at what point is it false advertising? UPDATE: Owner threatening to sue me.

[connorlevismom]

I was intrigued by the title of this thread and just read the whole thing...and I have to say, as much as I hate this situation for you, OP - "Kathryn's" entrance made it hilarious! I will happily be one of your cronies...

Here's hoping this owner can be at least put out of business due to negative reviews! Have you looked into the BBB? Not sure if they deal with private home rentals or not but I figure it's worth a shot. Go through every avenue possible to report this crazy woman.

I don't want to put her out of business, I am just hoping to warn others about her behavior. If she goes out of business because this is how she deals with anyone that has a slight problem with her rental, than that is on her. But I did not start this thread to put her out of business I just started it to ask for some advice on her rental. It turned ugly because of her behavior towards me.

I will say that either her (or her friend) have just made things 100% worse for her by showing up all over the internet to harass me. Like I said, should have left well enough alone. One bad review won't kill your business, but showing up and attacking someone willl.

Wow. I don't know about the OP, but I don't want the owner to be put out of business. She needs to change the way she deals with customers, but I wouldn't want someone to lose their rental home because of a negative review. That's really over the top IMO.

I wouldn't say 'lose her rental home' but I would hope she either realizes she can't lie to and stalk customers, or gets out of the business altogether.

I would hope that she will change the way she deals with people, but I doubt it. I saw that I was not the only person she threatened to sue, so it seems to me this is just her personality and maybe this kind of business is just not for her.

I don't appreciate being called the guest from hell, someone who gets paid to write bad reviews and telling me that you hope I sleep well at night because I clearly got what I wanted out of this review, putting her out of business. THAT IMO, is completely over the top and unreasonable. But, again it just shows everyone what kind of person she is. She forgets that I also rented 3 other homes at the same time and had no issues with any of them or their owners and wrote great reviews for them.

Hopefully she (or "Kathryn") learned their lesson and I never hear from either of them again. Unfortunately, something tells me this is not over.

 

[snowy76]

Libel suits are rarely successful because of the immense difficulty in proving them. She'd have to prove that you lied AND prove that it caused actual harm to her - she'd have to show a direct correlation. How can she prove that someone didn't rent from her because they read your bad review? Will she personally interrogate everyone who visits TripAdvisor?

My understanding is libel law is different in the UK... the burden of proof is on the defendant to show they weren't lying. So the owner may very well think she has a case - of course in the US, she does not.

Either way, she's not conducting herself very professionally.

 

[mrsklamc]

My understanding is libel law is different in the UK... the burden of proof is on the defendant to show they weren't lying. So the owner may very well think she has a case - of course in the US, she does not.

The irony being that if that's the case, since her posts are likely made from England, (though here it says she's in Canada, the same username posts from Cornwall, England on tripadvisor) it's possible that OP could sue her for libel. Not that I recommend that, it's just ironic.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

The irony being that if that's the case, since her posts are likely made from England, (though here it says she's in Canada, the same username posts from Cornwall, England on tripadvisor) it's possible that OP could sue her for libel. Not that I recommend that, it's just ironic.

Her TripAdvisor posts indicate she is from Cornwall, Canada. Its a small city in eastern Ontario, about an hour and a half from Ottawa.

Not to say that's where she's actually from........but there is a Cornwall in Canada.

 

[mrsklamc]

Her TripAdvisor posts indicate she is from Cornwall, Canada. Its a small city in eastern Ontario, about an hour and a half from Ottawa.

Not to say that's where she's actually from........but there is a Cornwall in Canada.

My mistake...I think of Cornwall as England.

 

[nessz79]

LOL- I'm sorry for the bad luck you had, OP, but this is one of the funniest threads I've seen due to "Kathy's" post!

Keep that last communication from her!

 

[wildelady]

just read this all the way through, and i am gobsmacked.
Please dont think that we all like that in the UK, I would have done the same as you given the problems you had with the rental.

 

[lsulindy]

wow

 

[Alesia]

To Connerlevismom,

Boy oh boy, you sure got a lot of exposure on this thread regarding your supposed horrid time at Windsor Hills. I would have to say that you did better here than on Trip Advisor for sure!

