CURSE YOU IRENE!!! <<shakes fist madly toward the heavens>>

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mdboatbum

Master of the Pit
Original poster
OTBS Member
Apr 22, 2011
4,076
371
Washington, DC
Please excuse me while I rant.
My wife and I are perpetually short on time and money. I'm a deposed political appointee, and she's in real estate. Since January of 2009, I've been working with her in real estate. Given the state of the market these days, it demands long hours and pays nowhere the dividends it used to. That being said, I decided a couple months ago that enough was enough and we were, by hook or by crook, going to have a vacation. I frittered a fairly substantial chunk of our meager savings on a rental house for a week in mid September. We were both so incredibly excited about getting away, just the two of us, for a whole week.
The first disaster was my fault, as I mentioned it to a family member and invited said family member to come "for a couple days". Within what seemed like seconds, the family member in question (my sister) had somehow managed to invite herself and her boyfriend for the entire week. This didn't sit well with either of us, but since it's family, we just decided to let bygones be bygones and suck it up.
The house in question is in Rodanthe, NC, which if you've watched the news lately, you'll know has been pretty much cut off from the rest of the world by several HUGE breaches in highway 12, both north and south of the town . Chances of us being able to get there are slim to none, and chances of the house being habitable are not very good either. To add insult to injury, I declined the "travel insurance" with the rental agency, not realizing at the time that any chance of a refund without is, you guessed it, slim to none. Even due to an act of God.
So, now my sister has decided to take over the whole show and look for alternative places to go. She says she'll go ahead and book the house and pay for it. This would be ok, save for the fact that the whole point was to get away on our own and not be "visiting family" again, which has been all we've done for several years. I probably sound like an ungrateful jerk here, but given the circumstances (all of which I'm not divulging) the whole thing has pretty much gone to Hell in a handbasket.
So here I sit, my vacation down the tubes, an incredibly disappointed wife, a sister I'm risking alienating and not a small sum of money gone on a rental we can't get to.
All i wanted to do was get away with my wife and eat a lot of ribs and pulled pork.
Ok, thanks for letting me vent. I'm off to procure a LOT of alcohol.
 
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If the rental company cant provide you w/ the place you rented then they owe you a refund. If the area is not accessable they should refund. Unless they want to pick you up in a helicopter and fly you in , I would be filing in small claims court tomorrow.

 It is not their fault that a storm hit but it's not yours either.

 i wouldn't let them keep my money w/o pushing the issue ALOT!
 
What Eman said ^^^^, as for the alcohol, sounds like a good idea to me!

Good luck and let us know how things go for you.
 
By the way I've had zero contact with them yet,(understandably) just reading over the rental agreement more carefully.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
 
if life gives you lemons      make smoke!  look you still got the week off, right, threaten to sue the rental company and hopefully get your money refunded, then stock up the fridge with meat and booze at the house, unplug the phones and lock the door smoke eat and drink everyday,   its like a vacation just at home

be glad you didnt arrive at the rental on wednesday and check in then have to evacuate  
 
I wouldn't worry about it.  They need to provide you what you paid for.  Give them a few days to get everything in order and then see what they do.  You may have a place with new carpet, fresh paint, a replanted yard, all that good stuff.  Or they may move you to another, better rental.   You may have to deal with a bunch of construction and clean up crews during your stay but at least you won't be over run with tourists!    Don't threaten to sue, live up to your end of the agreement and if they can't provide the place graciously accept your money back.  They should have interruption of business insurance.  This may work out for the best for you,  If your sister books a place, and your place is available, no more sister!
 
My wife and I were just talking about this. Threatening to sue was never even considered, in fact we did discuss the possibility of going down there and spending the week helping people rebuild. I mean, we're potentially out a vacation, but they're potentially out a livelihood. In the grand scheme of things, our paltry little week off is pretty insignificant. I apologize for the earlier rant. I AM frustrated, but more with family and bad timing. I DO realize that these poor souls have some pretty significant hurdles to overcome. As to whether or not we'll spend our vacation helping with the recovery?... I'd like to say it's a definite yes, but we'll have to see. I'm gonna try though,
 
Md,

I'm with miamirick on the lemons,... use the lemons to make lemonade, you have six weeks, ...do you like to camp? 

Your idea about helping others is fantastic, your problems will probably pale in comparison, ...and the grateful smiles, ...you would be so blessed by doing that and who knows what doors would open up and what better way to spend a vacation, ...probably alone.

I vote for, ...go for it!!!

