Instant Book is unfair!!!

[Theresa1]

Why is it when a guest wants to pull up places in Vegas, most times when I test to see why I'm not getting inquiries, I see that only those places with Instant Book get pulled up and my rental that isn't set up with Instant Book isn't pulled up. I've tested this several times wondering why guests aren't finding my rental. Each time when this happens I see that Instant Book is on and I don't get my place pulled up. I don't set this as a parameter. It's already "ON" for a guest when they start searching. Please can this be changed to not let this be on when a guest starts searching. This has happened before to me and it's very frustrating. This is not fair to those who aren't able to have their places rented on the spur of the moment. I travel and how do I know if my cleaning lady has completed her cleaning. Thank you for helping Airbnb change this way of searching for properties. 

[David126]

I use IB but not for spur of the moment bookings.

They do it because they want Hosts to use IB and it is a form of pressurising them to do so.

[Kate157]

Hi, @Theresa1, as @David126 mentioned, IB works for some of us, but everyone's situation is different, and it does not suit all. Having said that, guests do appreciate the easiness and quickness of IB, so I think that's one of the reasons Airbnb promotes it.

[David126]

I think they push it primarily to avoid discrimination issues. Probably does result in more bookings, I assume most people just want to book.

[Ange2]

@Theresa1   I have a problem with using IB, it is not all it's cracked up to be. Proceed with caution.

I started IB as an experiment.  My views are now way down, I have few if any inquiries, usually I am booked solid this time of year but barely a peep these days.  When I do get reservations almost none use IB and now I seem to be attracting many more guests who:

1. want discounts
2. ask 1001 questions, even though all is covered in the description
3. expect me to be their travel planner and concierge
4. never bother responding to my answers
5. send spam inquiries hawking products

IB has made hosting more labor intensive, frustrating and decidedly less rewarding as regards confirmed bookings.

[David126]

I use IB to avoid a lot of the going to and fro and it has worked for me, but i have a lot of short period stays so might not be typical.