The analysts are beginning to sort it

[Elaine701]

This is a rather interesting article, which seems to explain many of the grievances frequently expressed here. 

https://cointelegraph.com/news/airbnb-is-exploiting-its-users-but-decentralized-alternatives-are-pos...

[Pat271]

What would “decentralized alternatives” look like? From profits going to a company and it’s shareholders to…what?

[Ann72]

@Pat271  I think it would look like a cross between craigslist, Facebook, and people's own websites.  The decentralized marketplace wouldn't have many bells and whistles and wouldn't handle marketing and advertising to promote use of The Platform.  And apparently it would be "built on blockchain" - so everyone would pay in Bitcoin?  The kid made some good points but his ideas beyond reportage are a bit wooly.

What's interesting is that the home-share marketplace is splintering into specialized areas, like Glampinghub, bookfido, furnished finder.  Maybe that's a more realistic view of a decentralized marketplace?

@Laurelle3 the shares were only offered to US hosts for regulatory reasons.

[Elaine701]

I don't know. Perhaps the way Airbnb used to be? 

[John5097]

@Elaine701 

Interesting article. I don't have any experience with other platforms. I really like Airbnb except for a few minor things, and worry a scammer guest who just wants a free stay will make up some lie and contact customer support. I also didn't mind the cancelations for covid and had a lot, but agree with this article that it was a business decision based on what's good for the company profits. I also thought they realized the lawsuits would be part of the cost for such a decision, and that was the turning point where host lost respect. I think some guest get confused with the review process, some using it as a way to break rules, or get out of paying, that could easily be fixed and the extra profit for the company can't be worth the increased risk to really good host. I also don't see any of the popular listings in my area on any other platform. I also think guest should be completely honest and let host know if they are bringing a pet, for example, and none of this fake emotional support animal scam. If there was better communication built into the booking process, and more encouragement for guest to keep it simple, to read the listing, etc, would make such a huge improvement for host. I know we have all said that, but these are just little things. I'm not expecting anything major host getting a real deposit. Just make sure they are who they say they are or its all going to unravel. 

[Laurelle3]

@Elaine701 interesting article my thoughts are about exploytation of hosts and guests who are actually doing the sharing and creating the value for the Airbnb company.

Yes, I do use Airbnb as a booking platform and pay a fee as do the guests so we are part of their business platform.

However, if they didnt have hosts to promote their product Airbnb wouldn't be making a profit.

I think as hosts we should be given a number shares in the Airbnb company which would give us a greater return for our efforts, time and labour. Along with ths enjoyment of hosting otherwise we wouldn't do it. 

[Elaine701]

@Laurelle3 

That's actually a rather brilliant idea 💡

That's an incentive most Silicon Valley firms offer to key employees. It goes a long way toward securing loyalty. 

Perhaps similar to incentives you may be intimately familiar with, @Catherine-Powell  (?) 

You want loyalty? This is an excellent way to achieve it. Higher ranked hosts granted more shares... And vested every year. 

[Maia29]

@Laurelle3  Airbnb actually did offer hosts to buy shares at the end of last year. Since I was asleep when the email was sent out from New York (I live in Alaska), by the time I signed up for it, I was eventually denied because of "extreme host interest in the program". Scandalous at best

[Laurelle3]

@Maia29 Thank you for the information however, I only became a host as of 28th November 2020 and I dont think I received this information. As it was fast learning curve for me at that time because of Christmas bookings and school holidays. This offer would have been too early for me in this game.

But, what I really wanted to convey is that as hosts we receive a share when starting or on a yearly basses by the company because we promote their product. An example, is like a share co-operative as we are all members.

[Alba160]

@Catherine-Powell most certainly *is* intimately familiar with Airbnb's incentivisation schemes, and was even treated to an equity bonus to which she wasn't technically entitled for 2020, as a reward for her 'strong performance, and by way of Brian Chesky’s personal recommendation.

$400K salary, $425K bonus, $7 million stock awards and $7 million option awards for a 2020 total of $14.8 million for Catherine. It doesn't come much more incentivised than that for one's very first year in any job!

[Sarah977]

@Alba160  Fascinating. How could any hosts really expect someone of that income level to care or relate in the slightest to what the average host's issues are?

And what on earth is she being paid that sort of $ for? As far as I can tell, all she has done is post feel-good videos and brags about things that aren't actually true, and reply to one post out of hundreds in which she is tagged, a couple months after the fact.

[Alba160]

[Alba160]

@Elaine701 @Laurelle3 @Catherine-Powell 

I don't think anyone needs incentives when you are pay by the millions. 

[Elaine701]

@Alba160 

I know it's different in different parts of the world, but we aren't making "millions" from this, and frankly, never expected to. Others might be, I don't know. 

But if you want hosts to feel they have a stake in it, stock options are a good incentive. 

[Alba160]

@Elaine701 

Oh, no, my comment about "incentives" was directed to the unjustified salary of @Catherine-Powell