Mo M.

I hate doing stuff like this, but I have to bring something to the public eye. It is quite serious in my opinion and has pretty much solidified that I will never, ever use Homeaway.

On April 17th I made a reservation request for this property for stay on May 14-22: https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p*******vb?uni_id=*******. Side note: if you don't read this post to entirety, this dude is horrible so don't book there. I was excited. It seemed cute for me and my mom, and the right price point. I also purchased the cancellation protection insurance because I knew there was a chance of a last minute cancellation because of my mom's health. I sent my mom the post.

A little backstory here, my mom recently had brain surgery. Because of this, she needs to boil water for a nasal rinse every night. She told me this when I sent her the reservation, and that she noticed it didn't have a stove. I was unaware this is a necessity when I booked, so I had to cancel. This was April 24. Only 1 week from when the reservation was made.

Now, admittedly, their cancellation policy is loosely defined as "full refund if canceled within 60 days" there is little to no other definition though, including how much would not be refundable, what's non-refundable, or any other clauses for bookings made WITHIN 60 days.

Long story slightly shorter- the owner is refusing to refund me $431 and being a total d*wad about it. Homeaway is offering no help, basically saying I need to work it out with the owner. Welp, he's a real d*bag soooo I'm basically screwed out of $431 for a stay I will not be having, regardless of buying cancellation insurance, because of a medical need of my mothers. I mean, when you lay it all out... it's like... kind of a nightmare. He also said his reason for not refunding me was because a. Homeaway wouldn't let him, and b. Because even tho I canceled the dates were unavailable so he couldn't make the money back.

So, i took a screenshot: http://c.hlp.sc/foDZ
The dates were available... also... look at that super free calendar. Just sayin. Not like people are chompin' at the bit to stay there.

I am not only appalled by the lack of compassion about my situation with my mother's health and her needs for the room, but how there's literally nothing in place to protect users from this. It's not like I canceled last minute for a $#*!ty reason leaving them in a lurch. I canceled with plenty of time to spare, and for a very good reason.

Also, he's marking my messages as spam, presumably so there's no record of communication since i'm trying to take action: http://c.hlp.sc/fob9 Also NOW the dates are listed as unavailable. Fishy.

Honestly, Homeaway. I'll be happy just getting a refund for just cause, but I would also kick this dude off your site.