Comments on: Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/ Talking Travel Tech Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:11:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nawar Alsaadi http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-68541 Nawar Alsaadi Mon, 02 Aug 2010 05:24:51 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-68541 Kaufer adds: “They [HomeAway] don’t have the breadth and depth of reviews that we do and the types of reviews they have, let’s just say I wouldn’t put my faith in them.” How about TripAdvisor reviews quality, this is from an email sent by one of their employees to me few years back regarding a questionable review of my hotel "ideal hotel": “We determined that the review does meet our review criteria and will remain posted on the site. Since reviews are posted by our members on our open forum, and we do not verify the information posted in them, we are unable to provide you with proof that this member ‘reserved, stayed or actually visited ideal hotel’.” http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-are-not-crooks/ ----------- So much for review quality! Regards, Nawar Kaufer adds: “They [HomeAway] don’t have the breadth and depth of reviews that we do and the types of reviews they have, let’s just say I wouldn’t put my faith in them.”

How about TripAdvisor reviews quality, this is from an email sent by one of their employees to me few years back regarding a questionable review of my hotel “ideal hotel”:

“We determined that the review does meet our review criteria and will remain posted on the site. Since reviews are posted by our members on our open forum, and we do not verify the information posted in them, we are unable to provide you with proof that this member ‘reserved, stayed or actually visited ideal hotel’.”

http://www.elliott.org/blog/we-are-not-crooks/
———–

So much for review quality!

Regards,
Nawar

]]> By: james ensor http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-58523 james ensor Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:03:39 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-58523 Brian Sharples` comment that Homeaway will remove comments posted by renters that are deliberately malicious or attempting extortion does not correspond with my experience. One renter who had not even booked through Homeaway chose to make some very trivial complaints on the Homeaway website and included an obvious libel about my integrity. As his numerous customer support staff in London were totally unresponsive and unhelpful I emailed him directly with all the details. He chose not to intervene but to pass this to his corporate counsel Trey Herschap who sent the most horrifying long legal disclaimer, which in fact had no jurisdiction in the United Kingdom since it was governed by the laws of Texas. He refused to withdraw the libellous posting. I was left with no alternative but to cancel my advertising and eventually to force a refund out of Homeaway. They were then investigated in the United Kingdom by the Trading Standards Office for their extra-territorial treatment of British subscribers. Subsequently the renter took the matter to Court, where the judge made very light of his trivial complaints. The matter was dropped. Brian Sharples` comment that Homeaway will remove comments posted by renters that are deliberately malicious or attempting extortion does not correspond with my experience. One renter who had not even booked through Homeaway chose to make some very trivial complaints on the Homeaway website and included an obvious libel about my integrity. As his numerous customer support staff in London were totally unresponsive and unhelpful I emailed him directly with all the details. He chose not to intervene but to pass this to his corporate counsel Trey Herschap who sent the most horrifying long legal disclaimer, which in fact had no jurisdiction in the United Kingdom since it was governed by the laws of Texas. He refused to withdraw the libellous posting. I was left with no alternative but to cancel my advertising and eventually to force a refund out of Homeaway. They were then investigated in the United Kingdom by the Trading Standards Office for their extra-territorial treatment of British subscribers. Subsequently the renter took the matter to Court, where the judge made very light of his trivial complaints. The matter was dropped.

]]> By: Thomas Stone http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-58008 Thomas Stone Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:43:35 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-58008 Reviews a very important in the world of vacation rentals...where standardization doesn't really exist. There are marketplace sites out there that are trying to model themselves after ebay and pretty much rely user reviews to police the marketplace. A really interesting site to look out for is <a href="http://www.metroflats.com" rel="nofollow">MetroFlats.com</a>. Their website as a unique feel Reviews a very important in the world of vacation rentals…where standardization doesn’t really exist. There are marketplace sites out there that are trying to model themselves after ebay and pretty much rely user reviews to police the marketplace. A really interesting site to look out for is MetroFlats.com. Their website as a unique feel

]]> By: The Week in Travel Tech - Fantastic startups, iPad advice and THAT deal in full | Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-51625 The Week in Travel Tech - Fantastic startups, iPad advice and THAT deal in full | Tnooz Sat, 03 Jul 2010 16:52:11 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-51625 [...] Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews [...] [...] Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews [...]

