Newbies!! Smart pricing woes!

[Louise543]

Hi all - we’re new to AirBnB and set up our apartment with smartpricing. Had a quick influx of enquiries and bookings, but several potential guests saying that when they go back to book the price has increased?! Losing us bookings!! Can someone explain? Have we set up something wrong?? TIA

[Emilia42]

@Louise543 

Smart pricing fluctuates because it's "smart." Depending on how many people are searching your area or clicking on dates, the price can increase or decrease (stopping at your min and max price set.) But this does not happen every minute. You will usually see prices fluctuate every day or so, if that. So, thinking about your guests ... it's like you see an outfit on sale over the weekend but when you go back to buy it on Monday, the sale is over. Sorry, you should have bought it when you saw it.

But you do have 100% complete control over your prices, so if you want to give these guests the lower price, then go for it. You can send them a special offer with whatever price you'd like. 

Also, keep in mind that when the guests "go back to book" they might not have realized or factored in the Airbnb service fee (which can be quite high) or taxes.

[Louise543]

Thanks @Emilia42 that’s really helpful - we’ve also just released that several people have seen the price with the 20% intro discount for the first three reservations which has then been removed as we now have those bookings and this has exacerbated the issue for those interested and seeing fluctuating prices.

we haven’t found out how to send a special offer piece as yet, but will look into this now. Thanks again for your reply, much appreciated.

[Emilia42]

Ah, yes the 20% new listing pricing will make a huge difference. You will see quickly on these forums that many hosts are very wary of people asking for discounts. When a guest right away asks for a discount it usually does not stop there and can be a big red flag.

[Louise543]

@Emilia42  just found the large ‘Special Offer’ button.... don’t think I can see for looking!! 🤣