Items Left Behind

[Peter1045]

Hi,  a guest left some stuff behind. Any creative ideas about how we can return these without losing out financially? e.g. is there a way they can reimburse my postage payment or even better if they can pay postage up front? 

[Quincy · Accepted solution]

Hi Peter, 

Welcome to the Community Center!

You can request money through the Resolution Center. I was able to find a helpful topic about other hosts sharing some tips and tricks on this. 

I hope you find this helpful!

[Peter1045]

Thanks Quincy. So the resolution centre involves my seeking reimbursement directly from the individual through the Airbnb site, that right? So I'd explain to the client what I'm going to do, then pack/send the things, keep receipts, then apply to the client to reimburse through the Airbnb app., attaching evidence of receipt, that right? How reliable do you find people are at paying? 

[Claudiu-Nicolae0]

In such situations, we usually suggest that guests contact any pickup and delivery company.

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

If it were me, I wouldn't spend any time or money before getting paid for postage. I would also prefer that the guest arrange for pick up, shipping and pay for it as well. Hosts really shouldn't have to waste time or be responsible for guest carelessness or forgetfulness. 

[Quincy]

Hi @Peter1045,

Perhaps you could follow the suggestions given by @Claudiu-Nicolae0 and @Jessica-and-Henry0? 

[Peter1045]

Thank you these are helpful suggestions. I've now liaised with the guest to confirm the method of sending is acceptable. Spent a while packing the things up in the post office. and i've sent the receipt by text and asked for a bank transfer for the amount. The issue about pickups from couriers for me is that it constrains my movements - often having had to stay in waiting for a courier. I prefer just doing the thing myself so it's done. It does run the risk of financial cost though. Let's see what happens. and yes it's helpful to gain wisdom from others in the community thank you. 

[Quincy]

Hi @Peter1045,

Thanks for the update!

Will you let us know how everything goes? 

[Peter1045]

Sure @Quincy

thanks for the support too

Peter

[Cormac0]

@Peter

In Ireland, there was a court case about a bicycle left behind by a tenant, where a tenant came looking for a bicycle after a year after leaving the tenancy.

The court found in his favour and the Landlord had to replace the bike and pay compensation.

forewarned is forearmed

I think you should do some googling on this to see where you stand, I remember a similar situation where a guest was disinclined to pay for the postage and expect the host to fork out or felt that the cost was too much.

[Katherine165]

Is Venmo or a similar app available in the UK? When I’ve had guests leave behind valuable items (once a one-carat diamond necklace!), I mail them back, text them copies of the receipts and asks if they’d like to reimburse through Venmo. Even those who didn’t already have it set it up for this purpose. It’s that easy. If the left item is a sock or a shampoo bottle, I hold onto it for a bit and then discard if the guest doesn’t contact me about it. 

[Letti0]

@Katherine165  The last times it was $30 I ended up eating and I won't even mention the gas to and from the Post Office. I like the Venmo idea. Thanks.

[Katherine165]

You’re welcome!