Getting a Text response

[Shari63]

Hi Everyone!

Is it just me, or am I old fashioned in expecting at least a “👍🏻“ when I text a guest about arrival info with door code, etc., to want to be sure they received the text? I would certainly send at LEAST a@“👍🏻“ letting someone know I got their text! What’s the deal with people!???

shari

[Susan151]

@Shari63 Why are you sending text messages and taking your communication off of the AirBNB message system? If, for some reason, they don't get your codes, etc, then AirBNB will not be able to see that you sent them.

I would respond to you in the airBNB system, and would never use an emoji.

[Shari63]

Hi Susan, I was really just using an example with the thumbs up. I simply meant I don’t get responses to a number of my messages unless I’m asking the guest a direct question. I do use the Airbnb system in messaging guests. Do I just assume the guest received my message with door code & other instructions when I don’t hear back from them?

[Sandra856]

Hi @Shari63 🙂

It seems that a trend with ghosting the host is the new normal 😞

I have had a hard time lately getting my guests to answer important info about when I can expect them to arrive. It seems that they don't think it is necessary to answer me. It is not that they haven't read the messages because as soon as I mention that I need to call airbnb because of the lack of communication they write to me. It really annoyes me and sends a clear message that my time is not important.

Maybe you could write in the message that you would like them to confirm that they have received your message with all the important information?

I have just added to my houserules that I need check-in info prior or when booking because it has become such a big problem. Also I mention the importance of downloading the app/to turn on notifications.

[Shari63]

Thank you Sarah! That info helps. I’m feeling like you are about the “no response” issue. It’s sad, but what ever happened to manners & simple consideration!

[Sarah977]

@Shari63  I always, when sending guests info, ask them to "PLEASE CONFIRM THAT YOU RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION. Yes, I know it's considered shouting, but sometimes it's necessary. I might not do that the first time I message them, I'll wait for a timely response and if it's not forthcoming, I'll message again. You can also tell guests that's very important to confirm receipt of messages because if they haven't gotten the door code, or given you their arrival time, you may be out for the day or evening when they arrive and not available to give them that information if they wait until they arrive to contact you, and that you would certainly not want them to be inconvenienced like that.

And to answer your original question, yes, I consider it bad manners not to acknowledge receipt of a message. 

[Shari63]

Thank you, Sarah. That helps!

[Ann72]

@Shari63 I've had three guests in a row like that.  They never answer my messages, but when they have a question, they have no problem sending a message.  Although I understand that a lot of guests don't have the notifications on the app set up to alert them when there is a message through Airbnb, they do seem to be able to find the app when they want something.  So I'm straight up giving them 4 for communication.  Maybe they'll live and learn.  

[Shari63]

Thanks Ann!  I did try the "please confirm that you have received this text......." as mentioned above, and it worked on the most recent guest, even though it took him over a  day!   

[Emilia42]

This goes beyond just Airbnb and hosts wanting a guest to acknowledge a message. When I text my 26 year old year sister and say "Please get me a loaf of bread while you're at the grocery store," I get no response. So I think she doesn't see the message and start changing my plans for dinner. Thirty minutes later she walks in with a loaf of bread. 

[Sarah977]

@Emilia42  You hit the nail on the head, and we've discussed this sort of thing here before. 

It really seems like no one is taught basic manners anymore. When I was young, if you had a birthday, and Aunt Mary sent you a gift or put money in your bank account, parents made their kids sit down and write a thank you letter or card, or phone Aunt Mary to thank her. None of my grandchildren seems to be given the same directives from their parents, even though I also made sure to require this of my daughters when they were young.

[Ann72]

@Emilia42 This made me laugh out loud.  As @Shari63 noted, a simple thumbs up would have done the trick!

And yet the same 20-somethings need to send 5 texts in a row when one would have sufficed.

To @Sarah977's point, I recently interviewed a bunch of college graduats for an entry-level position.  Most of them sent thank you emails, but only one sent written thank you notes.  I had already hired one of the others, but she got 5 stars for manners, that's for sure.

[Shari63]

And my latest issue to you "seasoned" hosts out there is getting people to leave a review!  Even from other hosts that have stayed!  I ask at the "Bon voyage" text and then again 2 days later if I haven't received one.  Any other ideas?