First timer - misguided or dissapointing service?

[Marco289]

Hi. First at all I must recongnize I'm 100% newby and lack of expertise here at ABnB.
Said that, I cannot be but all confussed because of the site interaction between hosts and probable-guest.

I've spent something like 4 days and 10 specific hours (of those days) trying to book a place.

Sadly, after surf the different options and get to choose some of those that are actually listed as 'available', all of them end with a message from the host like "not available"; and of course some of those 'denials' doesnt even come with a personal message from host.

At this point there is no mistery, I understand hosts are on their entire right to offer and take or deny requests for their places. The 'mistery' is the following:

After the most of those hosts (lets say 90% of them) reject my request, their places (appartments or houses) remain as 'available' on ABnB search list/ availability calendar so, it does makes me wonder: am I doing something wrong on the process to request a place? or, is it maybe that some host just 'publish' their places as available 365 days of the year and do not take a moment to truly reflect when/ wich dates they are hundred-percent-commited to offer as avaiable? If it were the second scenario, I wonder what kind of 'serious business' is ABnB managing?

We (as users) don't know if get sad, dissapointed or just remain as 'well, maybe ABnB is too high-tech for us to understand and use'... the truth is that we'll have to go back to chain hotels and other platforms as 'booking' and other similars, but not ABnB.

P.S.: as said on my first line, admiting I'm a rookie here, I would appreciate any feedback or advice, trying to do not lose the faith on ABnB for a future chance. Thanks in advance!

[Sandra126]

Hola @Marco289! I have looked at your profile and you will be declined more often than not for a few reasons. One is you don't have verified ID, you have hardly anything written about yourself in the profile (and make it in English as well) and it will work marvels if you use a picture of yourself where you are smiling. It is about trust for many hosts, and an unverified man whose name is only M who does not look very happy is not going to be the first acceptance they take. Just saying. By making the profile better, I hope you will get your first booking soon. It is harder to book when you have not been reviewed as some host will ONLY accept recommended guests. Many do though, I do for instance and after a good review you will have no problems getting more bookings. Stick with it because it is such a brilliant way to book accommodation - the best.

Oh, and adding to that I hate to decline, most hosts do as we are punished in the rankings by declining frequently. Accepting gets us more bookings, declining works the opposite. So we WANT to accept if we are happy with the booking.

[Cynthia-and-Chris1]

In addition to what Sandra said above, make sure you are letting the hosts know WHY you are coming to their area.  Are you coming to vacation?  For a conference?  Moving to the area for work?  If you are traveling with someone else, make sure to tell the host WHO you are traveling with as well. 

If you are just messaging them with, "Is this available on XYZ date?" chances are they're going to decline because they don't have enough information.

[Marco289]

Oh, thanks for the tip @Cynthia-and-Chris1

I've been 100% aware of that, and I've been including the exact number or persons, their age-range (I mention 'old folks' because of my parents) and even 'warning out' that we have a child, so I think thats not been the main problem.

I'm getting to see the panorama as a bad timing & some defensive attitude from hosts.

The point I cannot let go is the one about why hosts doesnt interact or chat along trying to find more details.

Anyhow, thanks for feeding my situation with constructive tips.

Bye for now.

[Marco289]

Hello @Sandra126, thank you very much for your kind feedback and your time spent on it.

Its sort of shocking for me, even I do recognize the 'mistery' issues of a half-filled profile, mostly because it makes me recall what many of us get to hear at areas as work: employers or decision-makers want experienced people but, what about those fresh ones just entering the professional market? I know, its way a different area but I found sad ressembles.

Anyway, it does help me out the issue about profile, I just made it for 'whenever it be useful' a year ago, never edited it and now that I do want to use the ABnB service, seems its reflecting on my chances.

Even all that, would it be too hard for the hosts to 'dig a little more' about the requester? I mean, this is supose to be an interactive social platform, sounds a little to me like 'judge the book by it cover'.

Anyhow, I'll make my ABnB profile more shiny and friendly, after all I'm mexican so we are well known because our festive and friendly spirit.

Thanks again!

Hasta la proxima.

[Sandra126]

I am sorry to hear this, as I would think hosts would rather ask a question than decline. But I can't speak for all hosts! I very rarely decline, only when guests ask for single Saturdays (always a no) and if they are bringing young children which I cannot accept either. But I always tell them why (it is on my listing too but they may disregard or not read), and suggest family friendly places for them to consider instead. Anyway, tweak the profile and hope for better times ahead.

[Agata7]

why is single saturday a bad idea? just curious

[Scott80]

"why is single saturday a bad idea? just curious"

Because ideally people book Friday, Saturday and Sunday or Friday and Saturday. If someone only books one weekend day, the other one or two weekend days will usually not get booked. So the host is potentially losing out on 2/3 of revenue just to take a sure one-day booking.

This is only true in place with high weekend occupancy and low weekday occupancy. Las Vegas, Nevada is a place where many hotels will not accept a one-day booking on the weekend day.

[City-Limits-Ranch0]

@Marco289  I try hard never to decline anyone that wants to stay with us. 

However, I would not be able to read your profile and while the cartoon dog would make me smile, your photo would not.  I would be a little worried about a tough looking man who might arrive in a big black car with tinted windows and a driver with a weapon! (There was a recent thread about that very event and the host was really scared and unhappy.)

If you usually or often travel with a family group, include a photo of you with your family.  If you more travel on business, your photo could be taken at your desk at work or in the office with co-workers nearby.

Also, your English is great, so translate your profile and include it in English also.  Then in your request to book or your inquiry, include in both English and Spanish the details such as:

"Coming to your area with my Mom and Pop and their grandchild (my little daughter) for a family vacation."

Then the host will accept you.

[Marco289]

@City-Limits-Ranch0, @Sandra126, @Cynthia-and-Chris1

To all you guys, just a short updated comment.

We finally got a positive response on a request (maybe because it was 'Book Inmediatly' kind) so we were all optimist about it.

Actually we are currently living the experience, which seems to be as nice and warm as we all expected and you said it is.

Thanks again for your time and for sharing different angles of the situation.

Hasta la próxima!

🙂