Guests that request unavailable dates

[Steven65]

Guests frequently send to me a booking request for available dates, with a message requesting other dates they actually want, even though they are clearly not available. Of course i decline the request and explain the dates are taken, but will then be penalised by the Airbnb "search algorithm" for declining guests. My reason for declining, "guest is asking for dates that are not available" has been removed and I am forced to look like the bad guy.

Airbnb, can you please restore the "guest is asking for dates that are not available" and ignore them in the search algorithm. Anyone had similar experience or solutions? 

[Donna509]

Airbnb, from this thread it sounds like the process is NOT clear to host...and i would agree, thanks for continuing to improve!

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Steven65 

we don't have to be psychologists or web designers to see the brain games used while designing Airbnb platform - the big red button for sending a booking request or to instant book and a small, blue text link to contact the host. No, wonder we all get requests instead of inquiries.

Airbnb is not user-friendly - it is Airbnb friendly.

In such situations I do what @Sarah977  said - I suggest them to withdraw their request or I will accept it and then they will have to cancel and wait for a refund. They all withdraw it right away. But this is an unneccessary problem created by misleading web design and could be easily avoided.

[Carla1052]

We've been dealing with this a lot, as we're near the location of a popular music festival.  We have guests sending requests for dates now who are actually asking for the festival weekend, 7 months out.  We have been politely declining and letting them know that the dates will be available for booking no more than 3 months out... Ugh and now it's tanked our acceptance rate.  Going to start accepting them and letting them know they need to cancel, and to send inquiries in the future and not booking requests for the wrong dates.  

[Sandra856]

@Carla1052 Ask the guests to withdraw the request asap and tell them that otherwise you will have to accept the request as it will otherwise hurt your listing and they will have to cancel /money will be taken from their credit card etc. It really helps 🙂 

[Kenneth12]

Special offer at $15,000 a night,  or such?