jtsangAZ

I don't know if this belongs in here or not, but I don't see a more exact forum than this.

So I will be traveling to Vancouver Canada for my vacation and I am trying to rent a condo for the week. So the guy wants me to mail him a certified check, im guessing that is a cashiers check in US terms. It doesn't seem very safe to me because I don't even know the guy. What other ways can I pay this guy?

v6cord2k5

iTrader: (1)

Can you do a wire transfer?

jtsangAZ

How safe would a wire be? What happens if I wire him the money and when I get there it was all a scam? Would my bank refund my money? Somehow I don't think so.

doopstr

Anybody renting a condo is probably going to want money up front. If you don't want to pay up front then get a hotel room.

TzarChasm

Sounds like you need to do some research to make sure this place is legit. Is this some private deal or it is a condo rental company?

korrupted

Make sure there's a contract.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Certified check is just a bank check. It's a standard term... not just Canadian

But yes, the guys above are correct... you will need to pre-pay to stay at a place like that. Every time we go to the beach, if we stay at a condo or house, we pre-pay when we book, which can be months in advance. We typically deal with the agency though, not with the owners. That said, we have dealt with owners before and it's the same thing.. pre-pay.

Regardless of if we deal with the owners or the agency, we have a contract each time...

Will Y.

Who is "the guy" and how did you select this condo? I assume he can't/won't take a credit card.

In order to avoid a scam, I would make sure he is the owner of the condo (title search in Canada available??) or an authorized agent for the owner. You should both sign on a contract before sending him a check (payable to the owner if he is/works for an agent).

jtsangAZ

I found the listing on craigslist. He seems to be a private owner but I will double check with that and see if we can work out a contract.

jtsangAZ

He accepts paypal. Is that good enough or should I still get a contract?

stogie1020

Get a contract. Make sure it states that he is authorized to rent the property. If you can, have an attorney look it over before you send the cash. Peace of mind costs a few bucks.

Chr8808

iTrader: (1)

Chr8808

iTrader: (1)

Have you checked anywhere else besides CL? I'm always leary with dealing with people on CLs.

Check this site: they have some spots in VA, Canada and you can check past reviews. I would say there is less of a chance being scammed from this site as its a pay service for the owner/lister.

http://www.homeaway.com/vancouver/s/6437/fa/find.squery

Chr8808

iTrader: (1)

When we rent, they usually email the contract with $$ deposit requirement. You sign the contract and mail back with personal check. then mail balance of cost & a sec deposit like a week or 2 before you arrive. I was a bit hesitant when we first did this but we never had any problems.

Will Y.

Contract first.
Ummm... why does the guy take Paypal-- does he have another business, or?? I'd really want info confirming property ownership.

nsnrider

iTrader: (2)

I don't see it beeing a problem to pay him by certified check as long as there's a contract in place and all the info checks out fine. I will NEVER accept a certified check from Craigslist anymore as I almost fell for one of those traps when I was selling my car; you know the one when the "buyer" sends you a certified check for more than your asking price and tells you to refund him the money for "transportation/delivery company". Don't fall for those.

Anyways good luck.

I doubt any business person would want the full balance through paypal and loose the 3% paypal fee unless you're covering the fee. Just make sure everything is legit before you send any money to any one.

jtsangAZ

I bit the bullet and sent him money via paypal. I also got a contract. The property also has a a website and it looks legit.

http://www.greenstay.ca/index.html