My first post, is a loaded one...

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by emtswife
Nostromo,
I very definately did not mean to offend anyone. I in no way said or implied that it mattered whether they were British or American. I only meant that it was scary to send money to ANYONE that you don't know, But it is especially scary to send it to someone who lives that far away. Nostromo, you have got to realize that alot of the people who come to this site are new to renting villas. They do not personally know anyone from this site, and have no reason to just automatically trust them. I am not saying that anyone from this site is not honest and decent. We just don't know them. It can be a very scary thing.[/quote]I understand exactly what you're saying but, if you think about it, it's also very scary renting your £000s home (with most owners their pride and joy that represents their life savings on which they spend lots of money keeping up to date and looking its best) out to, well, people you don't know who are so far away - so scary is very much a two way street, very much like trust.

If you didn't trust us home owners (particularly on a very verified site like the three here are) enough to pay for your rental, we wouldn't be able to trust guests in our homes (as we'd have no guests!) and you wouldn't have a great vacation in one of them!

With these websites, you get an opportunity to speak to the owners personally and can therefore reassure yourself about them in the same way that owners can with potential guests. As someone has already said, guests have a habit of turning into friends.

[emtswife]

I understand and agree 100% Blott. That is why I told Shane to put out a general enquiry. And when he narrowed down his choices, to email or call the owner. Ifeel that personal contact goes along way to reassure all parties involved. I was in the rental business for several years, and even though I didn't always know the people I rented to, I was at least able to talk to them face to face and "get a feel" for them. It helps!

[Nostromo]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by emtswife
Nostromo,
I very definately did not mean to offend anyone. I in no way said or implied that it mattered whether they were British or American. I only meant that it was scary to send money to ANYONE that you don't know, But it is especially scary to send it to someone who lives that far away. Nostromo, you have got to realize that alot of the people who come to this site are new to renting villas. They do not personally know anyone from this site, and have no reason to just automatically trust them. I am not saying that anyone from this site is not honest and decent. We just don't know them. It can be a very scary thing.
[/quote]

I agree with you that one cannot trust a stranger just like that. But at the same time, we cannot go through life without having to trust a relative stranger somewhere along the way. After all, all of us do on-line shopping and trust faceless unknowns with our credit card details on the basis that the details will be 'secure'. In that sense, I think the way this site operates is far safer. For example, we give our ticket money to the likes of Martin or Roger; even though the villa cheque is sent to the owner directly, it is almost as safe as sending it to John himself since the owner will be known and registered. You'll agree with me that no one will have the slightest cause to worry in either case.

[heathercobbett]

I would talk to your final choice on the phone (they would probably be happy to phone you)

In the course of our business I rent a lot of b& bs and you cant beat a phone call to sort people out

We brits seem to dominte the rental market in Florida but the upside is we communicate and the result is a better product for you renters

[search66]

Some great advice from everyone, thanks a ton. As you all mentioned, actually speaking to someone does a world of good. I still haven't picked my villa yet, but the ones I've narrowed it down to was simply because I spoke to them and felt that there was a "relationship" there. Even though the one villa isn't my first pick, as far as features... It's still my favorite, simply because the person I spoke to was truly great.

I can't remember who said it, but it's very true: "One phone call is greater than 100 emails."

[jolliffee]

Ther you go Shane; you have looked made contact and now you can relax and have a gret vacation in a wonderful villa.[msnsmile2]