PLEASE HELP - Host is trying to increase the price drastically.

Nate45
Level 2
Hamilton, Canada

PLEASE HELP - Host is trying to increase the price drastically.

My fiancee and I discussed having a wedding at this house in North York, Ontario. We had set the date, and added another day because we're having a tent delivered to the property the day before, so the host said we could only do so if we have it the night before as well.

 

We agreed on a price, a few thousand dollars for the two nights, and it was settled back in January of this year. Now, one month before the wedding, he submitted a request for another $14,000 on the basis of "the mortgage price went up".

Now they're telling me that they did not receive my initial down payment and that Airbnb is going to cancel my reservation. I have been planning everything including catering, tent and decoration delivery for that day. 

What can I do? 

45 Replies 45
Stephanie365
Level 10
Fredericksburg, VA

Go to your AIrBNB account and see if there is a confirmed booking.  If so, the host is out of line for trying to charge more. You should contact AirBNB support (best way is via Twitter).  AirBNB does not pay a host in advance, so they would not receive a deposit or anything. Did you conduct all business and messages through the AirBNB platform?

If you do not have a confirmed booking or if the host cancelled the booking, or if you conducted your business outside of the AirBNB platform then unfortunately, you're out of luck.  

I've been in contact with Airbnb, and they said the worst case scenario the host could cancel and Airbnb will penalize them severely. The booking is in accepted status, and the payment is being processed through Airbnb. It should be okay.

It sounds like the host is falling off his rocker.

@Nate45  Decline the request. He made an agreement with you I would force him to honor it. He probably thinks you'll be desperate and agree to pay. Does he have asny other guests that have done weddings in his reviews? This maybe something he does repeatly to poor couples. The host is completely out of line. I do weddings on my property and I have a set price for the wedding. I have seperate contract I send for the wedding agreement, I doubt you have one though from this idiot. He's won't cancel is my guess because then he gets nothing and his dates are blocked.  

Quincy
Community Manager
Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Hi @Nate45,

 

Welcome to the Community! 

 

Could you keep me updated about this? 

 

I hope everything gets sorted for you! 

-----

 

Please follow the Community Guidelines // Volg de communityrichtlijnen

I'm working on it. My case manager has been extremely difficult to get a hold of from Airbnb. I need to get this resolved ASAP because my wedding is in a month, and if this isn't going to work out I need to make alternative plans.

No one's mortgage goes up $14,000 - let alone for a few nights. Make sure this person is not a scam artist. Do they have a track record with Airbnb? Good reviews?

Something doesn't seem quite right here.

They have good reviews for the most part. There was nothing to indicate that they might do something like this - I read through every single one.

 

I'm confused myself. Now they're telling me that they're going to charge me an extra fee per-head instead of the flat 14,000.

@Nate45  This may help to give you an idea of what should be fair pricing. I charge a flat fee depending on day $1995 weekday, $2295 Friday & Sunday and $2495 Saturday for up to 40 people and then $15 per guest after if I am providing chairs, tables, tableclothes, centerpieces, china, glassware, serving items, bars, pub tables with stools, bridal suites, entainment area, etc. You basically just provided food & liquor, DJ/Band, photographer and Officiant. If it's only chairs and tables you want the per person fee is is discount by $7.50 per person for the whole count i.e. orginal 40 plus the extra guests less work on our end. So say it's 100 people on Saturday you have your nightly rental of the Guest House and/or Cottage at standard rates with a 10% discount for holding the wedding also. The wedding itself would cost for just tables and chairs $2495 (Space) + $900 (extra 60 guests) - $750 (tables and chairs only) + $350 (Venue Coordinator) = $2995 (Total plus add sales taxes of 6.75%). Hope this helps some.

Remarkable. I am in Canada. The host is providing none of the things that you are mentioning, just access to the venue. This doesn't even include the house in the property, we are just trying to use the back yard, and they want us to pay $8,000 per night now ($16,000 CAD) up from our agreed upon price ($3,775 for both nights).

@Nate45  That works out to be around $2875 USD so that was a reasonable price thought it should have included chairs and tables. His $16,000 CAD is completely out of line, I can supply for 100 people food and liquor, officant, TABC licensed bartenders and security guards 1 each for every 50 people present, venue coordinator, champagne fountain, and the cake with every thing else listed above plus extras for roughly $11,000 USD = $14,300 CAD and this would include making a profit on my end. He is completely off his rocker!

Louise231
Level 10
Manchester, United Kingdom

Hi @Nate45, i'm sorry this is happening to you in what is already a stressfull time.

 

I used to work as an event manager and there is an unspoken rule (that is pretty much common sence) that you dont F*** up someones wedding.

 

Sounds obvious but wedding's are a not birthdays that come around every year,  or awards dinners, or conferences. Weddings are something that affects someone, and their closest freinds and family for the rest of their lives.

 

If something looks even remotely like it might be going wrong you make **bleep** sure you've sorted it no matter what it takes to sort, because you dont get a second chance at fixing it, and from a business point of view you will never be able to make amends.

 

Airbnb should be all over this, if your case manager is being somewhat slow, contact airbnb on a social media platform and make them aware, to get it changed to someone who is all over it. @Quincy ?

 

Because for you it's such an important day, and for airbnb, this is the stuff that if it does go wrong they don't make amends by just issuing a refund, this is the kind of thing that ends up in the news. 

 

I hope it gets sorted quickly!

@Quincy0I've tried messaging Airbnb on facebook, I called support again. Apparently my case manager escalated the case to a "Specialist team" but I haven't received enough communication from Airbnb to adequately plan on what my next steps are going to be worst & best case scenario.

 

Thank you for your understanding.

Stephanie365
Level 10
Fredericksburg, VA

I would definitely decline the request for additional funds. Tell him he needs to honor the original agreement. 

 

Linda108
Level 10
La Quinta, CA

@Nate45  WOW!  Such a nightmare!  Take one step at a time.  As it stands, you have the venue under the "contract" through the Air BNB platform.  As @Stephanie365 and others recommend, decline the request.  Air BNB collects the money, so the request has to be accepted.  Yes, the host could cancel and re-book with another platform.  Air BNB penalties are not a deterent, but the host might be suspended from Air BNB.  

 

So you need to be working on a Plan B.  I would imagine you are on a tight budget, but event planners (my daughter is one) know how to deal with these situations.  Perhaps if you engage an event planner to represent you, the planner can save you some money by negotiating contracts or finding other resources.  A month out is definitely an issue, but don't be intimidated by this host.  Keep us advised about how this all turns out.  We want the best for you.