]]> By: Sylvia Guarino http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-51056 Sylvia Guarino Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:39:54 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-51056 Actually, Second Porch is a benefit to me as a vacation rental owner as well as vacation rental guest. Like most owners, I do keep my property in very good condition and want to keep it that way. Knowing my renter, or knowing someone who does, is helpful for me in my own screening process. This is less of an issue for me as Sanibel Island is a nature island and attracts vacationers looking for wild life, not wild times. I have never had a problem with rental guests at either my condo or house on the Island, but there are other destinations where background on the rental guest can be a real advantage. I am totally transparent about who I am on Facebook/Second Porch and appreciate when I find that same transparency in people looking to book my places. Actually, Second Porch is a benefit to me as a vacation rental owner as well as vacation rental guest. Like most owners, I do keep my property in very good condition and want to keep it that way. Knowing my renter, or knowing someone who does, is helpful for me in my own screening process. This is less of an issue for me as Sanibel Island is a nature island and attracts vacationers looking for wild life, not wild times. I have never had a problem with rental guests at either my condo or house on the Island, but there are other destinations where background on the rental guest can be a real advantage. I am totally transparent about who I am on Facebook/Second Porch and appreciate when I find that same transparency in people looking to book my places.

]]> By: Andy http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-51039 Andy Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:05:47 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-51039 I think we all agree that the purpose of reviews is to help build a picture of a reliable and trustworthy owner - to allow me as a renter to have confidence after I've sent my check off. That's where SecondPorch is great and actually where the modern web in general is great. It's about information and giving the renter as much of it as possible prior to booking. In that sense reviews are just one part - I believe we ought to also be offering renters a view into the owners world, to see their Facebook activity, Twitter feeds, Videos, the owners personal website. I don't know how many owners out there embrace web2.0 but online information sharing has to be at the centre of an owners marketing pitch; to be personal and real. And that's actually the point of VRs. I think we all agree that the purpose of reviews is to help build a picture of a reliable and trustworthy owner – to allow me as a renter to have confidence after I’ve sent my check off.

That’s where SecondPorch is great and actually where the modern web in general is great. It’s about information and giving the renter as much of it as possible prior to booking. In that sense reviews are just one part – I believe we ought to also be offering renters a view into the owners world, to see their Facebook activity, Twitter feeds, Videos, the owners personal website.

I don’t know how many owners out there embrace web2.0 but online information sharing has to be at the centre of an owners marketing pitch; to be personal and real. And that’s actually the point of VRs.

]]> By: Dennis Schaal http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-50542 Dennis Schaal Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:44:02 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-50542 RinconRentals: Very interesting comment. What a dilemma for TripAdvisor. It sounds fairly reasonable that TripAdvisor should be very cautious about accepting reviews written from your IP address. I give TripAdvisor credit for making the assumption -- albeit sometimes misplaced -- that it might be the owner actually writing the review. I don't know how to get around that one. If TripAdvisor did the actual bookings, then they could send an email to the guest after the stay asking for a review. But since TripAdvisor doesn't handle bookings and doesn't require proof of stay, then at least they are being cautious about not accepting reviews written on the owners' computers. Yes, with all the flim-flam artists out there in the vacation-rental market, it sounds like user reviews might be your friend. RinconRentals: Very interesting comment. What a dilemma for TripAdvisor. It sounds fairly reasonable that TripAdvisor should be very cautious about accepting reviews written from your IP address. I give TripAdvisor credit for making the assumption — albeit sometimes misplaced — that it might be the owner actually writing the review. I don’t know how to get around that one. If TripAdvisor did the actual bookings, then they could send an email to the guest after the stay asking for a review. But since TripAdvisor doesn’t handle bookings and doesn’t require proof of stay, then at least they are being cautious about not accepting reviews written on the owners’ computers.
Yes, with all the flim-flam artists out there in the vacation-rental market, it sounds like user reviews might be your friend.

