Odd/First time Issue as Host

[Jason1536]

Hello fellow hosts,

Can some please help with the following situation? I have a pending reservation which showed up last night (I never even received a message/inquiry/request from the renter) for May 8th & 9th - literally within 36 hours, and the below message is listed by Airbnb:

"We’re working to resolve a few details about this request in the next 11 hours. These dates will be held for this guest until then."

Why is this person able to lock up those dates? What if airbnb is unable to verify the guest's identity and the reservation falls through, or if I refused the inquiry because they intend to have a party (I screen all potential reservations)? In other words, why is it blocking the availability date for other potential renters?

Thanks in advance,

Jason

[Sarah977]

@Jason1536  Because that's how Airbnb does things. No hosts appreciate it, but requests hold your calendar hostage while Airbnb verifies whatever info of the guest they need to.

It's a terrible system. Guests should be required to have all their info and payment method verified before they are allowed to send a request. 

But Airbnb is guest-centric and doesn't seem to respect hosts.

[Jason1536]

Thanks for the response, and WHOAH, REALLY? Airbnb allows guests who haven't fulfilled the requirements to tie up other opportunities for renters who may be qualified? I have a serious problem with that, and it's simply not in airbnb's best interest either, since we could all lose out on the booking... How can I reach out to them directly?

[Sarah977]

@Jason1536  As it stands, guests can open an Airbnb account and immediately try to book something before entering any personal info to their account or having it verified.

You can fill out a feedback form in the main Airbnb site, and could also post on their Twitter account, but hosts have been railing against this for quite awhile and it's obvious that Airbnb has no will to change it. 

However, it never hurts to add your voice to the frustrated hosts complaints.

[Jason1536]

I really don't like how impossible airbnb makes it to reach them, and clearly they don't care about this feedback regarding this policy. But again, it's counterintuitive because it only hurts them when they prevent our potential business (clearly to a much lesser degree, but still)

[Dale711]

Hi  @Jason1536 

I understand your point, and it makes a lot of sense.

I have the same experience as you, Airbnb blocks my calendar due to pending reservations, and I feel frustrated cause lost the one-night booking.

That is many various reasons why the calendar remains unavailable.

First of all, it is the same day booking and the last minute booking.

A new user's profiles fail for verification, especially in entries home listing to prevent the party guests.

Furthermore,  Airbnb is a Trust and Safety platform. It may take time to assume every reservation sustainable with the host and the services to the guest.

Nevertheless, it is always a place to improve. I hope the Airbnb Support Help Center upgraded the customer service and better performance. You can always reach the team by message or live chat with the case manager.

Links below, Airbnb advantage and disadvantages [ Investopedia financial and Business  Adviser ] 

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/032814/pros-and-cons-using-airbnb.asp

Happy Hosting! 😊

[Jason1536]

Thanks Dale and Dan. It definitely seems odd to have a policy like this. Until certain verifications are met, people should not be able to block others from making reservations. I hope they will change this policy, as it really makes no sense. Thanks

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Jason1536  You are right, it's wrong. I had the same situation today for Monday's booking. Luckily, my guest did his verification immediately. It seems the calendar is blocked for 11 hours max,