Sad to say that your story is not new.

Some people have been outright scammed of money without even a dirty place to stay.

Sadly,this (and worse) is becoming more and more common. May I ask how you found the 2 websites you used to rent the flat? Thanks for the heads up...

I'm REALLY sorry to hear this happened to you, but would like a clear understanding of which of the companies you feel were at fault (both) and what exactly happened? If you had it to do over again, what would you have done differently???

I think the real problem is with the weak dollar, everyone wants to come to NYC and hotels are expensive so people look for other options. Most NYC apartment buildings are very strict about not allowing short term rentals, so there really aren't that many legal short term vacation rentals.

nywhiz: Others have had an equally difficult time trying to find short term flat lets in london and paris where the dollar is weak (more of a motivation to be in lodging where one can prepare a few meals)....This is really an area of travel that deserves consistent attention...

Interesting, fussy. I thought it was much easier in London and Paris. slowtrav.com is a website that has lots of listings/reviews for apts. in those cities and there are some well regarded agencies that do vacation rentals in both. It's my understanding that there are many more apts/buildings that allow this than there are in NYC.

I have said it before, for whatever that's worth, that the risk in renting an apartment is not worth it. This can happen and unlike a hotel there are very few recourses if it does nor do most apartment rentals have any track record like a hotel. I would only rent an apartment for a long-term stay (over a month). Sorry this happened to you, but I hope it acts as a warning to others. There is a reason these places are cheaper than hotels, Buyer Beware.

Hi nywhiz: the london forum has a "Sticky" advising those seeking a flat for short term rental. There have been plenty of fraudulent claims for supposedly available apts. It seems that the scam includes wiring cash or depicting magazine photos as part of the description, "renting" non-existent flats, etc. etc. A search of that forum will turn up plenty of info; the "sticky" is a good place to start.

I am of the opinion these days that the ease of doing transactions on the web has made people a bit too trusting and waaaay to eager for a deal. If you can't afford the insane hotel prices you probably can't afford to take a chance and lose money, either.

I have rented cottages and houses in Hawaii from vrbo.com several times, and always had a good experience, but I did my due diligence. I made sure there was an actual person - the owner- to contact. I made sure to contact them and speak to them in person. You can cross-reference the phone number they give through anywho.com, or search the owner's name through zoominfo.com or spock or wink. Or just call information and see if they exist. I always verify the property ownership through public records (call the county or ask a friend in the real estate business who has a database code to do it for you.) You can look up what county a city is in at http://www.naco.org. I would never ever ever wire money. Private parties doing rental business can and do take Visa or M/C. I rented from a surfer couple in Sunset Beach who had two rental cottages and they took visa. It protects them and it protects you.

Or go through a reputable (listed with local real estate board, chamber of commerce or better business bureau) rental company. Yes, this will cost more than craigslist, or apartmentscam.com, or myloftisyourloft.com or whatever.

If I were traveling to a foreign country I would be even more cautious. I would only rent from a private party IF I had a personal recommendation from a friend . Period. There are many legitimate hotels and B&Bs and inns etc. that have kitchenettes or extra rooms if that's what you need.

Again, if you can't afford the lodging, stay one or two fewer days, or go to a less-expensive destination, or stay outside the city center or stay home and save for another three months. Risky bargain travel is just not worth it. It is no fun getting cheated, and it's no fun spending your hard-earned vacation schlepping your stuff, a cranky spouse and a couple of hungry and tired kids from room to room and hotel to hotel because you were trying to skimp on lodging.

Sorry your trip was ruined because of this. Thanks for your post between scams and this people stay in a suite hotel or a B&B!

I am of the opinion these days that the ease of doing transactions on the web has made people a bit too trusting and waaaay to eager for a deal. If you can't afford the insane hotel prices you probably can't afford to take a chance and lose money, either.

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Bravo/Brava!!!!

You put into words exactly what I was thinking.

The "waaaay to eager for a deal" bug gets a lot of people it seems.

Your made-up website names made me laugh. Too funny. :-)