Beta: Make guest stays non refundable for 10% discount - Guest still want to cancel!

[Janna25]

I tried the beta for non refundable discount. The guest booked, then discovered he miseed that I have dogs, he asked if i could have the dogs outside while they are here. Which naturally I would not agree to, that is not how we keep dogs in Sweden, it's not even legal here. 

He then said that hos wife was pregnant and the doc had told them that being around dogs is dangerous for the baby. I told him it sounds weird cause science says the opposite and liked to a few articles. He started to pressure me to cancel the booking trough textmessages and not troiugh the airbnb platform. I told hom that I cannot do that cause i will get penalites and lose my airbnb superhost status. But he just kept writing, he contacted the support instead and said his wife is so allergic she cant stay with dogs. The agent wanted me to approve the refund, I did that since I dont want people in the house that don't like dogs and also this guest seem quiet weird.

But it feels just annoying to give a discount and then it just lead to hustle for me and almost being treatened by the guests. Have anyone else experienced this? This is the only guest who utilized the discount and the only guest I have had issues with!!

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Janna25 

guests will always find a way to cancel if they want to. Hosts with strict cancelation policy are often threatened or extenuating circumstances are used or guests are laying how the place is dirty or whatever just to be refunded.

And on top of it - even if you have strict cancelation policy, guests can still cancel their stay within 48 of booking.

So this 10% discount thing is useless.

We have a flexible policy for the same reason you gave a refund to this guest - we don't want unhappy people and consequently, their bad reviews. As long as cancelation doesn't become often as on booking. com, we will keep a flexible, hassle-free policy.

[Janna25]

I use the moderate cancellation policy, i have only had one cancellation before this. It was a last minute and he didnt ask for a refund but i sent it anyway cause I rather overdeliver.

i will take away the discount, my prices are above avarage and my place is really high standard. Ive only had one 4-star review before and one 3-star from a guest who wanted to stay longer but I had other guests checking in. The 3-star was also a customer that had a discount of more than 50%.  So seems like ”price-hunters” are more troublesome guest than those looking for a high standard stay! 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Janna25 

you are right - discount hunters are not anyone's target group 🙂