VRBO Owner via site & app down for me (and all support calls do not go through)

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VRBO Owner via site & app down for me (and all support calls do not go through)

Christina B.
Boulder, CO · Member since 2023 · 174 posts · 97 votes

Hi All,

Sorry it's been a while (in the throes of Ski Season, what there is of it currently). Is anyone else experiencing issues with VRBO? I know it's not isolated for just me as I see the comments on DownDetector, etc. But it's times like this- that I'm reminded it's really good to have backup options. In my case, I note all guest info in a separate spreadsheet and can reach out to the guest directly (although I've never had to until now). I have a guest checking in tomorrow and typically provide the access code and other check-in info 24 hours in advance. I've explained the situation to them and will repeat all the info on VRBO once it's back up. Having a direct web site with dedicated email, etc. is helpful (but not necessary). But what are others doing to manage bookings, etc. with VRBO being down? (And no word on how long it might be.)

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Kenneth GarrettPro Member
Investor · Florida Panhandle/Illinois · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7mo

@Christina B.

Yes, I am having the same issue.  Agreed it reminds of us how we need alternative ways to communicate with guests when these things occur.

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  • Kenneth GarrettPro Member
    Investor · Florida Panhandle/Illinois · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7mo

    @Christina B.

    Yes, I am having the same issue.  Agreed it reminds of us how we need alternative ways to communicate with guests when these things occur.

    1Reply
  • Christina B.
    OP
    Boulder, CO · Member since 2023 · 174 posts · 97 votes
    7mo

    FWIW, this is being reported on various FB groups with one person saying she was actually able to get through to VRBO (before they stopped taking calls) and they claim it's a system upgrade. (Whoever handles their software updates seems either unprofessional or incompetent.) I did see that their equivalent of Superhost has even stricter requirements (and should be even harder to obtain than it already was- and everyone, even previous holders, get re-evaluated by the new criteria). But concerned about what else they're pushing through that we'll discover *after* the fact. Guess we'll see but a lot of hosts are being negatively impacted by this.

    0Reply
  • Mike GrudzienPro Member
    Lender · Eugene, OR · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7mo

    What a mess...

    0Reply
  • Christina B.
    OP
    Boulder, CO · Member since 2023 · 174 posts · 97 votes
    7mo

    VRBO is back up. No explanation. No apology. Might see if anyone else got an explanation on FB, Reddit, etc. If I find one, I'll post here.

    0Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    7mo

    I didn't experience any problems and I just checked the app and its working. 

    Several phone carriers have had recent outages. I guess the more we rely on technology the more we chance service interruptions.

    Luckily this one was short lived.

    0Reply
  • Christina B.
    OP
    Boulder, CO · Member since 2023 · 174 posts · 97 votes
    7mo

    I am small potatoes, lol. I have one guest checking in tomorrow and reached out to them directly to provide access code, etc. Once VRBO was back up, I repeated it on VRBO. However, I did hear of those managing 150 properties, and that downtime was not insignificant for their business although I suppose if people really want to book their places, they'll persist.

    A few weeks ago, we lost power because of high winds. For our kids, it was awful because even data was down as well (although driving to a cafe or library for internet was still possible). I'm guessing somehow the cell towers were affected with the power loss because text messages made it through but not anything requiring large bandwidth. So even with a generator, I would not be able to do most of my work that requires online access. Crazy! (Unless I look into Starlink, etc.)

    0Reply
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7mo

    I have an integrated account with PMS and I did not experience any outage.

    [email protected]813-563-0877
    Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews
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  • Jon Martin
    Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7mo

    Yes, both the desktop and app were not working yesterday. Had to retrieve a phone number for a door code, but thankfully it was in the booking email. 

    VRBO needs to step up their IT game, their site is far buggier than Airbnb and has a look that is stuck 2 decades behind. 

    1Reply
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