We have created this vacation renters guide with a few helpful tips that we hope will help you avoid falling victim to a scam. By using the information provided below, it is our desire to help you be a well informed savvy consumer when choosing who to rent from.
Of course the information below reflects well on our company and not so well on others. But that is only because we treat our customers fairly and respectfully, and we do not consider how to cheat our customers as a way of doing business. We find these practices objectionable and we believe they reflect poorly on our industry. Besides, isn't the entire point to win you over and have you come back to us year after year? We certainly think it is, and we strive to prove it every day.
The Pattern Starts At The Front Door
One thing that surely plays a factor in human behavior is pattern. We adopt ways of surviving in the world that work for us. Take for example, pretending to be something we are not so as to appear more attractive than we actually are.
Many companies here in Las Vegas advertise themselves as having local offices, when the truth is their office is nothing more than a P.O. Box at a UPS Store. They save the expense of a staff to support their homes or even a place to work, and consider that an "advantage".
What's also true is that this is fraud. Advertising a post office box as a "suite" is taking your money under false pretenses. It also establishes a relationship based on a lie which is likely to continue to play out during your stay. Be prepared to not get the home you actually booked. Be prepared for crummy furniture that doesn't match and isn't what was in the pictures. Be prepared for roaches, mice, and ants, because in addition to saving money on luxuries like "an office" they save money on exterminators too. Shall we talk about how they "launder" the sheets as well? Okay, you get the picture by now. Don't work with liars.
Craigslist Phishing Scam
One recent manifestation in online scams is the advertising of foreclosed and abandoned homes as "vacation rentals". The goal of this scam is to take your money and, literally, give you nothing.
The typical scam process here is that someone (the scam artist) who does not own the home will attempt to rent the foreclosed or abandoned home online by posting an online ad to a site like Craigslist. The scam artist will find subject homes by using online auction sites, where they will locate a property to "rent". The scammer then steals the auction site content to create their bogus vacation rental ad.
Once a scammer has the interest of a potential renter, they will ask for information such as credit card or social security etc., as one might expect when renting a home. The scammer will then process and deposit checks and credit card payments from the customer for the rental. The customer will probably not find out about the scam until they attempt to check in to the non-existent rental. Once they do, they are left without their money or anywhere to stay.
Obviously one way to avoid this problem is to ask to see the home in advance of making your commitment. But unless you live reasonably close to your destination, this is probably not practical. Nonetheless, ask if you can see the home first and take note of any resistance. Quite simply, do not rent from anyone who is not willing to comply with that request.
The Good Old Fashioned Bait & Switch
This is one we hear a lot. A customer books a specific house, but is told at the last minute that the home is suddenly not available, and a different "similar" home will used to replace it. Actually, the customer was likely booted because the home was never available, or became unavailable when a better booking came in later that happened to overlap the same dates. The smaller booking is booted for the bigger one. Simple math, right? Sure. And it's also fraud. It amounts to deception and the taking of YOUR money under false pretences.
Though this is an age old practice, we now have ways to protect ourselves from shady "businesses" and by-owner rentals. This is the age of the Internet. It doesn't take long before bad business practices become known to the world.
A simple search of sites like Complaints.com will usually turn up the typical perpetrators, as will searching Google or Yahoo! for "las vegas vacation rental fraud". We also suggest checking with the Southern Nevada Better Business Bureau for a list of reputable Las Vegas vacation rental companies.
Why Risk Being Stranded?
Working with a company that has a large inventory of homes is a safer bet than renting from individual homeowners. Homes are not hotels. Should something happen to your rental home during your stay, a company with many homes is much more likely to be able to accommodate you than a private homeowner with one home.
At least in the case of Las Vegas Retreats, our homes are already priced competively with by-owner rentals. The difference is that ours include 24 customer service and a inventory of homes to back up the quality of the product we deliver. Our customers literally get more for the same price.
Too Good to be True?
Times are tough and everybody wants a good deal. But don't let your guard down just because something seems like a good deal. We work hard to offer excellent value at Las Vegas Retreats, and we understand that prices are driven by demand. Nobody can offer homes for less than they cost.
Renting a home based solely on what appears to be the lowest prices is a sure fire way to be had. There is a reason why that home has the lowest price. Though it may not be obvious from the pictures, the contract or the description, something is motivating the owner or manager to low-ball a property, and that usually is not something good.
Will this Home Still Be Around?
Many homeowners have made their homes available for rent to stave off foreclosure. But ask yourself, is this really who you want to send your money to? Are you really going to give thousands of dollars to someone on the brink of bankruptcy?
Be reasonable with your expectations. Nobody can stay solvent when they are giving everything away. As always it's caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. Again, try to avoid using only price as your criteria. Homes priced too low are likely in distress.
Does quality really matter?
Travel studies show that vacationers are disappointed when accommodations are inferior to their own lifestyle. Don't risk feeling let down during your stay. Rent a home that reflects your own quality of life.
One of the main reasons why we are so successful at Las Vegas Retreats is because we only rent homes we ourselves would want to stay in. We probably only choose 1 out 10 homes that come to us as potential rentals. That's because we know that if our customers are happy with the product, you will keep coming back.
24 Hour Customer Service
When you're choosing a home, do you actually consider what will happen if you need help during your stay? Are you prepared to go it alone if something goes wrong? And even if you are a plumber, do you really want to spend your valuable time in Las Vegas fixing a broken water heater?
Renting from a company with 24 hour customer service is one way to ensure that you will get the help if you need it. And remember, the real value of customer service happens when you need it. It's easy to overlook when you don't need it.
Licensed & Local
One of the best ways to avoid getting taken is to work with a vacation rental company that is both lisenced and local. This is especially true at a time when many people and companies are being stressed financially by the current economy. Yes, it is tempting to take a chance to try and save money, but not if the result ends up ruining your trip.
What About the Neighborhood?
Here's one you probably never consider. What do the neighbors think about having a vacation rental next door? Many times we see rentals advertised as a "4 Bedroom that Sleeps 20". Can you imagine being next door to a small home filled with 20 people? We can't either.
Our homes are generally limited to 2 persons per bedroom. We maintain good relationships with the neighbors so they wont be upset to see you!
In Summary...
We hope that these tips are helpful and that you will remember to employ them in your quest for the perfect vacation rental. And whether you choose Las Vegas Retreats or someone else, we wish you the best of luck and happy travels
