So far so good

[Kellie104]

Hope this is OK to post here.  I just wanted to say we are new to hosting and have hosted 2 different guests so far and both gave 5 star reviews.  In the private msg to me the first one said having a fire pit would be nice [unfortunately husband says no because we are on a postage size lot and he doesn't trust people to not watch it, or kids filling it to see how high they can get the fire, and he is afraid of any embers blowing and catching fire to grass etc and our place burning].  Second guest in her PM said to have less utensils etc instead of 3 or 4 in case someone throws one away we will be able to replace it.  Hmmm.  We don't quite understand that one.  Kind of like at home I have here several spatulas, 2 different size colanders, pots pans, food storage containers etc because when I cook I may need to use 2 spatulas or to different size pots.  I also cleaned out our basement and brought a lot of that stuff up here or from our camper.  Our kitchen is a full kitchen.  I even have a food processor because I didn't use it at home.  I would think Wow.  This is just like at home and all that would be good when staying here.  Oh well.  They both liked the place and had good things to say.

[Colleen253]

@Kellie104 Well done! Off to a great start. The majority of feedback you'll get is not going to be too useful or actionable, lol. People are interesting, and some of it is just best left right where it is. I ask for it after every stay, regardless. You never know!

Oh, and JUST NO!! to fire. Just. no. 

[Kellie104]

@Colleen253 @Thank you.  I agree.   And I also want suggestions as I may have missed something or not have thought of it

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Kellie104 

No to fire!

[Marissa160]

That’s awesome! So glad things are going well so far! I have a very well stocked kitchen too, but my main reason is because I’m a remote host and I don’t want guests asking for things LOL. 

[Kellie104]

@Marissa160 @We are remote as well and I feel the same.  Want then to feel they have everything they need and don't have to bring even the simple things

[Christine615]

Congrats. Guest suggestions are just that - suggestions. Don't feel obligated to act on them if it will increase your liability and the potential for damage. It only takes one irresponsible person to damage yor property. We have a fireplace in our unit and I rarely grant permission for a guest to use it.

[Kelly149]

some people like to be "helpful"... a simple 'thanks for that suggestion!!' is all most of those tips will merit

[Laura2592]

@Kellie104 we have a suggestion box. Approaching 150 stays these are some of the suggestions we have gotten:

- paint the bedrooms in shades that guest prefers (no.)

- replace the sofa with the type that reclines (no.)

-screen in the front porch so bugs can't get in. (no.)

-add a hot tub (oh heck no. No way am I dealing with that unless I am the only one who uses it.)

- buy specific mattresses that the guest likes (no.)

-allow more people to stay because we have 2 bathrooms (no.)

- get a bigger dining table. (no. we allow 4 and our dining table is for 4. Its plenty of space.)

Some things we did take action on:

- planted some roses along the fence line which eventually will screen out some of the area of visible neighbors. 

- got a toaster

The majority of feedback is not super helpful. Guests want to design their own space and don't really seem to understand that this is a space that has to appeal to more people than just them.

We have both a firepit and a fireplace. Bane of my existence. Just say no. 

[Kellie104]

@Laura2592 lol are you serious on those suggestions.  Wow.  A couch that reclines. Neither of ours do but we have a chair that does.  A hot tub.  Now how ridiculous is that.

We have six guests on ours but Jim wants me to change it to 4 which I probably will for next year.  Our next 2 guests have 6 ppl which Jim says 6 means 8 or 9.  Call me a sucker but I believe there are still some honest ppl out there.  So far with both our guests, we have had, they left the place pretty much immaculate.  The first ones even undressed the bed and folded up the quilt. 

[Laura2592]

@Kellie104 a good 80% of our guests are truthful and decent to excellent. 10% are fibbers with something small but annoying, or just generally very high maintenance but leave the place fine. 10% are liars who purposefully deceive and think the rules do not apply to them or leave the place a wreck (these are not mutually exclusive).

I think your husband is correct that the larger number of guests you allow, the more people will push it into even bigger numbers. The number one thing that ABB and hosts seem to disagree over is having strict rules over what kinds and how many beings you allow in your space. ABB does not care if you don't allow more than a certain number, or don't allow pets or can't accommodate babies. If a guest arrives with all of the above, your best solution (according to them) is put up with it and attain a deeper level of humanity and tolerance by opening your investment and living space to total strangers who don't respect it enough to follow reasonable guidelines.

Guests think capacity is a suggestion unless you clearly have a place that will only fit one or two people. Even then they will ask for more to stay.

[Brian2036]

I think the source of most of the inane suggestions is the question “What could we do to improve?”

Hmmmm…Well, you could pay me to stay in your house, supply all my groceries, and oh yeah, champagne and caviar served gratis by lingerie models would definitely be a plus.

 I think we can just politely ignore most suggestions. Occasionally something valid is mentioned and I thank them for that and state that I am going to actually do it for the benefit of future guests.