Frequently asked questions
Miscellaneous
- We left something there. Will you ship it to us?
- What happens if I need emergency care while I am away?
- What happens if there is an emergency at the home I am staying in?
- What if I have some questions or comments?
- We are interested in owning a vacation property........
- The deer are so tame! There are so many animals!
- What kind of laundry soap and cleaning products do you use?
"Resume" type questions for WLVR
- How long have you been in business?
- Do you have any references?
- What kind of cleaning and laundry products do you use?
House Amenities
- What is included in the house?
- We need to leave a contact number for our dog/child/house sitter.
- Do the cabins have long distance or internet?
- Our house comes with a private boat dock, what information can you give me on this?
Payments or Tax Questions
- Do you accept credit cards?
- Is it OK if I make payments?
- What if another member of our group wants to pay on the bill?
- I am paying by check, but forgot to mail in my final payment.
- What is the motel tax?
- When is our final payment due?
Policies and Procedures
- Why do you want my email address?
- What if I can't make it as planned?
- I haven't received a confirmation yet.........why?
- What can I do to help fit in with the local residents?
- I would like to make a reservation for next year, what do I do?
- Since you work from home, how will you respond if we need you?
- I smoke. Do you have any homes that allow smoking?
- I see that you have minimum stays.....can we come for less than your required stay?
- What happens if Mother Nature is in a bad mood?
- Unfortunately, we need to go home a day or two early. What happens to those open days?
- We want to bring another car/boat/trailer than what is listed on the parking allowances on the internet...
- Our party grew by a few more than expected....
- How do I know my reservation is secure?
- What if I have a winter cabin booked and the roads are so bad that I can't get there?
- What if I want to bring my pet for the next leg of our trip, but we have chosen a not pet friendly home?
Ways to make your vacation PERFECT!
- What happens if I need assistance while I am at the house?
- Do you have smoking units?
- We want to leave the house for the day, what should we do?
- What is there to do there?
- Will my cell phone work up there?
- What is the weather forecast?
- I haven't had time to prepare for my vacation what services do you provide to make it easier on me?
- Can I buy groceries there?
- We want to have an outside fire and roast some marshmallows....
- My home is pet friendly, what are my responsibilities?
- May I bring a pet?
- What if I want to do some fishing....do you have any guides that could take me/us?
- Do you recommend anyone for a massage while we are there?
- What can we do while we are there?
- What can you do if we have "Wildlife Experience" while at your cabin?
Directions, Key, Check In, etc., type questions
- Does Wallowa Lake Vacation Rentals have an office at Wallowa Lake?
- It is really late, and we forgot to put the map/key information in the car and it is past business hours what do I do?
- How do I work the key lockbox?
- I have the map, the key code, and we are ready to go. Now what?
- I forgot to put my map/key information in the car. What do I do now?
- When do I need to check out?
- When may I check into my cabin?
- I am paid in full and have received my final confirmation, now what?
- I have made my first payment, now what?
- I haven't received a confirmation yet........why?
Reservation Questions
- I am ready to make a reservation what do I do now?
- How strict are you on your minimum stays?
- HELP! You have so many that I am having a hard time deciding!
- What if I can only stay 1 or 2 nights?
Do you know of other mountain retreats that we can visit on our way to you?
Miscellaneous
We left something there. Will you ship it to us?
Of course! If you can, please help out with the costs to send it back to you.What happens if I need emergency care while I am away?
We have a full service hospital in Enterprise, about a 15-mile drive from Wallowa Lake. If you need help at your home, use the sheet inside your Welcome Book that has the address of the home, as well as local emergency contact numbers to the police, fire, poison control, etc.What happens if there is an emergency at the home I am staying in?
Call - 9 1 1 - just as you would in your home, and then contact us from a phone outside of the home. Back to topWhat if I have some questions or comments?
Excellent! Let us hear it! We love success stories and appreciate your taking the time to tell us how your family enjoyed their vacation here! While we strive for your total enjoyment, sometimes we need some feedback. We rely on your experience to improve if needed. We will also share any feedback you have with the homeowner.We are interested in owning a vacation property........
Contact Jayne Warrener, Broker, http://www.timberline-realty.com/, this is the Realtor we have personally used and found her to be professional, knowledgeable, and excels in customer service. You may also visit her website at www.wallowavalleyrealestate.com or call her at 541.432.1234 or toll free at (800) 579-1889 .
