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

[JD Martin]

Yeah, they have algorithms and search tools that scan your messages. Some of it is just a royal pain in the ***. Even after guests book and pay their message system blocks out e-mail addresses and phone numbers, so I'm left resorting to spelling out my phone number in odd ways to get around it. We require a photo ID and a working cell phone prior to stay, and their system blocks me giving my cell number to them so they can text a copy of their license to me. Sometimes the guest will have a phone number listed, but it doesn't always work. 

[Michael Baum]

That's the rub. She asked to book off the site and the algorithm caught that. Unfortunately it blamed you for that.

I would call them up and make sure they understand it was the potential guest and not you looking to book off site.

[Andrew Steffens]

I agree with @Michael Baum to call and make sure there is no ding on your account.  It is a fairly automated process for them

[Kerry Baird]

I have gotten a bunch of inquiries that said something similar to contact me, @ Eight six seven five three oh nine

[Michael Baum]

Quote from @Kerry Baird:

I have gotten a bunch of inquiries that said something similar to contact me, @ Eight six seven five three oh nine

I got it too! I got that number off the wall!