HomeAway Community: "Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA...

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2425 Views 9 Replies Latest reply: Jan 27, 2012 9:36 AM by laura

moni

5 posts since
Jan 19, 2012

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Jan 27, 2012 9:26 AM

"Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12)"

According to the rules of posting a review; since I didn't actually stay at the property then I can't post a review. So, I will post it here.

My complaint is about a Manhattan Beach 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12) property id# XXXXX.

My family is hosting a family reunion in the area in July and generally we've had excellent experiences with properties/property owners that we have found on this site. We did this 2 years ago in Vegas and staying together allows for us to save money on individual hotels as well as make sure the elder family members are safe, together. There are 10 of us going (mostly older adults/couples) and so we thought this house seemed perfect. It is listed as having sleeping accommodations for up to 12. So I inquired and the first response came back a day later "Lots of people in your party" & "$3500/wk +deposit and cleaning fee." No problem, I thought. So I inquired about the cost of the deposit and fee but had to continuously resend messages to get a response. I finally called and spoke to owner; who seemed extremely reluctant to provide any information or details about how to secure the rental but kept telling me "when you're ready to secure it; then we'll discuss that".(I was asking because we were ready to secure the rental, at that time.) When the owner would finally respond; he copied another person(presumably his wife) on every message. So when I responded to any of his messages, I responded to both. Yet, after we attempted to confirm the rental and I didn't get a response at all, for two days. I then sent the message one last time to both and finally his wife (from the other email address) responded. Only to inform me that he'd forgotten to double check with her and they had planned to have family using the property during that time. This is a disheartening experience and makes me question if that is the truth. Best wishes to anyone else that is interested perhaps you'll have a better experience.

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Tags: beach, house, 5, manhattan, gorgeous, br/4.5, ba, sleeps, 6-12

gabriel

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Jan 19, 2012 11:09 PM (in response to moni)
Re: "Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12)"

Hi Moni:

Although the most successful vacation homeowners respond within a couple of hours, many are not dedicated full time to respond to requests, as are hotels.

It is best that it did not work out for you, since you could have spent a long time negotiating details to be cancelled at the last minute before signing the contract.

I am sure there is a great vacation home for your party that will provide you prompt responses and a good chemistry between both of you.

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- moni
  5 posts since
  Jan 19, 2012
  
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  Jan 20, 2012 7:41 AM (in response to gabriel)
  Re: "Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12)"
  
  As a property owner, I agree and I understand. There appears to be more to it, than that. My cousin offered to reach out again but I cautioned her that we did not need to beg anyone to take our money....I also feel like that means we will find a better fit, as well. Thank you.
  
  -Moni B
  I'm a C.O.G.! Therefore, I'm always going to P.U.S.H. because I know G.A.P.!
  
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sophie
831 posts since
Mar 4, 2011

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Jan 20, 2012 9:18 AM (in response to moni)
Re: "Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12)"

Renters.....Seriously, if you have to beg an owner/manager to return your emails, calls, etc. you need to move on and find other accommodations. There are tons of owners who are punctual in answering emails, questions, etc. and would love to have you in their homes.

And...It may come as a surprise to some, but owners can be just as selective as who they rent to than who they DON'T rent to.

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- moni
  5 posts since
  Jan 19, 2012
  
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  Jan 20, 2012 9:59 AM (in response to sophie)
  Re: "Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12)"
  
  Because I understand that other people, just like myself have a life and other things going on I gave him the benefit of the doubt in not answering immediately.
  And as an owner, myself...I'm extremely choosy about who I rent to, so I understand that as well.
  However, there is a manner in which to handle business. I have the right to my opinion and to voice it, as well.
  
  -Moni B
  I'm a C.O.G.! Therefore, I'm always going to P.U.S.H. because I know G.A.P.!
  
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  - wiffle
    216 posts since
    Feb 23, 2011
    
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    Jan 22, 2012 2:33 PM (in response to moni)
    Re: "Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12)"
    
    You have a right to voice your opinion, just not a review. Why in the world did you take so much time out of your life to come on here and post all that? Move on to someone with better comunication skills instead of trying to get revenge. I would guess the owner dodged a bullet and I would guess there is more to the story.
    
    Why shouldn't the owner cc his wife, who is presumably his business partner?
    
    Sometimes, when someone has been a pain to deal with (not saying you were, I wouldn't know), or if a preliminary background search shows them as questionable, it is easier to just blow them off. I know it's the "chicken" way, but better than the same renter coming back under a different name with a new inquiry.
    