]]> By: RinconRentals http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-50538 RinconRentals Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:07:48 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-50538 I agree with both, and from an outsider that owns a vacation rental, needs that positive and negitive feedback, to find out what would be more inviting to our guests. There are only a couple problems with these sites: 1. In my rental some of our guests before leaving write a lovely note about their stay on the counter saying thank you and all..and some take the time out and fill out the form on trip advisor, Since we have a common area computer,we get penalized for guest using that computer to write reviews. (Like I have time to configure new email addresses). You get penalized since its your computer and it has the same IP number so it thinks you are making spam reviews..Found this out first hand, by getting penalized from TripAdvisor, I went from being a rental at #3 to Last, and with no lack in Vacation Rentals this hurts a business. 2. When you send money to these rental places, yes its like kissing your money good-bye, and not knowing what to expect. I have been in business now for 4 years, and doing good, and always look for more ways to list my rentals, Have to get the name out there some how. The other problem is that there is many, many listing that are on BOTH these sites that DO NOT have permits to be renting in the first place. NO INSURANCE, NO LICENSE, NOT BONDED, This is the thing that hurts my business, and the economy where I am. So, Before you Risk your hard earned money, ASK the owner if they are licensed and insured, bonded and have all their permits.. People that scam and steal money understand its very easy to make money... In order for you to put your place on the web and start renting and making money or scamming, is to have a picture and a phone number, and find a listing site. Sometimes there is a fee involed for listing your rental on their site but thats peanuts compared to what you can make. I agree with both, and from an outsider that owns a vacation rental, needs that positive and negitive feedback, to find out what would be more inviting to our guests. There are only a couple problems with these sites:
1. In my rental some of our guests before leaving write a lovely note about their stay on the counter saying thank you and all..and some take the time out and fill out the form on trip advisor, Since we have a common area computer,we get penalized for guest using that computer to write reviews. (Like I have time to configure new email addresses). You get penalized since its your computer and it has the same IP number so it thinks you are making spam reviews..Found this out first hand, by getting penalized from TripAdvisor, I went from being a rental at #3 to Last, and with no lack in Vacation Rentals this hurts a business.
2. When you send money to these rental places, yes its like kissing your money good-bye, and not knowing what to expect. I have been in business now for 4 years, and doing good, and always look for more ways to list my rentals, Have to get the name out there some how. The other problem is that there is many, many listing that are on BOTH these sites that DO NOT have permits to be renting in the first place. NO INSURANCE, NO LICENSE, NOT BONDED, This is the thing that hurts my business, and the economy where I am.
So, Before you Risk your hard earned money, ASK the owner if they are licensed and insured, bonded and have all their permits..

People that scam and steal money understand its very easy to make money… In order for you to put your place on the web and start renting and making money or scamming, is to have a picture and a phone number, and find a listing site. Sometimes there is a fee involed for listing your rental on their site but thats peanuts compared to what you can make.

]]> By: Sylvia Guarino http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-50323 Sylvia Guarino Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:46:13 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-50323 Hi Dennis. I totally agree that the more informed you are, the better choices you can make. (about most anything in life :-) Do you know of any guidebooks or professional reviews that deal with vacation rentals, especially on an individual basis? (i.e. reviewing the individual condo unit rather than the complex, for example) I know you can find hotel reviews, destination reviews and even restaurant reviews in guide books or through professional reviewers, but I have not seen personally the vacation rental industry in specific terms in such resources. If you know of any, please advise me on what they are. I would be interested in seeing what they say. Thanks! Hi Dennis. I totally agree that the more informed you are, the better choices you can make. (about most anything in life :-)

Do you know of any guidebooks or professional reviews that deal with vacation rentals, especially on an individual basis? (i.e. reviewing the individual condo unit rather than the complex, for example)

I know you can find hotel reviews, destination reviews and even restaurant reviews in guide books or through professional reviewers, but I have not seen personally the vacation rental industry in specific terms in such resources.

