The overall reputation of the company reflects significant dissatisfaction among customers, particularly regarding its customer service and reliability. Many users report frustrating experiences with delayed refunds, poor communication, and unhelpful support staff. Complaints about properties not matching descriptions or being in unacceptable conditions are prevalent, leading to a loss of trust. While a few customers express occasional satisfaction with specific transactions, the overwhelming sentiment leans towards a lack of accountability and professionalism. This has resulted in a growing number of users opting for alternative platforms, indicating a critical need for improvement in service quality and responsiveness.
This summary is generated by AI, based on text from customer reviews
This company is absolute trash. A booking was paid in full to go to Hawaii a natural disaster of a volcano erupting occurred I was promised my full refund back in October by the host. Vrbo denies and refuses refund despite me having correspondence between myself and host where they promised a full refund. Going on over a year now and still no refund and guess what Vrbo's response is I have to wait on the host to provide a refund. As if I haven't been waiting a year already. I'm lied to, put on hold forever, phone call gets disconnected on. Do Not use this company EVER!
I booked a condo managed by Resort Rental Pros through the VRBO site. They cancelled last minute, offered another option (lucky us compared to other reviews) however the dates had changed, they shortened the trip. I read the message as they were comping the last night due to inconvenience as I never in my entire life have heard of a hotel/lodging company just say "sorry we don't have your reservation available anymore, but we can give you this for the same amount but it's not equivalent". I ignorantly accepted and once I realized (literally hours after I accepted) I tried to get a refund so I could book elsewhere and they totally refused. I tried to work through VRBO and they were useless as well, aside from wasting hours of my time. Needless to say, I will NEVER EVER be booking through either again. Such a mess, right before we were supposed to leave. Do yourself a huge favor and use Airbnb and don't book anything through Resort Rental Pros or VRBO - EVER!
Rented a room a few days prior at Waipouli Beach Resort, Unit F Room 402. The mattress in the master bedroom was so sunken in we contacted the property manager and told them we wouldn't be able to stay. We lost our $2401. 92. Property manager said no one had complained before (so tried to say we were crazy?). Refused to refund our money because we needed to give them a 30 day notice (but we made the reservations about 5 days before). VRBO was of no help. They said I never contacted them but I had, "There's no record you ever called". We had to frantically find new accommodations.
The Good: Neighborhood appeared safe with nice neighbors. The basic unit met our need for the 25 days for which we paid and the 23 days we occupied. Once we found the unit and actually moved in, the hosts were very accessible and responsive. For that feature I will give them a Plus.
The Bad: No cable TV! 3 TV's in the unit and all required us to learn streaming, enter credit and profile information and numerous unpleasant surprises to which I am still having to deal with Amazon Prime a month later. Floors were very dirty. I like to walk barefoot in the house. Every time I got into the shower my footprint was black. It was SOOO bad we bought a mop and triple mopped the floors. That helped very little, if any. Ice maker would not dispense ice.
The UGLY: Very poor communication with Host's prior to date of arrival. Our flight arrived late at night and had to UBER to the address given. We looked for over 30 minutes with the driver to find the XXX unit number in a complex with over 25 buildings and hidden entrances. We never found it and had to retreat to a local hotel at an additional cost of $250. Had the hosts given simple directions to the location of the building we could have possibly found it in the dark. Had we been told it was building X (out of 25) and then the unit number XX, we could have saved $250. Did I mention the no cable TV thing? We like to watch live news. NEVER in our 23 days were we able to see any live anything except sports at considerable cost. Lastly, the hosts kept referring to the unit as BLUE. We inquired about the blue reference and were told it is because of the school across the street that is blue. Yes, one of the multiple buildings IS blue but the biggest building closest to the entrance to the property in mauve.
VRBO, HomeAway, etc were totally useless and unresponsive.
Adult couple, age 79 and 80, active, good health, travel the world. Retired professionals.
I had a message from Misty last Friday saying my reservation was cancelled because of the owner not complying with your regulations. She offered to help me rebook a place in the same area as the property an help with any overage that the place charged above my original booking. I reserved a place 6 months ago and between the deposit & price of the rental, VRBO had held $6000 of my money for 6 months and now I had no place & my refund was not showing up in my bank yet! I called and emailed back. The representative I spoke to said that I wasn't eligible for any help at all. I asked to speak to his manager and he told me that no one was available until the next day and that they would tell me the same thing. My family was arriving a month from then and I had no property and did not have my $6000 back either! He had no compassion and was not at all helpful. Aaron called me the next day and said he was willing to help but in the next several days no progress was made to help me with rebooking or with helping with any overage. They did not even offer to waive the fee VRBO charges to rent properties. I would have been happy with that. I got my refund within 5 days but no one emailed or called me back after that. It is safe to say I won't be using VRBO properties in the future.
