I had a woman desire to book, she was inquiring but I accepted during our conversations and she

[Alisha1]

She wants to stay somewhere else. She is new to airbnb as a guest, I have instnt booking allowed yet it doesn't work for guests without reviews for my settings. So she said my place looked lovely gave info about her stay...I sent her a message making sure she had read over the full listing as we are oof the grid and have a solar battery etc. system. It can not run blow dryers curling irons etc. she then responded back with "hello?" then I responded again becasue I wasn't sure if she didn't recieve the full message or something (as I thought the message hello? was a bit confusing as a reply) She wrote back saying she got another place and I hit accept, and sent a message saying no worries hope she enjoys her vacation. Then I get the email stating she is confirmed? Hitting accept means she already locked in the dates and wasn't just contacting me about the dates??? So I need to cancel now?? PLease help as canceling for the first time and yet I didn't realize by accepting that it LOKS HER INTO A BOOKING! BY declining I just assumed that would mean it tells her she can't rent from me and be a guest. As on the flip side I have just inquired about a place myself months ago to stay at, and the woman declined...yet I had not instantly booked I had just inquired about the dates....Alisha

[Sandra126]

I would contact Airbnb soonest possible to see if they can fix it. You don't want to cancel.

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

Yes, Alisha, by hitting "accept" you are accepting the request to book.  By "declining" you are declining the request to book.   When someone is using "instant book" the  acceptance of the booking is automatic, the host doesn't need to go through the step of accepting.  If a guest inquires about a booking, you have the option to "pre-approve" them as a host.  When you select this, you are giving them the right to complete the booking for the days they inquire.  

I'm not sure why you would want to cancel this booking if accepted.  If she wants to stay elsewhere, she will need to do the cancelling.  Otherwise, she is booked for your property for the dates she requested and you approved.