Thoughts on vacation rental (my experience)

[aline]

it was #168945,

[missydog1]

thanks, aline!

The photos give no hint of the condition, no way to know. At the price of $89 for a 3/2 I would have low expectations, but if they advertise features, they ought to work!!!
Eww about the slimy hot tub and bad water, and they should be honest about the pool and have a photo of it.

[mgeary]

I went to the VRBO website, looked up #168945, and saw down at the bottom of the page two fairly glowing Guest Comments:

"What a wonderful stay! We came to call Wahi House "home". Thank you for all the little touches and ammenities you provided to make us feel welcome I hope our paths cross again, we'd love to visit the Big Island and we'll call you first! Rory & family."

and

"Thanks for a wonderful vacation. All the added touches made it feel like home. Everything was provided plus more. The location was very close to everything we wanted to see and the home was spotless. We will diffinately give you a call when we return. David"

I wonder if something has changed, or perhaps you'd like to add your own comments, aline? Unless the next Guest stumbles across this thread, the owners will continue to "get away" with essentially false advertising. Assuming, of course, that the Guest Comments are a fair representation of actual Guest's experiences.


Aloha! ;-)

[aline]

I tried to enter a response on vrbo website but it wouldnt let me. We loved the location and since we were simply sleeping there it did not interfer with our vaction plans,it was a working vacation, looking for lots and seeing some old friends.And yes the rate was reasonable. Rented a house off Kaloli a couple of years ago,very reasonable wonderful house not fancy but homey and everything worked.Just wished that they had been upfront about stuff. We didnt expect the Taj Mahl just thought things would work. I couldnt find the other house on vrbo anymore so we went with this one. It was funny that the guest book on the table had the same two entries as on the website no one elses

[mgeary]

Hmmmm, then one can only assume that VRBO Guest Comments are NOT a fair representation of actual Guest's experiences. We've had successful experiences with VRBO, but your experience will help me calibrate my views of that website.

Thanks for sharing, aline.

Aloha! ;-)

[missydog1]

As I understand it, the owner has the right to reject VRBO guest comments, so yes they are not representative unless they are all positive.

I heard VRBO has a new "complaint" feature that goes directly to VRBO.

[Liz]

Yes, the owner can delete guest comments on vrbo although I think it leaves a little something saying comment was deleted by owner... not sure about this.

I have heard that renters could lodge complaints to vrbo but couldn't find it...hmmm. They do have a 'rental guarantee' link at the top and at the very bottom of each listing; it's free but you have to register your trip before paying for your rental. Never tried it myself, but worth keeping in mind for future trips. Maybe that's where one can let them know when a place is not as advertised.

There are good deals out there, but of course, use your common sense. I sure wouldn't use rental prices as my guideline; you could just end up losing even more money that way!

aloha, Liz

"The best things in life aren't things."

[Blakeyboy1]

I believe the homeowner may also enter comments for you. I noticed this a few weeks ago when reading through comments. One VRBO in particular seemed to use the same words over and over and mention the same things (which were interestingly enough what the owner talked up in the description). Made me start to think that perhaps the comment are just BS and useless.

From the VRBO site:

-So far, the homeowner has approved 2 guest-submitted comments to appear in the guestbook.
-The number of homeowner-entered comments is 0. (Note that the homeowner can enter comments from guests who have stayed at this property in the past, or who would most likely not utilize this guestbook.)


-Blake
http://www.theboysgreatescape.blogspot.com/

[Liz]

Yes, that's right Blakeyboy, the owner can enter comments, too. I do that because our guests just write in our book at the house, rather than going back online to do it.

I can see that that feature could easily be misused...
hmmm... what to do...?


aloha, Liz

"The best things in life aren't things."

[missydog1]

well, when I had a rental and a guestbook, I entered the comments (on a different rental site), with scrupulous accuracy. The different comments had their own voices and I know I couldn't have written them.

If they all sound similar, they are probably fake.