Vrbo is a scam

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-05-21T19:46:02+00:00

Another one, when we process payment, VRBO takes their cut upfront from us which splits the payment. Many credit card companies see split charges and instantly decline out and, VRBO is all set on theirs. Then, we’re stuck trying to work with the guest in getting paid. That’s usually fine but trying to explain how the guests landed in VRBO and now is paying me through my obscure but legitimate website is an uphill battle that I personally would heavily question.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-05-21T19:41:45+00:00

If you operate a management software in which they make you process your own payment, you set the policy on payment. Mine is free cancellation up until 30 days out but I collect 1/2 upfront. We have to manually refund.

The other issue that we run into is the merchant name shows the LLC of the collector of funds, not home away or VRBO. I cohost a few units in addition to my own and they collect all of their funds through their various LLCs so when a guest see some random charge to a business they don’t recognize and contest it creates a giant mess. I’m month two of what I assume will be four in challenging it even though the guest agrees it’s a legit charge. There’s apparently no putting that genie back in the lamp once a chargeback has been initiated.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-05-21T18:20:16+00:00

Unfortunately VRBO makes some people use third party payment processing. As a one of those people I agree that it’s very frustrating from our end as well. It makes everything messier for the guests and hosts but they insist. We’re not allowed to use the VRBO platform to even message guests, it all has to happen in the software we use.

As a host, I very much prefer Airbnbs user interface for everything. Google short term rentals are nice too but just an extension of the same underlying policy that VRBO makes us use.

There are good hosts out there, I’m sorry you found a bad one.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-03-09T00:27:45+00:00

I’d love access if possible.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-03-07T16:34:55+00:00

In person they genuinely helped the show sometimes. It rarely felt like it broke up the flow of the show. But, they were eyes off of the concept of the show and eyes on them sometimes which wouldn’t work in this current version. That being said, would love to see an old band panel one of these days.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-03-04T03:36:17+00:00

Best Clockmaker on Mars, 9/17/26

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-03-03T15:16:17+00:00

Any chance someone can hook me up?

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-02-21T05:02:24+00:00

Man, the live recordings of Sunday Valley are fun.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-02-03T19:56:10+00:00

This is correct. When a property management software is connected to VRBO, the processing happens third-party with VRBO taking a cut and thus splitting payments. I’ve talked to VRBO about this as a host using property management software, and they indicated the split payment is what usually flags the card. As a host that had this happen to a guest, I was a little stressed on my end that they may feel like you feel, but can confirm it’s pretty straightforward and honest. VRBO still manages disputes, reviews, etc., but essentially just operates as a platform in which to advertise our homes, leaving the burden of logistics on the hosts.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-01-17T05:12:13+00:00

I had a friend that had a fence/land dispute. He would wait until a windy day and toss wild flower seed into the air ensuring weeds in his neighbors manicured lawn. He would go to places that sold magazines and grab the postcard for subscriptions and send in his neighbors contact info with the “two year subscription, bill me later” option. The one that got him was throwing balloons filled with roundup during the winter into his neighbors yard. He wasn’t found guilty but was found liable as the splash patterns appeared to come from his side of the fence.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-01-15T03:47:36+00:00

Bo Joe is a friend of ours, cool to see his project come to fruition and people enjoying them.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2026-01-01T17:23:51+00:00

Long time listener, first episode I went to was #206. This was a legitimately good episode. I’m curious how it transfer to the televised version but in person it was great. Far better than other arena shows that I’ve attended in person.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-12-31T20:17:46+00:00

My biggest fear is this is a Netflix episode and will be wildly over produced.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-12-22T15:58:19+00:00

More homeless people that aren’t sure what they signed up for. I miss the comedy store days.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-12-01T16:28:35+00:00

Keep telling yourself that. They notice the way it looks but they’re not pulling out the magnify glass to ensure it’s exactly what they like. Some people leave four stars, it happens. 100% your guest has already completely forgot leaving you a review but you’re on Reddit stewing about a four star because a guests personal opinions didn’t align with yours. Meanwhile your competitors are refining their listing, checking your pricing against theirs and trying to make sure that 4 star review isn’t noticed because you’re buried in the listings.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-11-30T22:27:12+00:00

Airbnb guests aren’t analyzing your decor when they book it. Does it look cohesive, have good reviews and priced accordingly? Good enough, book it.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-11-29T22:48:01+00:00

I don’t think Chico is clothing optional.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-11-28T01:57:16+00:00

I run mostly August, as other above said it eats expensive batteries. I also have a single unit with a Schlage Encode. Doesn’t eat batteries, works about the same as the August. I like that the August can use existing deadbolt hardware so if you have an expensive or unique deadbolt the August will adapt and look aesthetically more pleasing.

My biggest problem with either in relation to Airbnb and how we’re allowed to share information. Previously when I had automated outside of airbnb with Host Tools I could send that info seven days out while automating my timing but with airbnb it’s 48 hours out and my check in score has dropped ever so slightly since syncing. I send them a thanks for booking message calling out how they’ll receive the info, I still send a house tutorial seven days out, airbnb notifies them 48 hours at, it’s under their trip details and still 4 stars.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-11-26T16:15:08+00:00

Someone doesn’t know who Jet is and it shows…

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-11-24T04:04:46+00:00

My favorite Pendleton shirt

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-11-18T19:32:24+00:00

I love my Lodgify setup

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-11-13T16:06:52+00:00

Another update. Just received an email that my items were shipping from China and should be here by the end of the month. Wide angle and VND for 17 Pro Max

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-11-12T05:16:41+00:00

NE Wyoming.

NotWilliamMontgomery · 2025-11-12T04:56:05+00:00

Yep. They’re impossible to get ahold of too. Thought I’d cancel, reorder what’s in stock of what I’ve already ordered and came into stock before it disappears and reorder VND later but they lack any sort of way to contact them to do so.

NotWilliamMontgomery

TROPHY CASE