Guests taking condiments and other items

[Vita13]

Hi, just wondering what your thoughts are regarding guests taking stuff... its happened a couple of times now (1 night stay). I leave 4 latte sachets, 2 Chai, 4 hot chocolate, 2 green tea, 2 chamomile, 4 tea bags, multiple sugars and 4 coffee bags. I recently had a guest take everything except the tea items from the condiments stand. She also took a new (full) packet of makeup wipes, 2 toilet rolls, a whole packet of sanitary bags and a few other items... I've had younger travelers stay before take most of the condiments and a toilet roll, I just think, oh well.. getting their moneys worth but this time I am left wondering what to put for the review... it was booked by the male guest and I'm guessing it was his date that took the items...

[Ana1136]

@Vita13 technically it is not like they stole it, it was there for their use. People take advantage of things but I don't think this is something you should put in a review, it is not like they took towels or something else that is reusable. If you want to avoid such things, leave only as much as you sre comfortable for the guest to take because chances are they will. I have some guests use up everything and ask for more and some don't even touch the things I leave and as long as they don't take something reusable I don't mind if they take the coffee and tea bags. 

[Patricia3334]

I just had a guest (one night) take all the complimentary drinks from the fridge (between 6 to 8. I didn't count.) and all the snacks and fruit. They were all more than he could eat and drink in a night unless he was literally starving and had nothing else to eat and drink. I find it rude and tacky. That is not what they are there for. They are complimentary!

Can I refuse to host him again? Should I say something in the review?

[Laís2]

@Vita13 I just had two similar experiences recently. Not with coffee or tea, but with bathroom essentials.

I was used to putting like 3 rolls of toilet paper only available per check in, because I noticed before that as much as I put it, the more people would use it for some reason, and that's expensive for me because I already give a lot of free stuff every check in, including drinks, snacks and etc. 

But it started to get annoying that people would have to ask me for more toilet paper. So I put 8 rolls in the room together with other new toiletries (make-up removers, etc), already to prepare it for my new check-in. (These guests already had all that, but probably in use)

Then, they checked out  and brought not only what they had but EVERYTHING  new with them. 8 rolls and everything else. I am in shock haha

A week before, other guests stripped off my shampoo, conditioner and cream shelf with over 20 different bottles half full to almost full. I always bought different and nice ones and used to stack up so my guests would have a choice, is not that they were absurdly expensive or anything, so I really don't get this type of behaviour tbh. I mean, where are you bringing all these bottles and what for? 

I also think that this makes is not worth spending money in nice stuff after all. At the same time, I don't think it's worth a bad review, some people are just greedy or don't get the concept of airbnb and want to play the hotel tricks on us.

But I learned my lesson now. Like @Ana1136 just said, leave what you are comfortable with being gone per check-in 🙂

[Jody141]

I know this is an older post but as a newbie I’m sort of amused by what guests take. I’ve had a full can of Deet bug spray taken, all of my ice trays taken, full boxes of teas, Origins facial wash, paper towels and toilet paper. Happy Friday everyone!

[Patricia3334]

So sorry! That is stealing in my book.

[Huma0]

I also find his interesting and amusing because I don't have these issues really, but then I am a live in host.

I supply:

- a selection of teas, coffee, sugar, some breakfast cereals, hot chocolate, honey, sweetner, salt, pepper, cooking oil, vinegar and there are a load of condiments also in my kitchen. Guests use very little of it. The coffee, oil, salt and pepper get used the most but not that much. Some guests are a bit excessive with it, but most buy their own supplies after a day or two. I am going to stop with the cereals as no one uses them.

- toilet paper: some guests use a lot, others not a ridiculous amount, but the only guest who ever took some was hoarding it in her room during the early days of COVID and gave it back when she left (pretending she had bought it herself)!

- I put full size, labelled bottles of bodywash, shampoo, conditioner etc. in the bathrooms and also travel sized toiletries in the guest bedrooms. Long-term guests rarely use these or just use small quantities until they buy their own. Short-term guests on the other hand vary enormously. Some will help themselves to as much as they can and even use my own personal things and others never touch it. No one takes any of it away, except the occasional short-term guest taking the travel-sized stuf.

- No one has ever taken any cleaning supplies, wipes etc. away with them.

I do wonder if this is 

A. Because I am a live in host.

B. Because I vet guests quite carefully.

C. My listings are good value and most of my guests seem to appreciate that and don't attempt to squeeze every penny out of them by absconding with things.

[Patricia3334]

I also am a live-in host although upstairs and they have total privacy. I just had a guest take all the snacks and drinks from the fridge and basket I keep on the table. I am really glad it wasn't more because this stuff costs money! I consider it stealing