Updated amenities list - what do you think?

[Huma0]

Hello, @Robin4 brought this to my attention in another thread.

Were you aware that the amenities list has been greatly expanded to include a lot more detail? I wasn't and I updated the amenities on my listings not very long ago.

So much stuff has been added that I can't begin to list it but, for example,  you can now specify:

- Your WiFi speed

- What kind of TV you have, including size, and what services you offer on it (Netflix, Amazon Prime etc.)

- What kind of heating you have

And here's where it gets a bit over-the-top in my opinion, but also:

- Which brands of shampoo and conditioner you supply

- What type of bedlinen, is it 100% cotton? Eygptian cotton? Silk?

- Not only what brands your fridge, stove etc. are, but whether the stove is stainless steel or not

And on and on.

What does everyone else think about it? Is it a good thing, e.g. more cover for a host if a guest complains about amenities when they were very clearly listed? Or, is this just too much detail to give? I can't put brand of shampoo as it varies and I have different sets of linens consisting of different types of cotton as well as silk and non-silk bedspreads, so I don't want to be that specific. Of course, it is optional which details you fill in.

Personally, I don't mind providing detail. What I do mind is that Airbnb keeps changing the amenities list without notification and, when it does, a lot of your previous settings disappear. Yes, I provide shampoo, and I have ticked this numerous times, but every time Airbnb makes one of these updates, the box (along with many others) becomes unchecked. You find out by accident and then have to check all that stuff again, on every listing. Yawn.

[Ann72]

@Emilia42  Actually the wording indicates they’re saying YES or I don’t know.  “Recent blah blah indicated you have this amenity...”  I’ve always said I have the amenity and the guests say I have the amenity, but that’s insufficient evidence the amenity exists.  Only saying it when prompted will be sufficient evidence of its existence. 

[Ann72]

@Emilia42  I've been meaning to come back to this and show you what I mean.  Here's the most recent question to pop up (and remain unanswered):

It asks the question, then says some guests have indicated your place HAS this amenity.

It has of course been checked as an included amenity since the place was listed.

Do they think I'm going to smack myself on my forehead and say OH MY GOODNESS YOU'RE RIGHT - I NEVER NOTICED THE FREE STREET PARKING!

It just annoys me too much to deal with.

[Emilia42]

@Ann72 I get those questions too but they are always for amenities that I have not checked. Like I have a backyard/outdoor space but I don't want to list it as an amenity because I don't want guests thinking they have free reign. But guests notice the backyard and keep saying that I have one and I have to keep clicking "no." But that is weird that you get the notification for amenities that you have listed already. Maybe it's a glitch?

[Ann72]

@Emilia42  Every question I get asks about an amenity I have always had checked and that a guest mentions I have.  I don't think it's a glitch, I think it's just part of the checking up process.

[Emilia42]

@Ann72 But you would think the system would think to itself "Ohh good, Ann already checked that box so we won't waste time asking." It should be that simple!

[Ann72]

@Emilia42  Yes, it would be so much more efficient that way!  This is just a waste of time and energy on every side and there's nothing I dislike more.

[Huma0]

@Ann72 

I haven't ignored them, but every now and again, they pop back up and I have to answer those questions once again. I thought it was just another technical glitch.

[Ann72]

@Huma0  They are not finished with us yet.  They're rolling out a verification process for all listings where they'll not only verify the listings, but the quality of the amenities.  I am sure that's why they're searching for name brands.  One day they'll leap upon an unsuspecting host and say "Aha!  We see you have a Bosch stainless steel range from 2016!  There has been a recall on parts to that range and you will need to replace it!  We will shut your listing down until you comply."

So again - note that you DO NOT HAVE TO enter the precise details of any of the amenities at this time and therefore you should not.  There is simply no way for any one list to account for an ancient appliance that is still sturdily doing its job (i.e., my Braun coffee bean grinder ca. 1980) vs. a more up-to-date appliance that is annoyingly not working as it should (my quite-new Cuisinart toaster whose lighted buttons have all gone out).

PROVIDE AS LITTLE DETAIL AS POSSIBLE.

[Huma0]

@Ann72 

Well, I filled in detail where I could, in terms of what stuff I have on offer, but I'm not putting in brands nor materials. That's just nonsense. 

How does Airbnb plan to 'verify' these details? Are they going to ask guests to confirm them in their reviews (who has time?) or visit each property with their skeleton staff?

I honestly don't think the vast majority of guests will read listings in this kind of detail, but this seems like a sure fire way to encourage problems with overly picky or critical guests.

You know, like the couple I had who said sugar should be white, not brown, and a French Press was 'dangerous'. They were not satisfied with any of the three types of coffee maker I had. They wanted the same one they had at home. They wanted a waste disposal unit in thee sink... They were provided with wash cloths, but the lady decided that wasn't good enough, so went into my private cupboard and used all of my personal muslin ones. 

I've had guests who cook a lot, but expect me to provide extra, extra virgin olive oil. None of what is sold in my four local supermarkets is apparently good enough. I am talking about long-term guests by the way, so really they should buy their own blooming supplies if they want fancy stuff.

