Denied for lack of reviews

[Katie672]

I was denied 2 times in 2 days! One host told me his "plans changed" so I reached out to ask the real reason. I found out I was denied a stay because I have no reviews yet. I've never personally booked a stay with Airbnb before. But just be honest. And maybe don't wait a full 24 hours only to deny a guest. Waste of time.

I can imagine that many Airbnb guests are 1st timers. It would be easy to ask the guest some questions and get to know them through social media platforms. Just sad and makes me want to go through other vacation rentals.

[Sarah977]

@Katie672  Sorry you had this experience. I've accepted plenty of guests with no reviews- as long as they send a nice, friendly message with their booking request, and nothing about their profile or message send up red flags, I don't decline. And they've all turned out to be lovely guests. If I have any questions to make myself feel okay, I ask. Aside from not having your profile info filled out, it sounds like you did send a nice initial message, so I think you just happened to luck out with these declines.

And many hosts who use Instant Book have a few good reviews as a pre-requisite to booking, (which is understandable- I don't use IB myself, but if I did, I wouldn't feel okay about someone just being able to book the private room in my home with no reviews and no communication) so maybe look for listings that don't use Instant Book until you get a few reviews on your profile.

[Kelly149]

@Sarah977 

Sarah, IB battle raging here in my head (sick of being stuck with crummy IB guests -- can I screen them better myself???? not sure!!)

Can you please tell us exactly what info you receive from a Request to Book guest??

[Alon1]

@Kelly149 

Like Sarah, and also a live-in host, I don't do IB, never have and never will.

re. your question 'what info you receive from a Request to Book guest'

There is no uniform answer. It can be anything, and if it's not to my satisfaction, I ask the questions I want. Most guests  respond accordingly.

In short, it's just a matter of screening to one's satisfaction.

[Kelly149]

@Alon1   Thanks, but I didn’t mean what to ask guests, but what exactly shows from their abb profile?

first name (no last name)

no photo

about me section (if they’ve filled it in)

list of info verified: phone, email, govt id, etc

review text (but no stars)

yes/no??

my concern is also with asking questions, how often will my words or their words end up (hidden by abb)

[Sarah977]

@Kelly149 Sorry, I've been busy and on holiday, just saw this.

I'm not sure that the info I feel okay with would work for you, as I just host single guests in my home, they are coming on vacation for at least 3 days, and it's not like they can sneak in extra guests or throw a party. 

I always go to their profile when they send a request and see what or if they have written anything there, look at their reviews, as well as how they reviewed past hosts. If there's not much there, I just ask if they've fully read the listing description, are aware that it's a 20 minute walk from town and the beach, and that I have a dog and a cat (of course all hosts will have different things that are important to stress). Most of my guests have been good about informative and friendly messages sent with the booking request, and they have all had clear face profile photos which I can see 

I've never been concerned about verified ID, a lot have only had a phone number and email address. It's basically the way that they communicate that I base whether I feel okay about them on.

[Sarah978]

@Katie672 

I’m so sorry you went through that unnecessarily frustrating and discouraging process. Please don’t give up! If you give us a chance, you will love Airbnb. I have hosted for several years now, and I have never turned down a reservation request or instant booking due to no reviews or lack of a profile. A large percentage of my business comes from first-timers with no reviews. It would be ridiculous for me to punish them because I am their first ABB experience. If you’re ever in Ithaca NY, please look us up. We’d love to host you!! 🙂

[Katie672]

@Sarah978 aww thank you so much! So sweet of you. I will most definitely reach out if I need a place to stay in the area 🙂

[JJ48]

Is it still possible to add references to a guest profile?  Years ago when I wanted to rent my first airbnb I had 3 friends write references that went on my profile - I was lucky enough to have 3 friends who were also hosts so that helped as well.  I couldn't find out if it's still an option.  But @Katie672  it will probably help if it is an option.  Now as a host, I don't decline for not having reviews but do prefer there's profile information and a thoughtful and polite message and require verification of ID.  I don't decline for lack of ID verification, I send the link and ask, even assist, new users in doing it. 

[Poohbear0]

I have been denied 2 or 3 stays because I have no reviews either.  I would not give these host a good review.  I do have reviews on VRBO  How are you suppose to write a review if they dont rent.  There are a few nice people out there that will rent if you dont have reviews.  I think this is a bad policy

[Sandra856]

Hi @Poohbear0 🌸

If I were you I would write a bit about myself on the profile - at the moment your profile is completely blank + upload a picture of yourself as well. Make sure to ID verify your profile.

When contacting a host - introduce yourselves and tell why you would like to book and maybe why you like that particular listing.

Best, Sandra 

[Debra300]

@Poohbear0,

There is another recent thread where a guest asked for advice on getting approved for a first stay.  The OP took used the recommendations, and successfully got a reservation.  I suggest that you try some of the tips.

[Huma0]

@Poohbear0 

You can find the thread that @Debra300 mentioned here:

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help/New-User-Keep-getting-declined-reservations/m-p/1642632#M63...

[Debra300]

@Huma0,

You may have missed it, but in my post he word "thread" is red and underlined because it has the hyperlink to the referenced thread.  

[Huma0]

@Debra300 

Sorry. That was before my second cup of coffee 🙂