Host (as a guest) to Host Communication: WWYD?

[Jennifer1421]

Hi All:

Looking for advice, here...

My partner and I are traveling to Egypt next month. We booked our first 4 nights in Cairo on Dec.27, and I messaged the host as part of our booking, asking him for recommendations for a luggage drop-off prior to check in, as our flight gets in at 6am local time. I didn't receive a reply, so I sent a prompt a couple of days ago, which continues to be unanswered. For some reason, I'm unable to find his phone number on the booking (likely the reason is idiocy), or I'd try calling him too (once I figured out the time difference, so I'm not calling him at a stupid time, obvs).

I know from reading his profile that he works out in the desert, so perhaps he's been unable to retrieve messages. Given the trouble with Co-hosts not having access to messages lately, I'm wondering if that is the issue. Regardless, I'm starting to get a bit antsy about the booking, given the lack of communication, and given the reviews he's gotten about how excellent all other guests have found communication to be. This seems out of character for the host...unless the reviews are bogus - which I don't think they are.

I'm starting to get uncomfortable about the booking. I'd like to be proactive, and I still have a little better than a month to figure this out, but I'm not quite sure how to proceed. I don't really want to cancel, but I also don't want to be arriving in Cairo at 6 am without a plan. I also don't want to be one of "those" hosts who are a pain in the butt. Maybe I'm being unreasonable about not hearing from him yet? Just because I get in touch immediately with all guests, doesn't mean everyone does, I suppose.

What would you all do?

[Alexandra316]

@Jennifer1421 if his listing is active (i.e. not snoozed) I don't think it's unreasonable for you to expect an answer within a couple of weeks. We all get busy, but the fact that he ignored the original message as well as a follow up prompt is concerning.

As far as the phone number goes, if you go into the reservation there should be a button marked contact host, and if you click it you should have the option to either call or email him. If he doesn't respond to a call, I would consider contacting Airbnb and asking them to intervene or find you a new place to stay. 

[Jennifer1421]

Thanks, @Alexandra316 - using the app resulted in a much easier way to find the phone #, so I'm all set to contact him, which I'll do if I don't hear back over the next couple of days.

[Anonymous]

@Jennifer1421   I can definitely understand your concerns about the host being slow to respond, but then again your particular query doesn't have any real urgency to it. If you have the address and directions, and the host has already supplied instructions for check-in, all you really need is confidence that the listing is genuine.

Considering your host's perspective, I wonder if perhaps your query puts him in a bit of a bind. Generally guests are responsible for their own arrangements prior to their check-in time, and while it's nice for the host to offer some local expertise for situations like yours, there's not always a good answer. As I understand it, Cairo no longer has left-luggage facilities in train stations due to the obvious security risks, and if the listing didn't explicitly offer early check-in, it would be unreasonable to expect the sunrise luggage storage like you'd get at a luxury hotel. If the host isn't forthcoming with some local expertise, your best solution would be to pack lightly for your trip and perhaps keep a Plan B on hand for accommodation.

[Jennifer1421]

You make a good point, @Anonymous, though it'd be nice if he just came back and said he's unable to make a recommendation. Doing so would put my mind at ease, considerably. We definitely weren't looking for him to store it, just wondering if there were any facilities nearby for same. We do pack lightly (even for a lengthy trip like this one) so carrying our luggage on our backs is possible, just annoying.

As you say, there's no real urgency to the question, just my wish to have some form of dialogue to increase my own comfort level with the booking. Maybe I am one of "those" hosts, after all. D'oh!

[Anonymous]

@Jennifer1421  Can't blame you there at all. I must admit, as a host I have at times let some non-time-sensitive messages dangle until a couple days before check-in, because responding to them was an easy opening for sending the pre-arrival message with all the necessary instructions.

It's never occurred to me that this would cause a guest to doubt that I'm going to fulfill their booking. I guess I figure they wouldn't have booked in the first place if they weren't confident about their choice.

But for what it's worth, you won't find a lot of storage facilities in places in the Middle East that anyone might have an interest in placing a bomb. The major museums in Cairo open at 9 or 10 AM and might be amenable to holding a light daypack at the wardrobe desk.

[Jennifer1421]

@AnonymousWell, I was confident, until I didn't hear from him. 

If I remember correctly, you don't use IB, right? This was an instant booking, so I've had no acknowledgment from the host at all, which wouldn't be the case for your guests. They've already had a bit of convo with you, yes?

[Anonymous]

Yes that's correct - I don't use IB, so when I accept a booking I always send a personalized message and ask for the guest's arrival time. The guest would have no cause to doubt that I've received their details.

Has your host supplied check-in instructions that seem complete enough to follow if you haven't received a response, or are you also missing the address?

[Jennifer1421]

I have the address, but check in instructions don't populate until 3 days before check in. As these things are all automated, it doesn't necessarily give me comfort that the host/listing is real. This is an "entire apartment" listing in a building, fyi, not a shared situation.

Maybe I read too many horror stories here in the CC?!

[Anonymous]

@Jennifer1421  It does sound like the likeliest problem here is related to the Co-host messaging bug. But if you're having doubts about the listing being genuine, there are a few ways to test for that. You can click on the profiles of the guests who have reviewed it, and see if they are verified/reviewed users. Or right-click on the photos to make sure they aren't stolen from other websites.  If a new review appears between now and your stay, that's a good sign.

[Marie82]

@Jennifer1421  sorry are we talking about a booking coming on Dec 27th 2020? Any guests who booked that long ahead I will never reply to any questions until maybe a month before arrival.

As I always think guests who start asking questions that early will continue to do so in regular bases and will become too dependent on the host. My little opinion

I had a guest who booked yesterday and asked me if I could send the keys info asap, I reply, no as I send full info 6 days prior to arrival, and her booking was in 3 weeks 

She also asked if I could store her luggage as her flat depart at 22.3pm I reply certainly not and sent her links to left luggage.

[Anonymous]

@Marie82  If I'm reading the OP right, the booking was placed on Dec 27 2019, and the travel dates are next month (Feb 2020).

[Jennifer1421]

Andrew is correct, @Marie82 . We placed the booking on Dec. 27/19 for mid-Feb/20.

Interesting to hear your perspective on guest questions. A question for you: do you contact a booking guest to acknowledge their reservation when it is made - even if the booking is for a date well into the future?

[Marie82]

@Jennifer1421 sorry, I did not see ur booking was made for Feb 2020 my mistake. I use a channel manager so all bookings are automatically confirmed if ID and payment are made, but asap I am online I go through again and read to make sure if there is any question I need to answer and I usually I reply asap if I know the answer if not I always ask guests to wait a week prior to their arrival for definitive answer (early check-in or later check out) type.

[Jennifer1421]

So you DO personally acknowledge the booking when it's made, in some form then, @Marie82, rather than just have it all done automatically? (Even if it's a automated reply from you to the guest?