Thoughts on VRBO's new sponsored listings

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Collin HaysBusiness Member
Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
1mo

Always something new to try to grab an extra dollar. I have become increasingly unhappy with VRBO. So much so, that we began listing on Airbnb in March.  Now, the two are probably 50/50 in terms of how many reservations I get.  VRBO obviously didn't come out too well on that deal.  I am a firm believer that if you treat people fairly, they will have no reason to look elsewhere for services.  When you start gigging your customers, you poke them to start looking around.  That usually doesn't end well.

[email protected]806-672-7102
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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    1mo

    Is this where they are advertising to pay a few bucks to help move your unbooked dates and you don't have to pay if you don't get booked?

    1Reply
  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    1mo

    Always something new to try to grab an extra dollar. I have become increasingly unhappy with VRBO. So much so, that we began listing on Airbnb in March.  Now, the two are probably 50/50 in terms of how many reservations I get.  VRBO obviously didn't come out too well on that deal.  I am a firm believer that if you treat people fairly, they will have no reason to look elsewhere for services.  When you start gigging your customers, you poke them to start looking around.  That usually doesn't end well.

    [email protected]806-672-7102
    SMOKY MOUNTAIN FALLS INC.51 Review
    WebsiteView Page
    3Reply
  • Jon Martin
    Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1mo

    This is the OTA equivalent of paying for eye level shelf space at grocery stores. 

    Disappointing, but also not surprising. I won't be partaking, and if I felt the need to, it's either because my listing sucks and/or I'm in the wrong market. 

    0Reply
  • Lauren Kormylo
    Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1mo

    It's like Amazon where you search for something and the first couple of rows of results are "sponsored" products, not necessarily the best search results.  It's just another example of "enshittification".  Up to now, Vrbo has told us that to get the highest placement on their site, we need to jump through all their hoops of 100% booking acceptance, all 5 star reviews, zero cancellations, a certain number of bookings per quarter, and high quality photos.  Now they're telling us that if we pay the most, we can jump ahead of everyone else, no matter those other requirements.

    1Reply
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1mo

    Im interested and will be trying it.  If I can pay $20-50 for a $2000 booking Im all in.

    [email protected]813-563-0877
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  • Cliff H.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Nashua, NH · Member since 2014 · 587 posts · 477 votes
    1mo

    Predictable, greedy, and disappointing. 

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

    And so the industry matures...

    0Reply
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