Trip Advisor
 

we are looking into booking an apartment in Rovinj and Split in Croatia thru trip advisor's vacation rental.

Can anyone please share their experience with us - owner want to be prepaid for the full amount, in which I feel a bit uncomfortable with.

Many thanks,
Sam.

Probably more normal than not

You don't give any information on these apartments so it's difficult to share experiences. I've not prepaid for apartments in other places so I also would be uncomfortable with this. I've given deposits and paid the balance upon arrival and inspection of the apartment.

Although I have never rented an apartment in Croatia, I have in several other countries. I have always had to prepay.

Thank you - anyone out there with experience of trip advisor's
Vacation rental site?

I have booked an apartment in Dubrovnik using the apartment source site, 20% deposit thru paypal which seems more reasonable

My experience is very different than Adrienne's . Most very flat I've rented required a substantial deposit and the final payment several weeks in advance.

And why wouldn't that be so, it isn't as if they can re-rent an apartment at the last minute if you are a no show.

ps: a few times I haven't had to pre-pay, but in most cases they were the 2nd or 3rd time w/ the same owner/agency so they 'knew' me.

Thanks janisj

have you used TA's holiday rental, are they reliable..
are there other sites that you recommend?

I rented my property in France for 15 years, and may do so again. No one would ever have been allowed to come onto my property without payment in full well in advance. If someone shows up and isn't happy, as an owner you deal with it, but there are all kinds of degrees of "unhappiness," ranging from "Are all French refrigerators this small?" and "we saw bees in the garden yesterday," to "the water heater isn't working" or "the toilet in the 2nd bedroom isn't flushing properly." Some, as a landlord, you must deal with immediately; some are just frivolous rants. And there is always someone waiting in the wings to rent a place; if landlords were to wait for payment until everyone had showed up and blessed the place, how would they run a legit business? It's a contract, requiring faith on both parts.

StCirg

Thanks for your comments, totally agreed and have no problem paying in advance - more concern with TA's site, and if anyone has actually booked thru their site and experience one can share.

i really like "bees in the garden", my wife will actually say that;)

Had I got into payment - would have found out Paypal is also used, therefore no problem, thank you all..