Listings site feedback

[Dustin Glossop]

Anyone miss the old homeaway model? Just the subscription and you control the bookings? Anyone using something new other than the typical sites? What makes you choose a new site trying to be an early adopter and not the sheep following whats popular?

[Valerie Rogers]

Since the advent of the service fee on VRBO/Homeaway travelers (who care) are searching out other places to find rentals for their vacations. I think regional sites are becoming more popular.

When the service fee was launched I experimented and listed my properties on several other sites, some paid and some free. Besides VRBO/Homeaway, Airbnb & TripAdvisor (which all charge the guest a commission or service fee) I listed my properties on:

United Vacation Rentals (0 inquiries/bookings)

HomeEscape (a few inquiries, 0 bookings)

Florida Rentals by Owner (a few inquiries, 0 bookings, but a nice shout-out for our Beach Escape property in a blog article)

Emerald Coast by Owners (8 bookings so far this year, a pleasant surprise)

Vacationstayz (0 inquiries/bookings)

Tripz.com (2 inquiries/0 bookings)

CO Vacation Homes: (0 inquiries/bookings)

Overall, it seems that travelers have taken the service fee in stride. 

Last year for our FL properties VRBO produced 55% of our bookings, Airbnb produced 15% (increasing each year) and the rest was produced by Homeaway (9%), TripAdvisor (7%) and repeat guests (14%).

Last year for our CO property VRBO produced 64% of our bookings, Airbnb produced 2% and the rest was produced by Homeaway (11%) and repeat guests (23%).

I find the differences between the two locations interesting. 

As for "controlling the booking" I feel your pain, but I have learned to adapt. When Homeaway began to restrict the ability for owners to see the guest's email address or telephone number I was worried that because I could not talk to the guest when they initially inquired (as was my procedure) I would end up having to cancel bookings because the guest might not meet my requirements (age, number in party, non-smoker, no parties, etc.) As it turned out, I've not had to cancel any bookings. I just make it very clear in my listing information ("house rules") what our requirements are so that anyone interested in booking will know up front.

I hope this helps!