We won't use VRBO again. We arrived in Maui, were in line to get a rental car, and our VRBO condo was canceled. The only reason given was "the property has been sold." That's it... the owner didn't care one bit about the situation they put us into. I won't bore you with the rest of the story, but we will never use a service like this again. There's a reason hotels and resorts stay in-business decade after decade.
Looking for a property on the app and website was easy. The team that designed the app should be commended as it's really easy to use.
If you're on this site reading these reviews then you're already suspicious. Just trust your gut.
I will never use this homo loving company. There commercials have girls kissing girls. The only way they can get customers is to promote immorality. The owners must be all queers.
VRBO, seemed likes a great concept but is it? My family and I have stayed at 6 different properties and only 1 didn't gross us out. They all needed more time to get clean or cleaned at all. I understand the cancelation policy however, life happens. We booked a lovely property from almost $5k for a week and we couldn't go. My wife has a chronic disease that happen to rear its ugly head the week before. We had to stay local due being close to a hospital. We couldn't fly due to altitude. We basically begged the owner of our situation and greed overcomes empathy. We will never get caught in this situation ever again. Moral of our story: stay in a hotel, you can cancel with no repercussions. We lost our money. Additionally, this industry is killing local housing markets.To the point locals can't find adequate housing at a reasonable rates. They need to work 2 jobs to support themselves. We believe in karma. Greed or empathy... what would you have done if you were the owner in our situation?
If I could give ZERO stars I would. This company and their hosts do nothing but scam. We were accused of stealing 3 year old comforters, 3 year old mattress pad, 3 year old rocking chair everything we were accused of had to do with 3 year old items that I feel the host wanted to update. My 84 year old mom was accused of stealing 3 year old twin comforters and smoking in the bathroom downstairs where she stayed but yet doesn't smoke. The host cleaner planted cigarettes in the bathroom trying to make it look like us but funny part is the cleaner planted her own cigarettes with a gold ring around the filter. Tried charging $250 for cleaning on top of the $199 that was already paid when we booked. How do I know they are her cigarettes, I watched her for 2 hrs coming in and out of house to smoke and noted her brand of cigarettes. Neither of my son-in-laws smoke a cigarette with a gold filter. Stupid is and stupid does. We have been back and forth with customer service which is a joke because they help the host scam insurance company to replace their old 3 year old items. This is not a safe place at the dock you will fall in if not careful. It is on 50 gallon drums so rocks. The alcove is completely filled with what looks like chopped broccoli and you cannot swim until you get to the main river. We were lied to and told it just all of a sudden blew in. Look at the pic, it didn't just blow in. This whole game they played was for her to file an insurance claim. If your a women don't bother with her as she only like dealing with men. You can't leave a bad review because VRBO monitors and will not place review for people to see, they will only post good reviews. I refused to pay anything as She was lying and placing false claims and when I asked for the videos to prove it, she has numerous videos and camera around property, she could not provide them. So if you can't provide proof then that shows signs of a liar. The house can be dangerous with all the wood splintering on an upstairs deck we never used, but was accused of breaking a wood love seat and fire pit cover. Heck we didn't even know the fire pit existed. We didn't use upstairs deck in fear of rotting wood and someone getting hurt. This house needs a lot of repairs and TLC. If I was going to take something it would have been nothing in this home as most of her stuff is junk. Pretty sad
BEWARE. STAY AWAY from RAINBOW RIVER COVE - Dunnellon - Host -Christina. She will use you to get her next old items replaced. I will never use VRBO- Airbnb or Expedia. Apparently all owned by Expedia now.
Sad people are so dishonest nowadays. Rainbow River is great but beware of this Host- dishonest
Horrible customer service and then I found out they charged me $111.00 for an inquiry of a property. My credit card refunded the charge but I couldn't understand what I had been charged for - I never booked with them, I simply inquired about a property (I had to give credit card information). Forget calling them, you'll get no where but frustrated. Horrible company!
