Scams - things a Host should watch out for

[Kim379]

As a brand new host, I keep getting "fake" inquiries. Once from a High Schooler, or no profile picture, etc. This person that just booked for Memorial Day weekend also seems "fishy". right off the bat wanted a special rate. I decided that it wasn't too unreasonable, so I sent the special offer. 24 hrs later it expired. I then got another request to send special offer. I had to send "special offers" 3 times. Each time she asked, I would send. She finally accepted the last one, and now she says it's overcharged her from my special offer of $180 ($60/night x 3) to getting charged $325. I know there are fees, but I don't think they tack on that much. I feel like it may be a credit card scam, but I'm not sure how that would work. Her profile picture shows 2 girls (both tagged as Michelle). I tried to find her on Facebook with no luck. I have a bad feeling about this, but I don't want to get dinged if I cancel her booking. Someone please help.  Everything about this transaction has been difficult. I get a strong feeling that something is not legit.  How can I as a host screen better, or what are red flags to watch out for? If anyone has advice, please share. 

[Sarah977 · Accepted solution]

@Kim379   General wisdom on this forum is that if a guest asks for a discount right off the bat in an inquiry, it is best to message back saying no (in a polite way, of course). Guests who start asking for discounts, or for you to bend your rules, will generally be more trouble than they are worth in many ways. If it's just an inquiry , you don't have to pre-approve or decline, just message back and that should stop the 24 hour response time clock from ticking. Then hopefully you don't hear back from that guest. If it's a booking request, you can do the same, but if the guest doesn't withdraw their request after hearing from you, you will have to decline it within the 24 hours. Call airbnb first, though to let them know you're uncomfortable with the booking, so you don't get dinged.

It would be useful for you, as a new host (and experienced hosts learn new things here as well), to spend some time reading through a lot of the posts on the hosting section of this forum- you'll get a pretty good overview of possible problems and how to handle them.

[Kim379]

@Sarah977 Thank you, I will keep reading more from the forum and glean from the experience of others. I will definitely start declining when they ask for discounts right off the bat.  I was worried about my rating as a host.  I want to be accomodating but, I have gotten quite a few from people that do not have any reviews. I don't want to turn people away, since everyone has to start somewhere. On the flip side I don't want to compromise our safety, or have someone trash the place.  

You mention calling Airbnb - how do I do that? I tried to find a phone # and was unsuccessful.

[Cormac0]

@Kim

The combined fee the Guest must pay is circa 20%, that should be a wakeup call to you. 

Yes, Airbnb is getting 20% or one fifth of the sale.

The fee's our outrageous, read Airbnb’s the terms and conditions that’s another wakeup call.

[Lawrene0]

@Cormac0, what price range generates the 20%? I just checked my next trip as a guest, private room, low cost - looks like smart pricing, the poor thing - and the service fee is 14%.

[Letti0]

@Kim379 

AirBnB number:

United States and Canada

+1-415-800-5959 +1-855-424-7262 (toll-free)

[Kim379]

@Letti0 Thank you! 🙂

[Catherine827]

Hi @Kim379. Try to not get emotional that you MUST preapprove someone. If your gut instinct is on edge, then play it cool. I’m unsure about other hosts, but for me, enquirers are often time consuming and only a small percentage eventually book.

I do believe they often send the same message to a number of hosts, to get the best deal. Good on them, but this should not impact on my service or pricing, unless I choose it to...

Also, if an enquirer (not a person who is requesting to book - who is waving money to have you accept them) is asking a discount, stating your price is more then they usually pay, that is their problem, not yours. You set your price and only negotiate if it’s a good business transaction. Otherwise, I have found a nit picker for discounts, can often be a nit picker when it comes to giving you a review. 

Please note, this is quite different from someone who is new to Airbnb, and just asking questions.

hope this helps.

🙂

Cathie

[Kim379]

Hi @Catherine827, thank you for the insight. I will be sure to only pre-approve if it feels right. It does seem that the one's that are bargaining right off the bat are more trouble than they're worth.

[Catherine827]

True, or just not familiar with Airbnb. You’ll work it out! 

🙂

Cathie