There are also many other offices in the area that offer real estate services. http://www.wallowamountainproperties.com/ in Enterprise and Joseph, http://www.wallowacountyland.com, http://www.wallowacountybrokers.com, and http://www.generalland.com also all in Joseph.
The deer are so tame! There are so many animals!
Yes, the deer are quite used to people, but please do respect their space. While they appear friendly, they are wild animals and have been known to attack, gore, and chase adults, children, and pets. Do not feed the deer as they rarely want you to stop and can get quite aggressive. There are other wild animals in the Wallowa Lake area and the Eagle Cap Wilderness. They deserve a wide space and a healthy amount of respect.What kind of laundry soap and cleaning products do you use?
We know that people often find cleaning products and laundry soap scents to be offensive, so WLVR has done a lot of research and has found the perfect products to use to ensure that your vacation is perfect!WLVR is in the process of switching all of our cleaning products and laundry detergents to Shaklee's Get Clean Product line. This fantastic line offers exceptional cleaning products, fragrance free laundry products, but most importantly, the products are earth friendly!
We do a LOT of laundry and a LOT of cleaning and we are thrilled to be a more green company! REAL clean doesn't have an odor and these products are safe for you and your family and safe for the environment!
"Resume" type questions for WLVR
How long have you been in business?
Wallowa Lake Vacation Rentals, Inc., was formed in 1998 when we were looking for a family friendly job. We wanted a job that the kids could be involved in, and be with us. Little did we know that the business would boom like it has, and how many people we would need in our support staff to put it all together! We are so lucky to have this wonderful job that takes care of our family, but also to get the opportunity to make memories in your family as well! Thank you!!Do you have any references?
Yes. We can provide you with past clients, current clients, and future clients if you have questions as to our rules and procedures.What kind of cleaning and laundry products do you use?
We know that people often find cleaning products and laundry soap scents to be offensive, so WLVR has done a lot of research and has found the perfect products to use to ensure that your vacation is perfect!
WLVR is in the process of switching all of our cleaning products and laundry detergents to Shaklee's Get Clean Product line. This fantastic line offers exceptional cleaning products, fragrance free laundry products, but most importantly, the products are earth friendly!
We do a LOT of laundry and a LOT of cleaning and we are thrilled to be a more green company! REAL clean doesn't have an odor and these products are safe for you and your family and safe for the environment!
House Amenities
What is included in the house?
Paper products, garbage liners, coffee pots & filters, microwaves, toasters, dishcloths, towels, bedding (sheets, blankets, pillows), and bathroom and kitchen soap (no washing machine soap). You only need to bring clothing and food! Cabins are also equipped with either a propane or charcoal BBQ. If your home has propane, we provide the propane. If your cabin has a charcoal BBQ, you must provide briquettes. If your cabin has a fireplace, we provide the wood for you, with an axe if needed. We also try to list special amenities like cable, or VCR/DVD, on the website. If in doubt, email us! One hint for a great vacation? Throw in your own beach towels and lounge chairs. While we offer lawn furniture, they don't recline, and can be hard to take a nap in!We need to leave a contact number for our dog/child/house sitter.
Contact us. We can give you the number to leave behind with those that are taking care of things while you are away!Do the cabins have long distance or internet?
Our phones have long distance blocks placed on them, but you may use a calling card from the home. All of our homes offer internet services, your directions on how to access it will be in your homes WELCOME book. Keep in mind that if you have a newer laptop, you might not have the proper jack to plug into the phone line. If this is the case, then there are many free wi-fi places in Joseph that you can use, specifically The Hydrant, Stubborn Mule, Embers, Mad Mary's and the Joseph City Library.
Our house comes with a private boat dock, what information can you give me on this?
If your home comes with a boat dock, that dock is private and only for your use. You will not have to share the dock with the general public, or the neighborhood, it is for your use only! Our docks are usually in the water by Memorial Day weekend, and stay until Labor Day. The exception to this rule might be if the weather has been so foul that we can't get the docks in the water (Spring) or the water level has dropped (Fall) due to irrigation or water levels of the lake. We will do our best, but somethings are beyond our control.Payments or Tax Questions
Do you accept credit cards?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, personal checks, money orders, or cash.Is it OK if I make payments?
