This past October I lost my wife to Covid. We had always talked about moving back to the ocean, so I sold our house and found a place in Santa Cruz. Work was being done on the Santa Cruz house, so I couldn't move in right away, but was told I could move my stuff into their empty garage until the work was done.
To stay somewhere until I could move into the house, I reserved Judy's place in Scott's Valley from June 3d through June 18th. On May 28, 2021, $2252.75 was taken out of my bank account.
Judy's emails to me included the refund policy:
"Cancel before 3:00 PM on Jun 2 and get a full refund. After that, cancel before 3:00 PM on Jun 3 and get a full refund, minus the first night and service fee".
On June 3d the movers and I were on the way to Santa Cruz when my new landlady called to say that I could move into the house after all.
I contacted Judy at 113 on June 3d:
Rick1:13 PM
Hello Judy,
I just got a phone call from the owner. She said the contractor told her it'd be okay if I moved in tomorrow.
I'm eager to get unpacked and moved in, so will not be needing your lovely rental after all.
Nothing personal.
Please talk with your husband to see if I can get a partial refund; thank you.
Again my apologies.
Rick Curry
Judy replied,
Message from Judy
Judy1:35 PM
Ok. Will do. Glad things worked out for you
Since I contacted her before 3 on June 3d I was expecting about an $1800 refund:
$2252.75
- 254.19 service fee
135.33 per night charge
$1863.23 total refund
Instead I was refunded $1129.19, $734 less than what I was expecting.
I contacted Airbnb and was told that I hadn't cancelled the reservation the right way, but they could see what had happened and decided to advocate for me.
Two different Airbnb reps called Judy to ask her to refund the $1863, but each time Judy told them no.
This part of the review says, "Give other travelers a heads-up about what they can expect." This is meant to be that head's up.