This was yesterday and I'm still shaken by my 1st AirBnB experience in Athens, GA. I booked a private room for 2 nights. The host had decent communication prior to check in. We agreed to meet at the home at 4pm. I received my confirmation with address. The home was listed as beachfront, but it was not. The "beach" along a creek was a short walk away and not visible from the property. The home was listed as a townhome. It was actually a duplex. The neighborhood was shady with a huge pot hole in the middle of the road. A young boy of about 7 answered the door. There was no mention of children being present. From what I could see, the place didn't look anything like the photos, and even the photo of what appears to be the home is actually the neighboring home.
When the host came to the door, I was not asked in. Instead, she came outside and we spoke for at least 10 minutes in the Georgia heat. She was shocked that I had her address and didn't realize I was confirmed to stay. She mentioned that another guest had "just left" and she hadn't done anything to clean the room. I confirmed that we had agreed to meet at 4pm and I confirmed that it was a few minutes after 4. She stated that her phone wasn't working and couldn't make calls or access the app and that she needed to go to the mall to get her phone fixed.
After some back and forth, we decided that I was going to actually stay there, even though at this point I didn't feel comfortable doing so. But she was a "superhost" with some good reviews, so I thought I should give her a chance. She said I could come back later. I asked when. She was unsure and wanted to know when I would like to come back. I mentioned that the app stated check in was 3pm, she agreed to meet at 4pm, so I didn't want to keep driving around in my car, since I had been doing so since 1pm when I arrived in Athens.
I asked for a ballpark time-frame and she couldn't give one, saying she had to wash sheets, she had a slow machine, and she needed to clean the room for me. I thought that was why we were meeting at 4pm. I even offered to come after she cleaned the room and I would even make the bed for her. She finally said she would call me when the room was ready. I was confused, since she told me her phone didn't work. We agreed to a window between 7 and 8pm. What was going to do for another 3 or 4 hours? I had food in the car that needed to be refrigerated.
As I left and paid more attention to the area since I was no longer searching for her "townhome" (duplex), I realized that I did not feel comfortable with her, the lies, the miscommunication, and her demeanor. I drove to a nearby shopping area to call AirBnB. I was helped by a very friendly lady and I did get a refund. I was now on my own and wound up in a hotel on the other side of town and now over-budget. At least I feel safe and there aren't children present. I just needed a quiet place to stay for 2 nights while I see a few sights in Athens and spend some quiet time writing.
The reason for writing is that I don't feel like the assistant on the phone realized the degree to which I was put out and I want to make sure they hear the full story and how it made me feel. I'm shaking as I write this. I tried to report the listing, since it's not beachfront, it's not a townhome, there was a child who seemed to be living there, and if not, if the previous host had "just left".... How this host became a superhost is completely lost on me.
I'm not sure if AirBnB will see this, but I hope they do. I would like to know a way to get this information to them, but in searching the site, I can't see how to do that. The help bot didn't allow me to post this information and I don't want to chat with someone, I just want to submit this in writing.
I have another reservation in another city next week. Based on this experience, I would never use this site again. Hopefully, next week will be a much better experience. I think my lesson learned was not to rent a room in home. I had tried to rent an apartment over a host's home, but the bot refused my reservation stating they felt I was going to have a 4th of July party. That is the last thing I want to do, AirBnB bot. Trust me. So thanks a lot for refusing what could have been a great experience and instead, introducing me to a host who, in my opinion, isn't a superhost, but a horridhost.
