New to Air BnB

[Carol316]

I received my 1st request, they wanted to pay on half up front and balance at end. I informed them that was not possible, they said ok and then declined as they didn't know the unit was non-smoking (clearly states that detail in our listing).  I'm thinking they are trying to get over on me as a newbie.

Then...

Just received my 2nd request for 11 nights, wanted to see place prior to booking, i said it was occupied, also asked how far I was from his training seminar, gave me an address.  I looked it up and it was a dirt road with no buildings, just a wooded area (on google maps). I said 20 mins 15 miles, but didn't disclose my address.  He now came back and only wants to pay for one week at a time, not for the requested 11 days.  I think this maybe another scam or am I being paranoid? I am in a small florida town...  Also he has 3 reviews all from the same host for the same month stay.

I've been a landlord for 10 years and do only longterm leases but thought about trying a furnished short term rental and now invested alot of effort and money into this. No sure I should have changed my model. Any suggestions o guidance would be very appreciated. Thanks

[Marzena4]

@Carol316 To me it sounds exactly what you said - an attempt to exploit a newbie. His reviews might not be genuine - a friend/business partner reviewing another. Don't get paranoid, if he wants to pay for one week - alter the reservation to seven days. Just ask him which days he wants to choose. 😉

[Laura446]

Decline. Suitable guests will come along eventually. 

[Farah1]

@Carol316 all of them sounds like scammers! Decline and move on 🙂

[Huma0]

@Carol316 you are right to say no. The first request may have been from guests who are just clueless about how Airbnb works in terms of payment. I get those too. I just explain to them that payments go through Airbnb, not directly to me. Maybe yours didn't want to book because of the payment issue or maybe it was the non-smoking thing. Either way, it doesn't work.

The second one does sound distincly suspect. I would never give out my home address prior to a guest booking.  If they need clarification on location, I just direct them to a nearby landmark or something and say it's x minutes walk from there. I really don't see why they need to know more than I am 5 minutes from x underground station before they book. It will give them a really good sense of whereabouts they would be staying.

I hope you get some genuine bookings from good folk soon!

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[Ben205]

In my short experience, I reckon you'll get as many odd requests as actual bookings. People don't read the listing fully, and you'll end up repeating information already out there. Then, when you reply and likely give them additional information to consider, there is no perceived need to acknowledge this. They won't say 'Thanks but no thanks'. You'll hear nothing and start wondering if you said the wrong thing!

However, take the knocks and you'll eventually get proper bookings. Payments is taken by Airbnb and paid into your account the day after the guest arrives. All done very smoothly. I would not take a booking from a guest that doesn't want to pay through Airbnb's system.

Make sure your cancellation policy is at the level you want, then politely remind potential guests that you take bookings through Airbnb.

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