re: Listing A Property on VRBO and AirBNB. Information Needed.

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You didn't read my post. Again, I've been doing this for 12+ years. The owner was using auto booking services that are for me not worth fooling with.

I pay VRBO a flat annual fee, and my guests pay me the exact amount I tell them it costs, using PayPal or if I trust them a check. No HomeAway or VRBO fees.

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VRBO is planning on doing away with anyone that is not using Book Now in the near future. Additionally, anyone that does not use Book Now and pay through VRBO gets a lower rating for their algorithm on where they are placed on their website. If you have been around for awhile that's great you are clearly doing well, but you are one of the few that continues to do this and it is no longer an option for new customers as far as I know. Its book now and use Credit Card payments or nothing.

VRBO used to charge up to $1400/ year to the owner of the property to use their website. They have now moved that back to $499 but they now charge the guests a varying fee of I believe its 4-9% of their reservation. For me, this has worked out to VRBO doubling or tripling their income. Which is bullshite. But they did it because Expedia bought them out and they needed increased short term earnings. They also did it because this is the Airbnb model and it works well for them.

VRBO also makes a crap ton on Credit Card payments. They charge owners 2.99% now, and I have a contract directly with the same company they use who takes on 100% of the liability for all payments and my contract is 2.43%. Vrbo's i'm sure is lower than that, so VRBO is making over .5% on all transactions, which for a couple billions in transactions a year adds up.