general venting

[Jocelyn110]

1) Why does Airbnb change the UI on their site without warning? Yes, I realize your bank does it, or your favorite online store does it, but why doesn't Airbnb treat us like the VALUABLE BUSINESS PARTNERS we are? I don't know about you all, but after Covid, and the collective financial hit we have all taken, I have so many side hustles that there is about 9 minutes worth of "free time" in my day. I don't want to spend it trying to find the things I used to be able to find!!! I can only assume that longtime bookers (guests) of Airbnb get pissed off as well. Airbnb would not exist without we hosts, and without their customers.

Stop acting like an autocracy.

2) So many times Airbnb has not backed me. They hide fees (even though I have a no-penalty fully-liberal cancellation policy I get complaints from guests who are charged by Airbnb anyway). I don't have negative reviews but that's only because the instant any guest complains about anything, I throw money at them. On some occasions, I feel refunds or partial refunds are entirely justified.  I put myself in the place of the guest (which I often am as well). But 90% of the time it's  a complaint about something that is FULLY DISCLOSED in my listing. I believe if a guest doesn't take the time to read an entire listing (there are lions, there are snakes, the bush is loud at night. Sometimes the water runs brown, or the electricity fails, etc.) and they don't like the reality, Airbnb should defend the host.  But apparently they think if an idiot traveler to the African bush, paying $100 a night for a whole house and luxurious pool (for which you would get a crappy room at a motel in the USA) sees a bug on the ground, they are entitled to a refund. I even say on my listing: IF YOU DON'T LIKE NATURE AND YOU EXPECT PERFECTION, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR YOU.

Getting close to going to VRBO. Anyone have any feedback about how they deal with hosts?

[Bart205]

I don't know how to deal with this, but just reading your post I want to come stay at your place.

I am bookmarking your listing and if we can swing a vacation I know where I wan to go.

[Jocelyn110]

Aw, you're so sweet. Thank you!!!!

[Sarah977]

@Bart205  That's something I really like about participating in this forum. Over the couple of years I have been active here, I know exactly which hosts I would want to book with all over the world. It doesn't even have to do with their particular listing (I'm not an especially fussy traveler) , but with the posts they write, their attitude, and the manner in which they say they host, which makes me feel I'd love to meet them, share a bottle of wine and some laughs, and give them my business.

[Z-2]

@Jocelyn110 your place looks great! You can try list on both VRBO and Airbnb. VRBO customer service is not that great either. I have an small issue (not important) submitted and took a few days to get it back. But I feel VRBO reservation is picking up this year. I have list on both sites. Last year, my VRBO to Airbnb reservation ratio is 1 to 7. This year is 4 to 6. Also I feel less pressure deal with VRBO guests.

[Jocelyn110]

@Z-2  That's really interesting about the shift in Airbnb vs VRBO bookings. Thanks so much for the information. I really appreciate it. Best, Joss

[Sarah977]

@Jocelyn110  It's so disrespectful and aggravating that Airbnb does this. Not only does it totally waste hosts' time, every time they change our hosting pages, it's always a change for the worse, making thing more and more difficult and non-intuitive to access.  It's like they are actively trying to create the most user- unfriendly site imaginable.

I'll add my voice to "I love your listing". Your photo gallery is awesome and so is your simple and casually elegant decor.

[Jocelyn110]

@Sarah977  Thanks for your response, Sarah. It's true - they keep changing the UI. Even something as simple as trying to toggle between being a guest and a host. It's a one-way street. Idiotic. Can't they get it right with all the resources they have?

Unrelated, I had to check out your place and I love love love it!!!!!  I may be a guest soon. I'm planning on selling my house in the USA and moving to Merida, and then traveling around Mexico and Central America for a year.  🙂

[Sarah977]

@Jocelyn110  Would love to meet and host you. I've actually had my calendar blocked since March 2020 due to Covid, as guests share my kitchen, but plan to reopen in November, by which time I should be vaxxed and won't be that concerned. I'm going to update with new photos, too, so make a note of my listing URL so you can find it again.

I've always been low in search, as I won't use Instant Book, but somehow the right guests manage to find it  and I've had nothing but very cool, mostly very well-travelled guests.

I've only been to Merida once, and that was about 50 years ago (yeah, I'm old), but I know it is rated as a good place to live.

[Lorna170]

@Jocelyn110   I have been with VRBO for more than 15 years.  Prior to 2016 the relationship was fine; they posted my advertisement (for a substantial fee) and I handled the bookings.  Since 2016 they have inserted themselves into the process by handling all payments and charging guest fees as well as a fee for my advertisement.  I have removed all of my larger properties from the OTAs.

1.  There is no security or damage deposit.  None.  

2.  You receive zero information about the (unverified) guest until you have booked them.

3.  New hosts don't get paid until long after the guest has left...like 10 or 15 business days later.

4.  The insurance and customer service is sketchy. 

Most of the VRBO guests that I have had are older, more respectful of my properties,  communicate during the booking, and are willing to pay higher rates for an accommodation.   They are not looking to couch surf or party.   VRBO does allow you to post your own Rental Agreement.

P.S. Your property is amazing.

[Jocelyn110]

@Lorna170 Very useful information. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply!!!!

Yes, the whole security deposit thing seems to get swept under the carpet. Years ago, when I first started staying at VRBO properties, I sometimes had to pay out $1200 or even $1500 up front for security, plus a % of the rental rate in advance. That certainly made me mindful of anything my kid might break! But these days, it seems to get glossed over. As hosts, we take losses all the time. Damaged furniture, red wine spills on rugs, missing hairdryers and pots and pans... Some of it is the cost of doing business, but other times I feel that we are entitled to some compensation. But I've never gotten any, have you, from VRBO?

Keep well, and thank again for your insights!

Joss

[Elaine701]

@Jocelyn110 

We too are listed on both airbnb and vrbo, although have a 13 year history with airbnb. 

I too am increasingly wary of airbnb. I now have to spend much more time vetting guests. But it's airbnb's policies (often blunt instruments that effectively shift any burden to the host) that cause me the most stress. It's a kind of subtle ignorant arrogance. They're always very nice, but seem to assume none of the responsibility while retaining all of the authority. 

Nonetheless, we're getting about 1 out of 10 bookings from vrbo. I suspect that's due to it being largely a North American platform with previous little branding in Europe. Many popular European platforms are now vrbo branded, but Europeans don't know that brand and aren't yet comfortable with it. 

By the way, I'm intrigued by your profile... You sound like somebody we know 🙂 And your place is truly lovely! Really unique and special. Sign me up! 

[David7828]

I'm on Abritel, which is part of the VRBO group. Good long-term (multiple-week), high season bookings, but AirBnB is really my bread and butter for shorter-term (3 to 7 day) stays. I'm considering looking into Booking.com too.