I was contated by a producer stating they want to talk w me about my home as they will be hosting season 3 in San antonio for the show "Staycation!" Unsure if it is a scam....

[Marylou42]

Has anyone been contacted or know another Airbnb host that has been contacted by show?  I would love to do it but unsure if its a scam.  Hesent me all the info, and it seems legit.  Just wondering if anyone else has come across this.  They are featuring 7 homes in San Antonio.  Find it hard to beleive that out of all the homes, mine would be picked.  Its a beautiful home, just doesnt stand out as many others would.  He states its about the back story and not always about BIG and bold.  Its about ratings and the effort they see hosts have put into their homes.  What do you all think?    

[Elisa]

Hi @Marylou42 😊, 

Thank you for posting this in the community!

Did you find out if it’s a scam or not?

Have you thought about connecting with hosts from your area and asking them about this through our Local Host Clubs?

Don’t hesitate to let me know!

Warm regards 🌻,

[Marylou42]

Hi @Elisa  

thank you for getting back to me. Yes, I contacted three hosts that premiered on their Austin episode in season two of their show. They all said the same thing- Had a lot of fun doing it, paid some money to do it and didn’t see any additional bookings from the exposure. They all said that is why they did it. To get more exposure. One host said the people that contacted her gave her full names and titles. The guy that contacted me, gave me his first name, Steven, and Production Assistant  as his title. When I asked him his last name, he said, you can verify I am with the show by connecting with so-and-so on Linkin. I thought why wouldn’t he just give me his last name, everything else he sent me seemed legit. For all these reasons, I passed.
thanks for responding. I appreciate it!   

[Inna22]

@Marylou42 very clever to contact the other hosts who were featured. I cannot believe they charge for it!

[Elisa]

Hi @Marylou42 😊, 

Thank you for sharing this! It's really interesting, and I'm happy you found a solution.

It was my pleasure to help you!

Warm regards 🌻,

[Helen3]

I work in communications and have worked with programme producers for different types of programmes .

I  don't know the programme but sounds exciting .

Have you asked them to email a brief about what's involved - you can easily see who the production company is on the programme credits and then see if the email matches @Marylou42 

not sure why you turned them down without further discussion - whether you get bookings as a result of being on the programme very much depends on how you market your involvement. 

[Marylou42]

Hi @Helen3  

I did look up the website he gave me and went down the rabbit hole. I couldnt find his name on anything. As far as why I didnt even bother discussing further,  for starters I live in Seattle.  It would take me taking the time to fly to San Antonio to do this, prep and get my home ready for this.  The mere fact that he refused to give me his last name was a red flag for me.  He just kept telling me to check out the website.  I didnt find a "Steven" in any of the programs credits.  Why did he keep avoiding the question? IDk, just didnt sit well with me.  If he was trying to get me on, he would have given me all info including his full name. I contacted THREE of the past ppl on the show when it aired in Austin.  All of them said it was the same thing, they were contacted by someone that gave them theri full name, affiliation to the show and gave them all info upfront.  THey also said they had to pay some money to be on the show, but didnt see a change in revenue or bookings. Seeing we have been in the red for a bit with my home on Airbnb, I didnt want to go into it further and potentially further my loses. So those are my reasons.   

[Helen3]

I agree it's a major red flag if he wouldn't share full contact details @Marylou42 

[Frances3408 · Accepted solution]

@Marylou. I found this discussion in Reddit where a poster from the show outlines the offer. $6K USD seems pretty steep to me.

 https://www.reddit.com/r/airbnb_hosts/comments/1d7c9hi/staycation_feature_offer/?rdt=46599

[Frances3408]

@Marylou42  I found this discussion in Reddit where a poster from the show outlines the offer. $6K USD seems pretty steep to me.

 https://www.reddit.com/r/airbnb_hosts/comments/1d7c9hi/staycation_feature_offer/?rdt=46599

[Marylou42]

@Frances3408 Eesh.  Yep, Im out, lol.  If someone wants to feature your home, you would think they would pay you.  WHen I asked him if there was a cost, he said it depended and there were some variables that have to be factored in after I speak with the director.  Uhhh, no thanks. 

At any rate, thanks for sharing what you found!! I appreciate it!  

[Zheng49]

It's probably not a scam, but you would be paying them $6000 to be featured, and not the other way around. Like, you don't get paid for being on the show. 

[Shelley162]

In San Antonio it is against your permit to allow commercial activity in an Airbnb. Be careful you will get your Permit revoked. There are a number of hosts who have lost their permits over commercial filming. This group has been trolling through a number of Airbnb in the city and it will cause trouble if they get Caught.

[Marylou42]

I find that strange.  Not saying its not true, but when I started with Airbnb, there was an option (if I remember correctly) that asks if you will allow commercial filming.  It could have been VRBO.  At any rate, I dont think they would have that option if they didnt allow it.  I didnt do it anyway, so no need to worry about it, just find it strange that they wouldnt allow it, but yet, give platforms the option to ask if we will. If its true, so be it.  

[Frances3408]

@Marylou42 . There is an option in your settings to allow filming. Its really used for marketing purposes, not a rubber stamp of local rules. Airbnb terms say they require you to abide by your own laws too so its always on you to know. 

To be a successful host I think you need to be part lawyer, assessing the risks and keeping up to date.