Who looks the fool!

[Robin4]

There have been so many host posts here over the years complaining about a bad review having a negative effect on their listing.

I beg to differ....I think, provided it's not a consistent trend, the odd bad review  possibly works to your advantage.

Who do you think does justice to my listing out of this latest consecutive bunch.....

Sure they are going to read it because it stands out from the crowd, but they won't take any notice of it for that reason.....it's not a mainstream review and says a lot more about the reviewer than it says about what I do and offer.

Newer hosts, don't get precious about a bad review, they are going to come! There will always be that unsavory apple in the barrel, that one that slipped under your radar. it's got nothing to do with what you offer, people are different and every guest has a different perception.....a different expectation.

Just do your best, be the best host you can be and let the odd bad review slip by, as time passes a bad review will do you more favours than create problems for you!

Cheers.........Rob 

[Fred13]

I am a member of the 'Do Not Respond to Reviews' school of thought, for the sole reason that IF I ever get an absurd review like the one you just posted @Robin4 (and I finally got one 3 years ago) I wouldn't even have to deal with it. After all what exactly is someone going to say to dissuade future guests from coming when they just read 20 smashing reviews before the one from the foolish one. Its like being at a big diner party and everyone is having a great time talking about a fun subject at the same mental level, and someone out of the blue says a dumb heavy thing and the whole table grows instantly silent and stares at the 'interrupter'. Eventually, some clear their throats and the fun chatter quickly erupts again and the culprit retreats to their corner where they belong.

[Robin4]

@Fred13 

Yeah there are many situations where it doesn't pay to stand out in the crowd Fred.

What I am trying to convey here over the last week Fred, we see so many posts here from hosts who are in a panic because they had an undeserved poor review and want to try and move heaven an earth to get it removed. 

@Anonymous  has a great slant on this, he says that any reviews under dispute should not be eligible for ratings, just publish the review without any category ratings, and that makes perfect sense! At least the host would not be penalised for an undeserved guest perception! 

I used to respond to all guest reviews up until about a year ago. I stopped because responding creates issues in so much as, once the reviews are public the response will be coloured by the contents of the review, and sometimes that could involve a certain amount of 'about face' which doesn't do your image any favours! You have already said your piece in the review, no point in going over it again, just live with it!

Fred, why is Bird Island now titled as Stann Creek Dist, Belize?

Cheers.......Rob

[Fred13]

In that particular page Airbnb gives the district name rather what the place is called, odd choice. We are close to Placencia the town, a classic goofy example of the new category listing.

I always thought that every once in a while one is going to get an 'out-of-left-field' review for no other reason that  someone is trying to show how their mentality (and 'high standards') are superior to the proletariats around them who demean themselves by gushing over 'minor' achievements. Since they usually walk with a certain air, they give themselves away; I then don't acknowledge them, make believe they are now vapor, but then enthusiastically empower those around them by treating everyone else as being super important, drives them nuts.

One sort to try to re-establish dominance I suppose, told me:  "I have you know I am a tough reviewer". I told him - "So am I".  He shut up and didn't say peep the rest of the stay. 

[Huma0]

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@Fred13 wrote:

I then don't acknowledge them, make believe they are now vapor, but then enthusiastically empower those around them by treating everyone else as being super important, drives them nuts.

One sort to try to re-establish dominance I suppose, told me:  "I have you know I am a tough reviewer". I told him - "So am I".  He shut up and didn't say peep the rest of the stay. 

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Both brilliant responses. The instinct as a host is to try to appease the picky guest with unrealistically high standards, but I've learnt you are never going to convince this person that they actually got something really great for the price they paid and you are right, just because they can see (from the reviews) that other people appreciate it, doesn't mean they will. They know better of course.