Not yet approved guests

[Mariflor0]

So, I have a question for you all. I have a not-yet-approved guest who is also a host. Funny enough, he does not provide a photograph of him or says much about himself except that he rents temporarily for a living as far as I could understand. Somehow not having a face to a name irritates me and I wonder if you guys feel the same. I don´t want to be prejudiced but I really want to know how someone who comes to my home looks. Is that wrong?

Help!

[Kevin168]

I think that's very smart of you, not wrong. I've rejected guests who were flashing gang signs---although they were very suspicious and wanted to not go through Air bnb at all, so that wasn't the only reason. 

[Mariflor0]

@Kevin168 hi, thanks for your input. Could I decline a guest for those reasons? Just for the fact that he doesn´t provide sufficient information?

thanks again

Mariflor.

[Kevin168]

@Mariflor0 I can't speak for Air bnb, but they do let you require government issued ID. 

There are several reasons you can decline a guest, I forget what they all are,

but one is "I feel uncomfortable about this guest"---and then they make you explain why.

That triggers a review of the situation, I think.

You might want to call and ask them if it's a concern. 

[Beth23]

Hi Mariflor,

No you're not wrong at all. I feel the same way and wish airbnb were tighter with requirements for guests as part of the registration. There should be a visible picture of their face AND have a profile completed before being allowed to register. I think this is especially important if it's a room that you're renting in your house as I do.

Good luck and remember you have control of your requirements.

Beth

[Mariflor0]

@Beth23

Thank you very much for your response. Excellent advice.

[Annette33]

@Beth23 and @Mariflor0 , I couldn't agree more! But I'm afraid we're fighting a losing battle, as more and more, there are no profile pictures, no profiles, also on the hosts' side.... So apparently, with Airbnb not enforcing it, along with IB ,  it will become  common place..

[Lizzie]

Hello @Mariflor0, @Annette33, @Beth23 and @Kevin168,

I hope you don't mind Mariflor, I have moved your question and replies out of the original thread you posted in, as that is quite a long discussion now it is easy that it turns in to a series of different question which will make it hard for anyone to find the responses and reply. With this in mind, I have made your question into a new topic here in the Community Help board. I have had to give it a new title, so let me know if you would prefer it to state something different. 🙂

Thank you.

Lizzie

[Mariflor0]

Excellent @Lizzie. Thank you very much. Yes, much more organized this way.

Merry Christmas and a great 2017.

Mariflor

[Cynthia-and-Chris1]

You can always ask your guest to upload an actual picture of themselves so you can put a face to the name.  This is also good for security reasons - so you know the person making the reservation is the same person who shows up.

[Mariflor0]

@Cynthia-and-Chris1

Thanks a lot for your wonderful response. Happy New Year.

[Andrea9]

@Mariflor0

In such cases, you can go to your settings for booking and check off the 'ID verification'.

Then tell your guest they will need to finish verifying  their profile first before they can book. Also state that if they haven't done it by the time the 24h since requesting are over, you will decline their request to avoid host penalties, but they are welcome to contact you again after verification is completed.

[Andrea9]

@Mariflor0.... and if they used a profile picture of a poodle or other non-human entity, you can still tell them you feel more comfortable seeing a picture of them, since that is part of the trust idea behind Airbnb.

And if they still don't do it, you can always decline and give the reason of not being comfortable with this person. Because by then I'd really be wondering what other problems such a reluctant guest would be posing me with...

[Mariflor0]

@Andrea9 I am checking the messages and realize I never thanked you for your advice. Since then I not only specified in my house rules I needed a picture of the person and a little about him/her I will decline the booking. I feel much more comfortable this way. Thank you very much for your help.

[Andrea9]

You're welcome @Mariflor0, good to hear!

You'll probably notice that not everybody will read and comply, but the more you know that you can determine things, the better you'll be able to react and handle such requests. Not every clueless inquiry is suspicious, but a standard toolbox of replies can weed this out quickly. 

And even if you aren't quite sure but decide to accept the booking anyway, just act as you think a hotel employee would. When they arrive, go with your gut feeling. Also make a standard ID check and registration procedure on arrival, best before they even get into their room. Never be afraid to say "Sorry but there's a problem here..... let's check and see what Airbnb says." And have Airbnb on speeddial!

You'll probably have really nice or okay guests all the time, but when that one problem comes in the door you'll know what to do instead of being caught like a deer in the headlights.