Villa owners-do you think this sounds right?

[married2mm]

A distant relative (who knows I love disney) has contacted me regarding an email they have received from an owner...

The family is considering (flights not booked yet etc) a split stay between WDW & NY.

they only want 5 nights in a villa -the owner has responded saying he is fully booked; however would pop their names on a waiting list ...
For a fee

Is this essentially like waiting for a cancellation (I've only had this experience with hospitals and operations)

Is this common practice?

[bella9]

And I bet you weren't charged a fee by the hospital or the surgeon!

I'm not an owner but have stayed in villas probably 20 times now, owned by American and English owners. I've never come across or even heard of anything like this before. Tell your family member that there are more villas out there than renters, and there is no way that they should even be giving the villa in question a second thought.

[Gryff]

No I've never heard of it many owners don't take bookings of less than a week but some do I'm afraid I'd by pass this one I know we get very few cancellations ocassionally people moving dates of our booking calander allows but that's it

[married2mm]

Originally Posted by bella9

And I bet you weren't charged a fee by the hospital or the surgeon!

See more...

You're quite right-I most certainly was not

[Guest]

No, not right! Red flag here. Would steer clear of that one.
Sandy

[Ros & Jim]

I've certainly never heard of anything like this. I think I would definitely give this a miss and look for another villa.

[DeniseC]

Definitely not right!

Personally if it were me, I would avoid it!

[married2mm]

Thanks guys.

My gut feeling was run away & youve confirmed it.

[reemur]

Does not sound right Sounds like a scam
I have never heard of a waiting list for a villa very rare that you get a cancelation
Look for somewhere else
Carol

[LIZH]

I've never heard of that and definitely not for a fee. Just a quick way of making money by the sounds of it.