How Do I Know I'm Not Getting Scammed ?

[sporthobbyist]

He will take paypal. just make sure he is verified
That is your protection. if it is a scam, paypal will get your money back.
or refund you and collect from him.


My first trip to Costa Rica, i booked a condo from CL. Paid in full via Paypal many weeks prior to stay.
I was nervous as well, that when we showed up, they would say "what money? what room?"
But that was not the case. It went smoothly

The apartment I rent in Rio, takes Paypal as a deposit as well. I never had an issue. Just make sure he is a verified paypal account

BUT, it is kind of strange that a place in sosua is asking for money prior to arrival???

[yayow]

Thank You All. I emailed the "owner" today and shared my concerns. He said that his villa was located in the Hispaniola community, but his answer was so in depth that it may have raised more questions than answers. I may go ahead and call the Hispaniola and see if they vouch for him; but I am leaning towards moving on.... See his reponse below.

Hi Tee,
>
> I understand. Here's some background that might help. I developed
> this property primarily to serve guys that want to have fun. From the
> 40 foot crystal clear pool to the 3 big screen televisions (50 inch
> plasma, 60 inch lcd and 73 inch 3D TV) AND the 150 inch projection
> screen with a $1500 hi definition projector. I also contemplated that
> people would want an ocean view and would want to be close to the
> action (its a little bit of a walk to town but you don't need a car if
> you are in reasonable shape). I put in a fantastic outdoor shower in
> the Master Bedroom as well as movie box with 100 blu-ray and DVD
> movies and at one time had ipods, video games equipment and games etc
> (the small stuff was stolen so I am trying to figure out how to secure
> items so my good custumers can enjoy). In short, I put a lot of
> thought and money into this villa and that is why I charge a bit more.
> All I require is that people respect the property and have a great
> time.
>
> In terms of the deposit, this Villa rents 3 months in advance.
> Therefore I will almost always lose money if people cancel. It is one
> of the best renting villas in a very large gated community (I even
> made the developer put in a basketball court because I knew some of my
> clients would be ballers.
>
> In terms of credibility you can call James Kenney in the Hispaniola
> Residencial offices (809-235-7546) to confirm these facts and the
> fact that I am CEO of a unit of American Express (Google Tracey Thomas
> American Express CEO IP Zone and you will find me). In short, I have
> too much to lose to cheat some good fellas out of their hard-earned
> cash
>
> In closing I am looking for repeat clients that I can have a good
> relationship with so I can continue to offer stuff that other villas
> won't have. You take care of me and I will take care of you.
>
> Really want your business.
>
> Tracey


A second email came shortlt after...

Also, if you pay the upfront deposit you can pay the remainder when
you arrive. If you want to pay the deposit in 2 parts- say half now
and half in 60 days you can do that as well. That is not a problem at
all.
Also if you have to cancel, deposits can be applied toward future
dates with no time limit.
Tracey

I understand everyone's concern, but the guy he mentioned in Hispaniola James Kenny I know him and have known him for a long time, and always was a stand up guy, and worked in the Hispaniola offices when I used to vacation there before I moved down there, he has been associated with them at Hispaniola from the beginning when there really wasn't much there, thought about doing something there myself before deciding to leave Sosua.

I ran into Jimmy a few months ago, and the number he has listed for him in this post is his, plus I have a second more direct number for him. Having said this actually I don't think Jimmy is too much involved with their properties at Hispaniola anymore, he is still involved with the company, but dealing with their new properties on the beach I forget what they call it, but not far from where the helicopter land I think on DR Rosen or is it called Alejo something don't remember the names of the streets up there anymore, but Jimmy Kenny is a legit dude and has been for years in the Sosua community, from Casa Linda to Hispaniola and now the new locale that the company has. Just from what I know of the guy. A relationship that has lasted well over 7 years now.

[rahsta]

Good Evening All,

Thus far, I have stayed in a hotel room for all my trips. A couple buddies and I are planning another trip and we would like to try out the villa thing. I see that many of you have either stayed in the villa previously or stay there all the time now.

