Ignore or decline inquiry after responding

[Sarika9]

Hi all new to Airbnb. I know this question has come up several times but I see conflicting info. If someone sends an inquiry (not a booking request) AND I respond to them within 24 h (I usually do within minutes) , do I have to eventually decline or pre-approve? 
sometimes I don’t have all the info I need to pre-approve or decline or I’ve asked them a question needing clarity and the ball is in their court. In which case it would be strange to suddenly preapprove or decline. Will I get penalized if I ignore the reminder to preapprove/decline? I’ve read that for inquiries all that matters is getting any response back within 24 hours which can be a message. But I also read that you can get penalized for declining too many inquires. That doesn’t make any sense. Please advise. Thanks!!

[Colleen253]

@Sarah977 Your experience is not my norm, that's for sure! My inquiries are always asking for a discount, or to bring more guests than I've explicitly stated I accept, or to have 'just a small event, 10 people, but of course only 5 guests will be in the house. Oh, and we may bring in a food truck and have a small tent'.  🙄

I actually had one guest recently have the gall to go ahead and request to book with a message that said 'it's 7 guests, is that ok?' My house rules are pretty direct that no it's not ok. She didn't immediately withdraw the request and chose to argue with me instead. I had to decline, then block her. 

[Corinne699]

Hi,

I am a new host and just had an inquiry and ultimately declined. She wanted a long term stay (3 months), bringing a puppy. (I allow pets). The problems are she balked at the rate and she's a nurse leaving the pup alone all day. Then she said she didn't "have" to bring the dog. Red flags all over the place! I am a quick study in people who are not telling the whole story. 

Swat! 😂

[Colleen253]

@Corinne699 You may be a new host, but you are acting like a veteran 😎 Well dodged.

"Swat!" I love it. Airbnb likes to send little gifts to host sometimes, like Airbnb aprons or socks. I think they should design a custom flyswatter with Airbnb colors and logo. Would come in so handy, as we swat things daily, such as inappropriate requests and inquiries and the annoying reminders, messages and admonitions from the algorithm. 

[Corinne699]

Cute idea! 😂

My take as a newbie is that I've spent copious amounts of money on my new venture. I don't want it trashed. Or a barking pup left unattended all day! 

I've also studied the forums for things to watch for. I will do my best to mitigate any problems. Luckily I also have a couple of friends who have established ABB rentals and they were very happy to pass on sage advice. 

[Jennifer2682]

Swat!  Good job, @Corinne699 .  I think so many times those of us in the hospitality industry just really want to PLEASE everybody.  I've learned over 13+ years of hosting that we also have to take care of ourselves.  Boundaries and policies are paramount.  

Also, I love Butte so much!!!  (I lived in Missoula for 23 years and now live up at Flathead Lake.)  I drive through Butte often and will definitely look you up when I need a space!  

[Corinne699]

@Jennifer2682 Well howdy neighbor! You are welcome to stay anytime provided I'm not booked.  😉

I just moved to Butte from Denver. I just love it here! I learn something new about this place everyday! 

[Emilia42]

@Sarika9 I have never pre-approved or declined an inquiry in my life. I respond with text and then archive the message. For all inquires, clicking pre-approve or decline really means nothing. According to Airbnb philosophy, a "pre-approve" is the first step in making the guest feel welcomed to book. A "decline" tells them that maybe the place isn't the right fit for them - although the guest can still send through a booking request or instant booking following a declined inquiry. 

Booking requests are totally different and all new hosts should really make sure they know the difference between the two.

[Ann72]

@Emilia42 @Colleen253  I archive all of them, too.  Otherwise they just sit there being annoying.

[Emilia42]

@Ann72 I hate inquirers. Instant book or stay home. 😄

[Ann72]

@Emilia42  Seriously!  Had an inquirer book for this past weekend.  Her inquiry was about what to do in the area off-season, not about price, but the review appeared last night along with a 4 for value.  It really seems that no matter how bland the inquiry, somehow, some way, they're going to find something to complain about.

[Emilia42]

@Ann72 Sometimes people send an inquiry with really odd questions. Like "I am looking to book. I know it says this is a private apartment but I want to make sure the kitchen is not shared." WTF? Sometimes I think they know the system well and they are fishing for hosts to send them a special offer. These types of messages always happen in the off-season as if they expect me to think ... oh wow, a message from someone who wants to stay during these desperate times, please oh please book and I'll give a discount!

[Ann72]

@Emilia42  Exactly!  But I can play chicken all year round.  🙂

[Sarah977]

@Emilia42  I think an inquiry like you mentioned, checking that the kitchen isn't shared, may sometimes be the result of guests having booked something in the past which wasn't accurately, or was confusingly advertised. Rather than them not having read the listing info or understanding what private apartment means.

I know I've read guest posts here where that was clearly the case. Like listing something as a private room with shared kitchen, but failing to mention that it isn't the host the guest is sharing with, but that it's actually a hostel-type situation where multiple rooms are rented to unrelated guests, the kitchen and shared bathrooms aren't kept clean, and the host doesn't even live there.

[Ann72]

Except I don't think @Emilia42's listing could be more blindingly clear, @Sarah977.  If they have the time to write an annoying inquiry they have the time to read another line or two of the listing to ascertain the facts.

[Sarah977]

@Ann72  I know Emilia's listing is quite clear, what I'm saying is that even if a guest thoroughly reads all the info provided, if they have had previous bookings where things were misrepresented or omitted crucial info, they may be wary and always want to check that what they read is indeed what it sounds like, so they don't get burned again.

For instance, what some hosts may claim as a fully stocked kitchen as far as cooking gear, may actually be 2 flimsy aluminum pots, a scratched up frying pan, one serving spoon, a dull knife, and a spatula.

Or like a past booking one of my guests told me about, the host's listing stated full kitchen use, then she left my guest a critical review saying she "overused" the kitchen.

And that might not even be evident from past reviews, if the previous guests weren't into cooking.