If you know of any, please advise me on what they are. I would be interested in seeing what they say.

Thanks!

]]> By: Dennis Schaal http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-50320 Dennis Schaal Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:38:03 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-50320 Sylvia: I agree that getting hotel/vacation rental recommendations through your social networks, as you say SecondPorch is doing, is a great option. TripAdvisor has Trip Friends, as you know. Hey, I wouldn't stop at reviews and talking to your friends. I would also consult professional reviews, guidebooks. The more information the merrier, right? Sylvia: I agree that getting hotel/vacation rental recommendations through your social networks, as you say SecondPorch is doing, is a great option. TripAdvisor has Trip Friends, as you know.

Hey, I wouldn’t stop at reviews and talking to your friends. I would also consult professional reviews, guidebooks. The more information the merrier, right?

]]> By: Sylvia Guarino http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-50283 Sylvia Guarino Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:50:46 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-50283 "And, this means there is room for plenty of players." Yes, there is. As a vacation rental owner and vacation rental user, I am happy for reviews as they provide some context. But they fall short no matter what traditional vacation rental portal you find them on. Most are written anonymously and don't address many details I as a vacation rental owner want to highlight or want to know as rental guest. One alternative to reviews on traditional portals is social media, specifically the new Facebook application, www.secondporch.com Second Porch allows owners and rental guests to connect in a much more transparent fashion than traditional sites do. My advice to vacationers is to read the reviews, seek out people you may know or know of on sites like Second Porch and ask plenty of questions of the owner. “And, this means there is room for plenty of players.”

Yes, there is. As a vacation rental owner and vacation rental user, I am happy for reviews as they provide some context. But they fall short no matter what traditional vacation rental portal you find them on. Most are written anonymously and don’t address many details I as a vacation rental owner want to highlight or want to know as rental guest.

One alternative to reviews on traditional portals is social media, specifically the new Facebook application, http://www.secondporch.com
Second Porch allows owners and rental guests to connect in a much more transparent fashion than traditional sites do.

My advice to vacationers is to read the reviews, seek out people you may know or know of on sites like Second Porch and ask plenty of questions of the owner.

]]> By: Part Three of Four: TripAdvisor boss sees competitive advantage growing | Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-50203 Part Three of Four: TripAdvisor boss sees competitive advantage growing | Tnooz Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:00:07 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-50203 [...] Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews [...] [...] Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews [...]

]]> By: Part Two of Four: TripAdvisor CEO explains link policy, feels the hotel love | Tnooz http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-50200 Part Two of Four: TripAdvisor CEO explains link policy, feels the hotel love | Tnooz Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:53:15 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-50200 [...] Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews [...] [...] Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews [...]

]]> By: Tweets that mention Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews | Tnooz -- Topsy.com http://www.tnooz.com/2010/06/30/news/part-four-of-four-tripadvisor-homeaway-ceos-spar-over-vacation-rental-reviews/#comment-50189 Tweets that mention Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews | Tnooz -- Topsy.com Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:18:53 +0000 http://www.tnooz.com/?p=19153#comment-50189 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dennis Schaal. Dennis Schaal said: Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews http://ping.fm/NVudb (Tnooz) [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dennis Schaal. Dennis Schaal said: Part Four of Four: TripAdvisor, HomeAway CEOs spar over vacation rental reviews http://ping.fm/NVudb (Tnooz) [...]

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