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    - moni
      5 posts since
      Jan 19, 2012
      
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      Jan 24, 2012 11:34 AM (in response to wiffle)
      Re: "Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12)"
      
      I believe I'm entitled to post my opinion and/or complaint as I see fit. This is what I chose to do. I have another opinion as to why the owner chose to take the route he did. I'm not saying he shouldn't copy his wife/business partner. You missed the entire point. She claimed to not know of the request...when she had been involved from the beginning. I have moved on but I wasn't aware that posting a review of an experience with a potential owner meant I was attempting to get "revenge" or worst possibly being a "pain"...
      There something called courtesy and professionalism. I didn't agree with the way it was handled and so I voiced that. Thank you for your insightful response.
      
      -Moni B
      
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      - msdebj
        1,125 posts since
        May 25, 2011
        
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        Jan 24, 2012 1:21 PM (in response to moni)
        Re: "Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12)"
        
        Moni, I just have to chime in here. Sorry you had the experience you did. I don't know if you're a veteran to renting from Vacation Home owners or not. Before you go off with a bad taste in your mouth you should know that, unlike Property Management companies who manage MANY properties and have no real incentive other than to make money- at very little risk to them, the majority of OWNERS are very professional and involved in how they manage their homes.
        
        The majority of OWNERS have a screening system (some use Facebook, Guestchecker.com, Google, etc. ) to screen inquires before they respond- or as they get more information during the process. It is their right to decide who they choose to rent to. Most of us have a lot of money invested in our homes, furnishings, etc., not to mention insurance, and many other overhead costs. It can be very risky.
        
        Thankfully, I've only had to refuse one potential renter in 3 years. It was because I found information, (yes, on Facebook- it really does matter what folks post there), that made me uncomfortable.
        
        I can't imagine anyone would discriminate on the basis of race, gender, etc.if that is what you are suggesting. I think 99% of OWNERS are very professional and courteous.
        
        The VR industry has exploded in the past few years so I'm sure you can find other properties in a given area. Think of it in terms of any other business endeavor. Would you continue to try to close a deal on any purchase if the seller wasn't responding to your inquiries as you'd like?
        
        There are 2 sides to every story. But, no, you have no right to reveiw a property you've never entered into a signed contract with . If that was true just imagine- all competitors could just trash a place.
        Best regards. Debj
        
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        moni
        5 posts since
        Jan 19, 2012
        
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        Jan 27, 2012 9:10 AM (in response to msdebj)
        Re: "Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12)"
        
        Thank you for your feedback, Debj. I have indicated before that I am an owner who has rental property and my career is in technology. So I am always very conscious of what I post, my actions and what others post on the internet around/about me. I am very familiar with those research processes, so I get it. Not only that, but I lead and live my life in a manner that I don't want actions to come back and haunt me. I maintain my professionalism in all my actions because I don't want to be subjected to being judged about a bad first impression. Owning property in a major city, I most definitely get the fact that people have dedicated their time,effort and money into these rental properties and want to protect their investments. So besides the reluctance that I sensed in his voice one I identified myself on the phone and the lackadaisical responses afterwards... I really have nothing else to go on.
        I understand the need to be cautious and careful. I really don't plan to harp on the situation. I've moved on to looking for other properties but I felt like I wanted to share my experience. I also stated that I hope others have a better experience. This incident won't stop me from giving others the chance/opportunity to utilize my business.
        
        -Moni B
        I'm a C.O.G.! Therefore, I'm always going to P.U.S.H. because I know G.A.P.!
        
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laura
356 posts since
Nov 18, 2010

Currently Being Moderated

Jan 27, 2012 9:36 AM (in response to moni)
Re: "Manhattan Beach Gorgeous 5 BR/4.5 BA House,(Sleeps 6-12)"

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the thoughtful and provocative discussion. I'd like to remind Community members that, as per our Community Guidelines, we ask that you respect the privacy of yourself and others:

Protect the privacy of yourself and others. — Keep personal information about anyone else private; including names of other people, home addresses, phone numbers, property ID numbers and email addresses. We recommend you keep your own information private as well.

Community is not the forum to leave a property review (and as such, I removed the property ID that "Moni" provided in her original post), though it is an ideal place for traveler - owner exchanges such as the discussion above.

Thanks, all!

Laura

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