I just sent my VISA # to a VRBO (vacation rental by owner) contact.We are going to Europe next week and have reserved mostly apartments throught this site. However the apartment in Paris does look too good to be true. 5 of us in Marais for 80 Eiros/night and the pictures look lovely. Has anyone ever had a fraud at this site? (by the way this seems like a great place for good european apartments!)

Mind sharing the URL?

I've never had a problem...I reerved my Paris apartment that looks to good to be true as well.

What one are you renting?

Mine is 33312

Well, it has certainly been argued before that some of these owner-direct apartments look too good to be true!

We rented an apartment in Hawaii through VRBO and it was fine, just as represented. I assume that there is the opportunity for fraud, though.

I helped one of my friends to reserve an apartment in Marbella using VRBO.com. The owner of the apartment is an Irishman, who only uses it few days/year. My friend was very happy with the contacts and the apartment accurately represented.

Hi, I have a Paris apartment listed on VRBO. Just remember that every apartment is owned by a different owner, so there will be variations. The site "evicts" a listing after three "major" complaints, so you probably don't have much to worry about in terms of fraud. Now, there's always the chance that the apartment has more wear and tear than shown in the photos. I must say that the price you got is extremely cheap and you shouldn't be expecting the Ritz!

Thanks everyone. i am more confident now that i hear about the complaints policy.
The # is vrbo 44353 and it looks like he has several paris apartments for very reasonable prices.
maybe it is the area?
For that price we can deal with some noise.

I don't think it's the area - we stayed in 3rd near Place des Vosges and it was very nice.

It kind of depends on what he means by "near" Pl de Vosges. If it's on one of the smaller streets it will be quiet. But it could be one of the avenues leading from Bastille to Republique that pass somewhat close to Vosges, and that would be noisier. I'd want to know at least the street name. It seems like an extremely reasonable price. It looks like the only real drawback is that you'll have to go through the living room to get the bathroom, so privacy could be a bit of an issue.

joanr-

I don't want to throw cold water on this, but I just took a look at the listing. It looks cute, and the price is great- even for just a couple. In fact, I love this area, so I book-marked it for future reference.

I'm just wondering where the fifth person in your group will be sleeping, assuming that 2 are in the queen bedroom, and 2 are on the small red couch which presumably folds out. The text of the listing says that there is another couch for someone to sleep on: the only one in the photos is the little yellow couch that looks like a loveseat.

I would be unhappy if I were person number 5 and got to Paris only to find that I have to curl into a little ball. Maybe your fifth person is a small child?

Maybe you could ask the owner for more specifics on the sleeping arrangements? (Of course, you may already have done so, in which case ignore my doom and gloom!)

I recently rented a great house in New Orleans from VRBO. The owner was very nice about giving me more information, sending me email addresses for references, etc. before I paid.

Good luck! I hope it all works out for you. Let us know how it goes.

blueswimmer has a point, I was thinking you are going to be crowded. Suggest you also find out how many sq meters.
We had 4 people in a one bedroom, our apt was 366 sq ft. (34 sq m) It was tight.

If you are all adults, maybe they would give you a deal if you rent two of their apartments?

Joan
My husband & I rented the same VRBO 44353 apartment last November and were very happy with it. All of our arrangements were handled by Didier who was very efficient and extremely helpful. The next time we go to Paris, we will definitely contact him again.
The apartment is on a side street off rue de la Roquette, just a few minutes walk from Bastille metro. It's a lively area and so you're very close to shops, restaurants (try Le Souk for great North African food)& bars. We had no problems with noise as the apartment looks out onto a central courtyard and is set well back from the street.
One of the reasons that we really liked the apartment is because it's obviously someone's home - and yes that does mean normal levels of wear & tear in a historical building - and because it definitely doesn't have that hotel or corporate let feel to it.
By Parisian standards, it's very spacious for two - although the bathroom is typically Parisian, strictly one person in there at a time - but should stretch to five. (I'd think 5 people in any 1 bed apartment would need to know each other pretty well to begin with!)
As far as sleeping arrangements go, the bedroom is big & very comfortable while the red sofabed is a standard 2-seater foldout. Not sure about the idea of sleeping on the yellow couch unless you were a pretty small person.
BTW Europe is having a cold snap right & I just heard from a friend in Paris that it's been snowing on & off the last week. The good news is that the apartment heating was very efficient when we were there.
I'd go back in a heartbeat, so I hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did.

Interesting that it's on rue de la Roquette. This is an example of a posting that says "Marais/Place de Vosges" being a definite stretch. Rue de la Roquette is perfectly nice, but it is most assuredly NOT the Marais or Place de Vosges. It is the Bastille. As a Paris rental apartment owner, I have a real issue with other owners stretching this far!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Your replies have really helped. imagine hearing from someone who was there!
We are a family of 5 and my 10 year old can sleep anywhere! The yellow couch may be o.k. but I think as Paris is our last stop before home we will buy a foam and sleeping bag.

Truffaut--

Not sure if you can post it here....but what is yur VRBO #?? I am already planning my second trip to Paris (haven't even been there on my first yet!!!) and the apartment I have for my first is reserved for the tentative dates for my 2nd.

Does that make sense?!?!?

Anyway....maybe I will rent yours!!

Kelbert:

Since you specifically asked, I think I'm in the clear for doing this. If not, apologies to all!

VRBO #44176 and there are additional photos and neighborhood information in the website it links to.

Kelbert,

Actually I think your apartment looks very nice and is in a nice area.

Thanks Truffaut!!

The apartment I rented does indeed look nice....can't wait to get there next month.

I'm off to look at yours...

P.S. I'm KelBel from TripAdvisor