Absolute fraud if your a rented. Rented a property and when we arrived what was advertised was not there. VRBO instructions say reach out to property manager however only email is provided no phone number. Owner reached out 3 days later, I replied immediately with a follow up and no reply still from the Manager and now the vacation is over. VRBO online customer service says call them if the Manager isn't responding. I called VRBO and they say nothing we can do your vacation is over. Their website says use the Reimbursement Request Form. Can't find it anywhere. Called VRBO back and they tell me the form does not exist and never existed and they will make a note to correct the website. Website also says in the small print owners have the right to remove any review of their property. VRBO hung up on me twice. Paid a $400 service fee to VRBO for no service and to get hung up on. Never again
From planning through departure at the end of our stay this has been an easy, pleasant experience.
The Overton Cottage and host could not have been any nicer. The views, quiet setting, privacy and sophisticated casual accommodations were worth every penny. The guest bedroom is separate from the master bedroom. Each had very nice bathrooms and plenty of towels. If you're looking for a quiet place with amazing views and no ambient lights, you just found it. The screened in back porch made for great relaxation watching the birds and the water. The Wi-Fi was not an issue. The Eastern Neck National Wildlife Reserve is just 1/2 mile south and Rock Hall is only about out 10 minutes north with shopping and restaurants. Our sailboat tour added to the experience and was very affordable with Captain Mark of Blue Crab Charters. We like to leave a place nicer than we found it. There was no way to do that. It was immaculate and very welcoming. Bravo to the owners.
BEWARE.
WE ARE ABSOLUTELY DIGUSTED BY OUR EXPERIENCE. Let me start with the host was a nice lady but there is absolutely no excuse for how we were treated. We hate to leave this review as we selected this host based on the 5 stars, clearly these stars are deceiving. Let's start with the list of issues here.
None of the outlets in the 1st bedroom worked
There was mold in the coffee pot and the inside of the shower lini g in the master bathroom.
The TV was broken in the living room which made it very difficult to entertain with 4 adults and a toddler.
We have to move all the rugs because they were filthy and smelled.
There was so much debris, dust, and dirt behind the sofa and beds, when we asked why it was not cleaned, we were told that is considered a deep cleaning (that makes absolutely no sense).
The mattress were horrible, old and absolutely uncomfortable.
With all of these concerns, we contacted vrbo and they only care about the host and are very bias. We will never booked using vrbo or this with this host again.
So we were using verbo for a really nice vacation in South Carolina. We call them to check in and they say " sorry some on has taken your spot "something like that. Oh and by the way we were already driving 10 hours in we stay at 3 hotels and the third one sucked! We kept call and they said " oh yes we will sign you right in and they never did! It sucked our vk was ruined.
8 phone calls, disconnected twice, 9 booking failures and still not fixed. Promises made and zero!
Booked a house in Davenport, FL with BED BUGS! We took videos and picture and emailed Sharon at Westridge Management and emailed the owner Paul and Barbara. No direction from Owner or property Manager. My daughter called VRBO customer service. They asked for the video and pictures. After two hours on the phone they were ready to rebook us, but the phone call dropped. No call back from them. We called back but got the run-around. Five hours later they explained because of the bed bugs they have to put us in a hotel for 3 nights. The call back for the remaining nights were a tug of war... they must enjoy hanging up on you. Every Rep I spoke with had a different story and no one cared to help. After 9 different Reps and 8 hang ups, I was finally put up in another hotel. I don't ever want to use VRBO again... the experience was mentally and emotionally draining... can't forget expensive! Now to try and get a refund will be another challenge.
Price of the property on VRBO website US$65/day. Price of the property when booking with the owner US$156/day. Isn't it a scam?
Was going to Forks Washington. Mom had a medical emergency. Admitted to hospital. Not able to stay in Forks as planned. Host would not cancel the reservation, or reschedule (which was requested). VRBO live agent suggested I contact a lawyer to 'address the host's behavior'. I have friends in forks that know the owner of the house; they were disgusted.
Business Address:
1261 Bogachiel Way
Forks, WA *******
Rented apartment in ft Lauderdale. Drove 12 hrs but property wasn't ready... waited 8 hrs for the keys. Hidden mandatory expenses like valet parking increased price over $400. VRBO customer service is none existent. Rejected my honest but polite review 8 times... I think because they only want 5 star reviews. First and last time with VRBO. Avoid.
