USVI-On-Line

Just wondering if anyone has ever booked a villa through Craig's List. If so is it ok. Ran across a very good deal on Coral Oasis.
mr

A lot reputable people/places utilize Craigslist - just don't send any money via Western Union or anything like that... like my wife did once to Venice for an apartment. GONE!!! Still can't believe she did that...

I rented through Craig's list last year - just make sure the person has authority to rent the unit - I got references from him - and like the other paster said don't send money unless you are sure - I used PayPal - good luck -

Not a villa but I am looking for year or more rental as i am relocating. The two posts I have conversed with were rel, honest and helpful people. You should probably be OK.

My (very)limited experience with Craigs list was when my daughter was looking to buy her first car. She was gathering information and I was going with her to check out the vehicles. She had a rather extensive list to look at from CL. We visited the first two. The ads seemed OK. They were very clear about the condition of the vehicles in the ad. The advertised condition was nothing like the real condition of the car. At the first one I pointed out some of the body damage on the car. The owner said..."hmmm, never noticed that. I guess my son just did that this morning" I then pointed out that it was rusting. When I opened the door and saw the shreded seats on this car listed as "excellent condition" I just closed it and walked away. The second listing we visited I did not even bother to check out. This car was also listed as in "excellent condition". As I approached the front door I noticed the car in the driveway. Again nothing near excellent condition. I simply walked away as the seller attempted to call me back. I immediately insisted that my daughter throw her CL list away.

I know that many many people do business through CL. I flat out refuse because of those two incidents.

We've sold many things on Craigs List (furniture mostly). We always post lots of pics and describe things accurately and folks seem happy.

Like anythign follow your gut, ask for pics and do your research. Chances are you will find info in other places to confirm the Craigslist listing....

I am still having some doubts. How can Craig's List be $1000.00 cheaper for the same length of time. I have been emailing this guy who "works" for the owner. He claims the villa will sleep 10 people and the company that has it listed says 6 people- can't remember who they are. But if you Google Coral Oasis the info is there. Now the guy on Craigs's List says the listing has expired. Hmmmm it was only listed for 5 days- I thought listing were there for 45 days. HELP
mr

You know the saying "if it sounds too good to be true it probably is". Listing expired? The only way it can expire is after 45 days or if the poster deletes the entry. Sounds to me as if the guy isn't on teh up-and-up. Personally, I'd report the post to Craig's List as a scam. Sure sounds like one to me.

I use Craigs List often. Have never had a problem.

When I think of Craigslist I think of the Daily Show episode where Rob Riggle is waterboarding someone as part of his report, to study the effects. Jon Stewart asks where he found the volunteer. Reply: "Oh I just put an ad on craiglist for a used couch"

What's really odd is that the rate is the same if you have 2 people or 8. Wish I could find out who the owner is. I have found the listing in a different spot on Craig's List though , but is gone from the original spot I found it. 2 years ago the villa we were thinking about renting showed up there and I had been in contact with the owner, who in turn contacted the rental agency she had it listed with. They had put in on Craig's List to fill up some open weeks.
mr

It looks like it's managed by Viva so why don't you just call them? Explain the special you saw listed on Craig's list & ask if they would honor it. They will certainly call the owner & check it out with them. That way if it's a fraud, you've alerted the owner and I'm sure Viva will get back to you to let you know.

I had thought about going through the listing agency-but-thought I would get the run around about why didn't you go through us, kind of like the old car salesmen approach. I will do that-thanks.
mr

My experiences renting thru Viva have been outstanding. They are good people. If you call them and let them know they might work with you.

I have had several villa owners offer me a different rate than what is posted for their rental with the management companies. I guess financially it makes more sense to rent it yourself.

I haven't rented a villa on Craigslist, but like Anthony said, I wouldn't send money until I was positive it checked out. How different would it be than VRBO or back in the olden days when we rented our house in the Outer Banks from a newspaper ad?

You just have to be smart. I've bought and sold things on there, and it has worked out. There are nuttos and scams everywhere, but with CL I have found that most of them are easy to spot. Something will just be a little off.

I'd definitely call the management company. If the ad is legit, they probably know about it, even if they aren't responsible for it.

Finally got a response from VIVA. A rep is going to check with the owner and see what this is all about. My last email to the "rep" for the owner has not responded to my last email.
mr