5 Comments

  1. Carolyn Bailey

    In my experience, I actually loved the ease of using the app of Homeaway group, it has so many useful links for where your accommodation is and what’s around the area. Vets, shops, sports facilities, restaurants, hospitals, beaches etc etc. All the hard work is taken out of the holidaymakers effort and is there at the click of a tab. Lovely and professional images of the lets and all that’s included in your holiday cost…..I stay in lets at least four times a year (my choices are narrowing because I have four small dogs and most places stipulate one or two only, even though all four of mine are non-shedding and only the size of one fit labrador when all put together), and there are 5 things that make my holiday so much more pleasurable; Towels and bed linen included, A Welcome pack of milk, bread, butter, tea, Parking facility, comfy beds and sofas and as few rules & instructions as possible! I’ll happily pay extra to achieve these……

    • Debbie

      That’s great that you liked the app. I hope I have most of that sort of useful information on my website; I plan to pull together a welcome folder that is even more detailed than my current one and will also be sent out in advance to help the planning process. However, paying the extra fees to the big listing sites goes straight into their pocket to increase their marketing budget. None of it ends up in the owners pocket, and therefore don’t contribute to any of things on your wish list. 😉

  2. Thanks so much for your warning! Did not realise the situation properly and having used Owners Direct amongst other sites – will be more alert from now on.

    Personally, we would rather book via owners & avoid service fees.

    • Debbie

      Thanks Katie, I’m hopeful there are plenty of guests out there that like dealing direct. Owners Direct is still without extra fees at this point. I’ll edit this post when I hear they have arrived.

  3. There is a community on Facebook now “Reject Owners Direct Guest Service Fee” Please LIKE and share the posts as lots of useful information for property owners and guests!

    Under their new owners Expedia, Owners Direct part of HomeAway have totally changed the focus, that is now based on GREED. Ripping off the home owners, ripping off the guests, so as to feed the shareholders. The “Book with Confidence Guarantee” is worthless, do not be fooled.

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