I booked this property for my family to stay in weeks in advance. Less than 24 hours before check-in I got a text message from the owner saying “sorry, the property is double booked so you cannot stay!” We had to find a place for 12 people to stay with only a few hours notice.
Prior to this, I had been attempting to reach out to the owner for the possibility of an early check in. I never heard back. I had communicated with him previously without hesitation, so I did find it strange but I wasn’t worried. Turns out it should have been a red flag. I asked why I was the one being inconvenienced. I was told the other party was already at the property and had been there a week (why was I just learning about this?)and would be staying another week. We were only going to be there for the weekend. Seemed a bit fishy to me, like we got screwed for a better deal.
Since we were being put out, I assumed the owner would do whatever it took to make it right. I was mistaken. The only place available would have been $1100+ more, he offered me $400. He kept asking me to cancel the reservation. I assume because he is penalized if he cancels last minute. In the end we ended up with no compensation and no help! He stopped responding.
I have been a host of short term rentals and rest assured if I had made this mistake, I would have made sure the family affected was taken care of even if it cost me. It’s the cost of doing business, you don’t always come out on top