Thank you Christine, I have to agree.
First of all, I have to say that yes, there are definitely brands of toilet paper that are made to look full and fluffy, but they run out very quickly. The key is to buy the extra length rolls or bulk rolls if this is really a concern for you, or as Christine mentioned, just charge an extra $1-2 per day if it really bothers you!
Also - I am laughing at the idea that hosts check the trash can to see if a toilet roll is in there! Now that's what I call desperate! Not all guests use the bin in the bathroom, they might use the main trash can and then a lot of other rubbish goes on top of it too and the roll disappears in the trash. Are you saying that if you can’t see a toilet roll in the bin, then that means the guest has definitely stolen it ? 🙈 That's paranoid thinking.
Toilet paper is a basic necessity, some guests do not have the time to go to the shops and buy more toilet paper,
In some countries, you go to a supermarket and your only choice is to buy 4-6 rolls of toilet paper. And guests stay an average of 2-3 nights, so what do they do with the extra rolls? I'm not talking about the 5% who go through 10 rolls per day, I'm talking about the average guest. Are they expected to walk home with 4-6 rolls of toilet paper (unless they are lucky enough to have a rental car or bike), take the extra rolls that they don't use with them in their suitcase, or leave behind the extra rolls to the host when the host is the one who lives locally and can easily supply it?
Also, some people, especially females who have weak bladders after going though child birth, need to go to the toilet more often. Some people drink more water, juice, tea and coffee than others too, so perhaps they also need to use the toilet more often. Is this a problem for the host? Should the host add to their listing that they prefer guests with strong bladders who don't drink much water or juice?! 😆 You are supposed to welcome and accept that people are different.
Perhaps the biggest issue here is that Airbnb is still a relatively new thing, and many hosts have not really had experience in the industry. You have to remember that when you become a host, you are working in the hospitality and tourism industry, perhaps for the first time in your career. Maybe being hospitable doesn't come naturally to you, so you have to change your mindset and think about how to give your guest a good experience - which will also mean you get a good rating and review.
Nobody is telling you to provide breakfast and snacks for the guests, but toilet paper, Wi-Fi, soap, towels and bed linen are basic necessities. If a guest runs out and they ask for more toilet paper, don’t be the host who says "it is the expectation that you provide your own toilet paper". If so, make sure you advertise this in your listing so the guest comes prepared. Otherwise, they might not ask you for more until they are about to run out. Then you're leaving then in a tight spot. Do you think that will get you a great review?
As a host, you are an accomodation provider for people on holiday, often travelling by plane, walking on foot and catching public transport. Put yourself in their shoes. Do you really think you would be happy having to *walk* to the shops every 3-4 days, each time you change accomodation, to buy a new supply of toilet paper, and leave the extra rolls behind for the host? Or squeeze rolls into your suitcase before your next flight departs? Do you allow room for toilet paper in your luggage when you travel?
Use your empathy and remember that you are in the hospitality and tourism industry. When a guest comes to visit your city, the last thing they are thinking about is needing to schedule in time to go shopping for toilet paper, and to make sure they have a big bag to carry it in when they are walking home if it's not possible to buy a 1-2 roll pack (which are always way more expensive by the way). Sigh.
And for the long term accomodation providers, where the guests are already planning to go to the supermarket, sure, they can add toilet rolls to their shopping, but really?! And if you insist that the guest provides toilet paper, then advertise it in your listing and don’t surprise the guest when they are running low on loo paper and they send you a message and now they have to make sure they go to the shops today because oops - they forgot to check if their host is stingy or hospitable.
Let them know in advance - communicate. You want a happy guest, and a good review. Good reviews attract more guests. Average reviews are easy to find. Everyone has average reviews.
Reviews are a bother for most people. The people that have a good experience take the extra time to write a good review.
You're losing more money than you know when you only manage to get average reviews from your guests.
