This was my first time using Vrbo and most definitely my last. Here’s why.
Before I even got to the flat a third-party company asked me to pay an additional safety deposit that wasn’t paid on the Vrbo app. I flagged a scam right away and demanded to know more about it. They proceeded to answer most of my question by e-mail instead of the Vrbo app, which also isn’t right.
The check-in instructions were not very clear, I sent them texts via the Vrbo app and got answers only the following day on email.
I ended up asking a tenant in the building to help me get in, who fortunately was very nice and helped me out.
For the premium price I’ve paid, I was expecting all the necessities like dish soap, hand soap, coffee pods for a machine they advertised in their ads, pair of scissors, laundry pods even more than a roll of toilet paper for 8 days would have been good.
I’ve travelled a lot via the main Vrbo competitor and never saw a flat this poorly equipped. It took me 2 days to troubleshoot the internet on my own. There were no guidelines for the flat about garbage, check-out policies, etc.
I have left the place spotless but then still got charged a random fee for «additional cleaning fees » which I disputed but never got the money back.
It was a terrible experience, one I have decided never to repeat. Stick with what works and protect the consumer. In this case; the Vrbo competition offers better support.