You are what I would like to classify, as the guest from hell.... the ones who find fault in pretty much everything and then try to benefit back from it. I do not say this lightly... I have gone through your reviews on Trip Advisor, and also many of your posts on here, and I actually have to search to find a positive report from you. Troubling most though is how you draw others in; those who have not been there, witnessed and go by your word without doing a bit of background checking. Interesting that, as I stated on the Trip Advisor Board (my goodness, was there a review site you missed??) you have either profited by or been offered compensation for half the complaints you lodged, not a bad track record... what was it I called folks who do this on a regular basis? Holiday Hounds? No, that wasn't it, will have to go back and reread the post I guess. But have seen folks who do this, in action all over the world (look me up on Trip Advisor, been to a LOT of countries in my 38 years of traveling so I do not speak out of turn.... of folks who book a lower resort, for example, then go running to the rep. loudly complaining and the only way to shut them up is to upscale them to another resort, usually the one they wanted to book but didn't want to pay the price in the first place! I have even heard folks laugh and tel others about their scam!
But back to the problem at hand.
I stayed at Dsnys Retreat last year in December for a week. Place was spotless, inviting, great location, easy to find, amenities were amazing, beds comfortable, showers incredible, decorating was as if I was at a friend's home, not a rental home... pool was great, water clean... and I could go on and on.

I also stayed there this year, RIGHT AFTER YOU... and my question would be.... what on earth did you do to the microwave that the glass popped right out of the frame??? I had to call the management company and within 4 hours it was replaced with new. And I did NOT ask the owners for a discount due to not being able to heat up my coffee cup!

I was as thrilled this time around as last time... and yes, I saw a bug in the lanai... oh my god!! and this one was alive!! Fancy that! Also saw one (thankfully dead) in our bedroom one morning... we gave it a proper burial, down the toilet! What we love about this property is it is easy to find in Windsor Hills, great location with no snoopy neighbours looking in from the back yard, house is very roomy, has everything you would need.... I want to be a kid again to sleep in the bunk beds... and my friends drool when I post my photos on Facebook!

Your biggest complaint was no BBQ. Did you not notice immediately that it was missing? If so, did you make an inquiry to the owners? If the BBQ was so important to you, why didn't you just rent one from the management company as I know for a fact that they rent them for a very reasonable rate, full tank of propane and all! Might have cost you an additional $45 at most! Big deal when you are on a Disney Vacation.... $45 doesn't even buy you LUNCH on site for two people!!

Game units - if MY children were excited about these game units I would most definitely inquire as to what games are available, and if nothing was to my children's fancy I would have gone to my local rental store and rented ones they would like. With the ages of your children, Precious Ponies and Barbie games might not have been much interest. Would you have complained if those two games or similar were all that were available or would you have gone to a rental store and get some of more interest?

As for cleanliness.... I do find it hard to believe that the owners would have left "remnants" of themselves all over the carpeting knowing that guests were coming in right afterwards. My goodness how close DID you get to check out which supposed hair was which??

Bugs.... come to Eastern Ontario in June - August and if you do NOT see bugs... well, Florida is a tropical area, there are bugs... BIG BUGS... BIG FLYING BUGS.... and I know that these resort areas spray the areas to death, however some last longer than they were supposed to, and end up dying in many inconvenient places... up here it is usually in my coffee cup! So IF you did see bugs, just sweep them up, voila, end of drama!

Home owners who live far rely on their management company to care for the house. Only with CONSTRUCTIVE criticism can they improve their services, their homes, for their guests. No one place is perfect, even high end resorts have issues. It just depends on the guests ATTITUDES as to how they will choose to deal with it. Noisy air conditioners, cracked tiles, marks on the wall, lamps with light bulbs which do not work, outlets which do not work, coded door batteries die, and the list can go on forever. If I were to pick apart every place I have ever stayed in, well, I could always find something wrong.... but why bother. Because I focus on the good parts... and there is always good parts... and while I have reviewed many properties, I have never ever thought to demand compensation... I just "learn my lesson" and move on... well, except for a horrid hole in the wall in Paris we stayed in 2010~!! haha

Anyway, I think, before everyone gets on the band wagon, it might be wise to look into it yourself. I noticed that over 10,000 views are on this topic. All by the word of one guest. Scary to think that a business can be ruined by one disgruntled guest who makes claims that no one can back up (aside from the missing BBQ worth about $45 for a week). Even the alleged "bugs" were not in evidence when inspected.

So please, we all have the right to review be it a restaurant, hotel, resort, facility, whatever, but please keep in mind, those who read them that this might be ONE person's opinion and ONE person's perception.
Cheers
Kathy Gingras
Ontario, Canada
225 Cities and counting...

