[nursepammi]

If you should ever need to rent a villa off-site (for large group of people) here's a hard lesson I had to learn, and it's passed on for free:

always keep hard copies of your emails and any rental agreements!

I found a villa and contacted the owner. I made a point of asking if it was too early to book for November 2008 when I emailed her back in July. I was not sure if the 2008 rates were available, and her answer was 'it's ok.'

I d/l the booking form, filled it out, and sent the deposit plus the security deposit and planned on paying the full amount in Sept. of 2008.

Now she is emailing me and asking for the balance. I responded, and she is acting like she never got the response. ( This is the very same email addy we have been using all along. )

I think I saved the booking form, but can't find it right now. So, I can't tell if I specified on it the date '2008' or not. And the original email was sent through the contact web site.

*sigh*

Don't make the mistake I've made. Keep copies and know where they are.

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by nursepammi

If you should ever need to rent a villa off-site (for large group of people) here's a hard lesson I had to learn, and it's passed on for free:

For free? You're undercutting my business!

Originally Posted by nursepammi

always keep hard copies of your emails and any rental agreements!

That is extremely important, both before any payments are made, and after your trip as well. If, for some reason, an issure arises after you return home, the last thing you want to have done is toss the documents in the trash as you leave to go home!

Originally Posted by nursepammi

I found a villa and contacted the owner. I made a point of asking if it was too early to book for November 2008 when I emailed her back in July. I was not sure if the 2008 rates were available, and her answer was 'it's ok.'

My only concern here is that it appears she mentioned they were available, but failed to state the actual costs/rate.

Originally Posted by nursepammi

I d/l the booking form, filled it out, and sent the deposit plus the security deposit and planned on paying the full amount in Sept. of 2008.

how did you send the deposit? Check, credit card? Paypal? Paying deposit with balance paid upon arrival is reasonable.

Originally Posted by nursepammi

Now she is emailing me and asking for the balance. I responded, and she is acting like she never got the response. ( This is the very same email addy we have been using all along. )

I think I saved the booking form, but can't find it right now. So, I can't tell if I specified on it the date '2008' or not. And the original email was sent through the contact web site.

*sigh*

Don't make the mistake I've made. Keep copies and know where they are.

As long as you stated the 2008 on the booking form, everything should be okay. It appears that all of your conversations are in regards to that date, so I wouldn't be too worried.

HOWEVER.

From now on, send e-mails, do not telephone. You need to have a record of all correspondence.

[nursepammi]

hi 626, thanks for the words of encouragement.

Unfortunately all my correspondence was with emails. The first one, where I asked if booking for 2008 was too early was sent through the website to the owner, not from my own email client.. grrrr!

I paid with a personal check.

What is irking me to no end is that she is acting like she never saw my response to her inquiry for the balance. I kindly reminded her that I booked for Nov. 2008, not this year, so I axtually had 1 year and 8 weeks before the final payment was due. No response.

This is so annoying. I found a copy of the booking form on my computer, all filled out except for the signiture. It clearly says 2008 on it. But..... for some reason I remember filling it out by hand. And scanning it to make copies. Just haven't found them yet. Grrr!

Well, I ordered tickets from undercovertourist.com and stated that I didn't need them until next year. I actually have the tickets, BUT there's no possible way I can go on vaca now that I am not regularly working, etc etc.

Every time she emails me it gets me rattled. I just wish this would stop.

[Experiment6-2-6]

well, make sure you see if the check is cashed.

Secondly, look over the agreement you agreed to, see if you can wait until Nov 2008. Your Lessor may require money up front.

I would send another e-mail to her, confirming that you have sent deposit, and understand the balance is due upon arrival. Just bcc yourself so you have documentation and proof you sent it.

Other than that, there's not much you can do.

[dancing4disney]

We have rented Villa's a few times. We did have a mix up with the dates we wanted but the Villa owner found us another. I think there was also confusion about rates (dollars vs. pounds)
We have usually had no problems and this was a first. I am sorry to hear about your troubles.
I keep a seperate Disney folder for each trip and make copies of everything relating to the trip. Every email sent is copied.
Hopefully, your problems will be resolved soon.

[nursepammi]

I got an email, and it's all been straightened out. *phew* Thanks for the ears, folks! No pun intended. Teehee.