Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Looking for excellent vacation condo rental firm for San Diego's Mission Beach ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Looking for excellent vacation condo rental firm for San Diego's Mission Beach
Category: Sports and Recreation > Travel
Asked by: bkft-ga
List Price: $25.00
Posted: 05 Mar 2003 18:38 PST
Expires: 04 Apr 2003 18:38 PST
Question ID: 172438
I am looking for an excellent firm to use for looking for vacation
rentals in San Diego, California's Mission Beach.  I'm looking for a
very convenient firm:

  * have an excellent inventory of beachfront condos
  * be willing to work through email (no phone tag)
  * have a convenient key pick-up/drop-off
  * excellent customer service

Also, I'm hoping to find a place soon!

In the past I used a firm called Mission Beach Vacation Rentals (I
think), that was renamed Cequis (I think).  That company may no longer
exist.  Their web site seems to have vanished, and I read some report
about them being under investigation.

Recent web searches give me back hundreds of individual property ads
by owners, and by small realty firms, each trying to spoof their way
into high search engine positions.  I'm really looking for a single
firm that can search many listings for me.

Can someone help me find the right vacation condo/house rental firm
for me?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Looking for excellent vacation condo rental firm for San Diego's Mission Bea
Answered By: juggler-ga on 05 Mar 2003 20:05 PST
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hello.

I have evaluated all of the rental agencies listed at the San Diego
Convention and Visitor's Bureau:
http://www.sandiego.org/member_directory.asp?PROFDESCID=848

I have come to the conclusion that the single firm that most closely
meets your needs is Penny Realty of San Diego.
Penny Realty at Missionbeach.com
http://www.missionbeach.com

Penny Realty has been in business in 1965 and has a good-sized
customer-service  staff. They also have online booking.
See: Missionbeach.com: Contact
http://www.missionbeach.com/contact.asp

Use Penny Realty's search page to browse their excellent inventory of
hundreds of units:
http://www.missionbeach.com/search.asp

According to their web site:
"Penny Vacation Rentals is the largest vacation rental company on the
beach. We are staffed with experienced agents who are totally familiar
with the properties in our portfolio. Our office is open 7 days a week
in summer and 6 days a week in the off season.  Our agents are
available to help you find the perfect vacation rental for your
needs."
http://www.missionbeach.com/realty.asp

Penny Realty has also been mentioned as a leading vacation rental firm
in the San Diego Union Tribune Newspaper. See this excerp from June
11, 2000:

"'Our phones start ringing off the hook in January,' said Greg
Flaherty, president of Penny Realty Inc. in Mission Beach. 'We get
almost a hundred calls a day. By April, all the prime units are gone.'
Finding a rental property on the water for this summer would be nearly
impossible. Most waterfront rentals are booked by March or April.  By
a fluke, somebody might get an oceanfront or bay-front unit if someone
cancels, or we get a new property in our portfolio," Flaherty said. 
Penny Realty manages about 250 vacation rentals, primarily in Mission
Beach and Pacific Beach, many for out-of-town landlords."

Source: San Diego Union Tribune,  Jun 11, 2000; Marc Comer; "The tides
that bind San Diego's beaches keep calling visitors back to its shores
-- and its rentals"
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sandiego/abstract/55079950.html?did=55079950&FMT=ABS&FMTS=FT&PMID=33356&desc=The+tides+that+bind+%7C+San+Diego%27s+beaches+keep+calling+visitors+back+to+its+shores+--+and+its+rentals

I've also checked the San Diego Better Business Bureau, and the firm
has a satisfactory record. See: sandiego.bbb.org
http://www.sandiego.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=19000604


One more thing... you were right about Cequis. See the article,
"Vacation Rental Firm Cequis of San Diego Investigated in Scams" on
eturbonews.com
http://www.eturbonews.com/editions/06JUN2002.htm


search strategy: 
"san diego", "visitor's bureau", "vacation rentals"

I hope this helps. If you need any additional information, please use
the "request clarification" feature. Thanks.

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 05 Mar 2003 20:07 PST
Sorry for those typos:

"...has been in business since 1965..."

"... See this excerpt from June ..."

Request for Answer Clarification by bkft-ga on 06 Mar 2003 08:53 PST
Thanks for your detailed and VERY FAST reply.

I actually did find Penny Realty before I posted my Google Answers
question.  But, I was a little concerned that their email address was
not posted on most of the property search requests, that they may not
be responsive at email interactions.  Their online property search
seemed similarly ineffective (couldn't search based on features,
price, etc.)

Wondering if you have any advice about their ability to support online
interactions?  Wondering if you sent them email already to ask?

I'll give them a shot, but wanted the close the loop in case you had
any thoughts.

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 06 Mar 2003 11:27 PST
Hi.

Okay, I just emailed them to ask about their ability to make
arrangements primarily by email.

I'll give you an update soon on:
(1) The susbstance of their response; and
(2) How long it took them to respond.

Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 07 Mar 2003 10:41 PST
Hi Bkft,

I just wanted to let you know that I received an email response in
less than 24 hours. That seems pretty decent.

The email indicated that a vacation rental agent named Jeffrey Clack
can handle your needs. Jeffrey Clack has a direct email address.
jeffrey.vacationrentals@missionbeach.com
Or call 800.748.6704.

Thanks, and best wishes for your vacation!
bkft-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars and gave an additional tip of: $5.00
Detailed response, and extra effort to follow up with missing piece.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Looking for excellent vacation condo rental firm for San Diego's Mission Bea
From: juggler-ga on 08 Mar 2003 14:19 PST
 
Thank you for the tip.
-juggler

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy