Host wants me to cancel my reservation

[Ryan763]

After paying the host, I wrote in a message to him that I look forward to spending 3 nights there for the weekend of Coachella. Then I get a message from the host stating he wants me to cancel the reservation because his prices do not reflect the weekend of Coachella. This seems pretty shady to me because I thought the price was already pretty competitive for what other houses are going for during the same weekend. The host basically wants to charge 700% more than what I booked his home for. Any thoughts on what I should do? I am a new airbnb user, so I don't want to get screwed on losing any of my money since I already paid. It is not my fault that the listing was not advertised with the correct price, so I don't understand why the host wants me to cancel. I find this to be very sketch, and makes me question the integrity of airbnb and their hosts.

[Sally221]

Dear Ryan,

you don't have to cancel, the host might have been messed about by airbnb if he had used their pricing app but that's his learning experience. Do not commmunicate outside the platform, you might need to line up a fallback if he is a complete d*ck and cancells on you. (and that should be grounds forhis  being kicked off the platform. Stay hydrated, use sunscreen & wear a hat! Sally

[Alice595]

@Ryan763 Don't cancel your reservation since it is confirmed booking. If the host keeps asking you to cancel, just tell him that he has the option to cancel. Once you receive the cancellation, call Airbnb immedidately and ask Airbnb to relocate you to a place nearby without paying extra.

[Ryan763]

I have been waiting for the host to cancel the reservation, but he said that If I cancel, I will get a 100% refund. To which I responded to him, shouldn't it be your responsibility to cancel since I am not at fault? He has not responded yet.

Once I do receive cancellation, will airbnb really relocate me if I call them?

[Ana1136]

@Ryan763 isn't Coachella next year? They will try to relocate you if the hosts cancels before check-in but now you have enough time to find another accommodation. 

[Ryan763]

It is next year, but because of Coachella's popularity, a lot of the listing prices are inflated. The listing the host had initially was reasonable and competitive with other houses, so I already thought his listing reflected the value during Coachella weekend. Then he messages me saying that his price does not reflect the wekeend of Coachella, that his listing should be over 700% more than what I paid for.

[Gordon0]

As has been said, don't cancel.
If your host wants to, let him.
He won't be able to re-list the dates as they'll be blocked.

[Mark116]

@Ryan763  I can't necessarily blame the host for wanting to cash in on coachella, but it is still the host's error that he didn't change his price or otherwise block those dates until he did, so, it is doubtful he will cancel you, since the dates would then be blocked and he'd get no $$, you certainly don't need to cancel and shouldn't cancel unless you've changed your mind about dealing with this particular individual.

[Ana1136]

@Gordon0 @Alice595 maybe the host is on other platforms too, I doubt he would have problem filling the listing for those dates. What if he cancels on @Ryan763 days before the festival? Will he be able to find another place for the same price plus the possible 10%+ from Airbnb? I wouldn't want to wait and see what will happen until the last minute, I would contact Airbnb and report the host.