Low priced automatic booking

[Abdulaziz1]

I had the Instant booking on (First time host) and went for whats supposed to be Smart pricing. My place was auto rented out for an extremely low price compared to the market (It was Chistmas eve, day, New years, and a week after). It got rented out a third of the market price. 

So as a first time host, I thought since it was almost 2 months from now, there will be no fee (Which there wasnt). But did not realize they would block me from renting it on these dates again! I am losing the highest season income for my apartment now, and was wondering if there is a way to fix that... Thoughts? 

Thank you, 

Abdul

[Cynthia-and-Chris1]

Since you are a new host, you should probably become acquainted with the penalties for canceling a reservation - including the dates being blocked on your calendar.

[Sora0]

you can contact airbnb and seek for waiver of the penalty since you mentioned its your first time. for smart pricing, you may want to set your own idea price for the certain peak dates so it wont fall below what you expected.

[Kate157]

I would definitely set the smart pricing parameters to something I was comfortable with if you want to use it. I disabled it when I saw the incredibly low prices it was slotting onto my calendar. 

[Andrew217]

In my opinion, the Airbnb "Smart" Pricing is anything but. It recommends prices anywhere from 40-60% of the true market value of my listings. I have used many different automatic pricing softwares, and they are all worth the small 1% fee (you're almost doubling your income), and can recommend Beyond Pricing as by far the best service. Use this link for a free trial of their service, no credit card or payment needed: https://beyondpricing.com. 

[Karen886]

This has just happened to me as well I’ve now also had someone book from sat for seven night which then has a knock on effect for 2 weekend bookings and this was after I messaged the traveller to say the arrival day was Fridays for weekly and weekend booking and Monday arrivals for 3 - 4 midweek stays. She then told me Saturdays were most people’s favourite arrival days and instant booked it ! !  I am furious as she also got it for much much less due to me being a new host and me listening to air bnb recommendations to offer 20% reduction offer for first 3 bookings and them also putting on a ridiculous nightly price which does not change in the peak or high seasons .  CAn someone help me .