I first contacted this person from an ad on Craigslist.org for a vacation rental in Miami Beach, Florida December 19th, asking if the unit was available for the week of March 20-26 and what was the rate for that week. He said it was, and that I would need to secure the rental with a deposit of half of the rental fee of $2300 plus an additional $1000 refundable deposit.
I asked him the method of payment and he indicated that he would prefer a US cashiers check and gave me the address I should send it to.
I also negotiated the security deposit for securing the rental because I thought it was too much money up front. I asked him if $1500 would be acceptable and he said it would.
I sent the cashiers checks, one for $1000 as a security deposit, and $500 as part of the payment by UPS mail, tracking number 1Z851506 35 4089 0864 with a signature required for delivery confirmation.
One week later, he sends me an email indicating that he received the payment and was continuing giving me details of the unit we were renting.
3 weeks before we are supposed to check in, I send a check in email to Jehn, asking if everything was set for checking in to the unit, and he indicated it was and he would leave the keys for me at the front desk.
3 days before we check in, he says there is a problem with the rental: "the problem was the lighting system in the living area, and the power including appliances in the kitchen, and an adjoining room.." and he said he would have someone come and check it out on Monday. We checked in on Tuesday.
I ask him to please fix this problem by monday so we can have somewhere to sleep when we arrive in Miami. Or if he had any other units available for us to check into while we were waiting for the place to be fixed. I asked him to call me very soon
1 day before check in Jehn says that the problem was worse than he thought. And he would have to postpone the check-in, and he did not have any other places for us to stay, but offered a very expensive and out of the way place for us to stay.
I wrote back and I said that the person can come while we were there and check and work on the lighting system. And I also asked him if he was going to be paying for our accommodations. I also asked him again to call me.
Jehn said no, and that it was a hazard for us to check into the rental at this time, we could check in on Friday. He also said he would call me back that evening.
I wrote him indicating that i will be traveling the entire day to Miami, so he could call another friend who was already there.
No calls from Jehn.
The day before we arrive in Miami Beach, I have to find accommodations for 7 people including myself. Success, I find a place, but it is expensive.
We arrive March 20th. Jehn doesn't call. No emails, nothing.
March 21st: Jehn writes " I will try to have the unit available by Friday. I would not to receive any additional money, but I would need to receive a returnable deposit for the rental (because the amount never included a deposit). I can not guarantee the unit will be available by the morning, so it may be easier to cancel the stay, and to return the deposit."
I keep my cool, but I am so incredibly upset.
I write back " that sounds fine, please call me"
He says that he will call me that evening.
No calls from Jehn.
He finally calls March 22 at 11:36 pm
I am furious, but keep calm, I ask him whats going on with the unit and what time can we check in tomorrow?
Jehn says that the unit will not be ready until Saturday.
At that point I get really upset and tell him to give me my money back tomorrow and I will come by and get it.
He says that he will have to take out Rental Fees. And some other fees.
I say no, and that he will not take out any fees and will have all of my money no later than Saturday.
He says he can not have it until Tuesday. (which happens to be the day I leave Florida)
I tell him if he doesnt have my money by Saturday, that I am going to the Police.
He says ok.
I never hear from him again.
I call his phone numbers, and he doesnt answer, nor does he return my phone calls.
I go to the police on Saturday, and they tell me to hire a P.I. And a lawyer and take him to court.
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