It is unfortunate that Airbnb affords a Host only THIS forum to make right, a completely false and derogatory, misleading public review.
I, as a 5-Star Host (across the board until now), have to publicly and sadly use this space to attempt to correct an impugning and egregious statement made by a guest who both broke the rules of Airbnb's Terms and Conditions by booking for "others" (not through the correct protocol of using Airbnb for Work and obtaining verification and authorization to do so). This booker never even SAW or STEPPED FOOT into our rental space, yet chooses under his OWN name as the "booking guest" to write or quanitatively rate, ANY words or submit star ratings from a first person point-of-view.
After contacting both the guest AND Airbnb, neither the guest NOR Airbnb would respectfully attempt to correct what is a COMPLETE LIE in the written review. I am ashamed of the integrity of both. "Mr. C" never once was in or entered my listing, and to make a "subjective" statement that "If you are allergic to cats, we don't recommend booking this unit", is a hostile assertion that the place somehow is unsanitary or contaminated with allergens and therefore should not be considered for rental by some. The unit is spotless and has a 5-star rating for immaculate cleanliness.
In all honesty, I believe his review is due to the fact that the GUEST was frightened I would be leaving HIM a bad review for illegally booking third party guests. This was a retaliatory review; not written from first person experience. Our review of his third-party guests did not mention his breaking of AirBnb's primary rule.
AirBnb continues to allow him to make this statement and suggests he has the right to make such a statement, though he DID NOT and NEVER entered or saw the space; after objection, Airbnb still ALLOWS him to make such a statement and POST, AND RATE our space, thereby affecting our PERFECT past 5-Star Rating with his chosen "4-Overall Rating" and a "3-Star Accuracy Rating," stating he "did not see a mention of a cat in the description."
There is not only a LONG statement within our Listing concerning our cats living in OUR home, as a "respectful" host, I send out a long greeting message with many helpful tips and useful information to my guests one week before arriving, whereby the cats are mentioned AGAIN, one week PRIOR to the guests' arrival.
At no time could Mr. C have been "unaware" or not knowledgeable that cats were associated with the listing. To say "Did not see a mention of a cat in the description" is a fault of his own, not mine. (One of the two complaints which are obviously of his lack of research. However - ironically - in his communications with me, through the AirBnb messaging system, he says "My guests LOVE your cats, and the space is incredible," verbatim!)
Mr. C broke one of the most important Airbnb Terms and Conditions, by falsely booking as our guest then allowing others to stay in our quarters. Airbnb was made aware, yet 1) chose to do nothing and 2) have FURTHERMORE allowed Mr. C this public review forum to CONTINUE his abuse of this Host's reputation; a host that kindly provided a CLEAN, SAFE, UNBLEMISHED 5-STAR RATED space.
SHAME, SHAME on both.
Furthermore, I would defend ANY and ALL accusations otherwise that a "LOCATION" Rating be even allowed by Airbnb for a guests' consideration. WHY would a guest be allowed to rate "LOCATION" for any reason after the stay?... The guests are made fully aware of the general location prior to booking, and then given EXACT Location upon booking, with plenty of time to cancel if needed.)
HOW can a Star Rating be given (and LOWERED from a 5 to a 4) just because "I wish it was closer to a Green Bike Station."? THE GUEST knows where they are booking, or at least it is their duty to research such. My house "didn't" move, making something "less convenient" to the guests needs...whereby one can just (upon staying) make a rating AGAINST my reputation, because of specific needs of to be closer to a specific "Green Bike Station.".
(By the way, there is a 35 cent bus stop that stands less than 100 feet from the front door of my listing... No, it is not a "GREEN BIKE STATION" but it would have taken Mr. C's non-properly booked guests directly to their desired location in less than a five minute bus trip — one direct-no-transfer ride down one street thirteen blocks directly north ON THE SAME STREET!)
Again, the reviewer, Mr.C, did not STAY or even VISIT our space. Yet he wrote this review and AirBnb allows it. It should be the GUEST'S RESPONSIBILITY to know what their location's surroundings and amenities are. I provide a HUGE list of informative surroundings both in my listing AND in an email prior to arrival... now I'm RESPONSIBLE for specific "green bike stations" being "too far way?" This should affect my location rating? We are thirteen blocks from his (wrongful) guests destination. Is that inconvenience worth a drop of two stars? Uber would have been $4 for a pair - we have done it before!
I will ALWAYS stand corrected and accept criticism that has basis in truth and genuine concern, however, I will NOT be silent when both a Company AND a Guest can, without integrity OR adherence to their OWN terms and conditions, publicly make false statements and perpetuate complete lies. It is SHAMEFUL, and it is REPREHENSIBLE, yet AirBnb claims they cannot break their rules of taking the review down - yet they were perfectly comfortable breaking the rules to allow a third party to book guests into my home.
This Guest broke BASIC Airbnb Rules, booking for others under his OWN name. This Guest NEVER stayed or saw the space. This Host honored EVERY aspect of THIER side of the Agreement. Yet both Airbnb AND the Guest are allowed to do damage and tarnish my five-star rating. AirBnb does not want to break it's review policy, yet the guest broke one of AirBnb's biggest and most foremost of policies - and AirBnb allows the review to stand.
HOSTS BEWARE... Once again, this is proof AirBnb sides with the guests - NOT THE HOSTS.
