Inquiry for friend or relative tactic

[Jeffrey50]

Been getting a lot of these lately, all with a similar tact. Two or three back and forths about our rental on behalf of a friend or relative then they ask for the home location/address to see if it's close to their friends who live in the same retirement community.  I have politely answered the questions until they ask about the location.  I refuse each time to give the location for obvious security reasons and ABB policy.   I advise the person who makes the inquiry on behalf of someone else to have that person make the inquiry and only after they are verified and book will the location be released. Most of the time I just let an inquiry like that expire and they go away. But lately they are getting much more agressive - similar tactics but much more pushy about it even trying to book without verification forcing me to decline and explain why.  Also they answer in short bursts like "hello" or "what's up" again to try to keep the inquiry or booking request alive. I'm penalyzed if I don't respond in 24 hrs to the last message during a booking request.

This time-wasting trend has forced me to block out huge chunks of valuable seasonable time next fall and winter to discourage these types of inquiries. I plan to reopen the time late summer for the fall and winter 14-60 day rentals only.  Is there a better solution to deal with unverified inquiries? This is geting very annoying. Tough to know who is legitimate and who isn't. Thanks.  Jeff  

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

@Jeffrey50 Unfortunately there is not a huge amount you can do...

However, flag the profile and report them as asking for address details in advance of booking.

If you click on their profile there is an ignore button - I have to say I really don;t know what effect this has, maybe someone else can clarify

[Cynthia-and-Chris1]

Just thought I would mention - you only have to respond within 24 hours to the INITIAL inquiry, not EVERY time the same guest sends a message.  If you have already answered their questions and don't feel there is more to say, do not continue to respond to their "hello" or "whats up" messages.

[Jeffrey50]

Thanks for the info. I'm more concerned about the number of inquiries lately by folks who say they want to find out more about the listing for friends or relatives.  Starting today my plan is to draft a response i can cut and paste into my first inquiry response that will go something like ..."thanks for the interest but please have the person who wants to book the property make the inquiry."  I've had more than a dozen of the friend and relative style inquiries in the last couple of months covering the spectrum - wedding gifts, needy aging parents, Christmas gift to well-deserving parents, retired educators both 71 years old, freezing relatives in Michigan, son-in-law in Delaware.  A person who lives in the same community even wanted my address to forward to their friend's parents in Wisconsin who wanted to book my home.  They all say, "You'll be hearing from them soon."  Not once. The one common thread through all of the inquiries, "Can you tell me exactly where in Sun City West you're home is located?"  No, I can't. 

[David126]

I assumed the ignore related to the forum?