Instant Booking

[Wendy1449]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice on whether or not I should turn on instant booking. I have turned it off because I do not like getting reservations before I can chat with the guest first, BUT since turning off the instant book feature, I have NO inquiries or bookings. A guest who stayed with me previously who wanted to book again said she couldn't find my listing at all.

It feels as if I'm being penalized for wanting a little more control over who I rent to, and this seems pretty unfair - after all, it's my cabin!

Has anyone experienced this same situation? What did you ultimately do?

Thanks for your assistance and advice.

Wendy

[Helen3]

I can see your listing easily by clicking on your profile @Wendy1449 

[Emiel1]

@Wendy1449 

If the guest stayed before, so should be able to find the listing easily as she booked it before.

But you can sent them the URL to your listing (it will no be blocked on the message system).

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/552279512298574995

BTW

Your listing is in the search system :

https://www.airbnb.com/s/homes?host_id=227473536&map_toggle=true

(please note: guest can filter on "Instant Book")

[Kia272 · Accepted solution]

@Wendy1449 I did the same as you. I used to have IB turned on, but I got very frustrated with guests who couldn't bother to read the listing details and provide me with the minimal information I asked for. 

I decided to turn IB off, and it has actually been fine. 

AirBnB has been slow in general since the "update" to the site, so that could be why you have no inquiries or bookings. The reason your former guest can't find your listing is definitely directly related to the "update." That guest could simply click on her past trips and find you that way, but some don't know that. 

I'm at the point where I value the control I have over bookings, more than I value the money I would get from idiots who don't or can't read, so I'm sticking with having IB off. 

I believe that once you're established with good reviews, guests will find you. I also think that those who are willing to request to book and wait a few minutes or hours, are probably better guests (IMHO). 

Good luck with whatever you decide. AirBnB should not make us have to decide between what's best for our properties, or making more money. It's not a good way of doing business, but they don't listen to hosts anyway, so I don't expect anything to change any time soon.  

[Wendy1449]

Thanks @Kia272 

I share your sentiments entirely. 

Nonetheless, despite 21 reviews and SUPER HOST STATUS X2 (which I just received AFTER turning on IB again....hmmmm?), I've received exactly zero inquiries with IB turned off.

I am considering leaving the platform and trying the competition. Do you have any experience with that?

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Wendy1449 other platforms may be worse than Airbnb I am afraid

[Kia272]

@Wendy1449  I'm listed on VRBO as well. That was slow at first but has gradually picked up, especially as I've built up some good reviews. 

I think the best thing for me has been my change of approach. I definitely need the income from my property, but I'm at the point where I value my sanity as much, if not more

than the income, so I've gotten pretty Zen about not having as many bookings as I could. I see hosts on here all the time who are talking about occupancy rates, and views to booking conversion, etc. I don't even look at that stuff. 

I have a nice property with good reviews, and I believe that people will find me and book it. That's my take on things. I like having the control with IB turned off, and I just didn't allow myself to get scared that it would all fall apart. It seems to be working out well. 

I would branch out to maybe one or two other platforms to see how it works. I'm request only on VRBO as well, so I don't ever have to worry about double-booking. 

Good luck with whatever you decide. 

Cheers, Kia

[Sudsrung0]

@Wendy1449 

It does say with IB turned on you will get more inquiries but if you are not happy with it, then turn it off,

Why do you not have a photo in your profile? is it not in airbnb rules that you should have one, on the other hand you want to ask your guest questions before you allow them to book,

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Wendy1449 whilst no one knows for sure it does seem that Instant Book drives properties up the search engine significantly. We switched ours off for a while and rapidly put it on again.

[Michael6934]

@Wendy1449 

I have Instant Booking ON but only for guests who has recommendations, verified ID, email and phone number and no negative reviews.

That way guests without good reviews can't book instantly. Those are the problematic ones usually.

hope that helps!