Picture this.
It’s January 2nd. The Holidays are officially over and while thankful for your time with your family, you begin to dream about your summer get-a-way with them. You spent Christmas discussing how great it be to have everyone together again on the white sandy beaches overlooking the emerald waters of the Gulf. With the excitement mounting, you begin to plan.
You set a firm budget of $3000 for the week after a fun but expensive holiday season.
You head to VRBO and find your favorite place to stay in Panama City Beach, Florida. You show the whole family and now everyone begins to share your vision of this perfect vacation. You check the calendar, the property is open and just under your budget at $2,900 for the week. The perfect fit.
You have a couple questions but you realize there’s no longer the owner’s phone number on the listing.
Confused, you send an inquiry.
You let the family know you have inquired, and begin to see the excitement in your daughters face as she shows her brother the pictures of the kid’s water park at the Splash Resort.
Later that night you check your email and find the quote. $3,248 + tax.
Wait.. What? The rate was $2,900. You search the quote to find a 12% “Service Fee”.
The owner doesn’t have another option for you to book outside VRBO in fear of denying the inquiry will drop their property rank in the search.
Unable to bend on your budget, you’re forced to book a vacation you cannot afford or tell your daughter you have to find a new place and account for paying VRBO 12% of your booking.
Stop feeding into the new % demands of large listing sites like VRBO and HomeAway.
Emerald Coast By Owner offers hundreds of properties along the Emerald Coast and puts guests in direct contact with the owner. ECBYO does not charge its owners or guest’s service fees, thus assuring you the best price for your vacation rental and allowing them to answer any questions you may have. Book your next vacation to Panama City Beach with ECBYO.com and save yourself from hidden costs.