<p>notelling,…I would never demand cookware be changed…but I also wouldn’t examine enough to even notice. If I wanted to cook that much, I’d stay home!</p>
<p>@gosmom </p>
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notelling,…I would never demand cookware be changed…</p>
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<p>lol…that’s good…cuz you don’t want to end up on the DNR List. You do not want to end up on the list of PITA guests.</p>
<p>Seriously, if the cookware is bad, then the Owner isn’t taking care of his business. And, Owners should have back-up supplies or the means to quickly get back-up supplies. </p>
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<p>lol…that wasn’t something I even thought about when I listed my first VRBO rental. But, I can understand the concern. Thankfully, my first reservations seemed to just go on trust (and pics!). You can always contact the Owner and ask if they own other VRBO’s so that you can see those reviews. </p>
<p>Now, VRBO’s system is very proactive about seeking reviews from past-guests. A few years ago, most people didn’t bother to post reviews…but now, VRBO sends them an email asking (begging!) for a review. </p>
<p>I am curious…HOW did you folks first learn about VRBO/Homeaway, AirBnB, Flipkey, and the others? I have been told that there have been some TV ads, but I’ve never seen one.</p>
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<p>I’ve never seen any ads. I just googled vacation rentals and these seem to be the most popular web sites that appear. I’ve also been checking craigslist, but have spotted a few scams, so probably won’t go through them, unless it’s a realtor’s listing.</p>
<p>mom2, if you have anything in FL for the month of Feb., please pm me.</p>
<p>I found VRBO doing a search online for a vacation rental after my aunt had done a house swap for 2 weeks, her tiny London flat for a 1 acre sprawling Spanish ranch in Palos Verdes. My curiosity was piqued. Never looked back. </p>
<p>When my best friend and I travel we do so for a week at a time, and LOVE having the convenience of a kitchen. When we were in Hawaii we would make the most wonderful breakfast, sit on the lanai and eat, drink our coffee, and read the paper, slowly and in our pjs. We would buy fruit at stands set up around the island (honor system). Actually, my favorite VRBO story, was in Hawaii. We had gone to the grocery store and purchased groceries, including some whole beans (having first gone to the house and looked at everything we had to work with). The next morning, I got up early, grabbed the grinder, and went to grind the beans and couldn’t find the piece that makes the grinder start up. I searched high and low. I sent an email to the owner and asked if he might know where it was. He did not, but assured me the situation would be rectified. So we made tea instead (which was perfectly fine with us). After breakfast we put together some snack items (in a cooler with blue ice that was ready for our use - another thing we appreciate about a home VS a hotel) and headed out for the day. When we returned home at the end of the day there was a box on the front stoop, it was a brand new bean grinder, with a note apologizing for the “mishap”. Apparently the owner (who lives in So Cal) has someone he can call for just these times. </p>
<p>We also love having access to laundry, especially when we are traveling during winter when clothes/jackets can get wet and hard to dry just hanging. </p>
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When my best friend and I travel we do so for a week at a time, and LOVE having the convenience of a kitchen. </p>
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<p>Yes, many love that…even if they don’t cook much at all. </p>
<p>I recently had a CC mom tell me that I “saved her from having to stay in a hotel.” lol She stayed for a week, and I guess the thought of being in a one-room hotel room for a week seemed too claustrophobic or something.</p>
<p>I know that there are a number of husbands who will gladly pay a bit more to rent a home vs a hotel where they have to share the room with kids sleeping in the next bed. ;)</p>
<p>@toledo…so sorry, I don’t. :(</p>