Questions about AirBnB, VRBO, HomeAway calculations and fees (mostly in England/Scotland)

You need to ask the owners who are citing prices different from those advertised. If there are additional charges, it should show on the website somewhere.

There are pitfalls with VRBO and HomeAway, so you should probably research what to watch out for before committing, and certainly before sending any money. Make sure all communication remains within the official website. If something goes wrong, you would have more weight to get a refund. However, those two websites sometimes claim they are only a listing service and you are on your own dealing with the owner in case of a problem.

Without going to the extremes of Hiltons and Holiday Inns, you can find nice bed and breakfasts, licensed agencies with apartments to rent, and even budget hotels. Or, become better versed on the pros and cons.

Be very careful and only speak directly with VRBO or HomeAway (same parent company).
I was stung on a flat in Paris that did not even exist !!
Fortunately I was able to get my money back (captured at FOREX just before it was released).
I was told by VRBO that they do not vet their properties and admitted that I was caught in a scam.
I've been leery of renting from them - but only because of my experience.
I have several friends who have had wonderful experiences.
Best of Luck.

I have had the opposite experience in that the price quoted by Airbnb often isn't what you pay and it's not always down to the conversion rate - I have had a 20% difference. It maybe with Airbnb that they convert my GBP to dollars then into euros or some such.

Most places on VRBO can be booked directly and there is no service fee to be paid. I have used them more than 20 times and never had an issue. Ensure the property has been on their listing for some time and check the reviews. Trip Advisor is usually the best value, I find for accommodation. Also look at booking.com and smoothhound.co.uk and sawdays.co.uk for options.

The other disadvantage of Airbnb is that you have to pay the whole fee at the time of booking.

Also note that many times the same properties are listed on all these sites.

We rented one on VRBO that had deceptive photos (left early) and one on TripAdvisor with false reviews (happy to leave). We've been renting apartments for twenty years, but those were our less than optimal experiences. I usually use an agency that inspects the listings or friends' recommendations.

I appreciate everyone's responses so far (and hope for a few more clarifying the various fees too). My favorite lodgings in past trips have been smaller and have had some sort of kitchen facilities (however basic), and it's been easier to find them in the past. We've budgeted to be flexible if necessary, but paying for a b&b or even a guesthouse and 3 meals out (for 4) over a 2.5 week trip will probably be not only hard on the budget, but on the stomach. At the same time I am always leery of scams. I've lived much of my life in Florida, so I've seen the scammy side of the hospitality industry, sadly!

The small kitchen (even if just a hot plate, mini fridge, whatever!) has been the allure of the VRBO-type rentals. I'd look and book through a local agency if I can find one (Google isn't much help here). Past experiences included going to the local tourist bureau, both in the US and in Europe, with some fun and funky stays.

I've used Booking.com in the past, and it was great, but anymore it's more like Vegas with all the "BOOK NOW!" and bright red font. It used to be a lot easier to navigate.
Best,
Shelbey

Shelrose, it's a matter of personal choice. But I don't use these services. All of the problems are outsourced to you, while they disclaim most responsibilities to the independent provider of the room or apartment. I also disapprove of the providers who place transients in multi-family dwellings with innocent permanent residents. Suitcases clunk up stairways several times a week, garbage is put out in the wrong place, people talk loudly in hallways because they are "not at home."

My suburban town, which I didn't think even had a problem, just voted to outlaw these Silicon Valley "disruptors", who seek to make money without any responsibility for the actual product being sold. Many big cities have outlawed them, for good reason. Stay in a hotel, please.

Edit: Actually, shelrose, I didn't mean to impute malice to the short-term tenants, only lack of consideration and thoughtlessness. I lived the first 21 years of my life in New York City, and I know how "intimate" an apartment building is. That's why most AirBnB (illegal) places in New York City are already violating their lease or their Coop or Condo contract, before they violate city laws. Permanent residents have bitter knowledge of how annoying short-term rentals can be. People who grew up in a single-family home may have never experienced how "close" you can be to an apartment neighbor.

There is no Constitutional or moral "right" to make extra money from your place of residence. The fact that (permanent) New Yorkers spend a huge percentage of their income on housing really has nothing to do with it.

When we rented a flat in London we used Holiday Lettings, a British site linked to TripAdvisor. We found the price conversions to be pretty accurate. In fact I saved a few bucks by choosing to pay for the full price of the rental when the exchange rate was more favorable in the spring. We have used AirBnB, Homeaway/VRBO, and Holiday Lettings with no issues. As others say, check the facts carefully before booking.

Tim, I appreciate you raising the point about how an open door lets in all kinds of people, including some that are unsavory. I've seen that disruption play out in other industries, including my own, in unintended ways. Such is the nature of anything grass-roots. I've had enough good friends that have traveled abroad with kids in tow and had great success with VRBO and the like. I'm not yet on board based on some of the misleading quotes. I do like the concept of an 'aparthotel' (awful word, good idea) because of the small kitchen area, and because a desk or agent that mitigates the uncertainty of shared-economy spaces.

mrp, thanks for the Holiday Lettings site-- it looks more "vetted," and I already see some nice listings :) I've used TripAdvisor for a long time, and while I tend to take reviews themselves with a grain of salt, it's allowed me to discover a lot of places ahead of a trip, and it's been so useful. It's interesting to see them get in on this game.
--Shelbey

this is a very good site if you want to track down accommodation in Scotland

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/index.html

I have been using VRBO for our upcoming Europe Trip and it seems that if I click on the Instant quote on the right side of the screen and then hit payment details it will break down and show the costs and service fees and cleaning fees and extra persons fee and damage deposits and whatever else they want to tack on. I confirm the costs with the owner before booking but they have been the same. Not sure if that will help. I've noticed I don't seem to see the "instant quote" option when I use my phone only when I sit at an actual computer.

I have been using VRBO for our upcoming Europe Trip and it seems that if I click on the Instant quote on the right side of the screen and then hit payment details it will break down and show the costs and service fees and cleaning fees and extra persons fee and damage deposits and whatever else they want to tack on. I confirm the costs with the owner before booking but they have been the same. Not sure if that will help. I've noticed I don't seem to see the "instant quote" option when I use my phone only when I sit at an actual computer.