If you can get 9a. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1352444 go for it

Frankly I would not even consider a place without a specific address that I could check out on google earth.

Even if you are willing to take a minute place that is many floor walk-up - I would at least want to be sure the area is safe, pleasant and near a Metro.

Is there some reason you must stick with air bnb versus a company that will give you more info up front?

well . . i guess i have been naive to other options. thanks to seamus, i've just spent quite a bit of time researching on homeaway.com. i am finding WAY more options in my price range (or less!) that seem to be in better locations and just "look" nicer. but what's the catch? i mean, just seems to good to be true if you ask me. everything i've looked at says "fees" included (these aren't disclosed, at least as far as i can tell). has anyone rented off that website before?

ok..i think i found the 'achilles tendon' of homeaway.com. it's cheaper than airbnb, but you are dealing directly with the owner. there is no middle man or buffer, which cuts out that extra layer of "fees". the downside of this is, you have to give your financial information (credit card #) to the owner directly. whereas airbnb collects the payment, holds it, distributes it -- and each party (renter/owner) never sees each others financial info. i've just been reading horror stories of how owners on homeaway will sell your CC #, etc. now i'm nervous. haven't these people ever heard of paypal??

The expression is "achilles heel" not "achilles tendon" --- a weak point, not an injury that runners get, lol.

<<<i> thanks to seamus, i've just spent quite a bit of time researching on homeaway.com.</i>>>
Glad to share the addiction to trawling cyberspace for vacation rentals. Eh, keeps me off the streets, at least the 3-D ones - does cause me to spend more time on Google street views.

Homeaway.com is actually of longer standing than airbnb. It uses a different business model than airbnb, and does not add fees paid directly by the renter. Instead, the owners/agents pay a fee to be listed. This is the same model used by VRBO.com (which now owns homeaway, or vice versa) and other for rent by owner sites. Listings that mention fees usually refer to things like a cleaning fee or fee for linens, which in some cases are charged separately. Too, some agencies tack on an agency fee, especially for longer term rentals. Everyone seems to have a preference, but there is no hard and fast rule about what may be charged as an added fee, and you should be sure that you understand what, if any, fees are due in addition to the published rent. A reputable owner/agent will disclose all costs, charges and fees up front.

I actually find airbnb listings much more "too good to be true" in their descriptions, but I have been at this a while and am pretty skeptical about generalizations and broad references. Don't tell me a place is "in the Marais area" or "close to the Metro" - tell me the street and preferably the address or at least the closest intersection. And don't stop at terms like "spacious" "compact' or "cozy" - give me dimensions. I understand that some owners do not wish to post the exact address on an ad but they can sure provide the info in an email when asked. If they don't it makes me wonder what they are trying to conceal.

Do familiarize yourself with homeaway's site before entering any transaction. On the homepage click on "How it works" or Help. You'll get some good info such as
<i>"Before sending money via credit card, check or bank transfer, call the phone number on the property listing and speak to the owner or property manager to confirm your reservation and payment details. If the listing does not have a phone number, please call us at 877-228-3145.</i>

And the last recommendation is borne of experiences losing a nice place because someone else booked it while I was in analysis paralysis. When you find a place that meets all your "must have", at least 50% of your "like to have", and one or more of your "never thought about that but it sounds cool" features, book it!

Interestingly, linda, you appear new to vacation rentals and see airbnb as the preferred way to go. (Which I am certain is good news to their marketing department!) There are lots of horror stories about airbnb too. My sense is that folks who have been doing this for a while see airbnb as the more risky proposition, just a step up from couch surfing.
Don't get entangled in the urban myths and re-re-re-posted tales of woe that are part and parcel of the internet.

They all look horrible. What is your fixation with Airbnb? I like them, but they are hardly the only option.

And now that you're up into the $90+ per-night option, why aren't you looking at hotels?

Please be very careful with Homeaway and VRBO. There are fakes on there. In particular, don't wire or Moneygram money. The sites are full of warnings on this, and they are true.

A. (cite voltaire) http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p1143152

what is NATION/BASTILLE area like? i honestly can't recall from my previous trip (the areas have all blended into one another i think!) i inquired about the above listing. it seems like it checked ok. . not convinced the 3D street view is the most charming. but the listing has 5 positive reviews (although the internet says homeaway doesn't publish negative -- might believe it, since i have yet to read a single bad review on there), the owner replied to me quickly, forwarded a thorough document describing the apt and everything in it to great detail. deposit to hold is 30%, and he'll take paypal (THANK GOODNESS!). balance and S/D due upon arrival in cash. (is that normal?!) he had all his ducks in a row and i just get the sense this is legit, just not sure of the area.



B. (ave de suffren) http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-ren...59038a#summary

and there's this place i inquired about on homeaway. seems sketchier. they replied to me with this message: "price is 300 euros, no charge, no tax, no déposit, you pay the day of arrival. if you agree I send you a booking contract". i mean - NO monetary deposit?? i guess i'm not at risk of losing anything, but i wouldn't exactly be confident my reservation is being held. right??! also, only 300 E, with no sec dep, no cleaning fee?? does that seem super cheap for that area, even if it is a tiny place?


7a. (Rue du Cardinal Lemoine) https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1376298

and i can't help but revisit this minuscule lil' matchbox that i posted a couple days ago! i know it's tiny. possibly a tad cramped. but i'm drawn to it. wouldn't this be the most desirable of all these neighborhoods?

A - why are you so reluctant to take "yes" for an answer? This is still probably the best of all the places you've considered. Still think it's smallish but looks well designed, clean and has good reviews. Location is not bad at all - on a quiet cul de sac but very close to a metro stop and shops. And homeaway most definitely publishes negative reviews.

B - price is not out of line for a place that small. And you are correct that the lax approach of the owner is not common. Is it even available for your dates? seems to be already booked much of October already.

7a. Still a no. Tiny 5th floor walk up. Practical tip: when an ad includes lots of photos of general tourist stuff instead of depictions of what matters (the apartment itself) it's often a red flag. And photos of little details often mean the place is too cramped to even get a decent photo of the room itself.

thanks. and um. . . .isn't that one and only "YES" the place you suggested? ;)

You're welcome - always glad to hold forth on my own thoughts ;-)

And yes, I believe I did originally offer that studio as an example of what such a small space would need to be like in order to be habitable. Don't have any personal interest in it, and it's not the only "yes" - #6 on your original list (https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/469169 on rue de Clignancourt) would work, too (and has the advantage of being almost twice the size).

I will also offer that if you plan to travel in October you'd best book something soon - autumn in Paris can get busy with trade shows and conferences.

I've used vrbo.com since at least 2004 for nearly every place I travel. Never been burned. It's a great site for my needs. On the other hand, I'm hesitant to use air bnb. To each their own.
Ann Marie