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VRBO

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VRBO Reviews Summary

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

service
468
value
420
shipping
118
returns
217
quality
362

We monitor reviews for authenticity

Virginia
1 review
1 helpful vote
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My wife and I were told by our employers that we could not leave our state to travel. We attempted to get our money back through vrbo, the csa travel insurance, and the property owner. Vrbo said they would refund us $83... drop in the bucket. The property owner refused any kind of refund and CSA said it wasn't a covered item. The world will not forget that in such a time of urgency and disaster, you all had zero compassion. This will destroy vrbo and frankly, I hope it does. People do not forget. Horrible people. Greedy, horrible people.

Date of experience: March 21, 2020
New York
1 review
1 helpful vote
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I completely understand the business model for utilizing services like Vrbo and AirBnB where there is a renter and a rentee. During a confirmed national state of emergency, I cancelled my reservation >30 days before my planned stay. The renter refunded my money@ 100% and Vrbo kept the administration fees. Out of principle, this is a completely unethical business practice and people need to stay away.

Date of experience: March 20, 2020
Michigan
1 review
1 helpful vote
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Vrbo is unethical
March 20, 2020

Vrbo is keeping the property owners money for bookings. When you call your never given to anyone who knows.

Date of experience: March 20, 2020
Texas
1 review
2 helpful votes
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Unbelievably bad
March 20, 2020

We booked a place in Key West on Duval Street. We arrived at the location and did not have the access code. We called and called and texted the contact. Nothing.
We called VRBO customer service. She wasn't able to contact anytime either. They booked us at a wonderful place instead. Didn't sayjust wait. Nothing.

Contact calls us two hours later.

After we get home: VRBO says it's not their problem. Hours on the phone. Ridiculous. Never ever again. The contact could have called us the next day. It still would not have been their problem. Why did you book us at another place? Just don't.
I've had other easy lovely experiences with this company. This was unreal. We are done.

Date of experience: March 19, 2020
Wisconsin
1 review
1 helpful vote
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I was scheduled to rent house from Lonny and Kathryn Doub during Covid19 outbreak (March 23-27,2020). The owner is refusing to refund any of my money that I paid to rent their house. The owner also knew that I had just recovered from a long illness that ravaged my immune system. Was going to splurge on a vacation for myself and three kids. Given the circumstances with the virus, I cannot chance my or my kids safety. Owner doesn't care. Know that if you book a vacation through Vrbo with Lonny Doub you will not be refunded your money for any reason, even if one of your immediate family dies.

Date of experience: March 19, 2020
New York
1 review
3 helpful votes
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We tried cancelling our stay in Florida. VRBO and Executive Villas Florida were absolutely no help and we were told we would lose our full payment for the house rental. I informed them that my husband is a Fire Chief in the New York City area and once the National State of Emergency was declared, he has the responsibility to be at work for this crisis. Not to mention that all the stores in Florida had little food and supplies. We would have gone down to a house with little options as far as basic home essentials. The airlines where very understanding especially after providing documentation that my husband is a first responder in the city and state most hard hit by this virus. We are currently paying for an empty house in Florida while being in New York trying to stay safe. It is sad that VRBO and Executive Villas Florida has shown the complete lack of empathy for any first responder. Their current policy on refunds shows complete disregard to those who bravely serve the public, especially in a time of a national crisis. They are not offering any refund at all.

Date of experience: March 19, 2020
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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This was not my first rodeo with rental properties, but my first with VRBO. Three couples, including my wife and I, had booked this trip to Charleston SC back in February of this year, 2020. Unfortunately with the current state of affairs we've had to cancel, for the time being. Being from Canada only complicated things even more with the closure of our two borders. But I must say my experience with "Misha" at VRBO in Charleston was nothing short of spectacular. I found her to have been completely sympathetic and understanding and worked very hard on our behalf. VRBO certainly played a role in this as well and reacted with the same understanding as "Misha". I must add that I was surprised at some of the ratings that are exhibited for the company as this was not my experience with "Misha". When this is all done, we do intend on rebooking for Charleston, through VRBO and hopefully thru "Misha". Please accept our gratitude and thanks and we certainly understand that you do have a business to run and need to stay afloat - especially in these uncertain times. I really appreciated you taking the time and calling me personally in order to come to some kind of agreement. Your personal touch and attention to our needs are more than appreciated. Hope to deal with you again. Thank you. I hope this review reaches your eyes.

Date of experience: March 19, 2020
Australia
1 review
2 helpful votes
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Do not use this website, you will regret it. I made a booking and they took a $260 "service" fee, however once the money was taken, there was no service. I needed to cancel the booking which I was unable to do on their website. I tried contact twice via their "chat" feature, the first response came 7 hours later. The second attemp I managed to talk to someone after 2hrs waiting, they were no help and gave me another number to call. I have currently called this number 9 times. 4 of those times I was told they were transferring the call, each of those times I gave up after 30 minutes on hold. 3 of the calls, I was unexpectedly "cut off". Of the 2 calls where I was able to speak to an actual person, they talked over me and couldn't or wouldn't help me. I now have no way of cancelling the property that I am unable to stay at and am exhausted from trying. Seriously don't use them.

