Host asking for too much money for damages

[Lois34]

Hi,

Would be great if someone could help me. I just had an experience of staying in a lovely apartment through Airbnb with no complaints whatsoever. I accidentally caused some damage to the host's apartment by knocking a lamp off a bedside table, which subsequently shattered. I felt awful about this damage and asked him to let me know how much the lamp cost so that I can replace it.

However the host has come back to say that the particular lamp is no longer being sold at wherever it was bought, so I have to pay for the cost of two lamps so that both bedside lamps in the room match - which is double the amount that I feel I am responsible for. Whilst I feel terrible about this damage and would like to resolve this as easily as possible, I am only willing to pay for the cost of the actual damage I caused.

Wanted to know if anyone had any similar experiences and could offer any advice? 

Thanks in advance

[Mechelle1]

Hmmm maybe, if he wants to ship the second lamp to you. You broke one lamp, was forthright and honest about it. Integrity says he should know the risks and not try to gouge his guests for more than what is neccessary to try to replace two lamps. I hope he comes to reason on this topic. I am interested to see how this goes. Best to you both.

[Marit-Anne0]

@Lois34

I would say you should only be responsible for the actual damage caused.  Let airbnb intervene if necessary. And perhaps the host will learn a lesson - my lamps for instance are plain reading lamps mounted to the wall. I do have bedside lamps in one bedroom, but they have wooden bases and a table lamp with a plastic base on a mezzanine and they are more or less unbreakable. 

[Matthew285]

@Lois34, I understand that the host feels a need to purchase two lamps, but that doesn't mean you should have to pay for both.

At the end of the day, the host will end up with 3 working lamps: the singleton that matches the one you broke, and the two new lamps. They have gained a lamp, so really you only owe the host for one lamp.

The host can still use the singleton lamp somewhere else, where the lamp does not require a matching lamp.

[Lois34]

Thanks for your help with this everyone, have managed to come to an agreement with the host where I'm only paying for the damage caused. Thanks again!