Lake Effect Vacation Rentals

I rented a home for a weekend with this company in 2011 and my experience has been quite consistent with several of the reviews already posted on here. Unfortunately at the time a Unilocal page didn’t exist for this joke of a company, so I had to post reviews on other sites which I can mysteriously no longer find. My experience was so memorable (in the worst way possible), however, that I decided to follow-​up with a negative review several years later. The company made claims on damages that did not exist and were inconsistent with the lease document, refused to backup its allegations with evidence (valid photos or cleaning invoices), and retained our entire security deposit even though we left the home in great shape. Carie was unprofessional, immature, closed-​minded, and I would not recommend this company to anyone. I truly hope consumers are aware enough to do a little research online prior to working with Lake Effect Vacation Rentals, and if they still choose to do business that they understand the risks associated with their security deposit.

BEWARE
I corresponded with Carie O’Donnell on multiple occasions via email and phone in an attempt to rent a vacation home from her. Upon discovering numerous negative reviews about her unprofessional business practices and propensity for unfairly/​fraudulently retaining security deposits, I questioned her — as I was naturally concerned.
First, Ms. O’Donnell denied any wrong doing — demanding to know where I found the reviews (since she clearly thought she had hidden them well) and blaming the negative reviews on one individual (the girlfriend of an ex-​husband whom she is now suing??). When I provided her the link to the reviews and stated that they came from seven different individuals and all looked to be valid, she refused to rent the property to me, even though I made it clear that I was still hoping to move forward with the contract as long as she could guarantee me in writing that my party would not encounter the same issues others had alleged. Clearly she was not prepared to do so. Think long and hard before doing business with this woman, as it does not appear to end well for most, and her professionalism certainly leaves much to be desired.
Update! This nut job has now emailed me and threatened to sue me because I told her I was leaving her a Unilocal review…
«Go ahead and I will sue you!!! As I will also Unilocal you and everyone you know. You act like a child dont you! Also you will be black listed from all the rental companies so please Unilocal me and I send all your info to every company around!!! As I am sure you like to Unilocal people.»
Seriously, avoid this lunatic at all costs. She’s obsessed with overusing exclamation points and suing people.
If you are a home owner paying this woman to represent your property — are you insane? Do you have the Internet?

The nice experience of renting a vacation home is completely overshadowed by the HORRIFIC experience of dealing with the home’s management company — Lake Effect Vacation Rentals and its owner. The owner of the management company is unorganized, unprofessional, rude and dishonest. She was nice until she received our money; after that, she was unhelpful and downright nasty, refusing to answer basic questions. We have rented MANY upscale homes throughout the country and never once had our deposit even questioned. Lake Effect Vacation Rentals withheld our deposit based on completely false accusations. When I called to discuss the situation, the company owner stated that she «never had any intention of keeping the entire deposit, but rather sent the inflammatory letter in order to get [my] attention.» Very professional. Given that I’m at the end of difficult pregnancy, my husband called her to follow up on the matter as he didn’t want me having any further stressful interaction with her. His entire goal was to discuss things politely and calmly and come to a peaceful resolution. She hung up on him almost immediately and then proceeded to write hostile emails. She has refused to discuss or prove her false allegations for withholding our deposit. Lest you think my review reflects an isolated incident or is that of a bitter, irresponsible renter, please look up Lake Effect Vacation rentals on
and you will see that what we experienced is a pattern of behavior that the owner of the company exhibits. There are also multiple claims against her company with the Better Business Bureau. I only wish I had done this due diligence before renting this house. The house is not worth having to deal with the management company’s unethical business practices. [UPDATE: ONCE THE MANAGEMENT CO DISCOVERED THAT I WOULD WRITE AN HONEST REVIEW OF MY EXPERIENCE WITH THEM, THEY DELETED THEIR ACCOUNT WITH MERCHANT CIRCLE, SO THAT NONE OF THE MANY MANY NEGATIVE REVIEWS ARE VISIBLE. THE COMPANY’S OWNER HAS ALSO BEGUN SENDING THREATENING EMAILS AND HAS ACKNOWLEDGED IN WRITING THAT SHE HAS ILLEGALLY RECORDED PRIVATE PHONE CONVERSATIONS.]