I registered for a beach house through VRBO for about $3500 and received a confirmation email from them confirming the amount. Then, I received emails from this company, Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals, that contained papers for me to sign. I went through and signed everything, then noticed the charge would be about $3700.
I called Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals and a man answered, identifying himself, I believe, as Adam. I explained the situation to him and told him of the discrepancy in price. I expressed my confusion in why I thought I was doing business through VRBO but was getting documents from his company for more than $200 more.
He kept saying that the property in question was owned by his company and they rent through VRBO. I told him I understood that, but he needed to honor the amount VRBO quoted me. Instead of responding to what I was saying, he kept reiterating that they only use VRBO to rent online, but it was Gulf Coast's property. I felt like I was not being understood so I continued to make my case, that if he had a problem with VRBO he needed to handle that business, but as for our rental, the $3500 price should be honored.
Then, he actually said to me, "Would you hush so I can talk"? Then, in a very rude voice, he asked me what the charge was that his company gave me. I had just told him that at least three times. So, I said, "I just told you that when I was talking but you wanted me to shut up."
And he hung up on me.
I called back and said, "Are you kidding me right now? Did you just hang up on me"? He admitted he did. I said, "I don't think you understand the dynamic of this situation." I asked him if he was the owner of Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals and he said he was. Then he complained about my calling him and said he was cancelling my reservation.
It wasn't just the awful, unprofessional things this man said, his tone was hateful from the minute he picked up the phone. From "hello" it sounded as if my call had annoyed him or interrupted him.
This man was absolutely the most hateful, unprofessional person with whom I have ever dealt. My housecleaner was with me and heard both sides of the call because I had him on speakerphone and she was as shocked as I was.
This company is BAD NEWS. I would encourage you to consider this man's temper. This is how he behaved when I was trying to give him money. Imagine how he would behave if everything didn't go well?