I just stayed in a VRBO that lied on their listing resulting in a miserable stay. I made a formal complaint, but they didn't even follow it up because I was in contact with the host. Then the host gives me a lower rating even though I respectfully pointed out their untruthfulness in their listing and asked for a partial refund. I asked VRBO to remove it and they say they can't. They won't do a thing to help and I am cheated out of $3500. Avoid at all costs!
Answer: There are many problems with listing with VRBO/HomeAway. The 1st is that it is the largest company of it's size. While that may mean that you get more exposure, you also have more competition for getting your listing seen. For example, your listing could be # 300 out of 2,000. Most people don't want to search that far to find what they want because they can usually find something else sooner. In order to get a higher listing, you must pay more. I pay the highest rates they have for my properties in TN # 191351, 189535, & 289723, i. E. over $1,500 each. Listing position is also based on a number of criteria which they mandate. We have no control over some of those criteria. For example, listing position is based on whether or not guests USE VRBO/HomeAway on line booking. Initially,. VRBO/HomeAway required that we OFFER on line booking in order to maximize our listing position, so I offered it. VRBO/HomeAway then changed their criteria & now guests must USE on line booking in order or my listing position drops. I have no control over whether or not they USE VRBO/HomeAway & I don't recommend it for several reasons (more on that if you're interested). Listing positions are also determined by the number & quality of reviews. Again, I have no control over whether or not someone writes a review nor how they rate a property. What may be a 5 Star for someone may only be a 3 Star for someone else, but I'm at their mercy to provide a review & to rate it well. There are many other factors that go into listing position. As I said, I try to maximize what I can & If I'm luck, my property will be listed around 50/200. I get much better response from FlipKey by TripAdvisor. As I mentioned, I pay VRBO/HomeAway over $1,500 for each property. I Pay FlipKey by TripAdvisor about $450/property for #'s 6588094, 2386143, & 3746421 & get much better results. The problem with FlipKey is that it's hard for someone to search for a specific property using the property #.
Answer: VRBO will not help anymore with anything. Homeaway bought them and there is no personal contact with owners anymore until they pay through the site. I don't know about negative reviews. Never see any. If there was a way to avoid VRBO and Someway I would do it; but they have the corner on the VACA rental market now.
Answer: I have the same problem. I don't think they have any.
Answer: Vrbo will NOT get involved in any way. They will not arbitrate on anyone's behalf. They are strictly an advertising website. Carefree travel insurance & all the other stuff is just to make renters feel more comfortable to rent. They hardly ever pay out if there is a real problem. You can sue in small claims court, in the city & state you rented in. The only defense you have is if you paid with a credit card to do a charge back, & even then its hard. You have to have documentation to prove you case. However, vrbo won't contest the chargeback if you can get your credit cad company to work with you. Best to leave a review that warns other renters to stay away. But vrbo approves the reviews before they are posted.
Answer: I have spoken with them so many times yesterday and today with no fix my problem. The number is 1-877-228-3145. I wish you better luck than I have had.
Answer: Absolutely nothing! Every change they make results in their making more money and owners making less. My bookings are down drastically. I would not sign up with VRBO.
Answer: Go with the standard listing if you have already paid. If not save your money and try homeescape.com. Homeaway/VRBO rolled out a new 9% service fee charged to your customers in addition to what you're already paying for. They did this without any warning to their customers. I found out after one of my repeat guests questioned the charge. I'm moving away from them and going with other options.
Answer: A: NEVER, EVER DEAL WITH ANY OWNERS OR PROPERTY MANAGERS THAT YOU HAVENT SPOKEN TO DIRECTLY. NEVER use any form of payment other than credit card. All CC's would refund you the money if you don't get the services. If they don't accept cards or allow payment through Homeaway, FIND ANOTHER PROPERTY OWNER WHO WILL or be prepared to take the chance. READ all reviews, if they don't have any you ARE taking a chance it's a scam or a dump (or a new property but be careful. NEVER make a large deposit EVER! VRBO has turned out to be reliable for us, never used Flipkey and AirBnB wouldn't use it - I want a large property not a room room share
Answer: Try airbnb to rent part of your home
Answer: Same issue for us. The house we rented had glowing reviews and when I tried to post an honest review it still has not been posted.
VRBO provides vacation rental listings by owner in the US and around the world.