has one of the best job in the world!!
At least, hopefully, anyone wanting that stunning view will know the crane will be gone....................or will it?!
At least, hopefully, anyone wanting that stunning view will know the crane will be gone....................or will it?!
Jun 5th, 2009, 12:49 PM
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We requested and received a check from Vacation in Paris, returning our full security deposit, as agreed, about one week after we returned the key.
Seems like bad business for an agent to refrain from renting apartments on behalf of individual owners because a sight problem might arise at an apartment of another individual owner, who has no connection to the owner of the apartment with the ostensible problem.
I agree with Christina about demand for apartments in good neighborhoods in Paris. We booked our apartment from VIP many months in advance. During the week or two I looked at various properties quite a few were taken off the market as rented. I also agree that a discount proffered for a future stay would be a highly unsatisfactory resolution to a current problem.
Seems like bad business for an agent to refrain from renting apartments on behalf of individual owners because a sight problem might arise at an apartment of another individual owner, who has no connection to the owner of the apartment with the ostensible problem.
I agree with Christina about demand for apartments in good neighborhoods in Paris. We booked our apartment from VIP many months in advance. During the week or two I looked at various properties quite a few were taken off the market as rented. I also agree that a discount proffered for a future stay would be a highly unsatisfactory resolution to a current problem.
Jun 5th, 2009, 08:12 PM
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Suzanne2- Which apartment in the 6th, that you rented, was next to a nightclub? Noise issues are important to me. As far as building/apartment renovations, I have no control over that. It's part of apartment living. I live in an apartment building here at home. But, I do have control over whether or not I rent next to a noisy nightclub if I knew beforehand that there was a nightclub there. Happy Travels!
Jun 5th, 2009, 08:36 PM
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Many apartments are in buildings with businesses (cafes, restaurants, professional offices, shops, bars...) on the ground level.
With the address of a property of interest, you can easily check PagesJaunes for what's at street level in that building, nearby buildings, across the street - the entire neighborhood.
Paris is a densely populated city, though, so some noise is unavoidable. And, you never know which streets are favored by motorcylists late at night. Once or twice a week there's "glass pickup" which is quite shocking first time you experience that!
Then, you never know about road work. One trip, we walked by the hotel several times, where we had planned to stay ahead of booking an apartment. Right outside, the entire street was dug up and there were half a dozen or so workmen operating pneumatic drills throughout the day.
With the address of a property of interest, you can easily check PagesJaunes for what's at street level in that building, nearby buildings, across the street - the entire neighborhood.
Paris is a densely populated city, though, so some noise is unavoidable. And, you never know which streets are favored by motorcylists late at night. Once or twice a week there's "glass pickup" which is quite shocking first time you experience that!
Then, you never know about road work. One trip, we walked by the hotel several times, where we had planned to stay ahead of booking an apartment. Right outside, the entire street was dug up and there were half a dozen or so workmen operating pneumatic drills throughout the day.
Jun 5th, 2009, 10:35 PM
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I've had pretty good luck, over all, in Paris over the last 30-plus years with not having to, for the most part, deal with "unbearable" noise. The only place where the noise level was, at times at the unbearable level, was at one of the hotels I used to stay at. It was noise coming off of Blvd. St. Germain. So, depending on the room I got, it could be a very bad experience.
We all have our tolerance levels, and mine is VERY low, to non-existent, for blasting music coming out of a club until 4AM, as Suzanne 2 wrote. I'm used to cities. I'm from L.A. County. And it's not only in cities where there can be unbearable noise. In the suburbs it's usually excessively barking dogs which according to a news report, some years ago, was the #1 noise complaint. And there are some noises that earplugs just don't block out, as I never travel without them. Smiles. Happy Travels!
We all have our tolerance levels, and mine is VERY low, to non-existent, for blasting music coming out of a club until 4AM, as Suzanne 2 wrote. I'm used to cities. I'm from L.A. County. And it's not only in cities where there can be unbearable noise. In the suburbs it's usually excessively barking dogs which according to a news report, some years ago, was the #1 noise complaint. And there are some noises that earplugs just don't block out, as I never travel without them. Smiles. Happy Travels!
Jun 6th, 2009, 05:35 AM
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The noisy apartment we had was called Le Procope. I no longer see it offered on the VIP web site. From the street it appearerd to be between the Le Procope restaurant and a video rental place. The entire area is extremely busy day and night. The other tenants in the buildin g were also extremely noisy. Slamming doors, running up and down the stairs and what not. During the day I don't care but at 2 A.M. I get really annoyed. This was our first time staying in St Germaine and I'm not sure I'll be going back. I travel with a fan to drown out noise and it did not help at this place one bit.
