We had a very BAD experience with what we think as a price hike SCAM by the owner and lack of protection from VRBO. We booked and paid full in April for 3 nights stay in October (6-9). On Oct. 6, we got email with VRBO logo/letterhead, asking for a 'damage deposit' to be paid in order to get access to the cottage. I approved the payment knowing it's through VRBO who guarantees 'book with confidence'.
Oct. 10: according to cleaner, septic was leaking back because pump got jammed with foreign object. They will call plumber.(how did they know foreign object when plumber was not called yet?)
Oct. 12: owner said: INCREDIBLE AMOUNT of tampons, baby wipes, sanitary napkins were flushed down the toilet.
Facts/ arguments, we escalated to VRBO:
- We are group of 5 couples (5 women + 5 men) + 1 adult daughter who didn't have the period during our stay. What they didn't know, the ladies in our group are all in the phase where tampons, sanitary napkins are not needed anymore. So where did those come from? It must have been there before our stay, and that proved that the septic tank condition was not ready to handle biowaste of 11 people over 4 days/3 nights at the cottage
- There was a charge for damage already of $400 to my credit card on OCt. 6, while the plumber verdict/ accusation of clogged toilets were made on Oct. 12. That's on top of $800 damage deposit I paid on Oct. 6.
- I escalated to VRBO, after 12 days, they are still investigating.
This should serve as warning to other