Absolutely.What if another member of our group wants to pay on the bill?
If they are paying with a Visa or Mastercard, please supply them with your reservation number. If they would like to pay by a check, please put the reservation number or your name in the Memo line.I am paying by check, but forgot to mail in my final payment.
You can drop it off at our conveniently located office in Enterprise at 309 S. River Street, right past the Shell gas station. The drop box by the front door is clearly marked WALLOWA LAKE VACATION RENTALS. Please put your payment into the locked and secure mailbox located to the right of the entrance. Do not leave cash in this box. If you have a cash payment, leave it at the Wallowa Mountain Properties front desk. You will be given a receipt here.What is the motel tax?
Motel tax for the cabins at the lake is 6%. Tax in the city limits of Joseph is 9% (which effects Units #25, 26, and 35 only).When is our final payment due?
If you are paying with a Visa or Mastercard, you will need to call us 1 week prior to your arrival and give us your credit card information. If you are paying by a check, please mail in your check 7 days prior to your arrival. Please include either your reservation number or name on all correspondence.Policies and Procedures
Why do you want my email address?
We email your information. We will never sell, loan, or use your information for any other purpose than for your reservation(s).What if I can't make it as planned?
CALL US ASAP! If you have given us more than 30 days lead time from the date you were set to arrive, then we will give you your deposit back minus a $50 cancellation fee. If you call us within the 30 days from the date you are set to arrive, then a refund will be given only if we are able to rent the home out. (We often have a waiting list, so if you can't make it for your timeframe, just call us and we will do the best that we can to book your house out for you.)
If you fail to call us and your home sits vacant, then you will be responsible for the full payment.
I haven't received a confirmation yet.........why?
If you provided us with an email address upon making your reservation, your confirmation was sent to that email. If your e-mail account uses a junk e-mail filter, please be sure to check your junk mail folder periodically as you await your confirmation. On occasion we have heard from customers who did not realize that we sent them a reply because a junk mail filter intercepted our response. If you only have a snail mail address, then we will be putting your confirmation in the mail to you.What can I do to help fit in with the local residents?
To help fit in with the local residents, please keep to your own parking area, observe the quiet hours of 10 pm and 8 am, respect their privacy and their yards, and respect our rules of the house. Feel free to introduce yourself and make a new friend while you are here--but please do be considerate of them.I would like to make a reservation for next year, what do I do?
We are thrilled that you would like to come back next year! Please contact us to make sure that your home is available. We typically renew contracts with our homeowners from July to October, and until we receive the signed contracts back, your reservation is considered tentative. Once we receive the signed contract back, we will get with you for your payment.Since you work from home, how will you respond if we need you?
You are always provided with our cell #'s, as well as our 24 hours a day, 7 days a week oncall service. If you need anything, we are available and always willing and able to assist you!I smoke. Do you have any homes that allow smoking?
No, unfortunately we do not. You are able to smoke outside, with a few rules: please pick up all butts and do not throw any on the ground; please clean up your ashtray before you depart; and please know that if there has been smoking inside the home, a fee of $250 will be automatically charged to your credit card to cover the cost of deodorizing the home.I see that you have minimum stays.....can we come for less than your required stay?
Sometimes. If we can put you on the front end or back end of someone else's vacation we usually can do a shorter stay. In other cases, If we only have a shorter stay available, then we will gladly take your shorter stay. Sometimes, we even take your shorter stays in the mid and shoulder season, but we aren't able to give you the discounted rate. The best way to know the for sure answer is to call us. We are happy to help you!What happens if Mother Nature is in a bad mood?
Unfortunately we do not have any control over Mother Nature, the Tooth fairy, or the Easter Bunny. We are not able to refund money due to any issue that is beyond our control.
Unfortunately, we need to go home a day or two early. What happens to those open days?
We are sorry to see you leave early. Let us know ASAP. We will try to get your unused nights rebooked! If you have given us more than 30 days lead-time to your vacation, you will be eligible for a refund. If you are within 30 days of your arrival (including being here when you discover you have to cut your trip short) we are only able to refund when we can re-rent your days. If your home sits empty, the cabin's owner still receives payment for the entire reservation.
We want to bring another car/boat/trailer than what is listed on the parking allowances on the internet...
We have to respect the County and we have to respect the neighbors. If you have more than what is on the website, then contact us. We have overflow parking available.Our party grew by a few more than expected....