Connorlevismom might be a little bit picky, but Kathryn - you've just made her seem more credible by comparison. Anybody who reads this knows that you are either the owner or a very good friend of the owner.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Dear OP you have every right to be checking for bugs and cleanliness. I am a DVC owner and I always check for bed bugs and how clean the room is at Disney. In fact last month we were staying at the Poly and our bathroom had not been cleaned! There were dirty towels on the floor and the toliet was dirty. I called down to the front desk and they sent someone up to clean the bathroom.

I wonder how many other complaints/bad reviews this owner has against her

 

[CraftyMommy]

It is very obvious to me the owner is "Kathryn." By posting on here it made her look like a total wacko and gave the Original Poster's story so much credibility! I feel so bad that you had to deal with such a crazy person.

She sounds like a slum lord, which is a term used for property owners who rip off their renters and refuse to keep up on repairs or respond to maintenance needs.

That "review" she posted on her website isn't fooling anybody. We ALL know it is her. What an IDIOT! Completely transparent, we can see right through her.

Ok, I'm done making fun of the lady. She probably needs mental help.

 

[3pletprincesses]

Wow... just wow! Thanks for posting your review. I'm one of those who also look at reviews and seeing so many good reviews coming from her guest book posted right after your review would clearly raise a flag in my books. Keep your head up. You did the right thing. This person really sounds like a head case not worth dealing with.

 

[Lewisc]

Could the OP have rented a BBQ, with propane for $45? They should have done that. They should have, at least attempted, to have that reimbursed from the owner. I don't know how far I would have taken it. The owner may be a little "off" but expecting a 15% rebate is a little much.

I have no idea how many, if any, games you had a right to expect. Absolutely no guarantee they'd have a game your kids would enjoy or even one you'd let them play.

 

[mrsklamc]

Could the OP have rented a BBQ, with propane for $45? They should have done that. They should have, at least attempted, to have that reimbursed from the owner. I don't know how far I would have taken it. The owner may be a little "off" but expecting a 15% rebate is a little much.

I have no idea how many, if any, games you had a right to expect. Absolutely no guarantee they'd have a game your kids would enjoy or even one you'd let them play.

The OWNER should have rented one for $45 and had it delivered. And yes, if a game system is advertised, games are to be expected.

I don't think 15% is unreasonable at all.

 

[Lewisc]

I have no idea how many, if any, games you had a right to expect. Absolutely no guarantee they'd have a game your kids would enjoy or even one you'd let them play.

The OWNER should have rented one for $45 and had it delivered. And yes, if a game system is advertised, games are to be expected.

I don't think 15% is unreasonable at all.

But not necessarily a game a parent would let their kids play (rating) or a game the kids would enjoy playing. A private owner says there is a game console. I'd plan on bringing games, renting games or specifically asking what titles they have. $45 to cover the cost of renting the grill would be fair compensation if the OP rented a grill. The OP talked about looking forward to grilling. Why didn't they rent a grill?

I agree the owner sounds like a jerk. It sounds like the OP deserves a rebate. I think some posters are suggesting asking for an amount which is high (JMO).

I think this is one of the issues when you rent from a private person.

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Could the OP have rented a BBQ, with propane for $45? They should have done that. They should have, at least attempted, to have that reimbursed from the owner. I don't know how far I would have taken it. The owner may be a little "off" but expecting a 15% rebate is a little much.

I have no idea how many, if any, games you had a right to expect. Absolutely no guarantee they'd have a game your kids would enjoy or even one you'd let them play.

I could be wrong, but I think the entire situation could have been avoided if the owners response had been different from the very beginning. Maybe $50 to $75 would have been more than adequate if it had been approached from a different perspective.

Response from the owner might have been....

"I'm so sorry the cleanliness of the home did not meet with your expectations, I will contact the management company immediately and request that your concerns are addressed at the earlest possible time. I am embarassed that our home is anything but clean.

I also apologize that the grill has recently become inoperable and we have not had an opportunity to replace it. As I am sure you must have had plans to use it, I will contact ABC rentals and arrange for the rental of a grill for the duration of your stay.

Lastly, I completely share your frustrations regarding the missing video games. We too enjoyed having them in the home. Unfortunately, we will likely no longer be able to offer these as an amenity as they seem to disappear easily. Please accept my sincere apologies and $15 dollars towards any video games you decide to rent.

