If your thinking of renting a vacation house or condo this year in Cape May or Wildwood you’ll pay a new service fee when you book online through VRBO, HomeAway or VacationRentals. Thats right you pay to book. Doesn’t seem fair does it?

Acquired last year by online travel giant Expedia, the listing sites began charging a service fee in February. The fee is charged to the renter who books through Homeaway or VRBO. The money goes to the company and not the homeowners. The fee ranges from 4 to 9 percent of the Cape May rental amount excluding taxes. It is in addition to cleaning fees and any other fees charged by owners. The fee is calculated on a scale, so the more costly the rental, the lower the amount of the entire price. The maximum fee per rental is $499. You read that right 499.00! Add that to a base rental cost and guest will book elsewhere. And they are. Sites like CapeMayVacationRentals.com are now the go to alternative to sites charging service fees. CapeMayVacationRentals.com does not charge any service fees. Owners list their rental and deal directly with the inquiring party.

Vacationers and homeowners who list their places on HomeAway and VRBO are upset about the fee and letting the companies know on social media and online forums. They find the fee wrong. They are providing the inventory and also paying a listing fee. Isn’t that enough many question.

So what is the end result?  Owners who list with Homeaway and VRBO are getting fewer bookings and inquiries.

Consumers are being surprised by the fee as they plan vacations. The new fee drives up the cost of vacationing. So what are folks who want to vacation in Cape May doing? Looking elsewhere. They are searching locally to find a local listing service like CapeMayVacationRentals.com and choosing to book without the fees.

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