Inquiry to stay with empty profile

[Thomas1033]

We have instant book on and our high season is just starting.  I have every requirement box ticked for IB so today I get an inquiry from “Huda” for 5 to stay the next four days however    He/she wants to see our place before paying.  I read the request and then look at the profile.  Joined in May and only a phone number.  How are they even allowed to make an inquiry?  Nope not happening have a nice day!

[Ana1136]

@Thomas1033 everyone can make an inquiry, if she had her profile filled out she would be able to book instantly. If it is an inquiry you can only respond, you don't have to accept or decline. And never show your property before booking and before the check in time. 

[Thomas1033]

@Ana1136 We have always had instant book on so I didn’t realize people with so little filled out in their profile could even do that.  Another thing is they are obviously already in the area so why?  Were they kicked out of somewhere?  I answered back stating we would need more information about them and their reason for staying and got no answer so after about an hour I messaged that due to their incomplete profile we would be unable to allow them to see our place or book with us and to have a nice day.  And still no answer.  I understand we don’t have to accept or decline so long as we answered.

[Yadira22]

Hi @Thomas1033 

Hope you are well. 

From my understanding you would still need to decline as orherwise goes to affect your “response rate”- this is based on my previous experience which is very similar to yours! 

Thanks,

Yadira 🙂

[Sarah977]

@Thomas1033  Isn't it nice when an Inquiry has so many red flags all over it that you don't have to weigh whether or not to accept ? 🙂

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Thomas1033 

Even if you would like to show them your place before booking you are not allowed to do that for the simple reason - giving the exact address or phone numbers before booking is forbidden on Airbnb.

So no, of course.

[Thomas1033]

@Sarah977Yes that one was a no brainer!  @Branka-and-Silvia0 since we are exactly pinned on the map and we have a picture of the outside of our house plus it describes where it is I imagine they could have been parked outside on the street.  We weren’t at home when we got the message but our ring doorbell didn’t go off either so at least they didn’t approach the house. @Yadira22 Well ya I’m not sure about that so I decided to block out today for my own reasons and their inquiry expired.  After we returned home and finished cleaning from our last guests we opened it back up.  Problem solved !

[Pete69]

When people try to skirt around Airbnb's rules, I skirt around booking them. During "high season" there's too many good guest who are well familiar with how Airbnb works for me to be bothered with these newbies. They should just find a hotel.

[Linda-And-Richard0]

@Thomas1033  If the guest sent an inquiry, there is no need to accept or decline.  You send a reply within the 24 hour time frame and that is enough.  Had this been a request to book, yes, then you would need to accept or decline.  I would never let a guest view my property prior to booking.  And avoid renting to locals.