We have some new neighbors who have a dog that barks non-stop and you are right it is extremely irritating.
We have some new neighbors who have a dog that barks non-stop and you are right it is extremely irritating.
Jun 6th, 2009, 09:12 AM
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Thanks for the info Suzanne2. I remember that apartment when it was listed. I was just praying that it wasn't #129 which I might rent in the future.
I've stayed all over Paris, but mainly like to stay in St.Germain and overall, haven't had a whole lot of problems with noise since I started staying in that area in 1981. It just depends on the hotel/apartment building. Hotel de Seine at 52 rue de Seine was quiet whereas Welcome Hotel, a few steps down the street at 66 rue de Seine was noisy due to traffic noise. I stayed at both for a total of about 19 years. At least no nightclub music or barking dogs.Smiles.
I had VIP #122, in 2008, and that building was quiet. OK. the guy next door played his jazz music kind of high, but it wasn't unbearable and it was for very short periods of time and at a decent time. It all comes with the territory of apartment living.
Otherwise, it was a VERY peaceful and quiet building and I slept like a baby. And the building is attached to a movie theater. It was on rue St.Andres des Arts, in the 6th, a few steps from Blvd. St.Michel. I had that apartment for 7 days and had no complaint about noise. At least I wasn't awakened to the sounds of chambermaids talking loudly outside my room or vacuum cleaners going.
A Parisian friend owns an apartment , on a main street, in a non-tourist area, but he's above a motorcycle repair place that he says his neighbors complain about. But, his apartment has been in the family since his great-grandmother which was long before the motorcycle repair place existed. And since it's a really nice apartment, he bought it, from his family group that inherited it, after his grandmother passed away. He got a great deal, below cost, and 50 square meters. Better than the 30 square meter apartment, that he had previously owned. So, some things one just has to deal with, when living in a densely populated city. Smiles. Happy Travels!
I've stayed all over Paris, but mainly like to stay in St.Germain and overall, haven't had a whole lot of problems with noise since I started staying in that area in 1981. It just depends on the hotel/apartment building. Hotel de Seine at 52 rue de Seine was quiet whereas Welcome Hotel, a few steps down the street at 66 rue de Seine was noisy due to traffic noise. I stayed at both for a total of about 19 years. At least no nightclub music or barking dogs.Smiles.
I had VIP #122, in 2008, and that building was quiet. OK. the guy next door played his jazz music kind of high, but it wasn't unbearable and it was for very short periods of time and at a decent time. It all comes with the territory of apartment living.
Otherwise, it was a VERY peaceful and quiet building and I slept like a baby. And the building is attached to a movie theater. It was on rue St.Andres des Arts, in the 6th, a few steps from Blvd. St.Michel. I had that apartment for 7 days and had no complaint about noise. At least I wasn't awakened to the sounds of chambermaids talking loudly outside my room or vacuum cleaners going.
A Parisian friend owns an apartment , on a main street, in a non-tourist area, but he's above a motorcycle repair place that he says his neighbors complain about. But, his apartment has been in the family since his great-grandmother which was long before the motorcycle repair place existed. And since it's a really nice apartment, he bought it, from his family group that inherited it, after his grandmother passed away. He got a great deal, below cost, and 50 square meters. Better than the 30 square meter apartment, that he had previously owned. So, some things one just has to deal with, when living in a densely populated city. Smiles. Happy Travels!
Jun 6th, 2009, 09:22 AM
#93
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Edit: "And since it's a really nice apartment, he decided to buy it from his family group that had inherited it, after his grandmother passed away". Sorry, I didn't finish the above edit. Smiles. Happy Travels!
Jun 6th, 2009, 05:26 PM
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Unfortunately noise is somthing that just happens. It is not pleasant but it is something we sometimes have to put up with. We stayed in a hotel in Monterey, Ca last year that had no A/C and our room was on the 2nd floor above a bar. So we had drunks yelling and smoke coming in to our room. We had gotten a terrific price and it was only 2 nights, still I'd never go back.
Paris is a big city and I think for the most part we've put up with a lot of noise there over the years. We once stayed in a hotel called Trypp De Saxe in the 7th. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. So we slept like babies. On the downside it was not a real convenient locataion. We also stayed in a VIP apartment in the 7th. Again it was really quiet. My advice to those looking for a real quiet place at night is to head for the 7th.
Traveling to old cities may require some flexibility.
I find so many other things to love about Paris that I am willing to compromise on some things just to be there.
Paris is a big city and I think for the most part we've put up with a lot of noise there over the years. We once stayed in a hotel called Trypp De Saxe in the 7th. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. So we slept like babies. On the downside it was not a real convenient locataion. We also stayed in a VIP apartment in the 7th. Again it was really quiet. My advice to those looking for a real quiet place at night is to head for the 7th.