We sincerely hope, that despite these disappoinments, you still enjoy your stay in our home as we enjoy sharing it with you."

When people run businesses the business and product are always subject to human error. As part of a family business, I can attest that no matter how hard you try, a mistake can be made. What seperates a great business from the rest is how those mistakes are handled. My impression from the OP, is that she has been more concerned with how the situation has been handled since she voiced her concerns.

 

[connorlevismom]

But not necessarily a game a parent would let their kids play (rating) or a game the kids would enjoy playing. A private owner says there is a game console. I'd plan on bringing games, renting games or specifically asking what titles they have. $45 to cover the cost of renting the grill would be fair compensation if the OP rented a grill. The OP talked about looking forward to grilling. Why didn't they rent a grill?

I agree the owner sounds like a jerk. It sounds like the OP deserves a rebate. I think some posters are suggesting asking for an amount which is high (JMO).

I think this is one of the issues when you rent from a private person.

I did not rent a grill because I did not know it was an option. The owner never mentioned it and the manager of the management company never mentioned it. Had I known - we might have done that. But I was met with a "it was gross so we removed it" and a "you should not have expected it to be there". Never, ever, mentioned renting one. It never occured to me since this was my first time renting a home.

I could be wrong, but I think the entire situation could have been avoided if the owners response had been different from the very beginning. Maybe $50 to $75 would have been more than adequate if it had been approached from a different perspective.

Response from the owner might have been....

"I'm so sorry the cleanliness of the home did not meet with your expectations, I will contact the management company immediately and request that your concerns are addressed at the earlest possible time. I am embarassed that our home is anything but clean.

I also apologize that the grill has recently become inoperable and we have not had an opportunity to replace it. As I am sure you must have had plans to use it, I will contact ABC rentals and arrange for the rental of a grill for the duration of your stay.

Lastly, I completely share your frustrations regarding the missing video games. We too enjoyed having them in the home. Unfortunately, we will likely no longer be able to offer these as an amenity as they seem to disappear easily. Please accept my sincere apologies and $15 dollars towards any video games you decide to rent.

We sincerely hope, that despite these disappoinments, you still enjoy your stay in our home as we enjoy sharing it with you."

When people run businesses the business and product are always subject to human error. As part of a family business, I can attest that no matter how hard you try, a mistake can be made. What seperates a great business from the rest is how those mistakes are handled. My impression from the OP, is that she has been more concerned with how the situation has been handled since she voiced her concerns.

You are 100% correct. This is about the owner and her repsonse to me from the very beginning. From the first email when I had just checked into the home I was called a liar and was treated rudely. To the very last email from her threatening to sue me.

 

[Brook730]

wow I just found this thread last night and read all the way through. I'm sorry you experience was so bad. I am glad tho that the other places you rented from then were good tho at least it was not all bad. Yeah the owner could of handled that completely different and in a way that made you both happy. I too would of expected there to be some games but depending on the age of my kid when I went I would just bring a game or two of theirs but as you said you don't have those systems so why would you of went out and bought games just for that. Well I hope the owner just leaves you alone about it and does not make things any worse for her self because right now she seems like a little bit of a nut job.

 

[Lizzybean]

O. M. G. I remember reading this thread last month but it was only 2 or 3 pages. I am so sorry you dealt with this OP. I think a pp who wrote out what the owner should've said and done was right on point. You catch flies with honey, not vinegar. And the whole "Kathy" person Internet stalking you?! Let's just say I bet the ip addy from her posts here would be an exact match to ip from the owner's emails to you.

You did the right thing and I'm glad you weren't intimidated by some wingnut who threatened to sue you. Too bad case law isn't in her favor--but hey if she wants to waste thousands of dollars in small claims court, let her! Karma!

If I was staying somewhere and it was filled with toenail clippings and private area hair you best believe we'd have a problem. Asking for 15% of your total for having to deal with that is more than reasonable. The BBQ and game consoles are a whole other issue. She should've rented the BBQ for you and paid for it.

Also, just wanted to say I don't think you're picky. I can't understand anyone who who would be comfortable with strangers' "hair" all over bathrooms or find that acceptable. GROSS! The management company has a responsibility to clean the home. Period. The owner needs to realize buck stops with her. Period.

 

[lampshadehead]

Notice how this "kathryn" or whatever her name is, used the word "holiday" for vacation. Sounds like this "kathryn" could be from the UK? Coincidence?Hmmmmm