2/10 Terrible
Lisa S., Atascadero, CA
10 November 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy
Bait and Switch
We booked a unit (this unit) months ago, fond of its sweeping ocean views and the nicely updated kitchen. The listing was removed from VRBO (or so I thought) months ago.. We entered out unit to see a whole lot of golf course view, with a peek of ocean off to the right. The view is better from the bedroom on the second floor, but with a much smaller, less sheltered patio VRBO said it had been re-listed under a different ID number (ID2377605). Sure enough….there were the views we paid for, along with the upgraded kitchen (with granite counters, instead of tile). I called the owner, but the call was cut off mid-sentence….as though he hung up on me. I called again and the call immediately went to voicemail…same for my husband a few minutes later. The person listed as owner, perhaps prompted by VRBO, finally texted me back to admit that the unit had in fact been changed—but without any prior notification to me—to a “comparable unit.” He then offered a ‘small compensation’ So, if the unit is truly ‘comparable,’ why offer a refund? The listed owner claimed there was ‘last minute construction’ near our original unit and causing the change. We said we would prefer a comparable unit with similar views and were told he could not do more than the refund….funny thing was though, the new listing (for the unit we actually booked) was showing as currently available and of course at an ‘up-charge’ of the rate we booked under. When I mentioned this, I never got a response….but a few hours later, only the remaining days of our trip were now ‘ironically’ blocked out and the unit was now magically available on the very date that we were leaving. Also ironic, is that there was construction occurring near the one we were given (at the unit directly under ours) every day of our trip. He ultimately did refund some money, but not the total amount promised in his text to us. I advise anyone to take screenshots of the unit you reserve, to help ensure you get the exact unit you reserved.
Lisa S.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021