Traveling to old cities may require some flexibility.
I find so many other things to love about Paris that I am willing to compromise on some things just to be there.
Jun 26th, 2009, 09:12 AM
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Hello all!
Christine, I just spent a night in that apt and found that you are slightly harsh... Maybe that is my British side!
It is fair to say that there are cranes in the way but the view is still phenomenal. I have stayed in several flats in Paris and this has by far one of the most fantastic view! From there you can see the Eiffel Tower and several other key Paris sights. The noise of construction is unfortunate but I cannot say that I regret my evening meals, overseeing the entire city. My wife and I loved watching the sunset from the balcony. It is simply stunning.
I also wished to comment about the flats' interior which was clean and comfy... I didn't try sleeping on the fold out bed but I must say that not many fold out beds are too comfortable... Anyway!
As for the access to the metro, it is wrong to say that the stations are far. Montparnasse station is a two minute walk away Falguiere five minutes away. Sincerely though, as a visitor in any city, I actually LIKE to walk! But that's just me!
In summary, I think that some comments were a little harsh... VIP did a good job with me. I didn't get to meet any of the owners but I did call them to enquire about the Wifi access (I'm at an age when techonlogy escapes me!) and the person I talked to was charming. We enjoyed the complementary bottle of wine which came with the rental!
I had a great time and there are not many flats which are as central... The last place we rented was near Montmartre, a lovely place but slightly too far away from many of the restaurants that we have learnt to enjoy.
Best wishes to all and enjoy your stays in Paris - wherever those may be!
Christine, I just spent a night in that apt and found that you are slightly harsh... Maybe that is my British side!
It is fair to say that there are cranes in the way but the view is still phenomenal. I have stayed in several flats in Paris and this has by far one of the most fantastic view! From there you can see the Eiffel Tower and several other key Paris sights. The noise of construction is unfortunate but I cannot say that I regret my evening meals, overseeing the entire city. My wife and I loved watching the sunset from the balcony. It is simply stunning.
I also wished to comment about the flats' interior which was clean and comfy... I didn't try sleeping on the fold out bed but I must say that not many fold out beds are too comfortable... Anyway!
As for the access to the metro, it is wrong to say that the stations are far. Montparnasse station is a two minute walk away Falguiere five minutes away. Sincerely though, as a visitor in any city, I actually LIKE to walk! But that's just me!
In summary, I think that some comments were a little harsh... VIP did a good job with me. I didn't get to meet any of the owners but I did call them to enquire about the Wifi access (I'm at an age when techonlogy escapes me!) and the person I talked to was charming. We enjoyed the complementary bottle of wine which came with the rental!
I had a great time and there are not many flats which are as central... The last place we rented was near Montmartre, a lovely place but slightly too far away from many of the restaurants that we have learnt to enjoy.
Best wishes to all and enjoy your stays in Paris - wherever those may be!
Jun 26th, 2009, 11:10 AM
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Are you talking to me, Poilo? Harsh about what, I never stayed in the apt. and didn't have many comments on that point. IN fact, I have had very limited comments on this entire thread about the apt. itself compared to other people, so it is very curious that you single me out to address (assuming you mean me and misspelled my name).
It is really very fascinating that this is your first post on Fodors and you just happened to stumble across a thread about an apt that you just stayed in.
I myself said I knew the metro access and didn't think it was bad as I know the neighborhood. My harsh comments were about the customer service of VIP, and I stand by my comments which have nothing to do with the apt. per se but about service. VIP can refund anything they want, you know, they are making a profit off the rental. To issue a credit simply for future business and not a credit off the apt. in complaint makes no sense to me at all. And in fact, I believe their position was that it was up to the owner to discount it so that's why they chose that amount -- so if the discount is coming from the owner, it would have to apply to this event, not the future. But of course, the discount could come out of VIP's profit if they really cared.
It is really very fascinating that this is your first post on Fodors and you just happened to stumble across a thread about an apt that you just stayed in.
I myself said I knew the metro access and didn't think it was bad as I know the neighborhood. My harsh comments were about the customer service of VIP, and I stand by my comments which have nothing to do with the apt. per se but about service. VIP can refund anything they want, you know, they are making a profit off the rental. To issue a credit simply for future business and not a credit off the apt. in complaint makes no sense to me at all. And in fact, I believe their position was that it was up to the owner to discount it so that's why they chose that amount -- so if the discount is coming from the owner, it would have to apply to this event, not the future. But of course, the discount could come out of VIP's profit if they really cared.
