Guest wants to pay cash on arrival and check out the place before she books

[Canti-and-Dash0]

Hi guys, so this is my first time hosting and suddenly someone wants to book my place for 12 days. She asked if she can check out the house and I said "yes" only to realize later on after I saw in Airbnb Help that I shouldn't do it... 😞

Now she wants to pay cash on arrival because she said that she doesn't have a bank account. I tried to push her to pay through Airbnb, but now she said that her bf's credit card is being declined.

So, a few questions,
Any suggestion about what I should do? Is it forbidden for the guest to check the place before they book? Also, is it possible to have an Airbnb account without having a credit card?

I'm really confused... Thanks everyone!

[Alisha3]

Don't host her you are setting yourself up to not be protected through air Bnb if there is an issue. No cash should change hands. She can figure it out through PayPal etc... Or just pass on this one.

[Ann113]

If she can't pay through Airbnb then she cannot rent your place...it is very clear. 

[Dan-And-Melissa0]

I agree with Alisha. Why the need to check out the place for only 12 days?  I could understand if it was a long term booking. And the story of her bf getting declined sends a strong message to me.  I would simply state that you strictly follow all airbnb rules and request she transact everything thru airbnb, and unfortuantely you are not allowed to show her the place because of airbnb rules. My guess is she will disappear and you will move on to a better guest!

[Amber1]

I'm with you. Don't host her. We pay a fee to this platform for the accountability and paying cash prevents that. Have her set up Paypal. If she's using a modern platform, then she should get with the modern age payments too. 

I never let people check out the place first. There's tons of photos. Perhaps if they were staying a month I might consider it but for a night or two no way. 

[Canti-and-Dash0]

Thank you so so much Alisha, Dan & Melissa.

Is it normal for guests to want to check the place out before they book though?

I guess learning from this, I would strictly follow Airbnb rules in the future.

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

Absolutely not - there is a reason her credit card is being declined for a start! In addition you are not protected in any way by Airbnb if you do this. It could be a scam, and you could be putting yourself and/or your property in danger

[Tim-and-Holly0]

STOP!! Do not host this guest!

Anyone who has "scoped out" the house then wants to pay cash should be suspect. As stated above you will not be covered under any Airbnb protections and you will also be in violation of Airbnb policy. 

In the future, for your protection as well as future guest's protection, your house address should never be provided to anyone prior to booking. 

Let this one go and get the honest guests that will be coming soon.

[Canti-and-Dash0]

OH NO :((

Should I be worried that she already knew my place??

What's the worst thing that could have happened, Tim & Holly?

(LITERALLY PANICKING RIGHT NOW)

[Amber1]

I wouldn't panic..I doubt you are in any danger but you need to stop this right now. Make up whatever reason you need to keep them away from your house without angering them, and CALL airbnb to document what is going in. This is why their service is there. They can step in and reach out to the guest in a professional manner if there is issues with payments etcc...and take the pressure off you.

You may a fee to use them, and they do a great job mediating. That is why they are there. 

[Dan-And-Melissa0]

I would also flag the messages and contact airbnb as they would like to know what this guest is trying to pull!

[Lois-and-Darryl0]

I see red flags everywhere, from the start of her inquiry.  I've learned what more experienced hosts have written in our Community here - the more that a Guest requests special accommodations, the more you can anticipate to have problems.  You don't need to make exceptions, there should be business out there for you if you have a reasonable nice and clean place.  Good luck!

[Helen3]

The worst that could happen is that they were casing the place for a burglary. Just decline the guest and give BnB a call and let them know what has happened. But please don't worry this is worst case scenario. 

Familiarise yourself with how BnB works by reading the host information on their website.

There is never a need for a guest to look at your place in person - anything they need to know will be in your photo and description - make sure you have a detailed description of your area and rooms and that you have photos of everyone room that is shared and their bedroom.

[Srikanth0]

Actually its advisable to reject such bookings but many of westerners dont know that credit card is hard to get in Indonesia. Secondly, you cant pay with paypal in here for Airbnb. Most of the Indonesians prefer to pay through ATM and bank transfer. Myself couldnt use Airbnb just because i dont have credit card and I am trying to get one. I wish Airbnb allow advance cash payments in Indonesia. But this guest sounds really doubtful and you may loose protection from Airbnb.