VRBO and going to Edinburgh next week HELP?!!

[bag13msu]

We are going to Edinburgh  next week Sept 11-16   and in this area. Today we got an email asking up front because they  are going to hong kong for holiday and wants us to pay by card in advance. Should we be concerned? would you do this? should be book else where?

[pittpurple]

I've always had to pay upfront on VRBO and AirBNB. Does the person have good reviews?

[marina007]

Yeah, i've paid upfront before too and it made me super uncomfortable but we got our rentals no problem, no scam at all... But I really don't like it...

How will you be getting keys of they're away - a lockbox? Could you Ask if you could pay a deposit of half, then the rest when you arrive?

[frlcb]

We've always paid up front as well.

[osumelissa]

I have always paid up front on AirBNB - honestly I have found it to be better because it is one less thing I have to think of while on vacation and then, at least for me, it's paid off on the credit card before I go on the trip so I don't feel like I am "spending" a ton while on the trip (other than food, drinks, museums, etc).

I haven't been scammed yet. I just make sure the people have good reviews.

[wise_rita]

You mean pay in advance THROUGH Vrbo?

If so, legit.

ETA: Didn't the site charge your card when the booking was confirmed?  I've only used airbnb, but that's how it works with them.

[pittpurple]

Sept 4, 2014 4:23:36 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

You mean pay in advance THROUGH Vrbo?

If so, legit.

ETA: Didn't the site charge your card when the booking was confirmed?  I've only used airbnb, but that's how it works with them.

AirBNB works differently - they charge you directly. When I've used VRBO, I've always paid the owners directly - the first few times by cheque and this last time by PayPal.

[wise_rita]

Sept 4, 2014 4:40:35 GMT -5 pittpurple said:

Sept 4, 2014 4:23:36 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

You mean pay in advance THROUGH Vrbo?

If so, legit.

ETA: Didn't the site charge your card when the booking was confirmed?  I've only used airbnb, but that's how it works with them.

AirBNB works differently - they charge you directly. When I've used VRBO, I've always paid the owners directly - the first few times by cheque and this last time by PayPal.

Interesting.

Doesn't this have a lot more opportunity to go wrong?

[pittpurple]

Sept 4, 2014 6:43:02 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Sept 4, 2014 4:40:35 GMT -5 pittpurple said:

AirBNB works differently - they charge you directly. When I've used VRBO, I've always paid the owners directly - the first few times by cheque and this last time by PayPal.

Interesting.

Doesn't this have a lot more opportunity to go wrong?

Sure. That's why AirBNB has a large service charge and VRBO doesn't. AirBNB takes on some of the risk. So far, we haven't had a problem though.

[frlcb]

We have never had a problem with vrbo either and paying up front, although I am sure people have. We generally look for properties that have good reviews that people have used before.