We operate on County permits, and we are strictly bound to regulations. If the home sleeps 10, that is the max. amount of persons that we can have on the premises. We are in violation of our permit if there are more people than allowed. If your group expands, then we need to evaluate the situation and find a solution. Contact us; lets see what we can do for you!How do I know my reservation is secure?
From the date you made your reservation, you have 10 days to mail us your payment, if you chose to pay by personal check. Your reservation is considered secure for these initial 10 days. If you chose Visa or Mastercard, your reservation is secure the moment we process your request.What if I have a winter cabin booked and the roads are so bad that I can't get there?
If the roads are closed, then we will work with you to chose different dates that you can come and enjoy the cabin! Keep close watch of tripcheck.com and keep in touch with us. Often the freeways are just closed for a short amount of time, and if you keep watch of tripcheck.com, you will know when you can head over to our direction!What if I want to bring my pet for the next leg of our trip, but we have chosen a not pet friendly home?
A new business in town called Enterprise Animal Hospital offers boarding. Please visit their website at www.enterprisevet.com for more information.Ways to make your vacation PERFECT!
What happens if I need assistance while I am at the house?
Wallowa Lake Vacation Rentals is a home-based business. We rely heavily on the use of the phone. If you are experiencing an emergency, contact the numbers provided on your confirmation, or in the cabins. We have an excellent support staff of people that will gladly help you.Do you have smoking units?
No. All of our units and property are non smoking.We want to leave the house for the day, what should we do?
Before you leave for the day, please turn down the heat and turn off the lights.What is there to do there?
Visit our attractions page or the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce. We also have a WELCOME notebook in your home for some ideas and activities.
Will my cell phone work up there?
Your cell phone will probably not work up at the lake. However, all of our cabins have phones in them, so please let us know if we can provide you with a phone number. You will have cell reception in most places in Wallowa County, just not at the Lake.What is the weather forecast?
See the weather forcast for Joseph, OR and surrounding areas by clicking here http://www.josephoregonweather.com/
I haven't had time to prepare for my vacation what services do you provide to make it easier on me?
Email us your grocery list and we will shop for you! We can arrange a celebration cake, flowers, fudge, and more to be waiting for you when you arrive! Want something a little different perhaps a massage appointment? Just ask!Can I buy groceries there?
There is Dollar Stretcher and Safeway in Enterprise, Mt. Joseph Market in Joseph, and a small store at the Lake. There are also convenience stores located at Enterprise and Joseph.We want to have an outside fire and roast some marshmallows....
Sorry, but we can't have outside campfires. You will be staying in a heavily wooded area, and fires can be very dangerous.My home is pet friendly, what are my responsibilities?
•Keep the pooch on a leash while outside. •Keep the poo picked up and disposed of it by placing it in a small plastic sack, and put it in the garbage can. •Keep the pooch off the furniture and off the beds. •Do not leave your pooch in the home unless contained in a crate, and do not allow your dog to bark. •Read the pet policy and email us (or print it and mail it) that you agree to the pet policy outlined.May I bring a pet?
Some of our units allow pets, some don’t. Contact us. I will need to know what kind, how many, and what unit you are staying in. About ½ our properties allow pets. Some homes do not allow pets; this may be due to new carpets, no yard for the pooch to do its business, or the homeowners have strong pet allergies. Please respect the homes that have chosen to cater to the 2 legged vacationers and choose a home that wants to welcome the 4 legged vacationers.What if I want to do some fishing....do you have any guides that could take me/us?
Mac from Eagle Cap Fishing Guides has taken many of our customers fishing on several different rivers/streams/lakes in Wallowa County. Mac is knowledgeable in the right bait to use, the best locations, and will gladly take you or your party fishing! Check out his website at www.eaglecapfishing.com . GOOD LUCK!Do you recommend anyone for a massage while we are there?
Ok, I should be in a 12 step program for massage. I am addicted, and I love it. So, I have gone to about everyone up here in our beautiful Wallowa County. I would recommend calling Crystal 541.432.3011, Nancy at 541.432.7765, Cindy at 541.398.1116, Colleen 541.398.0705. Of course, I had to make sure they were all good to refer on, so I had to try them out! There are a few others, but I need to get their permission first to post it. So, keep checking back!