Last minute booking..

[Jody141]

This is a new one for me. I went to sleep around 11 pm last night and woke at 5 to find a one night booking for today pending ID verification, 
the profile indicates the person has a verified ID. 
It’s 2 guests and a pet for one night. 
To add, my state just got hammered with snow and many freeways are closed. Not even sure they can travel. 
Additionally I took a break from allowing instabook because I was having some potential scammers so it also seems this person shouldn’t have been able to book without my approval. 
Had anyone experienced this?

[John5097]

@Jody141 This has happened to me. In your IB setting you can require an advanced notice to book before the reservation. I have mine set to 2 days before checkin, but may increase that. Then all guest have to send a request to book for those days. If you only set it to one day they can still book the night before, say 11:30 pm. The same cancelation policy applies. However they cancel same day they can also leave a review. 

[Jody141]

@John5097 

Wow I thought 24 hour advance literally meant 24 hours prior to check in. Doh! 
I think it’s a good idea to change the settings to 48 hours so thanks for that tip. 

I would be less concerned if the guest had sent a message with an explanation related to the last minute. 

Thanks for your reply. 

[John5097]

@Jody141 

That one threw me a curve ball a few times. 

I just changed mine to require notice 7 days prior to check in. You'll need to check the box to allow request to book in that time frame. You can also adjust other settings in IB. I switch around all the time. 

[Jody141]

@John5097 
Good plan. 
So of course the person sent me a message “please cancel”. 
I messaged back explaining that a host can’t cancel without penalty and how to manage the reservation so she could cancel. 
This person can’t leave a review if they cancel, correct? 
Thanks. 

[John5097]

@Jody141 If its canceled same day, say the morning of, they can leave a review. 

Edit, host now have option to issue refund after canceled dates but I haven't done that yet. 

[Jody141]

@John5097  If THEY cancel they can leave a review? 

[Colleen253]

@Jody141 If it’s 24 hours or less to check in, the option to review (host and guest both) is triggered. 

Definitely take @John5097 ‘s advice and adjust your settings. Make sure IB is indeed turned off. Spontaneous setting changes are common on this platform. Check your settings daily.  

[Jody141]

@Colleen253 

Good idea to check settings daily, like we do our online bank accounts lol!

Thanks for your reply. 

[Jody141]

@John5097  Also- the booking was never confirmed and it was “on hold” on my calendar. So they hadn’t paid anything. 

[Colleen253]

@Jody141 If the booking is still ‘pending’, ask them to try to withdraw it. 

[Jody141]

@Colleen253 

I did. They haven’t done anything nor did they respond. 
it will time out soon. 
Sigh….