All Forum Posts by: Collin Hays

Nightmare guests are almost non-existent to me, going back to 2005. I would pick Airbnb or HomeAway - stick with one for your own sanity.

Of course you can download from VRBO what they paid you.  But it's up to you to figure out what they charged you in CC fees.  They don't really want you to know.

I don't see a scenario where the mortality rate in the U.S. is anywhere close to 1 percent, much less 2 percent.  Maybe two or three tenths of one percent.  Realize that that 2% percentage is in mainland China. China ain't exactly the U.S. in terms of healthcare.  Let's look at hip replacement surgery:  In the U.S., the mortality rate within 30 days of surgery is .3 percent.  That's less than one third of 1 percent.  One in 330.   In China, the mortality rate within 30 days of surgery is 2.6%.  One in 35.

Apples and oranges.

However, facts often have no influence on emotion, and right now the reactions in the media, the markets, and around the world are based purely on emotion.

Good luck from VRBO in determining your credit card fees - they can’t tell you.  Same with Yapstone.  You can safely assume a minimum of 3%, but they honestly can’t (or won’t) tell you.  

That is one reason we moved away from their payment platform and found our own.  

The media behavior over all of this is simultaneously laughable and reprehensible.

How many people didn’t die from carbon emissions pollution in China since the factories have been shuttered? 

4,000 people PER DAY are killed throughout the world in auto accidents.  Yet strangely people are STILL DRIVING!  Amazing!  Where is the media panic?

Come on, people, let’s be real here.  You have a better chance of running over a water buffalo on your way into work tomorrow than dying from corona.  But pack some bath towels just to be safe.

40 to 70% infected?    wow, let’s check back in a year and see if that happens. Sure hope not. 

VRBO’s market maker is a wonderful tool for self managers!

Disclaimer:  I think the Corona Virus thing is a bunch of fake news.  It's no more deadly than the common cold.

That said, with all of the media hoopla about it, are you seeing any impact on your STR reservations? We are not; in fact, March is shaping up to be a record month for nights rented.

25% is fair.

We have been in business for since 2011 and manage approximately 30 properties.  I can count on one hand times that we have needed to charge a guest extra for things missing.  That's tens of thousands of guests.  Deposits and insurance do nothing but chase prospective guests off.  Yes, you might get $50 from VRBO (although unlikely) if they break a lamp, but how many reservations did you discourage in the process?   Guest don't like these fees.  They add significantly to the cost of the vacation and there is an underlying suspicion that they will lose their deposit.

The whole concept of deposits and insurance with STRs is penny wise, pound foolish. Quit focusing on the little things like dunning someone for a replacement key and spend your energy trying to rent your STR. Your bank account will appreciate it.