As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on th...
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As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey I’ve had as a host. What began with one humb...
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I have the Instant Book settings turned on for my listing. During the night last night, (2:00AM), I noticed that my calendar was blocked off and a guest who did NOT meet any of my Instant Booking criteria was sent an automated email from me confirming his reservation. I was fairly alarmed as this person had just signed up for Airbnb in January 2021, had not verified their identified, and of course, had no reviews from other hosts as my settings require in order to instant book. I'm still very confused as to how and/or why my automated software sent him a confirmation email. This hasn't ever (inaccurately), happened before.
I'm so very confused right now. The CS I am on the phone with says that every time I am sent a booking request, it automatically blocks those dates on my calendar. Okay,--but, my question that I cannot seem to get answered, is HOW was this potential guest, who did not meet any of my Instant Booking criteria, able to tentatively "book" my place and block my calendar? I was very frustrated as for 13 hours, I could not approve or decline the reservation. The only button I had was a "Message" button. I was just "told" by Airbnb that the dates would be held. (See screenshot below.). Finally at 3 PM this afternoon, I was sent a "booking request" with a button asking me to approve or decline.
Has anyone else ever had this happen? If so, am I doing something wrong with my settings?
@Ann72 Yes! I received an email from Airbnb regarding an UNpublished review. As the guests that had stayed with me had not left town, (they had asked for a 10 day super, super cheap rate that I just couldn't swing as I pay taxes on all of my earnings), I didn't want to send them private feedback or post their review. Indeed, I had sent these guests a link to a person that lives very close to me who does NOT have a license and doesn't pay taxes as an option due to certain circumstances. I was absolutely FLABBERGASTED to see the following email in my inbox the next day after composing a draft and saving it. Indeed, I did not send any private feedback or post a review until at least a week later!
@Ann72 I As you mention, I'm sure what you say is 100% legally accurate re ownership claim to exchanges between hosts and guests. Apparently, it applies to notes not sent as well.
Technically speaking, it says "These notes won't be shown to guests." However, apparently they have extra people in the CS department now who have nothing better to do than read through these notes and unsent/saved messages.
I truly find this hard to believe as their CS department continues to be nothing short of appalling and, as you mention, there continues to be no answers to hosts who have been begging for answers re legitimate and direct queries. In my own case, I find that if it has to do with Airbnb paying out money, their CS department is on vacation; permanently. So, perhaps that explains why they have an over-abundance of CS reps able to read all communications, (even supposedly private notes!), now?
@Ann72 Here is the screen shot of the email they sent after reading my (saved) notes and text conversations between a guest that stayed with me last month who damaged blinds. I had told my guest I would let her know if there were any charges involved in the replacement. (There were no charges as the blind company graciously replaced everything at no charge!)
