I will be traveling to Paris in December '09 for 7 days. I would like to rent an apartment, and I found VRBO 31360 (http://www.vrbo.com/31360). I contacted the owner who has informed me that he requires a 30% deposit. The balance is due at check in, in cash. Then a check for 300 euros is needed as a security deposit. I have a U.S. bank account and I don't believe I can write a check for 300 euros. I suppose this doesn't matter as long as the owner doesn't try to take any of the security deposit, but I didn't want to have some major issue. Also, I'm worried about handing over the balance in cash, as this leaves me unprotected by the VRBO guarantee and outside of normal credit card assistance. Has anyone stayed in this apartment? What can you tell me about your experiences with VRBO in Paris? Any help is much appreciated.

YOu can't write a check with euros as the currency. Does the owner know you don't have a euro checking account and are a foreigner? Because that's an odd thing to require in such a case. At least they should say something about alternatives. Why don't you just give them 300 euro in cash as a security deposit? That isn't so much that you couldn't do that. If you don't think he will take it unfairly, I guess it doesn't matter. After all, why give a check if you believe he will really cash it if desired.

A lot of apartments do not take credit cards in Paris, that isn't unusual. In fact, I have never heard of a private owner who would, although there might be some if they really were running a small business.

You really need to communicate with the owner that you are not European and don't have a euro checking account. Unless the owner expects you to get a cashiers check drawn in euro (which is possible at some banks with an international affiliate), but what's the point of that, you'd have to pay to convert it and pay to convert it back. Just give cash or maybe travelers checks in euro, if he insists on checks (you'd have to check if the owner will accept that, though).

ANyway, I haven't ever dealt with VRBO, only agencies who handled everything themself and were the fiduciary or one place that did arrangements with the owner but that owner didn't require me to pay a deposit if I bought an insurance policy from a French company he connected me with. I was very happy to do that as that insurance policy (for damages, etc, probably fire) only cost me 30 euro!

What do you mean that not paying by credit card leaves you unprotected by the VRBO guarantee? It says it pertains if yo upay by CC, Paypal, bank transfer or check. ANyway, their guarantee doesn't cover disputes over returned deposits.

See if you can send him a check via paypal.
Then tell him you will pay him the extra fee paypal charges when you arrive. Paypal is the cheapest way.

We stayed at a really nice apt. in Paris this summer. Look at http://locationparis9.canalblog.com/tag/paris. It in a great location. It would be a great place to stay. July and Aug. is a bit hot there, no ac, so it can get hot at night. Bring a fan or ask for one. Heat is available. Rest of year should be fine.

Hello rdwalker17- I have booked that same apt. for Sept.09. The rental agreement states the deposit can be in cash, check or travelers check in euros or other currency. It needs to be the equivalent of 300 euros. I chose this apt. because the location was very central and the price seemed reasonable. I would LOVE to hear from anyone who has actually rented this apt. and would be more than happy to report back after our trip what our experience with it was like...Colleen

colleen61... please report back and let me know what you think of it. The reviews on VRBO have been excellent so far, but there haven't been any in the last six months. Also, I haven't been able to get the owner to contact me back. Have you heard from him in the last week or so?... Thanks,

rdwalker17- we are staying in that apt.in Sept.so I can't tell you what I think of it yet as we haven't been there yet-sorry. The owner may be away, I haven't communicated with him since I made a deposit months ago. He did respond quickly to all my inquiries though.

Has any one else had any experience with this rental property?

I don't see what the problem is, as the site says credit cards are accepted if you use PayPal.

Use PayPal.

Exactly why I prefer to deal with Vacation In Paris apts.

You pay in US dollars by credit card, they have an insurance policy that adds about 25 dollars to the rental so no breakage deposit, there is a 150 dollar key deposit that is credited back to your credit card when you return the key on arrival home.

http://www.vacationinparis.com

I know this is old now but in case anyone else has questions about this apt. we had absolutely no problems renting it. The owner met us at the door,showed us how everything worked{there is a manual as well with info on the neighborhood and lots of guidebooks}and was generally a nice fellow.Everything was in good working order and we were satisfied with our choice.



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