I don't know if its just me or not. But i'm trying to book a condo, boardwalk or summit, prob summit. but i run into the fact that some of these people do not use credit cards or debit cards. They use money orders or cashiers check. we have the cash but it seems a little sketchy to just send a check like that. what do you guys think. I have never done a condo rental before usually just get a hotel. I figure they want that becuse of tax reasons but just do not kno if i should trust it

My guess would be that they do it that way because they're not a business so they don't really have a way to get the money off your credit card unless they use pay pal or something. Just like when you pay rent its usually with a check or money order. You're just renting the place from them for that week so it would work the same way.

most people require a deposit, asfter they recieve the deposit they will mail you a signed rental agreement, you sign one copy, send it back to them and the room is reserved, then usually a couple weeks before your arrival they require payment in full. you cant really get scammed here, the condos exist, your buying a block of time in the condo, theres really no "service" they could fail to provide after you pay them. you still get your week in the condo. my 2 cents

thanks for the help, i just thought people could make up a fake room or something then just get my deposit and maybe send a fake rental agreement and possible get more money. and since the money order or cashiers check is basically cash there is not a secure trail to find the guy or my money. I guess im just paranoid.

i'm pretty sure vrbo.com requires some sort of credentials proving that they own an actual condo

if your worried about it, try to post up a rental and see if its possible

thanx, also i see alot if these places are only renting to people 25 and over. have you guys had that problem and what should i do. the boardwalk looks to be tuff on it, the sumit not as much, but places like sunbird and drifter are real tuff on it

yes most of them are pretty strict, if you e-mail some owners and let them know you are responsible and will take care of their "million dollar baby" like it was your own, most are willing to bend, if you tried to book through the hotel there is NO way you cant rent under 25. i have had good luck so far by e-mailing the owners with my phone number and having them call me and "interview" me, so they know i am responsible and wont be tearing their stuff up.

I called the summit to confirm that the condo i was looking at was actually owned and operated by the guy i was talking to. The clerk told me that they can not say because many condos are going into forclosure. he told me every year at spring break he see's students show up and not have a place to stay because it was foreclosed. he said one year some students went out to eat and came back only to be locked out and they police tried to arrest them for trespassing.

the guy that work for summit, knows that the hotel doesnt get any money if you book through vrbo.com, if you book through the hotel they give yuou the same room and take a hefty commission for all their "troubles" betcha that story is part of their standard employee training.

it's a rent by owner...it leaves you with little recourse if the owner misrepresents their condo, has broken down amenities, or tries to steal your "refundable" damage deposit.

Use your credit card. If you can't move on. VISA/MC will go to bat for you if someone tries to rip you off. Using cash or check means you would have to sue (across state lines usually, good luck) and the Owner could even be a foreigner.

Inertia Chad...OUT!!!

You can always email me for spring break information or advice, I've been at this for 15+ years marketing packaged spring break packages. No, I won't try to sell you anything & advice will be straight: [Spring Break, Cheap Spring Break Travel Packages, Spring Vacations Deals - InertiaTours.com or email me

BTW...summit front desk is full of lots of crap...they say "student travel companies have no condos" which is absolutely false. Smart spring break wholesalers like our company contract directly with owners and simply do not deal with "summit' management" with rentals.

Inertia Chad...OUT!!!

Celebrating more than 5 minutes in business

You're more than welcome to join the spring break conversation Chad, but no spamming. If you want to advertise on Tripsmarter, send me a PM. Otherwise we'll just flame you and delete your posts.

yeah go play in traffic chad nobody wants you here

i hope you get swn5363Pwned

hey chad i'm sure you know quite a bit about taking hefty comissions for doing nothing that benefits the consumer, in fact you probably just sit on your *** and get paid. so why dont you expand on how that works for tampa mike