Found a vacation rental listed by her on Craigslist. Link showed and advertised a beautiful vacation home. Address:
25259 Punta Madryn, Punta Gorda, FL 33983. My husband and I rented to home for 3 weeks and sent a $500 deposit which was supposed to be held and then returned when we left. Told her I was bringing my small dog and small declawed cat. She said no problem home is pet friendly.

She said we would get meet and greet instructions 1 week prior to arrival. Hadn't received anything so called and emailed. One day before leaving Ohio receive an email from her stating owner reviewed our application and saw we had 2 large dogs and only rents to people with small dogs. She said don't panic I put you in a less expensive home, closer to the beach, on and on. I called and said, you are looking at wrong contract, I don't have 2 large dogs just 1 small dog. Then she backpeddles and says well he has had to many problems with pet owners and won't rent to them. I was in tears. Had the picture of this house in my Florida folder for 2 months and so looking forward to it. I kept asking if I could call the owner and talk to him and assure him that I have a beautiful home myself and will take good care of it. Finally she gives me a number and I call. He had a very distinct middle eastern accent which was hard to even understand and kept saying no pets then hung up on us.

We were stuck since we were leaving the next morning at 6am. Originally it said she does a meet and greet with you at the home but sends a text that she can't meet us key is under mat. The home was not as pictured. Bedroom in the link she sent wasn't even same bedroom. Carpet was nasty, beds were practically on the floor and the bedframes were broken because they had no center support. (My husband has been in the bedding industry for 30 years so that is one of the first things he checks). Pool was dirty - no way they had a pool service, no dryer in house as promised so all the towels were damp and smelled like mildew and TV's didn't work. It was nothing like the beautiful home we thought we were renting. Tried to call and text and couldn't reach her. Then a man knocks on the door sent by her. Much to our shock - it was the same man we spoke to that supposedly owned the other house with a strong middle eastern accent. We tell him we are not happy with the house and are leaving and going to a hotel. He says no no stay the night no obligation and we will put you in a better home tomorrow. My husband was ready to come home but spent the night searching the internet and found a beautiful home for rent by owner on Vacations Home for Rent by Owner. We drove over saw the home and rented it. Then went back to this other home in Port Charlotte: 4381 Meager Circle got the rest of our belongings and left.

I sent her a text that we were not interested in renting any homes from her that we were gone to please return our deposit to our home address. She refused to do that and after back and forth calls and texts we agreed to pay for 1 night at $96 since we were paying $675 for the house. She sent back ok. I just got home and she sent us $25.

She charged us for 2 nights at $150 per nigh = $300 equal to a home renting for $1050 per week, $125 cleaning fee, and $25 for each pet. Total of $475 for 1 night in this lousy house. She broke the contract we were between a rock and a hard place!. I know that even if we had walked in a walked right back out, she would have found a reason to charge us because she is a scammer/.

The phone number she gives is 941-830-3656, address 10144 Long Beach Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33981". She has a very strong Boston accent!.

She will most likely change her number and the name of her company since that seems to be the pattern;.

I highly recommend that you do not rent homes from Craigslist and do not send someone such a large deposit?.

I plan to sue her in small claims court even though I live in Ohio/. She says I have anger issues?. Yes, when someone practically ruins your vacation and steals from you, I get angry. 386abf6

• beautiful home
• middle eastern accent
• small dog