VRBO is now charging renters a service fee--What's up?
Sep 12th, 2016, 05:28 PM
#141
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@elbegewa: you have to put in your specific dates and click on "Get an instant quote". A box pops up where you indicate how many guests will be staying for the selected dates. After making your selections, the price quote is shown. Next to the "Total Payment" price is a link, titled "View Details". Click on that and you will get a list of the fees.
Sep 12th, 2016, 06:41 PM
#142
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I also noticed something else that has changed since the last time I booked a vacation rental through VRBO two years ago. The cleaning fees have gone up significantly and there no longer seems to be the option of the renters doing a departure clean and having any of the cleaning fees waived or refunded.
It used to be that when my wife and I rented a property, the manager or owner would give us the option to have the cleaning fee partially or fully waived/refunded if we did a good departure clean.
The way it worked was, we would immediately upon arrival take photos of the property with our smartphones in order to have a record of the initial condition of the property. Then, just before departing, we would spend an hour or so cleaning in order to get the property back to the condition it was in when we first arrived. We would again take photos as proof of how we left the property. In every case we either had our cleaning fee waived or partially or fully refunded--depending on whether the fee was charged up front or not during booking. Of course, we were also dealing with the property owners/managers directly, and we don't rent huge properties.
It used to be that when my wife and I rented a property, the manager or owner would give us the option to have the cleaning fee partially or fully waived/refunded if we did a good departure clean.
The way it worked was, we would immediately upon arrival take photos of the property with our smartphones in order to have a record of the initial condition of the property. Then, just before departing, we would spend an hour or so cleaning in order to get the property back to the condition it was in when we first arrived. We would again take photos as proof of how we left the property. In every case we either had our cleaning fee waived or partially or fully refunded--depending on whether the fee was charged up front or not during booking. Of course, we were also dealing with the property owners/managers directly, and we don't rent huge properties.
Sep 13th, 2016, 07:53 AM
#143
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Since VRBO and AirB&B started charging service fees, I started booking with Booking.com. I have been very happy with the places I have stayed at.
You can find both apartments and hotels. They are not always the cheapest in respect to AirB&B, but you can find some very reasonable places to stay.
If people are so upset at the fees, just use another service. They will either decrease their fee, eliminate them or not care (hopefully one of the first two). However. it is unlikely that enough people will avoid them to make the statement that they don't like the fees.
You can find both apartments and hotels. They are not always the cheapest in respect to AirB&B, but you can find some very reasonable places to stay.
If people are so upset at the fees, just use another service. They will either decrease their fee, eliminate them or not care (hopefully one of the first two). However. it is unlikely that enough people will avoid them to make the statement that they don't like the fees.
Sep 13th, 2016, 07:56 AM
#144
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We've used vrbo for years, all over the US, and never had that option. Not once. How would the last linens be washed and the beds be remade, dishes cleaned and replaced, etc., ready for the next guests, unless the renter was staying a few hours and wanted to spend time doing the work?
These properties are owned by individuals, there is no uniform cleaning fee or policy, and it is pretty competitive in certain markets where a lot of properties are offered.
Rates and fees and taxes go up all the time (just as hotel costs do), it's just part of life.
Gouging both ends, as vrbo is doing, is simply profiteering.
These properties are owned by individuals, there is no uniform cleaning fee or policy, and it is pretty competitive in certain markets where a lot of properties are offered.
Rates and fees and taxes go up all the time (just as hotel costs do), it's just part of life.
Gouging both ends, as vrbo is doing, is simply profiteering.
Sep 13th, 2016, 08:10 AM
#145
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BTW, I just calculated the booking.com total cost, all charges included, for a place we've been to, and the difference for a week was $800 more on booking.com. I have no way of knowing what it would be with the vrbo "service" fee, however, because I don't want to get them sniffing.��
Sep 13th, 2016, 08:31 AM
#147
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This is what I just encountered on Vacationrentals.com (affiliated with VRBO & Homeaway): When I clicked on the box to request a booking I was forced to enter a credit card to cover the $76.50 service fee. If the owner refused our request the fee was not charged. The owner got back to me via email and we did the transaction privately. The owner rejected the booking from VR. VR could probably trace this through the email codes they use and I told the owner that I didn't want to cause trouble but they were OK. I did some other due diligence before I sent my deposit.
Sep 13th, 2016, 04:23 PM
#149
I've booked on booking.com a number of times and I use it when I save over booking on the accommodation's own site. So I'm unaware of any fee charged to the guest. And sometimes places can be booked without a credit card number so, essentially, being able to cancel right up to arrival with no fee. I just don't see how they can have the highest fee for guests, never seen one at all.
Sep 13th, 2016, 08:02 PM
#150
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Booking.com charges hosts (or hotels) a 15% commission for each booking -- hosts raise their price to absorb this cost.
I know many hosts who find booking.com to be a hassle to deal with (it's really a site intended for hotels, not hosts of a short term vacation rental) and so they subsequently raise their price again to compensate for the hassle factor. If you're finding good rates, that's wonderful but booking.com does not have a good rep amongst vacation rental owners for a number of reasons (credit card charge-backs, high rate of no-shows and cancellations since many people treat the booking as they would a hotel booking, no ability to vette guests prior to booking, issues with their calendar, etc.).
I know many hosts who find booking.com to be a hassle to deal with (it's really a site intended for hotels, not hosts of a short term vacation rental) and so they subsequently raise their price again to compensate for the hassle factor. If you're finding good rates, that's wonderful but booking.com does not have a good rep amongst vacation rental owners for a number of reasons (credit card charge-backs, high rate of no-shows and cancellations since many people treat the booking as they would a hotel booking, no ability to vette guests prior to booking, issues with their calendar, etc.).
Sep 13th, 2016, 09:23 PM
#151
My experience with booking.com has only been with hotels. I thought you were speaking in general, fishee, and I can see how it would be less beneficial for non-hotel accommodations. And I'm not sure why the host of a vacation rental would use them, seems inappropriate for the reasons you state. I still believe, overall, Airbnb is the most trouble-free for private rentals, including calendars, completely under the control of the hosts and very straightforward payments, no surprises.
Sep 16th, 2016, 09:44 AM
#154
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airbnb doesn't have a fraction of the availability of vrbo in markets I want, and the few condo complexes I was looking at recently were higher in price for the same thing.
I'm still going to save $$ with vrbo, but not as much, and I absolutely hate the predatory way it works now.
I'm still going to save $$ with vrbo, but not as much, and I absolutely hate the predatory way it works now.
Sep 30th, 2016, 09:26 AM
#156
There's something slightly "off" about the nupad website, some awkward phrasing, photos that look more like a dating than an accommodations site. Stated mission is to connect singles. No apparent way to delve further without signing up. Highly suspect. Needs more work, jon.
Oct 7th, 2016, 11:00 AM
#159
"...searching on AirBNB, make sure to check off "entire place"..."
You will occasionally still find rooms listed when you select "entire home" - not the Airbnb filters that are "crap" but some hosts mistakenly listing rooms in that category. But fishee is correct, you'll find more of the sort of place you're looking for.
You will occasionally still find rooms listed when you select "entire home" - not the Airbnb filters that are "crap" but some hosts mistakenly listing rooms in that category. But fishee is correct, you'll find more of the sort of place you're looking for.
Oct 17th, 2016, 03:50 PM
#160
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I too was caught by surprise after I had settled with the owner. I was furious. Another owner offered to rent outside of VRBO, charged me less and no service charge. I'm sure she is breaking her agreement with VRBO but I bet more owners do this now.
