James A. Nello Vacation Rentals in the DesertWorld Vacations Rentals--Est. 1988 Beware--will not return deposit and is not licensed or regulated by the Department of Real Estate Palm Springs, California

On January 9th I found a property on VRBO that I thought would be good to rent during the summer months in the nearby mountains of Palm Springs.  When I sent a request to the owner about availability I was contacted by James Nello who told me he was the property manager and that he could negotiate the rental for us and handle the details.  

Nello requested a signed contract from us with the date and times that we want to rent along with a reservation deposit of $205. He insisted on a check rather than using a credit card to save on the fees.  The contract said that the deposit was fully refundable if we canceled before 60 days prior to the rental.  He assured me that any deposit was fully refundable as long as I did it within the time frame.

Guess what?  I canceled nearly 75 days from the rental period and at first he told me the property owner owed him money so he wouldn't refund my deposit.  Now he is not returning my emails.  When I went to search him on the CA Department of Real Estate I discovered that he is not licsenced to act as a property manager in this state and is opperating from that regard illigally.  It is now nearly 45 days from the time I first cancelled and nothing.  

I do not trust this man and highly recommend that no one else do business with him.  He did not act ethically with me and I am only glad that I didn't give him any more money than I did.  There are lots of other rentals.  Find one that isn't connected to him or his company.

I confirm the other reports on here and just wish I had found them before I gave him my deposit.  Beware!