Watch out for this guy!

[Maryann86]

I have been stonewalled by "Villa" (whose real name is Pat) for the return of my $750.00 deposit. We stayed at Villa Mandevilla the first week of July, 2018. He has yet to return my $750.00 deposit and it is almost October. I have checked with the property manager and he confirmed there is no reason to withhold my deposit. The house was in perfect order when he checked it. Pat has not responded to my e-mails, my phone calls nor my messages. He stated last week that he has tried to pay me twice. He gave no explanation as to why I did not receive the money nor as to why he hadn't contacted me regarding this. He is just a scam artist and hopes I will give up and forget about it. Not happening.... has anyone else run into problems? Airbnb cannot get involved since I did not rent it through Airbnb. I went through VRBO, but he is no longer listed on their site. 

Maryann D

Concord, CA

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Maryann86

Airbnb does not actually take security deposit from your account when you book . They just uphold the right to take it from your account in case your host make a damage claim. 

... Now I see you booked through VRBO... as far as I know VRBO doesn't send security deposits to the hosts, they just uphold it in case the host makes a damage claim. If he doesn't then VRBO refunds you after 2 weeks. If you didn't received it you should contact VRBO customer service.

[Maryann86]

Hello, thank you for your interest in my situation, but I clearly have a contract with Pat stating a $750.00 deposit will be returned after the house inspection. I also have an e-mail from Pat stating that he has tried to return my money 2 times, though with no clarification as to why it hasn't actually happened. 

[Jeff158]

@Maryann86 have you tried posting this on the VRBO forum

https://community.homeaway.com/community/us

[Maryann86]

Thanks for your interest. I have not gone to this site because he is no longer listed with VRBO. This is a warning to those who may choose to go to his property. Be forewarned.

[Victoria567]

Have you written a factual review with 1* across the board where deserved?

[Maryann86]

I can't since I did not go through Airbnb. I reached this site after contact with Airbnb about his unethical actions. He is no longer listed at the site I found his listing.  

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Maryann86

 you booked through VRBO and then you paid him 750$ security deposit in cash directly ? Not through VRBO?

[Ana1136]

@Branka-and-Silvia0 I hope he knows better than to pay cash, I believe the ammount was held by VRBO. But I don't understand, does the person list now on Airbnb since he is now longer on VRBO? How is Airbnb conected to all this?

[Letti0]

@Maryann86  If you still have not received your deposit back call YapStone who is the payment center for HA/VRBO and is holding the deposit to see why it has not been returned. Their phone number is (877) 238-3816.

[Cormac0]

@Maryann0

Why are you posting your vbro problem on this platform, do you not think its just a tad cheeky?