Cash Only for Maui Condo Rental?
Mar 11th, 2003, 11:01 AM
#1
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Cash Only for Maui Condo Rental?
We're trying to rent a condo in Maui and have discovered that a lot of owners will only take cash, casher's check, etc., but no credit cards. Kinda hesitant to do this because would rather have the protection of a credit card. Has anyone had any problems with this - like something going wrong and then not able to get your money back?
Mar 11th, 2003, 11:14 AM
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Cruisin, the problem may be in credit card charges - all businesses like stores, hotels, have to pay 4-6% to the credit card companies. If you agree to pay more then you'd pay in cash it shouldn't be a problem. I don't know though if it's legal.
Mar 11th, 2003, 11:19 AM
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Faina,
It's a problem if the owner's aren't set up to take credit cards. I would imagine if you're trying to rent directly through the owner, with no agency involved that they aren't a business, and therefore not set up to take credit cards. If you're willing to go through an agency I'm sure you'd be able to pay by credit card (and probably pay more).
It's a problem if the owner's aren't set up to take credit cards. I would imagine if you're trying to rent directly through the owner, with no agency involved that they aren't a business, and therefore not set up to take credit cards. If you're willing to go through an agency I'm sure you'd be able to pay by credit card (and probably pay more).
Mar 11th, 2003, 11:43 PM
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That is a true concern. If you had a serious disagreement with your host that you could not resolve (not the best vacation activity in my view) you likely would need to return to the island, at you expense on relatively short notice, to resolve it in court. (The alternative would require the poor unit owner to chase across the county after someone who did not pay or damaged his unit). Now that I've said that, I just put down a cash deposit for a rental that must be fully paid 45 days prior to our arrival. Sometimes you just need to take a chance.
Mar 12th, 2003, 05:54 AM
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Always paid in cash. Never a problem. Individual owners are not set up to take credit cards. However, I always do my homework first to verify that the person I'm dealing with is indeed the owner and is free to rent. I also always buy trip cancellation insurance, just in case. Only had to activate it once. We had a small problem once when a unit was not as clean as it should have been. Cleaning service lied to long distance owner and owner refunded us $100! For what you save by renting through an owner (no, I don't own one that I rent!), I think it's worth it as long as you check everything out first.
Mar 12th, 2003, 08:20 AM
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This is pretty standard with condo rentals and not just in Hawaii. Agree that you want to deal with a reputable company. Many owners use a management firm to handle the transactions and that works well too, because there is always someone local with which to work. I booked ours last year with Condominiums Rental Hawaii and it worked out fine, everything was as expected. www.crhmaui.com
Mar 12th, 2003, 09:08 AM
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We own a vacation rental in Hawaii and only accept cash (personal checks OK.) Regular ol' folks like us who have one unit to rent are not equipped to accept credit cards.
I am very lenient with deposits and refunds but I know this is not always the case and do unsderstand that it makes potential renters nervous!
I am very lenient with deposits and refunds but I know this is not always the case and do unsderstand that it makes potential renters nervous!
Mar 12th, 2003, 12:29 PM
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We've prepaid about a dozen times, always with no problem. Really important tip: Speak with the owner on the phone first. Somehow, you get a much better feel for their integrity and the "pride" they have in their home, and usually that clinches it for me. Have never been disappointed - except once, when I thought I was renting a beachfront property...there was a sand road in front...if I had looked very closely (and asked!) I would have seen it. Home was nicer than the photos though!
P.S. Doesn't paypal mean a fee for the seller? That's probably why they don't use it - same reason they don't accept CC's.
P.S. Doesn't paypal mean a fee for the seller? That's probably why they don't use it - same reason they don't accept CC's.
Mar 16th, 2003, 03:47 PM
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I have 2 rentals down here in Ft Myers and do not accept credit cards. It's just not worth it. We do require full payment 30 days in advance. This is pretty common.
Never had a problem and we always send the security deposit back the day after they leave (usually beats them home if they are driving).
The nice part about renting from the owner is that we are usually more flexible with arrival and departure times as well as cancellations.
Have a great time.
Duane
Never had a problem and we always send the security deposit back the day after they leave (usually beats them home if they are driving).
The nice part about renting from the owner is that we are usually more flexible with arrival and departure times as well as cancellations.
Have a great time.
Duane
