View Full Version : URGENT!!!!
whitequeen
14-07-2002, 23:46
Having spent weeks trawling the 'Villa' sites I found one available for the dates we required and for the price we could afford. I e-mailed the owner who then telephoned me. Now call me cynical but he always calls on a mobile and is overly chatty! No crime I hear you say but I have a niggling feeling. Last time he called he chucked in a weeks free pool heating (we're going in Nov.) Sounds all too good to be true. Need advice really. What would you do? Need to send deposit tommorow. Is there anyway to check people own the villas they say they own?
whitequeen
Hi WhiteQueen
There are various ways. If you know where the villa is and the persons full name you can check on the relevent county website. Speak to past guests or the Management company. Ask villa owners on here and they might know the owner. Which villa site did you find the villa on??. Gut feeling is also important.
Us villa owners can be very chatty because we want you to be happy with your choice.
Lakul
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
15-07-2002, 00:24
Hi Whitequeen
If it's a villa on OV send us an email at info@orlandovillas.com with their name and we will hopefully know them and can vouch for them.
I think you'll probbly find most villa owners 'overly chatty' as their villas are their pride and joy and they just love talking about Florida to anyone who will listen. I know we do <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>!
John & Sarah Rooke
www.floridadreamvilla.co.uk
www.orlandovillas.com
www.park-tickets.com
www.orlando-guide.info
whitequeen
15-07-2002, 01:04
What a brilliant site this is! Thanks Lakul, thanks john & sarah.
You do realise I wont leave you all alone now with questions!!
whitequeen
I must say that I wouldn't trust anyone who only gave me a mobile number to contact them on. In my line of work people who do this often leave me with a bad debt. they only have a mobile because they can't afford a land line's monthly fees. Do you have a normal phone number for him and have you tried it?
Ruth
quote:There are various ways. If you know where the villa is and the persons full name you can check on the relevent county website.
Unfortunately the county dont always keep very good records - I'm still not on their list 6 months after purchase!
Do you have a proper postal address to send the deposit or just a po box number?
whitequeen
15-07-2002, 02:03
Thanks all,
John & Sarah from floridadreamvilla.co.uk verified the owner and their reply explains why the Mobile Phone.
You really are a caring bunch! I want to stay in all your Villas now!!
<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
whitequeen
Great, I hope you have a fantastic holiday<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Ruth
whitequeen
15-07-2002, 02:07
Thanks Ruth,
I can't wait! November seems a long way off<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
LOL
whitequeen
John,
maybe this raises the question of verification? Perhaps we could look at this - country records (I know they are unreliable but will verify the majority), plus names of MC + 2 guests comments who have stayed.
Sorry this sounds like alot of work, but if people are concerned enough to raise it on a forum I think we all want to reassure them that every villa featured is what it seems.
What does everyone think?
Fiona
EVillas does a verification scheme, which I joined. Denis checked up on your MC and 2 previous guests. Once verified you have a logo on your site. It is an excellent thing to have, as I have had guests that had previously been ripped off. Deposits paid, but no villa!!
It gives guests a bit more confidence when booking.
Kerry
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
15-07-2002, 13:38
I wonder if we could provide a link to some kind of official records for renters if required - not sure quite how as we obviously would not want to give away too many personal details to guests - just enough to give them comfort that the villa does really exist.
Anyone any ideas?
John & Sarah Rooke
www.floridadreamvilla.co.uk
www.orlandovillas.com
www.park-tickets.com
www.orlando-guide.info
You've got a stutter John!
Good idea as I had someone who booked via OV.com last week say it was a bit unnerving sending money to someone you don't know and he was from UK!
Unfortunately, the county records give the address of our Florida homes out so not such a good idea and not something I'd be happy in participating!
I quite like the evilla idea so how's about you and Roger start something like verifying them yourselves? Get owners to tell you their MCs and two referees (in confidence) and then check them out. Alternatively, you may already know some of the owners or other owners may know some of the owners if they've met and can vouch for each other? You could give out little logos to put on OV.com owner's pages for the ones who've been verified as definitely owning the Florida home advertised!
Blott
whitequeen
15-07-2002, 13:59
Goodness me!! I started something here! I thought I was being overly cynical. At least you all care enough to discuss it.
Thanks from all us 'rookie' bookers.
LOL<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
whitequeen
whitequeen
15-07-2002, 14:00
Goodness me!! I started something here! I thought I was being overly cynical. At least you all care enough to discuss it.
Thanks from all us 'rookie' bookers.
LOL<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
whitequeen
whitequeen
15-07-2002, 14:00
Goodness me!! I started something here! I thought I was being overly cynical. At least you all care enough to discuss it.
Thanks from all us 'rookie' bookers.
LOL<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
whitequeen
whitequeen
15-07-2002, 14:01
WHOOPS! I've got a stutter now.
whitequeen
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
15-07-2002, 14:41
Good idea Blott!
I'll have a think about the logo now :)!
John & Sarah Rooke
www.floridadreamvilla.co.uk
www.orlandovillas.com
www.park-tickets.com
www.orlando-guide.info
How's about your little palm tree (only smaller) with 'verified owner' stamped across at an angle (in red?)?
Blott
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
15-07-2002, 15:10
Good idea Blott!
Does Denis at eVR make you link the logo back to his website as well?
John & Sarah Rooke
www.floridadreamvilla.co.uk
www.orlandovillas.com
www.park-tickets.com
www.orlando-guide.info
Don't know John - he and I had a parting of the ways! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> But as it's going on your pages anyway, is this necessary?
Oh, just had a thought, if we used it on other websites, we could link back to our own page on OV.com perhaps to get back to your site? That also gives visitors access to your heading links too. But a lot of people were unhappy about that type of link when we discussed it before!
Blott
Edited by - blott on 15/07/2002 11:46:28
My logo does link back to their site. The page it links to, gives info on the verification scheme, but you are at their site. If you want to look at it go to www.highlandsreservevilla.co.uk .
Kerry