Host raised price by 300%

[Cait12]

Hello, I need some advice. I was looking for a condo to stay in over spring break for around $500 or $600. I was able to find one for $50/night, $508 for the week. It was an instant book property however I had some questions for the host before I went ahead and booked. I sent the host a message asking a few routine questions and when she responded I noticed that the condo had gone from $508 for the week to $1600 for the week!!! WAY out of my price range. She changed it after I messaged her and when she responded she said "feel free to book!" but failed to mention that she had hiked the price from $50/night to $200/night. I feel like this is quite rude, especially considering she want told me to "feel free to book!" after she had just raised the prices so much higher than what they had been originally. When I confronted her about it, she said that she needed to update the price for spring break because the price had defaulted to a lower value. Is this fair? Should she honor the original price? I feel like the way she handled it, not even apologizing, was very poor and not that of a "Superhost" on Airbnb. Starting to wonder if I should even bother renting from someone like that regardless of price...

[Kelly149]

@Cait12 nope, go elsewhere, that was the point

[Rowena29 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Cait12 ,

No it's not really fair and not particularly professional.

 A host should keep their calendar up to date, and not alter it when  they get an enquiry. sounds like she has smart pricing on, and the dates have opened up and a rate too low for the season and she hasnt' realised until you enquired.

I"ve been caught out a few times and I"ve always honored the booking because I believe it's the right thing to do

But just so your are aware - and  possibly in her defence - the system CAN be very glitchy.

It's possible  an airbnb algorithm did something weird and unexpected to her pricing and she only just noticed when you enquired.  For example, airbnb once opened up dates on my calendar  over xmas new year that I had blocked, for some ridiculous price and the first I knew about it was when I received an instant booking.

Not meaning to be rude, it's also possible that for whatever reason, the host doesn't really want you to stay, and has increased the price accordingly.  

If you do find a property with instant book that you really like, within your price range,  during a peak holiday time that will be popular and fill up quickly, then you could consider booking with  IB  and THEN clarifying a few things- (so long as the cancellation policy is anything from strict downwards, then you have the option to cancel without penalty within 48 hours.)  It depends what your questions are of course. If they are major questions,  then definitely wisest to ask before booking.

Overall though, I would be inclined to agree with you. I would be seriously put out and not inclined to give this host my money.  But it's hard to know for sure without knowing the full circumstances from her also.

Good luck finding somewhere nice to stay!

[Cait12]

thank you for your input!