Decline bookings with no reviews?

[David-and-Annie0]

Hi guys, me again. After our very rocky start to this whole process (getting 10 bookings overnight b/c the "smart pricing" was on), I am trying to play my cards very carefully from here on out. Luckily many of those guests who booked (using "instant booking"--I have since changed it) had at least one review to their names (and they were positive). A few don't have any reviews, and I am more worried about them as guests. We have yet to see how each of these visits play out (visits start end of this month). 

So, there was/is one weekend left in Dec that someone just "requested to book" (my new setting). It is a woman who just joined airbnb this month and has no reviews, wants to bring the maximum number of guests we allow (8--which may be fine, just fyi). Should I decline her and wait it out for someone whose profile has a history and reviews? Since I'm not desperate to book it and it's still a ways off, I'm thinking I should just wait. Or am I being too cautious? I could ask her a few questions and make sure she agrees to our house rules, but once I start that dialogue, if I end up  feeling uncomfortable with any of her answers, I'll have to decline her with a reason, which may lead to anger on her part/conflict. But if I decline her at this point, I could just tell her it got snapped up from a different means (website, diff hosting site, etc.) Thoughts?

Thank you!

Annie

[Helen3]

About 60% of my guests have no previous bookings. @David-and-Annie0 

I ask a) who is coming b) why did they choose my place c) plans for their stay.

[David-and-Annie0]

and have you had good experiences with guests with no ratings or who just joined?

[Lisa723]

@David-and-Annie0 like @Helen3 I get a good number of guests who are new to Airbnb. I ask them to verify their government ID with AIrbnb if they have not. You can also ask them to fill out their profile if it's sparse. It's quite possible for guests with good reviews to be "bad" so relying on reviews isn't really a fail-safe. I haven't noticed any particular correlation. In your shoes I would open a dialog with this guest about her plans, which will either reassure you or not. It's no worse to decline her after a dialog than without any. And if you tell her it's unavailable, when it remains open on your calendar, that will be easy enough for her to see. I'd say that is the worst of your options.

[Yadira22]

@David-and-Annie0 

I also reiterate the need to read the entire listing and rules as to better manage either party’s expectations and highlight any further “deal breakers” eg all rooms are only accessible by stairs etc. 

Good luck to you- be though but fair and ask if you have any questions! 🙂

[Sarah977]

@David-and-Annie0  I've accepted several guests with no reviews. It's a little less scary for me, because I host a private room in my home for 1 guest only. I've never used IB, so I dialogue with all my guests. Just start a chat with her to make sure she's thoroughly read the listing description, the rules, that she understands she can't bring more guests than she's booked for, and anything else that you think is really important. Be friendly and converstaional, but make sure she responds to your questions in time for you to make the 24 hour approval/decline deadline. If she doesn't respond, or inappropriately, then decline. 

Once,you've declned someone, do't concern yourself with whether that makes them angry, and it can't lead to conflict, because once you've declined, all she can do is send you nasty messages,, which you just ignore, as if some crazy person was yelling at you on the street. If she continues, report her to Airbnb.

And you don't have to give a declined guest any specific reason- if she's asking for something you don't accommodate, then fine, tell her NO Can Do, but if you just feel uncomfortable with her communication, all you have to say is that you don't feel your place will be suitable for her and her group and wish her luck in finding one that is.

Oh, and BTW, all those guests I had with no reviews turned out to be lovely.