Vrbo Police !!!! Beware !!!!

[James R.]

I just received this message from VRBO.  To be clear, the potential guest involved wanted to walk through the rental prior to booking it.  She did so and left a note with the person who showed her the house.  Once I received the note, I called the potential guest to answer the several questions that she said that she had.  She asked to book off platform and I told her that she needed to book the house using the platform.   VRBO read the messages between us about her viewing the house and sent me the email below:

This email is regarding Case Number: XXXXXXXXXX Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, We have become aware that you may be directing travellers to either contact, book, or pay offsite in your inquiry’s conversations. While the intent may be to better assist your travellers, off-platform booking is against our site policy.  Please see evidence at the end of this email.  Prohibited offsite booking activity includes, but is not limited to:   Providing contact information prior to booking (phone number, email, website, etc.)  Directing the traveler to pay outside of Vrbo  Directing the traveler to contact you via social media  Providing alternate booking methods that avoid paying any fees to Vrbo  As a reminder: all communication, payments, and bookings must be made via the platform through our secure checkout.  We encourage you to review the Marketplace Standards to ensure you are complying moving forward. We ask that you please cease directing travellers to contact, book, or pay you directly via your inquiries. If this behaviour continues in inquiries, it may result in the suspension of your account. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. If you believe this message was sent to you in error, please contact our Vrbo Partner Support team at: 877-202-9331 Sincerely, Vrbo Policy Enforcement Vrbo Help