Getting ripped off on Airbnb

[Jeremy257]

Hi all - am I getting ripped off for this? 

I booked the Wyndham Kingsgate in Williamsburg, VA for two nights from 9/1-9/3 for 4 people. After some further research I found out these prices. 

Expedia: $387.90 ($164 per night + $47.34 tax and fees + $12 resort fee)

Airbnb: $482.58 ($161.20 per night + $99 “cleaning fee” + $60.38 service fee) - I will also have to pay the $12 resort fee out of pocket.

Is this host ripping me off? Should I ask for a price match or an upgrade? The “cleaning fee” is ridiculous. I can cancel the Airbnb and only get back $150 but I am willing to stick it to him. 

Thanks 

[Lawrene0]

It is always best to do the internet research before booking, @Jeremy257, but I am sure you know that. You agreed to the host's pricing, and to the cancellation policy, at the time of booking. If you think you will be money ahead by cancelling and rebooking through another platform, or even if it gives you the satisfaction of, as you say, sticking it to the host, it will be best to go ahead and do so. You can try asking for a discount if you really wish, but that is a red flag to hosts that the guest will be trouble. Not a good way to start a stay.

Just re the cleaning fee, some hosts agree to pay their cleaners a living wage. This host sounds like one of them. 

I hope you get it sorted. All the best!

[Lisa723]

@Jeremy257 it is not necessarily easy for a host to keep prices exactly consistent across multiple booking platforms. Platform pricing structures and options vary, commissions and other fees charged to the host and guest vary. Airbnb hosts do not even see Airbnb's guest service fee for a booking, and it's not predictable. The host is not trying to rip you off; you are free to book on any platform the property is listed on. Your apparent hostility to the host for public prices/fees that were completely visible to you on booking seems unmerited. Maybe you should cancel because with your current mindset it seems unlikely that you will be in the mood to enjoy your stay.

[Emilia42]

@Jeremy257

Prices for hotels/resorts change constantly, same with Airbnbs for that matter. How do you know that when you made the reservation that the price on all booking sites was $482 and demand has caused it to decrease at this point? I would cancel and find another place to stay if your plan is to stick it to him.

[Jeremy257]

Actually I called Airbnb HQ and they were able to refund me everything. The customer service person I worked with was amazing and he even thought that a $99 cleaning fee was ridiculous. Case resolved. 

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Jeremy257

IMO no one is ripping you off - you made the decision to book without doing your homework. While I agree that it is excessive, if a $99 cleaning fee is so ridiculous, why book in the first place? (Personally as a host, I don't charge a cleaning fee at all and when I book as a guest I prefer places with a minimal cleaning fee) Also, the "service fee" goes to Airbnb (not the host) and the host will pay a separate "host service fee" to Airbnb as well.

I'm glad you got a refund from ABB HQ and things worked out 🙂

But a situation where when you purchase an item from seller A, you find the exact same item being sold by seller B a week later which makes you FEEL like you were ripped off..... this happens to all of us, all the time. Thnk about flights - no one pays the same price for a seat.

[Jeremy257]

The issue was also the host never responded to my question on why his fee was higher. He chose to completely ignore (or maybe forgot to look at his emails) me for 48 hours. Airbnb HQ tried to call (went to voicemail) and email him but he never responded to them either. They thought it would be best too refund my costs due to his lack of response. He is also a superhost too. Which makes this even more ridiculous. 

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Jeremy257

Super host or not, no host is obligated to explain one's pricing strategy to a guest. Not responding in itself is not good - I agree with that part. Maybe the host was hoping you'd just cancel and that was the reason for not responding 🙂 If I had a potential guest question my rates AFTER booking, I'd be seeing a whole lot of red flags and would not want to host that guest since it would seem pretty clear the guest made up their mind already. 

[Sandra126]

I think the host will get the same amount of money from either agency. By the time the commission is taken off what is left will likely balance. But you can cancel penalty free within a time frame. Some hosts list with a great many places. I used to and my prices varied quite a bit but I got the same regardless.

[Letti0]

@Jeremy257   You were not comparing apples to apples. You could not have gotten a price on Expedia for the same days as they don't give them out on Sold Out Property, which this would have been as you had already booked it. They also do not include cleaning fee's until the final booking stage. There's a small blurb about them exisiting, but they are not actually listed and broken down until booking. You got pricing for another weekend I am sure. The 9/1 - 9/3 dates are at a HOLIDAY RATE I am sure, it's Labor Day Weekend for heaven sakes. [Content hidden]

[Ute42]

.

Hi @Letti0 ,

I think it is interesting that first level customer service people at airbnb

are now having their own oponion if hosts prices and fees are justified.

[Letti0]

@Ute42   Not only that, but to give him a full refund without extinuating circumstances or a really justifiable reason, this should never have happened. The CS rep was totally wrong and I hope the host fights this. The fact that the host did not answer a question regarding pricing after he booked when the guest knew it was a holiday weekend yet compared the pricing to a standard weekend pricing and because the host had a cleaning fee of $99 is a reason to void a cancellation policy now. I guess I should be prepared for my policy to be voided at some point because I also charge more for Holidays and I have a $170 cleaning fee. 

Also, I have never had a post censured before. I actually used @Jeremy257's own words from above like Lisa did. I guess it must have been my nightmare comment lol...

[Helen3]

It sounds like either the guest cancelled within 48 hours of booking or Airbnb refunded because they tried to contact the host who didn't respond.

I agree the OP should have done his homework before booking to get the best deal.

[Letti0]

@Helen3  He knowingly booked a Holiday weekend in the US and then complained because the regular weekend pricing at the same place was less money and he did not want to pay the Holiday premium after the fact. This is a 3 day weekend the last chance for a 3 day get away until Thanksgiving in the US of course it was more money. This was his arguement and reasoning as to why he was being ripped off.  I am sure he did do his research and my guess is this was one of the cheapest places out there at the time. I think he found one even cheaper that probably had a last minute cancellation. He wanted him to discount it to the regular weekend prices is what it boils down to and when the host did not offer it up the guest went after the host and managed to get a full refund. This was totally wrong. 

[Lisa1522]

I just booked an Air BNB on Mexico.  Because it was in (busy season)  December, I paid in good faith half the balance.  There was a 48 hour cancellation fee, so I immediatley emailed the host on the day I paid, thinking I would have the 48 hours if I needed to cancel.   The apartment I booked did not say if it had stairs or elevator, so I sent the host an email, regarding it.  

The host waited 1 hour past the 48 hour window  ( I had sent her 2 emails, asking her to answer me)  and informed me that there were 2 flights of stairs, 32 stairs in total.   

I immediatley asked to cancel, 5 weeks in advance, but of course because of her "48 hour window "  I lost the service fee and half the balance.   I contacted Air BNB customer support and they basically gave me lip service even when I had proof that I had sent the email within the window.    I am FURIOUS about this and have lost $300.00.