kary O.

I love Amazon. Since I despise shopping, this is a great option. Jeff Besos is a genius, of course. His idea for customer service relations is a business model every on-line seller should use: generally, no questions asked return. And the response time is within seconds of asking for a return phone call or email. The only thing I do not like is a part of the Amazon Prime program. I've found that when I use Prime to shop, the item is generally higher than if I bought it through another vendor. The trick may be their free 2-day shipping promise. Other vendors may take longer to ship, but the cost is often much less. For example, if you look for a book and it's $18 on Amazon with free shipping, you may be able to find the same one for $5 plus shipping of about $3. That could be a lot less expense for you. But the "free shipping" idea makes the buyer more likely to purchase it through Amazon. Plus the fact that you've paid your $$ up front for Prime services, would probably make a buyer use Amazon Prime services. It's a rather tricky marketing tool, but it works for them. It's sort of the "you pay me now or you pay me later" mentality.

What more is there to say? It is an A Plus company in nearly all ways.(Except maybe a bit pricey, but I'm still giving it 5 stars.)

I love BB&B. Their customer service is fabulous and they will take anything back anytime. They stand behind their products and their name. It's such a delight to shop there too. The employees are great and helpful. The products are high quality generally. The sales are great too and their coupons for 20% off make me happy!
Keep it up. It's a fabulous company. (Hint: They should serve coffee and wine to shoppers! ;)

All the stories and cartoons we see and hear on-line and through word of mouth are true. Walk through a Walmart and get sick. It's not only the way people appear (you've seen those pictures, come on... don't act like it isn't true...) Is this what America looks like? We may as well put a Walmart on every street corner and throw away all other stores. It's a shame.
Goodbye to most mom and pop shops. Goodbye to quality. Goodbye to customer service and pride in doing business.

As Apple stock plummets, there seems to be some sort of universal consciousness which occurred even before it happened. I and many, many of my friends and people I know have decided to move to an Android phone and give up Apple I-Phone. Also, I'm getting ready to buy a new computer and am rethinking my relationship with Apple. Everyone who is advising me says quit Apple. Cost is huge factor. Wonder if that's the reason most people are giving for the switch. What gives? Price?

That said, I have to say I LOVE my Apple products and hate to think about moving on. It is a great company but the expense is very high compared to other computer companies and phones. People in the store are usually well trained in customer services and it's very fun opening up a new product due to Steve Jobs excellent graphics and design. Too bad we didn't clone him!

Owners & Renters: Check out what Expedia is doing since their acquisition of VRBO, Homeaway and Vacation Rentals. People are going crazy-angry! Search for VRBO- Complaints and see for yourselves. Renters have to pay a hidden cost to Expedia, but they think it's being paid to the owner of the property. Owners look like they're cheating their potential renter by Expedia adding the fee and not telling renters it is a booking fee made by them. For example, if you charge a new guest $2000, Expedia will add on anywhere from 3-10% to the fee and not tell the renter it is for them. Doesn't this violate contract agreements!? In my experience, it certainly does. Check it out for yourselves. Don't be fooled.

I phoned HA /VRBO last night and was told that Expedia is "trying to deal with some of the issues clients are bringing to HA." I asked when we'd learn about it. The agent said, "Some people have already been sent emails. Others have not." I asked why and he said he did not know.
So what's THAT about? Has anyone received any more info from Expedia dba: HA/VRBO?
If it is true, I'd love to get an email about that posted on this site.
Thanks. Let's stick together!

Founders Carl Shepherd and Brian Sharples of Austin must be unnerved with what has happened to their dream. Small business owners should ask them - can they do anything to help homeowners who signed on with these two and took a chance? I have used HA for over six years and praised the company's practices and business model. One of my listings expired on April Fool's Day, (but I was no longer a fool. I ended it.) And when my only other listing ends, I will cancel it as well. I have a small business and have been devastated. I may have to sell my duplex cottage and lose my income. I will join into the Class Action Lawsuit being filed in CA and TX and urge others to check into it as well. There are sites under "Complaints against Homeaway" on-line which show owners' anger and disappointment over contract violations, poor service, and inept customer relations - something that never happened before. Very sad indeed.

I've now added a PS to this post -- Is there another company out there who is attempting to fill the void left by VRBO? It'll be a great business for someone smart and savvy and NOT GREEDY like Expedia. Also, which company are you using for credit card payment services if you go off H/A? If I understand it correctly, Yapstone, out of northern CA, is currently the holding company for vacation rental payments, the gateway credit card company HA/VRBO uses for credit card payments. They are a separate entity from VRBO.
And which sites are you using for advertising if you have left or plan to leave HA? I'm researching like crazy and will share what I find. You show me yours and I'll show you mine!
How about some of you owners provide us all with "... a little help from our friends?" (RIngo Starr ;)