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]

@Suzanne302 BAAAAAHaaaaaa! Lol Love it!!!

[Christine615]

 You know what really makes me angry about them coming back and asking if you’ll do $85. I saw a video online and probably something here on the community boards where someone recommended that if the host won’t haggle — wait and if the space is still available days before you need it offer them a lower price.

Because of course, we are all just that desperate to fill our spaces with people who can’t pay the full price. (I’m being facetious,)  But the advice I saw was real. So I bet that’s what they’re thinking.

I would block them in this case. They’re saying there is NO OTHER Airbnb in your area? And no hotel? Something about them doesn’t pass the smell test.

[Monika274]

@Christine615 Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for your very helpful feedback.  I truly appreciate it! I am definitely going to listen to this community forum because you are all "veteran hosters" and you've had these experiences and I'm so glad I reached out to all of you before I did anything.

[Suzanne112]

I agree with all of the other comments about discount seekers. Politely decline.  However, I had one earnest guest who asked for a very small concession(10%) for a two night stay. My solution was to offer to refund a 10% at the completion of thier stay if all goes well. That way they still have some skin in the game that hopefully elicits good behavior and good will.  I'll post again if that tactic doesn't work, otherwise, assume it did. 

[Anonymous]

That is an interesting approach, and I'm curious to hear how it works out. My biggest concern about that: what happens when the stay doesn't go well enough to justify the rebate? If you refuse to return the 10%, you've made it almost certain that you'll get a retaliatory review. Whereas if you cover your butt by refunding them anyway, you've sacrificed some of your own income to "reward" someone for being an undesirable guest. 

[Robin4]

@Monika274 

Hi Monika there are many hosts here with years of experience....and experience is a a great teacher.

In three years here I have never seen a host who feels their experience with a haggler was worthwhile!

They are not like a fine bottle of wine, they do not improve as time goes along. 

When guests place conditions on what a host offers you can be sure that the hosting will not go to the hosts advantage.

I would not proceed with a hosting given the circumstances you have stated in a fit. This has disaster written all over it.

Take what other hosts have said here and stay well clear of this guest.....There are plenty of sleezy motels that deal with bottom dwellers!

Cheers......Rob

[Thomas1033]

@Monika274 @Hi, we have our place in North Tonawanda and I happen to know there are no hotels in Wilson and really your place is a good value and there’s not much else to choose from so just sit tight because it’s super slow season here right now.  We’ve only been at it since August 2018 and we were pretty decently booked for a few months and then barely at all.  Due to weather I think our high season will be shorter than in other places of the country.  I think I had one low budget inquiry for max occupancy that I turned down after reading stories in this community.  @Robin4 Is a wealth of knowledge and I look forward especially to his posts as well as Ben in New Zealand.  There’s a lot to learn here.  Keep us posted!  Yvonna (cohost)

[Monika274]

Thank you!!!! I was getting a little worried! Everyone keeps telling us our place is a gem and it will be rented constantly, but I've only received three bookings. Thank you for letting me know that! 🙂