Luggage drop off, day before check-in

[Lucia135]

A woman contacted me and told me that she was having issues where she was, because it was expensive. I didn't really get the point of why that was part of the  convo she sent me because that was not any question having to do with my listing.

Then she said she had no money in her account and had to do deposit to the ATM in order to book the listing I have. 

I said " book when you can, stay safe."

A few minutes ago she's esent me a note asking if I can hold her luggage prior to BOOKING and checkin .

what would you do. I said no that's not possible, but have an odd feeling in my stomach. 

[Sabine42]

Hi Lucia,

definitely no. If this was a confirmed booking i would do it, as i make lots of exceptions to common 'rules'. My rule is, if i can accomodate the guest and it's no extra work for me i'll do it. In this case you already have a couple of red flags, she has no money in her account, asking for kind of a charity on your part. go with the bad feeling. good luck!

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

Definitely no to hanging on to anyone's personal property without a reservation.  It's a very large risk as you would be put in control of her things (she could claim you stole them or something from them) AND you'd have to provide your address in advance. In this case, I wouldn't allow her to book either.  There are too many red flags for me.  

[Helen3]

Major red flag - the answer is of course no...why on earth would you want to look after the luggage of someone who can't afford to book at your place. Personally I wouldn't even hold the luggage of someone who had. And I wouldn't have her stay at my place even if she does follow through with a booking.

How do you know what oculd be in it ? 😞

[Taryn7]

Hi Lucia

I agree with the others - definitely no! Who knows what is in that luggage! Maybe even drugs or something else illegal! Rather be safe than sorry!

Good luck!

Taryn

[Ange2]

@Lucia135   There are a number of luggage storage places in NYC suggest she leave her stuff at one of them. Many are open 24 hours and are very reasonably priced and near major transit hubs.

[Sharon64]

Definitely Not!

[Andrea9]

@Lucia135

Praise your odd feeling that probably helped you dodge a bullet!

The gut always knows best!! Ask any seasoned host!

[Yulianna0]

After new inquiry I just started to search about drop off luggage demands. Is it ok that people ask to keep their luggage up to 10 (!) days prior to arrival?! May be I’m out of trend? In the last few days I got two inquiries of this type. 

[Craig178]

I even state in my house rules that "No early or late luggage drop off is allowed".  It is a lot of liability to store someone's luggage as a person can either claim that things disappeared from the luggage or even worse, there can be something illegal in that luggage.

In your instance the guest even did not book your house, but asks you to allow to store luggage. There are plenty of luggage storage places in New York that this guest can use. 

I would recommend you to state in your house rules that the following: "No early or late luggage drop off is allowed". 

Good luck

[Yulianna0]

Thank you @Craig0. In fact it is in my house rules! But lately people are not even reading the first sentence:( 

For sure I will not take such responsibility. And they have storage place just 10 min to the house! 

[Craig178]

Airbnb gives hosts an option to type a very short welcoming message. To make sure that guests read my rules, I came up with the following message: "Hi, I am Craig. I am looking forward to hosting you. Prior to booking my house, please read and agree to my house rules." Thanks Craig

Unfortunately, the Airbnb system does not allow to type a longer message, but it works for me.