Guest damage/broke furniture

[Nora50]

My guest checks out on Friday.  Today I sent out my auto email with check out details-he replied and said - this chair broke, looks like it wasn’t screwed in correctly.   He sent a picture and the wooden arm of the chair completely broke off by the seat of the chair.   It looks to me like someone was likely sitting on it.  It’s a $500 chair.  
do I submit a request while he is still there for reimbursement?  Wait till he leaves? I hate to get a bad review but this was definitely caused by him and not a faulty chair- we’ve used it ourselves. It was fine. 

[Shelley159]

Hi @Nora50 

For me, professional repairs to wooden chairs have been relatively cheap. When weighing up the cost of the chair against the cost of a bad review, you should think of the repair cost rather than the original cost (which, as I understand, you have no hope of recovering through Aircover anyway), Hope it helps a bit.

[Nora50]

Thanks @Shelley159 - this is definitely not fixable. It completely snapped. I will have to buy a new one. 

[Nora50]

 

[Marie8425]

@Nora50 

I am very sorry, it is a beautiful chair.

Though you probably right he broke it, you are a business so you have to deal with this from a business point of view.

1.  I am assuming the Guest broke, I could be wrong,

2,  Guest states he didn't break.  I have no reason to say the Guest is a liar.

3.  I am assuming it can't be repaired.  I have a good photo. take some time and have furniture repairmen look at the photo.  

4.  Then make an educated business decision using information you receive from an experienced furniture expert.

[Joan2709]

@Nora50 

So sorry this happened, but you won't be able to prove the guest broke the chair. Yes, they most likely sat on the arm. The Hosts I consult for have learned not to put furniture inside their properties that will most likely get damaged by a guest. Guests will not care for your furniture they way you would. Furniture should be nice, comfortable but durable and easily cleaned. This is why I don't suggest velvet or other materials that are easily stained and hard to clean. Same goes for floor rugs. While a high pile rug, or light colored one might look nice, it won't stand up over time in an Airbnb.

Find a chair that you like, but keep in mind guests will most likely not treat the furniture with care. Buy something that will withstand the wear and tear guests will impose on it. Write off the loss of the chair as well as the purchase of another as a business expense if you can.