Reduced rate request because of funeral to attend

[Monika274]

I am a new host - 1 week! I booked two reservations already and the third has just sent me an inquiry about reducing my price for her 4-day stay (3 adults) because they have to come up for a funeral and didn't anticipate this expense. 

My rate was already reduced by 20% due to the promotion I ran for the first 3 reservations.  I would like to know what to say without offending her?  My price is 135 per night for 4, with the reduced promotion it was 108.00 but she offered 50!!!  I already sent her a message stating I would be willing to help her at 100/night and now she is asking for 80. 

I want to delete my 24-hour promotional rate and send a message but would like advice from veteran hosts as to how to politely do this. 

Any suggestions?  Thank you so much!!

Monika

[Monika274]

@Mark116 Thank you so much for your advice!

[Katie---Sean0]

@Monika274 we do 30-day minimum stays and I'd say at least 50% of inquiries are asking about getting a reduced rate for longer than the minimum, even though I already offer long-stay discounts. As a new host I bent over backwards to accomodate every request, but now I'm a few months in I've realized as someone said earlier... the guests that haggle over your rate are probably the least likely to respect your lovely place.

[Suzanne302]

@Monika274 

While it is sad that they have to come to town for a funeral, there are always people in circumstances that are unexpected and sad. If they can't afford your place, they should find a place they can. I was recently asked to discount my rate from a potential guest who said "My budget is XXX and your current rate would make it XXX, I was wondering if you could discount your rate to fit my budget?"

To which I replied: "I'm sorry my listing is not within your budget. There are many options in the area so I hope you find a suitable option that is within your budget."

Then I blocked off a day in the middle of his requested dates to ensure he wouldn't book.

[Monika274]

@Suzanne302 Thank you for your response and I sincerely appreciate you sharing how you replied to that guest.  You all have been so helpful and I can't thank you enough!

[Katie---Sean0]

I love this response I’ll be using it in future. And the blocking out a day tip is a really good one.

[Leslie275]

Awesome response, I shall be using it myself!

[Kath9]

@Monika274, this has already been answered multiple times here, but I can only wholeheartedly agree with the others. It is unfortunate they are travelling for a funeral, but their accommodation expenses are not your problem. We all have unexpected things happening from time to time. Plus, why is someone who is supposedly grieving haggling over prices? And $50/night for 4 people is frankly just taking the mickey.  Honestly, I just don't get some people - your listing is cheap as it is for 4 people. Believe me, they will be nothing but trouble.

@Suzanne302, love your response and think I will use it myself for future hagglers!

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Monika274  Whenever I get hagglers I do what @Suzanne302 does. 

Imo, using a funeral to get a discount is just such a low move. And $50 for 3 adults? She's the one being offensive. Hope you withdrew the special offer and blocked a day so she can't book. 

[Monika274]

@Jessica-and-Henry0 yes  I did withdraw and I was offended with her offer. Thank you for your reply! 😉

[Sammi7]

this kind of request is very unreasonable. I agreed with most of the replies here that they look for beginners to take advantage of. I recently just started hosting, and I've gotten many request similar like that, different reasonings like have sugery, doctor's appointment etc. I accepted one with lower prices because I was desperate for my first booking, it turned out the person wasn't here for surgery, she was here alone, but from time to time bringing unknown guests and creating loud noise. I finally had to call the cops to escort her out of my room in a night that she invited 10 people to stay over for bday party. And they treadthen me that they will leave me bad reviews etc. I called Airbnb to document this so they blocked her putting anything on my listing. Overall, all of the tips and tricks that other hosts have shared with you is great ways to get out of the situation like this. 

[Sarah977]

It's amazing to me that people can be so ballsy as to ask a stranger who is running a business to make some special exception for them just because there's something difficult going on in their life. Why don't they ask their friends and family to chip in so they can stay at the place they want?

[Monika274]

@Sarah977 I agree.  I sent them the email about not being able to accommodate them and just today they replied  again, " I see you are still available for some of the days this weekend, can you do $85?"  UGH

[Mark116]

@Monika274  You should block them at this point.  That way, you won't have to deny any request them make and take a hit to your stats.

[Sarah977]

@Monika274  Tell them Airbnb is a booking platform, not a barter site. Then, as @Mark116 suggests, block them from contacting you any more.

[Suzanne302]

@Monika274 

OMG! At this point I'd just send them a special offer for $250/night. But I'm snarky like that. 🙂