I am considering the following listing http://www.vrbo.com/361359. The owner wants a $450.00 deposit and the remainder paid 10 days before we arrival. I have 3 main questions:

1. How do I know that I am sending my money to the actual owner of the property and not some scam artist?
2. Have any of you ever stayed here ands dealt with the owner Tracee?
3. When staying at most of the villas in and around Sosua, do you rent cars, scooters, or just use motoconchos?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Kris

Only pay the balance once you get there and are in the villa. That 10 day thing is BS.

[yayow]

Only pay the balance once you get there and are in the villa. That 10 day thing is BS.

Oh by the way, although I know Jimmy and have for years, I always paid a small deposit and paid balance upon arrival and receiving of the keys, some have indicated that their policies there have changed a bit, I wouldn't know anything about that, because I haven't had the need to rent a place in one of those location since I moved into town.


Wait I just remembered something on my 50th birthday bash two years ago now, I did rent a villa in hispaniola for a few nights, and same thing a deposit and balance paid upon checking in, again don't know if things have changed since then.

[DCIronman]

Oh by the way, although I know Jimmy and have for years, I always paid a small deposit and paid balance upon arrival and receiving of the keys, some have indicated that their policies there have changed a bit, I wouldn't know anything about that, because I haven't had the need to rent a place in one of those location since I moved into town.


Wait I just remembered something on my 50th birthday bash two years ago now, I did rent a villa in hispaniola for a few nights, and same thing a deposit and balance paid upon checking in, again don't know if things have changed since then.

As far as I know, Hispaniola doesn't require the balance upfront. Every time I've rented with them, I've always paid the balance upon arrival.

But I believe the OP is renting directly from the villa owner, not Hispaniola.

[natmatt]

Never stayed at the villas and never sent $$$ to anyone for a room before I went down there.

If something comes up and you have to cancel, good luck getting your money back and he said
that the deposit will be credited to a future stay, good luck with that too.

It just sounds like a bad idea to me, I would just find somewhere else to stay. Some of the guys
on the board have stayed there and can probably vouch for the villas; but, even given that I
still would not do it. You do not know who you are dealing with.

I do not even pay hotels up-front. If they want their money up-front, I tell them that I am only
staying two days and pay for that and tell them that I changed my mind and pay for another two
days.

[DCIronman]

Never stayed at the villas and never sent $$$ to anyone for a room before I went down there.

If something comes up and you have to cancel, good luck getting your money back and he said
that the deposit will be credited to a future stay, good luck with that too.

It just sounds like a bad idea to me, I would just find somewhere else to stay. Some of the guys
on the board have stayed there and can probably vouch for the villas; but, even given that I
still would not do it. You do not know who you are dealing with.

I do not even pay hotels up-front. If they want their money up-front, I tell them that I am only
staying two days and pay for that and tell them that I changed my mind and pay for another two
days.

Actually, the villa rental agencies that I've dealt with have excellent cancellation policies. They really couldn't get by asking for money upfront if they didn't.

Take Casa Linda. They're one of those agencies that require payment upfront (if you book through the website). I had to cancel a reservation recently because of work, but because I was two weeks out, I was able to get all of my money back. And as long as you're at least a week out, you get 80% back.

As long as you're not trying to cancel a couple of days before, you'll get your money back. Villa communities aren't like hotels. They don't get many walk-ins. So the chances of them recouping the lost income from a last minute cancellation are very low. So it's common practice with most vacation rentals to ask for a portion of the reservation upfront.

It's simply the nature of the business. Those that can't deal with that should just stick to hotels. Simple as that.

[GREEKFREAK]

Casa Linda asked that everything be paid 15 days before arrival.through paypal

[lindin]

Casa Linda asked that everything be paid 15 days before arrival.through paypal

Is this a new policy or has it always been that way?

[GREEKFREAK]

Is this a new policy or has it always been that way?

not sure I'm staying my first time next month.

[DCIronman]

Is this a new policy or has it always been that way?

It's a fairly new policy. I used to stay in Casa Linda quite often from '04-'09. And up until this recent reservation that I had to cancel, I've never paid the balance upfront.

Casa Linda has experienced a change in both management and policy within the last few years. Most of the changes, which were probably made because of serious competition from Hispaniola, are big improvements IMO.