This year we have observed that guests, even those coming to higher-price listings (like ours), have become more creative and feel more entitled (and unashamed) to grovel for money back using an interesting array of reasons. Unlike the past (pre-Covid) we rarely encountered this new phenomenon before (maybe once a year), but this year (2022) we have encounter it a few times, and perhaps the easiness in which guests were allowed to cancel during the 'Covid Years' without penalty is at the root of the 'problem'. Given Airbnb has been traditionally so hysterical to placate to the guest over hosts, maybe it has facilitated the hustling.
The 'We lost time staying at your place for reasons beyond our control' hustle: We now get guests that because of weather (or their incompetence) show up a day late and feel entitled to want a refund for the missed day (or two) because was 'beyond their control'. Really? Whatever happen to Travel Insurance? The fact a flight is delayed or cancelled, especially during winter when one is coming from 'the Artic circle' like north of the Mason-Dixon line of the U.S. for example, it is bound to happen. How has that now become the host's problem?
The 'I didn't think that children need to be included in the reservation' hustle. This year this one has been a true classic, so much so we have had guests right out ask us to explain to them why their 'children' (even late teens) should be paying what adults do. We point out that when they flew down to us, did the airlines allowed them to fly for free? In our experience a case can be made that kids should be paying more than adults, since they can be a terror on resources and wear and tear.
The 'Stay the entire length of the booking (quietly) and then claim it wasn't what they expected' passive-aggressive hustle. This one is a doozy. If they were so unhappy why didn't they leave, it is not like they can't find another place to stay at a time when it appears the supply of STRs far outstrips demand in most areas. We now take the approach, when we detect the 'home inspector' type of guest because of their self-importance air about them, to explicit tell them "If this is not for you" let us know immediately, we will refund your remaining days and let's part 'friends', no need to even get into opinions why. No takers yet, but we are ready.
The 'Carbon monoxide / mold / cockroach standard' hustle. This one is probably the most common since it is hard to proof. And dangerous since a listing can be shut down with little recourse. Of course, we have monitors everywhere in our place to prevent this hustle, but every time I read this complaint in one of the posts here my eyes and attitude take on this look >
The 'Legal Eagle type of traveler' . I am enclosing this because it is amusing, at least to us where we live (Belize). It is amazing to me how many travelers, especially coming from a nowadays too-socially-charged-up country, think that the rest of the world must follow with all their complex rights, entitlements and expectations of back home. Well, not exactly.
I could think of quite a few others, but this small list should get you all to think of hustles you are encountering nowadays. The question remains, have hustles now become more frequent and more inventive than in the past, pre Covid vs. post-Covid?
Since the last 'ogre' over a month ago we have had a good string of fabulous guests (all Airbnb) and even the 'slick artist' who used the excuse of having to 'rush to wait' at our local-yokel airport finally paid her bill, so our faith on the human race has taken a most encouraging turn. But goodness, what a wide spectrum of unpredictable human behavior are we living with nowadays. So.....
