How do I avoid getting penalized when declining booking requests?

[Ann489]

This may have been covered elsewhere before, but I am finding varying opinions on the subject.   Yesterday, I had something happen that never happened before; I had to decline FOUR booking requests.  Two were along the lines of, "I know your listing says no pets/no infants, but...", one was a booking request from a guy for ONE person, yet the message stated that he and his THREE girlfriends(? really) are coming in from NY (all the way to Boise for one night? Fishy) and the last one was a question about my property from another local host, disguised as a booking request(WTH?!)  

Anyway? Now I have this annoying "Tips to help you get booked" from  Airbnb, covering half of my dashboard(I have NO problems getting booked) and my acceptance rate has probably nosedived, too.  What is the best way of dealing with these illegitimate requests?  Do you report to Airbnb? There is very little info on the subject available in their "help" section.   Your thoughts?  🙂

[Marit-Anne0]

@Ann489 

It seems odd that a fellow host sent you a booking request just to ask a question - what if you accepted ?  Could it have been a mere inquiry, someone using the "contact host" button ?  Even for those inquiries, it is nececessary to fill in dates in order to send you a message. 

With real requests you could ask for the request to be withdrawn after explaining that you can not accomodate.

[Ann489]

@Marit-Anne0   I just found out this morning that he had apparently,  seen my reply in regard to a post he had made and then chose to ask further questions via a "booking request" rather than using the original thread.  Here's the thread...maybe that explains things.  🙂

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Help/new-listing-boost/m-p/1008420#M209302

[Marit-Anne0]

@Ann489 

Ah, sorry to hear that.  The "contact host" button is a little hidden, so I suppose this could happen.  Withdrawing the request should be a possibility though.

[Linda108]

@Ann489   When I get a request from a potential guest that seeks to book outside my accommodation rules, I tell them the problem, sometimes make a suggestion that would fit and advise I will decline their request.  If the request appears to be a scam or is inappropriate, I use the "report this user link" and report the issue.  Have you ever used that link?  It identifies the issue as a problem with the request or requestor rather than you are not managing your calendar properly.

[Ann489]

@Linda108I ended up doing just that, Linda-at least, with the local host.  Apparently, he got the message from Airbnb support.  😉    Are you saying I should do this with the other requests as well?

[Linda108]

Perhaps it might be a good idea if the guest has a history of seeking to book a listing outside the listing rules.  If this is an isolated case, then no harm no foul.

[Emilia42]

@Ann489 

I am always dumbfounded when I hear of people giving up their credit card information just to ask a question! I am pretty sure that credit card information has to be entered to submit a booking request because, after all, if the host 'approves,' the booking is confirmed and the card is charged. At least this is what I had to do when I requested to book a property.

I think what I would do in your situation is let the guest know that you are happy to approve their request on the condition that your house rules are followed. So the guest may check in and stay but not with their animals or children. If they are uncomfortable with these conditions, they can withdraw the request and find a place that better suits their needs. If you do not hear from them you will confirm the booking, and their credit card will be charged via Airbnb, on the assumption that all rules will be followed.

I would probably end up declining by the end by the day but put the responsibility back on the guest to withdraw the request.

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Ann489 

the whole request/inquiry system is not good at all.

First - "contact host" link is not visible enough so too many people overlook them and use "request to book" button to ask a question

Second - guests who don't fit our booking requirements can still see our listing and send a request, which we have to decline and be penalized

Third - we have just 24 h to accept decline and we depend on how quickly our guest will answer our questions

Fourth - we can cancel instant booking penalty free in case of any problems but we can't cancel if we accept the request. So I am very cautious with accepting it.

As Airbnb removed profile pictures and ( as I've heard) our prebooking questions, I have to decline more requests than ever before just for the precaution.

Without the profile picture, full name, and 24 h limit how could I know if the guest is not responding timely because he is a 20 y.o. careless dude or an Airbnb and internet inexperienced elderly woman?

I don't know if the guest didn't answer my prebooking questions because questions are not visible anymore, or because the guest didn't see it or just ignores it?

I just know the guest is not meeting my booking requirements and is not communicating well. So I have to decline.

[Ann489]

@Branka-and-Silvia0   I could not agree more.  You hit the nail right on the head.  I think a lot of us hosts have those same concerns--now if we could just get Airbnb to listen(probably wishful thinking on my part).  It seems to me that the last minute requests are often the worst in terms of violating/ignoring house rules, etc.  I had a last minute cancellation this weekend and I probably should have made the weekend unavailable.

The removal of the pre-booking question really bothers me sincec we have cats on the premises and people often don't bother to read the listing in its entirety.  With instant-book on, I have gotten several guests who were surprised at their presence. It definitely does not get things off to a good start, sigh.