Annoyed at the rental program at one of my resorts

[tschwa2]

I had a family member have a fairly last minute change of plans so I thought I would give my resort's rental program a chance. They charge 35% commission plus cleaning fee. They don't guarantee anything. This was for a fairly small studio (sleeps 2) in park city for December 28-January 4. The listed price was $299 for the weeknights and $359 for the weekend nights and for December 31 (taxes and resort fees were additional). They have something that shows which nights have been rented although again they do say people can cancel. The owner rental site showed everything except December 28 rented. If someone cancels less than 7 nights prior the resort charges for 1 night. I checked until check in and there was no availability showing on their website or others in my unit type.

Fast forward to yesterday I get a check for $116 with no explanation although the owner rental site said I would receive a full accounting with the check. I contacted them today and they said 3 nights rented- two at $83.20 and one at $125.05 I asked for more information- which nights. They said 12/28-12/31. I asked about the rates and they said they rent on multiple platforms and that is what they rented for. I asked which platform rents prime ski weeks for $83.20- and $125.05 because again I see nothing in January or February (even day of check in) for less than $299. Even mud weeks in April are listed for higher. They have not gotten back to me. They took the 35% commission and $77 out of the $291.45 so my net was $116.44

I own at a resort in Myrtle that rents out and prime summer weeks even with the commission, even when only 3 nights rent cover or nearly cover MF's.
I feel like this resort is not being honest about the rental. Is there anyway I can make them provide the documents? Do you think it would be worth taking them to small claims court? The resort is in Colorado but the management company that takes care of the rental is based in Asheville, NC which would be a more convenient venue for me.

 

[theo]

I'm not sure that it would really be worth your time or effort to pursue, unless you just want to aggravate them and / or you really want to make the point that operational transparency is not just expected, but demanded. Their convenient "multiple platforms for advertising" CYA claim could actually be true --- and "last minute" can often inherently translate to "significantly discounted".

A cynic (among whom I might very well number in this particular instance) might think it more likely that a nifty side deal was made by a front desk staffer with a "local" (or with some other friend or relative) to provide some nice, inexpensive ski lodging in prime time, but that's tough to prove. In the end, how much "justice" could you really ultimately obtain? Probably not enough to warrant spending your valuable time and life energy pursuing this --- but that's your call.

 

[Tank]

Wouldn't be worth the agrivation , three nights not 7
Maybe you get $300 instead of $100

Plan on what to do next time, share your answer

I've always thought we are at the mercy of what ever they say.

Dave

 

[tschwa2]

It's more the lack of transparency then the $200. I also want to know where I can find these $82.30 deals which is less than MF;s and includes daily housekeeping.

 

[ski_sierra]

That's terrible. Who is the management company and which resort is it?

Do the owners get to rent at preferential rates?

 

[WinniWoman]

Sounds a little like the Smuggs rental program, as I have heard from people there who have rented out their units.

 

[A.Win]

This sounds outrageous and I would be upset too. You are better off using the Bargain section of TUG.

 

[Synergy]

It's more the lack of transparency then the $200. I also want to know where I can find these $82.30 deals which is less than MF;s and includes daily housekeeping.

That's what I'd be chasing as well - I would rent at your resort last minute constantly at that price. If it's available, I'd want to know where. If it's not, I'd want to know where my money is.