The day of booking we messaged one another where I explained that my father had passed away days prior & we'd be in town for his memorial. I received permission for us to have our Dad's four sisters over after his private memorial before each of us headed back to our respective cities. The host graciously agreed.
The week before arrival I received a VRBO confirmation without access code information. 4 days prior I email... no response... 1 day prior I email... no response. Got up the next morning for the out-of-state road trip and completely forgot to check for a msg because I was PLANNING A MEMORIAL on top of the road trip & managing plans for the family traveling from five different cities :(
We stopped about 2 hours before check-in & I found a call button on VRBO (thank goodness!) where someone picks up and it's empty air. I decided to see if a text would go through to that number & inquired about getting the access code since we were less than 2 hours away?! She stated that it should have already been sent automatically via Vrbo and said she'd get to an area of better reception to send it...
Close to 3pm (1 hour before check-in) she texted that her previous renter tested positive for covid (checkout was 10am). I, sadly, don't believe this to be entirely true as shown by her complete lack of communication in the days leading up to the reservation, additionally, VRBO showed the rental as available the night before our booking which led us to ask in that email 4 days prior if it were OK to arrive an hour sooner... No response because she probably FORGOT.
Additionally, the complete lack of empathy despite knowing that we are making arrangements for my father's memorial, is what really upset our ENTIRE family. Her casual response was "sorry... It's unfortunate for both of us... ". Ma'am, YOU are the host... where's the HOSPITALITY? It's "unfortunate" for the stranded travelers that were already near the area after having traveled HOURS from out of state and then had to drive around *in an unfamiliar and rural area with POOR data connection* desperately searching for another place while you enjoyed yourself at the lake.... Bless. Your. Heart.
Furthermore, her offer to "help" was rhetorical because she texted that there were a few rentals nearby but offered no ACTUAL help other than making it clear that my money was refunded then *CRICKETS*. Another fun fact, you can't rent from VRBO the day of arrival.. Ask me how I know (sigh).