Date of experience: March 19, 2020
Massachusetts
1 review
14 helpful votes
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Stop before you rent
March 19, 2020

We have gone to Aruba yearly as a couple. This year, as a retirement gift to ourselves we were bringing the family to Aruba Marriot Surf Club. Booked 2 2 bedroom condos. Even though we used an agency, it looks like we will lose hard earned savings of $10,000, a lifetime trip that isn't allow to reschedule. Even though the Country of Aruba won't let you in. Seems very petty response in time of global crisis. Never thought you would lose everything under these circumstances, especially with so many repeat visitors

Date of experience: March 19, 2020
Idaho
1 review
3 helpful votes
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Don't book on VRBO!
March 19, 2020

Airbnb is a much safer bet when cancelling due to COVID. We will not be getting our 50% refund back even though the entire Park City ski resort closed down and all restaurants are closed. I know this affects the rental owners but good grief. Never rent from Fletcher Keys who owns a condo in Park City, he will keep your money!

Date of experience: March 19, 2020
Florida
1 review
1 helpful vote
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The renter paid in full two days ago but VRBO is refusing to disburse my funds ($22K) and say I have to wait 10-15 business days for them to tell me why. Have called 3 times and they say I must wait for an email from the Billing Dept., who does not take calls. So they are ripping off folks looking for refunds and also scamming those of us who are able to still rent our places.

Date of experience: March 19, 2020
New Hampshire
1 review
6 helpful votes
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Horrible company. Poor customer service. Will NEVER reserve something through them again. They will not allow adjustment of travel plans due to corona virus.

Date of experience: March 19, 2020
Georgia
1 review
1 helpful vote
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Coronavirus
March 19, 2020

Tried to cancel reservations for May 9th due to coronavirus outbreak and can only receive 50% refund. Eight days short of receiving 100% refund during WHO pandemic. Have use them before with no problem but never again.

Date of experience: March 18, 2020
Utah
1 review
3 helpful votes
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VRBO ripped us off! My daughter's college cancelled her graduation in Hawaii and they are talking about quarenteening the campus. We flew her home from Hawaii. All 9 of our airline tickets were refunded. But not VRBO! We are out $3000. We booked way back in December. Never ever again will I ever buy anything from this company again

Date of experience: March 18, 2020
Georgia
1 review
1 helpful vote
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PSA: If you have a choice between Air bnb or VRBO, don't ever go with VRBO. We booked a vacation with them and spent almost a grand, now it looks like we'll have to fight to get refunded. We're military and travel restrictions have been placed on service members so we literally can't go. VRBO, never again

Date of experience: March 18, 2020
California
1 review
2 helpful votes
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Don't use VRBO!
March 19, 2020

I had to cancel our booking for Hawaii next week due to Coronavirus travel restrictions. While VRBO says they strongly encourage owners to refund travelers, they do not have to. The owner of my property refused to give me any kind of refund (not even a partial) and I am out almost $7k! I will never book VRBO again. While Airbnb is stepping up and offering refunds, beware that VRBO is not.

Date of experience: March 18, 2020
South Carolina
1 review
1 helpful vote
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We booked a week in a Fl condo several weeks ago before the Corona virus really started causing so many concerns about spreading. I am over 70 and am concerned about traveling 500+ miles from home under these conditions. I called to see if we could cancel our trip in April. They supposedly called the owner who denied our request to cancel/refund. The propaganda regarding cancellations/Corna that they put out leads you to believe that they will accomadate your request due to this unusual situation. However, it is meaningless. We also had a similar arrangement with AirB&B... that money has already been refunded. Not only will we never use VRBO under any circumstances but we will relate this experience to everyone who will listen! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!

Date of experience: March 18, 2020
New York
1 review
9 helpful votes
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I lost $4000 today because of VRBO. Booked an amazing vacation in Sedona before the virus hit the US. The property owners refuse to reschedule or refund. Property owner cancelled my reservation. VRBO actually hung up on me when I called to file a claim. I hope they go out of business for being complete vampires during a crisis.

Date of experience: March 18, 2020
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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COVID 19
March 18, 2020

We booked a vacation rental in San Diego 739 Yarmouth Court Mission Beach area, and had a contract. I get that but when we asked for a refund we were told no by the owner then when we asked to move the dates as the countries were shut down, no flights, and no way what so ever of fulfilling the contract he said to bad, he had lost a 1/4 million in the stock market and do not call again. VRBO after about 20 hours 5 calls told me had been escalated to Trust and Securities just to find out that it was not, and that I was out the money and I can not leave a review on this property because the rental is cancelled. Makes no sense not review a bad owner

Date of experience: March 18, 2020
Hawaii
1 review
0 helpful votes
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I have been unable to log into my VRBO account. I have inquiries which I am unable to respond to. I am unable to accept reservations. Over the past 48 hours, I have made over 6 phone calls and placed on hold for over a total of 4 hours. CS agents tell me the matter has been forwarded to Technical Support for handling. However, TS has yet to contact me. Initially, I was told that TS would contact me within 48 hours. Today, I'm told to expect to hear from TS within the next FIVE business days, SEVEN including the weekend! CS claims that there is no direct line to TS. I pay annual fees and administrative fees for each reservations. I am paying for their salaries... And NO ONE can help me. Perhaps TS is an acronym for something else!

Date of experience: March 18, 2020