Question from newbie to VRBO and Airbnb

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've done probably a dozen Airbnb stays; all were good and a few were fabulous. IME, you have to start early to look for accommodations; rent only from Supherhosts; and read every word of every review. For us, it works because we like to spread out, be able to eat breakfast in our pj's, have some outside space to hang out in, and get to know a neighborhood. It's hard to do that at a hotel.

All this +1. My family travels so much happier this way.

[Anonymous]

I agree that one can have good experiences in VRBO and AirBNBs, but what's up with all those fees? They seem so high. Cleaning+ Host Fees + Service Fees often seem extreme.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that one can have good experiences in VRBO and AirBNBs, but what's up with all those fees? They seem so high. Cleaning+ Host Fees + Service Fees often seem extreme.

I just looked up a beach house that was supposed to be $925/night, but when I went to buy it, it was actually $1550/night with all those fees. Is this normal? Do you just have to increase the price of whatever you’re looking at 50% and know that as you’re looking?

[Anonymous]

To the posters commenting on fees -- you do know that hotels have all kinds of fees and taxes above the basic rate, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the posters commenting on fees -- you do know that hotels have all kinds of fees and taxes above the basic rate, right?

But but but -- hotels are MEANT to make money! People who Airbnb their property are just greedy a-holes who should be long term renting their places at below market rates because some people want to live where they can't afford to live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the posters commenting on fees -- you do know that hotels have all kinds of fees and taxes above the basic rate, right?

But but but -- hotels are MEANT to make money! People who Airbnb their property are just greedy a-holes who should be long term renting their places at below market rates because some people want to live where they can't afford to live.

A person/family renting a home for $1600 a month is normal. You owning an Airbnb and charging people that for a WEEK, taking an affordable home out of a neighborhood someone could have rented or bought for their family is gross. Stop trying to act like owning Airbnb’s is some societal service and not a net loss for communities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the posters commenting on fees -- you do know that hotels have all kinds of fees and taxes above the basic rate, right?

But but but -- hotels are MEANT to make money! People who Airbnb their property are just greedy a-holes who should be long term renting their places at below market rates because some people want to live where they can't afford to live.

A person/family renting a home for $1600 a month is normal. You owning an Airbnb and charging people that for a WEEK, taking an affordable home out of a neighborhood someone could have rented or bought for their family is gross. Stop trying to act like owning Airbnb’s is some societal service and not a net loss for communities.

Where do you live that a family can rent a home for $1,600 a month? My jr 1 BR English basement rents for $2,200/mo.

[Anonymous]

I prefer Airbnb over hotels. With 2 kids it’s so much better. We get a bedroom, kids get a bedroom, there is a full kitchen with all the convenience of home. I also try to pick places with cool amenities so there is something to do at night or if weather is not great, like a hot tub or pool table or fire pit etc. Hosts will often leave nice welcome gifts like coffee or wine, and I have never had any issues in about 20 rentals we’ve done to date, some international. I have really gotten spoiled!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the posters commenting on fees -- you do know that hotels have all kinds of fees and taxes above the basic rate, right?

But but but -- hotels are MEANT to make money! People who Airbnb their property are just greedy a-holes who should be long term renting their places at below market rates because some people want to live where they can't afford to live.

A person/family renting a home for $1600 a month is normal. You owning an Airbnb and charging people that for a WEEK, taking an affordable home out of a neighborhood someone could have rented or bought for their family is gross. Stop trying to act like owning Airbnb’s is some societal service and not a net loss for communities.

Where do you live that a family can rent a home for $1,600 a month? My jr 1 BR English basement rents for $2,200/mo.

We aren’t talking about here Jan. You know there’s other places in the US besides the DC metro area? This is the travel forum

[Anonymous]

I'm all for airbnb but a little soured on them today.

We booked Christmas lodging months ago in a beach location. Host just cancelled (had great reviews) and everything else is $$$ and Airbnb says too bad, too sad.

Had this happen to us 3 years ago and they jumped in with a credit without being asked. We'll live and can obviously manage, but at least when a hotel 'walks' you it doesn't cost you anything.

[Anonymous]

You are right, it is a risk. The best you can do is read reviews and use a superhost, preferably one that is local. If you get there and things aren’t to your standard, you are pretty much stuck. Sure you can tell the host, but whatever cleaning service they use isn’t going to come right over. You’ll have to wait until the next business day at the earliest.

If it’s bad enough you want to leave, also stuck if you happen to be traveling as a peak time/location, there won’t be much available.

One of my requirements is a dishwasher. At least this way I know it is more likely the common utensils and dinnerware I’m
using is getting sanitized between guests.

[Anonymous]

I had rented from VRBO dozens of times with no issues, until I did have an issue (the owner disappeared with my deposit) and I discovered that VRBO is ZERO help if you have a problem. Their “guarantee” is worthless, and their only suggestion was to ask my credit card for a refund. The owner had lots of positive reviews, fwiw.

Luckily, I had documented every exchange with the owner and VRBO, so after much paperwork and about 6 months, I did get my $$ back from the credit card company. However, I can’t stress enough how little help I got from VRBO. Their fees have continued to increase and yet they basically function as a listing service and do nothing to investigate and guarantee the quality of their listings. You’re be no better off than if you used Craig’s List.

My very strong recommendation is to rent from a reputable local rental company that has a history in the area or stay in a hotel. The fees for the local companies are usually cheaper than VRBO these days, anyway.

[Anonymous]

One tip people Give me was to NEVER rent an AirBNB from a management company. Whether large nationwide or local. The company may have too many listings to care about one in particular. Individual owners care a lot more about their listing performance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm all for airbnb but a little soured on them today.

We booked Christmas lodging months ago in a beach location. Host just cancelled (had great reviews) and everything else is $$$ and Airbnb says too bad, too sad.

Had this happen to us 3 years ago and they jumped in with a credit without being asked. We'll live and can obviously manage, but at least when a hotel 'walks' you it doesn't cost you anything.

Didn't you get your money back from AirBNB too? Fwiw they don't allow cancellations without severe punishment on the host unless there is documentation showing the home sold / natural disaster, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One tip people Give me was to NEVER rent an AirBNB from a management company. Whether large nationwide or local. The company may have too many listings to care about one in particular. Individual owners care a lot more about their listing performance.

+1