jackgus

Hi, I am just booking our accomodation for this Christmas and New Year in New York. We want an apartment, I think eating out for every meal would get to exhausting and expensive. We have looked at lots of options and are currently looking at few through NYHabitat, and Apartment2you. The best one appears to be one on VRBO. I know they are often scams and am very reluctant to go ahead with it, however it looks beautiful. Does anyone know if this one if for real? it is VRBO listing #169739 100 West 39th Street and Avenue of the Americas. I have asked for a reference (which was supplied) and emailed a guy at Harvard, he said it was all good. I have asked if a friend could view the property, she said we could this Saturday when the cleaning lady was there (however I do not have a friend in New York, I just said that to test her). If it is legitimate it would be great, but very nervous. What do you think? Regards Kate

NeoPatrick

Sure looks good. Maybe it's a very new listing, as I've never seen that one in browsing VRBO. The scariest thing is that if their calendar is correct, why do they not have a single advance booking? Most nice apartments I know are mostly booked up for up to a year ahead.

Here's one I've rented twice and I love it, but the bad part is it jumps from $250 a night during the rest of the year to $3000 a week in December.
I post the link as a comparison:
www.bigapplegetaway.com/

Look at the calendar for this one and you'll see what I mean about being booked up.

ekscrunchy

The only thing that struck me is that the actual listing calls it 39th "Avenue"... anyone who knows New York would know that it is 39th "Street."

This is a new building that looks to be very nice, though. I suppose there could be all sorts of logical reasons for the error I mentioned.

jackgus

Hi, thanks for the feeback, yes I did query the mistake of address, which is when she came back with the exact address. I don't think we can take the risk, pity becuase it looks great and is cheap. I have emailed the link about the apartment you gave me, however $3000 is a bit much for us. Cheers Kate

Seamus

Where did you get the idea that VRBO postings "are often scams"?
Recently I have seen some posts casting aspersions on craigslist short term rental ads (with which I do not agree), but never VRBO.

jackgus

I got the information from Trip Advisor. Do you think it would be OK?

NeoPatrick

I too am a bit confused by your feelings. As a matter of fact that "bigapplegetaway" place I first found on VRBO. I guess it can happen, but I've never known anyone who actually got scammed from one of them. I'm not sure what "risk" you're talking about.

Although, I sure would want to ask them why there are absolutely NO reservations on the calendar.

jackgus

the risk I refer to is turning up at the given address and there is no apartment. It has happened apparently and according to the Trip Advisor Web site quite regularly. Anyway I have now found out that VRBO guarantee the sites as long as you register your booking with HomeAway. So we will go ahead with it I think. Thanks for all your reassuring feedback. Cheers Kate

travelbuff

Kate,

I'll be in that area this weekend, so I'll go look at the building for you if that will help.

That area of town is all business, and shopping. There are a few restaurants and delis of course and you are very close to Bryant Park and the library.

Let me know if I can be of any help.

NeoPatrick

I'm surprised if Trip Advisor reports that it happens with VRBO "quite regularly". I know that hundreds of people here have rented VRBO apartments and although a few have been disappointed with one issue or another, I have yet to hear of anyone arriving at a VRBO apartment to find it didn't exist.

bugswife1

I rented a house in Cozumel for a week through VRBO and it was lovely, and exactly as described in the ad and the pictures. No problems whatsoever. Property management was cooperative and attentive. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again. In fact, looking into VRBO for Turks and Caicos this July.

tomassocroccante

A friend books a couple of apartments in his building on vrbo - doesn't use the calendar option for some reason, but his apts are booked about 75% of the time.

mindy99

Hi I was wondering if you ever found out if VRBO listing 169739 was a real listing? It's the one that stated it was located on 39th Ave and Avenue of the Americas. I am wanting to book that location and just wanted to make sure it was legit. Thank you.

SusieQQ

It is illegal if it is rented for less than 30 days.

DebitNM

mindy - doubtful that the poster will be reply to this thread, they seem to have not posted since 2008. If you click the original posters' name, it will take you to their profile which has an email address for the poster. But be forewarned, that may not be valid anymore either.

DebitNM

fwiw- there are a lot of reviews on the listing, current ones in fact. Are you concerned that these aren't legit?

I think if this is a condo, it may be legal. Not sure, plenty of folks on here will let you know about legality.

SusieQQ

Being a condo has nothing to do with it's legality! If it is rented for less than 30 days, it is not legal...period...

nytraveler

It's not legal unless the apartments are specifically set aside for short-term use - as in corporate apartments. As far as I know they rent for a minimum of a month - and are not inexpensive. Typically condos and co-ops have leases that ban any sort of short-term sublet and allow longer-tern sublets only on proof of the financial stability of the subtenant,

cachapita

HI everybody,
Interested in the same VRBO listing #169739
Does anyone know it? What was your experience Kate?
Hoping to hearing from you.
Thanks!!!

sf7307

Kate's last post was in 2008, so it's highly unlikely she's going to see this and respond. And the rental is still likely illegal.