A group of Romanians was left without a down payment and without the cottage they had rented for New Year’s Eve. Only after the owner stopped answering the phone did the victims find the warnings about the Volcri cabin in Predeal.
Beware of the “irresistible offers” for renting some cabins on New Year’s Eve. PHOTO: Archive
The winter holiday period also comes with unpleasant moments for tourists who are not very attentive to the offers found online.
Many of them find that after paying the deposit, the so-called owner stops answering the phone and that the cabin they rented doesn’t actually exist.
This is also the case of a group of 15 friends who booked the so-called Volcri cabin in Predeal. After exposing the scam on a Facebook group specializing in tourism, the claimants found themselves criticized by members of the Facebook group.
“Good evening! Be very careful if you want to make a reservation at the Volcri cottage in Predeal, it’s a big deal, we booked for 15 people, I talked to the “owner” everything was ok, I also gave an advance and now he doesn’t answer! Be very careful!” – a member of the spiky group posted on Friday.
The so-called Volcri cabin from Predeal. PHOTO: FB Cabana Volcri
Cottage owner: “Who else will understand you”
Andrada, owner of a mountain cabin, found it appropriate to accuse the injured parties of being “too comfortable”.
“Who else will understand you. I also rent a cabin in the mountains, when it is not on the application and it is a direct rental, especially on big occasions (May 1, New Year’s Eve, etc.), many times, I insist that they come to see the location, to sign a contract, etc. Too comfortable I might say, the guests have become, make an effort though, it’s in your best interest to make sure it’s what you want. Unfortunately, not all people have good intentions.”
Diana replied to the owner: “It’s the opposite.. if you stay 400-500 km away .. do you make a trip just to give an advance? Or to sign a contract? There should be words and humanity, but… they are long gone”.
Andrada came back saying that there are other ways to check an accommodation: ask the owners to call you with a video from the location, to send you an ID picture, ask on different groups, look for reviews, the contract can be sent by email… the data should to match id / account.
“There are options before “throwing” the money, and yes, unfortunately there is no more humanity, but I think it’s also due to the fact that everyone wants to fire at their pot. The guests want cheap, the hosts want not to pay taxes, etc. and hence the problems of renting based on pictures and stories. Let’s make fairness a normality and surely many situations like the one in the post will be avoided”concluded Andrada.
Another lodge owner found the opportunity to teach lessons as well:
“However, it is a cottage that you rent for yourself and 10 other people, maybe even more. In addition, there are rare situations where they are rented at such great distances, at more than 300 km no one looks, precisely because of the distance. For us, over 90% of those who look for us are from Bucharest. The CFR trains would not be praised too much, but I did this route many times, Bucharest-Predeal, in half a day you came, you saw what cabins you had to see and you returned home. You know what you’re buying, you send pictures to your friends, so they’re all happy.”
Warnings about the so-called Volcri cabin. PHOTO: FB
How not to get scammed: “read the negative reviews first”
Faced with these criticisms, he stated: “I apologize if my post was upsetting, I just wanted to warn the world. Unfortunately I got to other topics that were not related to the post! God be with you and do not suffer such a thing! Happy holidays.”
Sandu replied: “Well, let it happen, because I see that you are also accused.”
Dorina thanked for the post: “If we are united, we will win!”
Cristina recommended using the Booking platform: “ÎDuring this period, they are so and so sharp, and I would not make the mistake of booking something on OLX or other sites that are not related to such a thing.”
Ralu claimed that there are also risks on Booking: “I took it impale in Turkey in Istanbul, in the tourist area, by booking, in the sense that I paid everything in advance and there was a drug house on the spot!”
Păgubita made dozens of phone calls and e-mails for booking while staying at another hotel. “I went back to the drug addicts’ den and took the risk of filming for evidence, because the booking staff didn’t believe it. Then I also found on the net the video of a young man who had agreed to stay there for a night, being surprised by the situation like me, in a room of drug addicts with broken windows, they were actually missing.”
After all these problems, the Romanian received 25% back from Booking and the platform removed the so-called hotel from the offer.
Daniel states that the first thing to do when looking for accommodation is to read the negative reviews: “if you can get past what you find there, it’s worth booking. The number of good reviews could be influenced by reviews given by friends or paid reviews, but negative reviews are always true”.
Warnings on Google and Facebook: “This cottage does NOT exist!”
Miha claimed that there is a review, from a month ago on Google, in which probably another deceived customer drew attention to the fact that it is about “a spike”.
Indeed, on Google, the Volcri cabin has two reviews. In the first, the tension is drawn: “This cottage does NOT exist! It’s STICK! It is a fake profile with photos taken from a guesthouse in Bucovina. To clarify, search on Google or on other sites with a tourist profile for Pensiunea Drag de Munte.”
The other review was a 5 star review stating: “Super excited about this cabin! the owners are very nice, they welcomed us with wine and charcuterie platters. Thank you! we will be back to you soon!”
“Unfortunately, I only found it today…” – answered the injured party.
And on the lodge’s Facebook page, there are several comments pointing out that the offer is a hoot.
Another member of the Facebook group, Tatiana, claimed to have had the same problem with this cabin.
“On New Year’s Eve, the most spikes occur because people don’t search for the location that rents it … First you document, then you rent. Not to mention those who set prices only in private and ask for astronomical sums”Alex explained.
Another member of the group pointed out that a similar scam is the OAKI Forest lodge rental. A post on Facebook draws attention to the fact that the injured parties even receive a proforma invoice in the name of the company Volcri Invest SRL.
And deceive and accuse: “Kindly unchristian”
Marioara advises him to file a complaint with the Police and Consumer Protection.
Radu claims that he should call the police.
The injured party claims that he prefers not to make complaints: “Thanks for everyone’s concern but I prefer not to lower the level. New Year’s Eve is just a day, character lasts a lifetime. Happy holidays.”
Vlad criticizes their attitude: “If you don’t lower the level, you’re helping him keep doing it. It will be your fault for those who continue to suffer, because you could do something but choose comfort. It’s a pity… That’s why there are more and more, because the world resigns itself and that’s it…”
Bogdan also intervened: “That’s called selfishness. Apart from you, no one matters anymore, if others take their shit, it’s not your problem. Kind of unchristian, I’d say.”