But, I'm an adventure at heart. 
biggrin.gif


Gene
 
What a STORY!  Bum, your rant...JUSTIFIED...No apology necessary! But your offer to Help...Honorable!   Making the hardships of others better can only pay back 10 Fold!   The Goodwill may be returned by greatful owners offering one or more vacation stays, in the future, as Thanks for your Kindness... At the least...You can take pride in knowing you have helped the less fortunate!  You are a Good Man! Thanks for restoring a glimmer of hope in my estimation of Humanity...JJ
 
Well I've tried to get through to the rental company via phone and email, but predictably haven't heard anything back yet. We've decided if we can get there, we're definitely going to go and help out wherever we can. Selfishly, if I'm helping people fix up their houses or whatever, I'm less likely to get bored and it won't be one of those "wow, the vacation's over and we haven't done anything" experiences. As for my sister, she's calmed down a little and is willing to wait and see what pans out. Haven't told her of the plans to volunteer labor, but she can do whatever she wants.
I did find a number on the Dare County DOT website to call and inquire about donating or volunteering, so as soon as I find out if we'll be able to get there I'll call them and see what's what.
By the way, I don't mean to sound like some sort of goody goody do gooder. Frankly, I'm not really that nice of a person. It's just that I've been to that area quite a bit and it's populated by some of the nicest, most down to earth people I've ever met. Also, it doesn't really seem that the media really gives a hoot about them down there. all I'm seeing is coverage of the northeast.
I'm definitely bringing the smoker, and at the very least can provide PP sandwiches to hungry people :biggrin:
 
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Mdboatbum,

You sir are a credit to the human race!!!

I agree---All we lost was a few days without electric & water at my house.

Many lost their livelihood, and some their lives!

Thanks,

Bear
 
Well I've tried to get through to the rental company via phone and email, but predictably haven't heard anything back yet. We've decided if we can get there, we're definitely going to go and help out wherever we can. Selfishly, if I'm helping people fix up their houses or whatever, I'm less likely to get bored and it won't be one of those "wow, the vacation's over and we haven't done anything" experiences. As for my sister, she's calmed down a little and is willing to wait and see what pans out. Haven't told her of the plans to volunteer labor, but she can do whatever she wants.
I did find a number on the Dare County DOT website to call and inquire about donating or volunteering, so as soon as I find out if we'll be able to get there I'll call them and see what's what.
By the way, I don't mean to sound like some sort of goody goody do gooder. Frankly, I'm not really that nice of a person. It's just that I've been to that area quite a bit and it's populated by some of the nicest, most down to earth people I've ever met. Also, it doesn't really seem that the media really gives a hoot about them down there. all I'm seeing is coverage of the northeast.
I'm definitely bringing the smoker, and at the very least can provide PP sandwiches to hungry people
biggrin.gif
Awesome!  I am sure plently of people would appreciate your help!!! and who doesnt appreciate PULLED PORK SAMMIES!!!!!!  Kudos to you!
 
 
Id have to say Im with you...  Go there and enjoy the time with your wife, and helping of those in need... What better reward than that....  And the pulled pork sammies  who would love that
 
Still not sure of we'll be able to get onto Hatteras island, or if the house is useable. In the meantime, they're letting residents back on Sunday, though apparently quite a few either stayed or have managed to get back early.
If anyone's interested in lending a hand without lifting a finger so to speak, some business owners have put word out through Facebook that there are quite a few families who need things like diapers, baby wipes, trash bags and cleaning supplies. Apparently UPS is able to deliver to the island, and Amazon is an easy way to order things.
If you feel like it, the address to ship is

Rodanthe Watersports and Campground
24170 Highway 12, Rodanthe, NC 27968

it's centrally located and the owners are there. Janet, one of the owners said she'd pass everything along to those in need. I have met the owners of the campground, and they really don't seem like criminals or the type that would take advantage of charity. In fact they seemed like very nice people.
By the way, if this kind of post is prohibited, I apologize and please remove it at once. I'm not asking for anything personally, just putting the word out.
 
Just an update. The road just reopened yesterday so visitors are finally allowed back on the island. We obviously weren't able to get down to help with any recovery efforts, but did send some supplies. We've been in contact with the rental company and they've been wonderful. Rather than ask for a refund, we decided to reschedule our trip. We'll be there in late October. We did spend a few days with my sister in Bethany beach,DE in September, so it looks like we'll have a bonus vacation!!

Poor Rodanthe looks like it's still pretty devastated, and may not be back to normal for quite some time. I'll post some pics when we're down there.
 
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