[Diane440]

@Ann72   That's rather bold to expect you to provide a full pantry of ingredients. What do they think this is? A cooking competition like Chopped or The Great British Bakeoff?  My take is if they want to do that level of gourmet cooking, they should stay home! This is why I keep my kitchen off limits and was providing a breakfast until the lockdown and the crazy cleaning and social distancing standards. So I amended my listing to say "no breakfast for the duration of this pandemic". Instead I provide a welcome basket of fresh fruit and packaged treats. Guests have access to the back wing of my house which includes 2 upstairs bedrooms, a bath, sitting area and a downstairs dining/kitchenette area. No stove, but there is a microwave, toaster, coffee pot, electric kettle and fridge. I had less in my college dorm room and we got quite creative with making light meals and snacks. My husband was an OTR truck driver and cooked full meals in his truck with just a Foreman Grill, microwave and coffee pot. I'm thinking of providing some easy recipes and microwave cookbooks in the guest space for ideas. Maybe some workshops are in order for an airbnb "experience" of "how to cook on the go without a full kitchen." LOL! 

It seems these "short term" stays insist on access to full kitchens, which mine is not set up for and will require strict supervision if I allow them to use my private space. I'm really about done with all of this. It seemed like a fun side hustle a couple years ago, but now it's becoming a nightmare. . 

[Ann72]

@Diane440  Very good points! I think you meant to tag @Huma0 about her long-term guests requiring special olive oil, though.  

[Diane440]

@Ann72   Ha! Sorry about that oversight. 

[Huma0]

@Diane440 

I don't host short-term guests anymore, just long-term ones staying for weeks or even months and use of the kitchen is absolutely vital to most of them, although how much they use it varies enormously. However, when I did short-term, I had many guests who did a lot of cooking, so I understand totally where you are coming from.

Most long-term guests are not a problem. Some will use a few of the things that I offer, but most will go and buy their own cooking supplies.

I do have olive oil, which I don't mind guests using some of, but if someone is staying long-term, does that mean I should provide them with it throughout their stay? I'm unsure on that one, but as far as I'm aware, if you say you provide cooking oil, that doesn't mean it has to be olive oil.

One guest cooked a lot and was provided with oil for cooking but wanted extra virgin olive oil because that's what she liked on her salads. She was staying for a month, potentially two, and I didn't see why I should buy her a 1-2 months' supply of extra virgin olive oil. I don't charge a lot for my rooms. She noticed that I had a lot of different condiments in the fridge, so I told her she could help herself. Instead, she went into the cupboards and opened every single new jar to take half a teaspoon out of each one. Why??

Another guest who was staying for three weeks used all my olive oil within a few days, but said he would replace it. He did not because, he said, he only liked a particular type of very high quality olive oil and he couldn't find it in the local shops. That hadn't stopped him using all of mine, nor did it stop him finishing the next bottle I bought.

Even though my long-term guests are supposed to buy their own laundry detergent, they often use mine. I had one guy go through my supplies and say, "No, I don't want that softener. I want to use the other bottle. It looks more expensive." Well, it was very expensive. 

These guests were all actually really nice, friendly people (although not the whinging "sugar should be white" couple I mentioned before). I believe often people just don't realise that, just because a listing specifies that coffee, oil or tea or whatever is supplied, that they don't get to dictate which type or which brand it should be.

These new amenities could, I am afraid, only encourage this behaviour. I am definitely not adding brand names or which fabric the linen is. If the guest cares so much about this stuff, they need to book somewhere pricier than my humble offering.

[Diane440]

@Huma0   I would not list particular brands and will continue to keep my listing very vague. We're looking to make a few upgrades to our dining area that will include a wet bar and possibly an electric skillet. No stove. Surely a simple meal can be made with all the current tools plus the new additions. I'll be providing some breakfast items again soon (mostly pre-packaged) now that things are calming down and opening back up again. The rest is on them. Or dine out! We have several restaurants within an easy walk and grocery stores too! I'm all for supporting local whenever possible too! And if they make use of the cooking items I offer, plus the tools and appliances to make simple meals, that should save money for those rare dining out times when a full course hot meal is desired. That's how we budget while traveling. or else, stay home! where they can creatively cook. So I need to make that clear and host for only travelers who understand this. 

I also make available whatever laundry supplies I have on hand. If they want specific brands, they need to provide their own. So far, no one has complained and all have been very frugal and courteous in their usage in an effort to be "green". 

[Huma0]

@Diane440 

I don't know what it's like elsewhere, but laundry detergent and softener are very expensive here. The small bottle of fancy softener that guy wanted to use retails at £6. I buy it from my budget supermarket (Lidl) and then buy pricier brands when they are on offer. It's not because I am trying to be a cheapskate with my guests. That is what I would do just buying for myself.

Still, I would not mind supplying my guests with the product if so many of them weren't so wasteful. It's not just a cost issue, but an environmental one, like you say. They will put on a long, hot wash (and my machine is 8kg so very large by domestic standards) for a t-shirt and two pairs of socks and free pour the detergents/softeners in large quantities. I specifically buy the extra concentrated stuff for environmental reasons, i.e. to reduce plastic. It is pricier, but you only need a little of it. However, the guests will pour in half a bottle without thinking twice.