I am a Superhost and have been for a long time now. So this is not coming from a sense of bitterness.
But it is coming (I guess) from a sense of stress at having to maintain this standard.
We just got a 3/5 rating as a bathroom had a spider web in it. Does Airbnb do anything to educate
guests that a 3/5 rating is basically death? I think not. Occasionally we all get a 1/5 and yes now we can
dispute that, but 6 years ago when I started, we could not. Everyone gets the occasional 1/5 if you host long enough and
that can really hurt your ratings! And hurt your livelihood!
It is a pandemic and we are doing our best to clean to a very high standard. It is also rainy season in Japan,
so little critters can find their way into guest houses unfortunately.
Airbnb seems like a very caring company. In my YouTube videos about it, I emphasize that.
We have navigated through a pandemic, my whole family is still alive (at the moment), but having to contend with
extra things like getting a 3/5 rating for a small spider web seems over the top.
What do others think? Is 4.8 reasonable to be a Superhost? Or should it be lower.
Would 4/5 be more realistic, or 4.5?
Would Brian Chesky score a 4.8 as a CEO. What would you give him? Is he a Super CEO?
I digress, but I think you can see my point. It is very difficult to be a 4.8 CEO. It is also very difficult to
be a 4.8 host. We are 4.9. ( I say We, because it really is a team effort).
Mr. Chesky, I would probably give you a 4/5. Because some of the promises you have made over the years, have not
been kept. "Guests will be required to have a proper profile picture." and things like that. Brian, one of my guests
had a paper bag over his head as a profile picture. I also have read many disturbing posts about Airbnb not keeping its promises
of paying hosts for damages. "Airbnb fights like hell not to pay." - wrote one poster on a Facebook forum for hosts recently.
Airbnb should bend over backwards to help hosts when the shxx hits the fan. We are the backbone of your company. And yes it
is your company now, as you made the ruling that we are independent contractors. I felt that decision was a mistake, but I am
not the CEO.
If you are going to hold Superhosts to such high standards, really you should hold yourself to them as well. Or cut hosts
a bit of slack as we cut slack for Airbnb for not being perfect or not keeping its promises at times.
Curious to hear what other hosts think? I feel at this forum, many people hold back, so it will be interesting to see how honest
others can be on this platform, even though big brother is watching.