Cleaning "certification" is offered online

[Debra300]

So, while Airbnb has been raising service fees, canceling reservations and issuing vouchers in an attempt make up for lost revenues, it appears that some other short-term rental related businesses have been working on their side-hustle, and are now offering online courses and issuing cleaning "certifications":  www.cleaningcertification.com.

The course material is only a compilation of information that is available to the general public from the WHO, CDC, Mayo Clinic, etc.  For $20USD and 30 minutes of your time, you can get  a decal badge, similar to the Superhost badge, to display on your listing.

The course providers are spreading the word via affiliates to endorse and market their offerings in exchange for a 10% commission.  I am sure that eventually the larger OTAs such as Booking.com, Expedia.com, Hotels.com, and probably Airbnb will buy-in after they are able to negotiate a higher commission.  Then, they too will promote this cleaning certification, or another one, to hosts and guests.

[Lizzie]

Thanks for your reply @Debra300.

We really wanted to get the protocol out as soon as possible. The four days you mention does include the weekend, so that didn't help here, but I'm sure you would agree that it's better to have a few extra days and it goes out as expected than not quite right.

This aside, I am sorry it took a little longer than planned to launch it, but the good news is that it is live now for US hosts and so hopefully everything will go smoothly for you. 

Thanks again.

Lizzie

[Debra300]

@Lizzie,

Thank you again for following up.  You may have overlooked my questions, but I really would appreciate if you'd clarify the audience of the mailing list.  Is a "US host" a person with an a US address? Or, is it a person who has listings with a US address?  I still have not received any email, nor has a message notification appeared on my dashboard.

[Tueykay0]

I just took the 10 Question Cleaning Protocal quiz. I knew the answers because I have been following CDC, WHO & OSHA news constantly. As someone else mentioned, if you are following the news, the answers are obvious. 

The next email from Airbnb says Thank you for committing to the well-being of Airbnb community. Then they offered to sell me cleaning supplies at 20% off plus free shipping. They are selling products at a higher price than what I would pay at Costco or local grocery store AND they are selling by the case. They are selling the cheaper/ no name brands at a higher price and where am I storing a case of detergent, case of soap, case of toilette bowl cleaners etc? 

And the worse is they are selling a box of 3-ply disposable masks (50 in box) for $55. I can get that from my medical supplier for $30.   

[Debra300]

Wow @Tueykay0,

That is really appalling.  Airbnb sounds like the corner stores that sell stale, no name stuff at a hefty markup.

BTW, I just ordered 3-ply face masks on Costco for $21/50 p.b. and delivered.