We booked a dream family holiday to Florida with HomeAway but due to unforeseen circumstances had to cancel.
We trusted that our booking was safe as we booked through their website and paid via PayPal, the promise was 100% money back if 30 days notice of cancellation.
We initially paid initially through the HomeAway site payment wouldnt go through to owner for some reason so they advised me to pay owner direct. They also advised me to liaise with him directly. I did and went on to sign the rental agreement as I was assured it was normal practice.
When we cancelled the owner refused to refund the money and kept the 1200 even though we gave 100 +days notice, on the rental agreement I signed it stated (in very small writing) that he could keep ALL of the money regardless of how much cancellation was given. It was never made clear that this agreement would supersede that of the booking agent. In addition the agreement was signed after payment!
Home away said that the agreement superseded theres and refused to help any further!
DO NOT USE! They are obviously well versed at scamming people.