Special Offer as agreed still adds a fee for the guest and now they want a further discount

[Ros0]

So I have been having a bit of a discussion with a prpspective long-term guest. We agreed a couple of weeks to see if we got along, and I took some extra photos that I thought would be helpful to my listing in general, and agreed to move out some stuff in the spare room to give her a workspace ... she wanted a picture of that and the bathroom and suggested a video tour, all three of which I rejected because of time issues and also, the space clear out is a one-off for them IF they come and stay. If they don't I don't see the point of wasting half a day to clear out half a space.

We agreed on a special offer for one week (to see if we get on) and I made the agreed offer. But now AirBnB is charging her £30 on top and I get less than what we agreed anyway because of the fees they take off me and she wants me to get this down to £200. The only way I can do that surely is by dropping my offer by at least £30 which is a ludicrous discount compared to the initial week discount and then the additional one I was prepared to do for her.

I just have a feeling now that this is on a hiding to nothing ... should I withdraw the offer because I feel I have been pretty reasonable - a double discount, some additional photos (kitchen and the storage space available in the regular wardrobe)... and answered any other questions re: parking, capability of having both cars on the drive etc etc.

The money would be tempting and I realise some guests want to push it as far as they can because if they don't ask they don't get... 

This would be a fourth decline in a row (one was interested for a month, then went quiet - assumed he found somewhere else and didn't say, one wanted me to come collect him from the hospital where he had surgery the day before, one was unverified and wanted to pay cash and kept telling me they couldn't book online)... I don't want to look as though I don't want to accept anyone... but...!

[Ros0]

Hi again Elaine/Duane... I did exactly your thing. I had not heard from her in three days so I declined and said that as she had a few days to think about it and had not contacted me, I assumed she has gone for the cheaper house share and that I completely understood her decision.

Funnily enough she said that the house share person had stopped communicating with her, and suggested one week at £200 to see how we got on. Then we had AirBnB-Fee-Gate.

strange though - her reviews are glowing so this is quite disappointing. 

[Helen3]

Hi Ros

If you already offer a discounted rate for a week or a month, please don't discount further.

I know your area well as I lived in Richmond and Kingston - you already are charging a really low rate for your area.

The only thing is that you are not near a train station, so a little less convenient for those who don't have a car.

I think as hosts we learn, the more we host, when people ask for a discount on already discounted rates and want you to move things around to accomodate them.....it's definitely a red flag.

[Ros0]

Thanks Helen - I know that when I started hosting, AirBnB suggested a lower rate to start getting bookings and I actually was about to up the rate just before this potential guest contacted me. 

Someone further up the thread also sugested I up the price to maybe rule out some more of these "I love the sound of your place, it's pretty convenient but too expensive" options - after all the four other guests who have stayed all seemed perfectly happy with it as it was.

[Helen3]

Hello Ros

FYI - When I lived in Kingston I charged £70 per night.

I don't tend to list to what BnB says about prices...In Bristol they tell me I should charge £11 a night...go figure 😞

Have a look at what other similar properties are charging in Ham and if they add a cleaning fee or extra after one person and then make a call about what you can charge.

Best of luck

Helen

[Ros0]

UPDATE - The special offer has now past 24 hours and the request is showing as declined.

I won't contact her again as I specifically used Elaine & Duane's line previously about their being cheaper options and that I completely understoof her decision not to originally come back to me.

I suspect she has been the same with the House Share person and that's why they haven't got back to her.

If she contacts me again, I will explain again that the price had already been discounted once in the original listing, and again by me, and AirBnB will of course add their fees to the guest and the host.

When I get back from Cincinnati (where the rain has followed me to YET ANOTHER tournament), I will also take Helen's advice and up my prices having had four lovely guests since hosting this year. 

Also - can I take a moment to say - I have read some awfully curt responses to other's questions in the various Community channels, and I would just like to take a moment to thank the people who have answered my questions with patience, and constructive advice. Makes this a real community.

Cheers all, R.

[Ros0]

UPDATE: They got back in touch... saying they were already over budget, and wanted to pay just the £200, and offered to pay cash on arrival.

They also suggested staying in a cheaper place and popping round to visit!

At that point I replied:

Sorry xxx I cannot reduce it for a third time. It is against AirBnB rules to have cash and it doesn't protect either of us if we go down that path.

I think the best option for you is to look for a cheaper place that is geared up for a full houseshare with a room that is solely for a tenants use (so no personal possessions in there to be rehoused, normally the provision of a desk/work area) instead of trying to forcefit a spare room to fit the purpose.

All the best.

I am not sure if they wanted to pay cash in total, or just the cash for the AirBnB £30 fee... in which case... what is the issue of paying the fee, if you have the extra £30 in cash.

Yes yes... I know... BIG RED FLAG - so hopefully that's firm enough to say that they have shot their bolt as far as this place is concerned.

@Helen3 - I have also nudged my prices up a bit and amended my listing to say that the AirBnB discount is applied, and that AirBnB will add their fees to what prospective guests see, and that will not be included in any discount.

Hopefully the switch up in price will help and as someone reminded me the other day - if you had wanted a long term housemate you would have left your listing on something like Spareroom/MondayToFriday for a monthly rate. But you didn't - you wanted short term guests when it suited you... so sticking to my guns.

[Elaine-and-Duane0]

@Ros0 BRAVO!!!!

[Ros0]

@Elaine-and-Duane0 I mean it's curious - I decided to have a dig in their reviews - they have stayed at a number of areas in Richmond/Twickers (and yes @Helen2 their prices started at 50 for a single!) but they loved her so I am curious why she has not gone back there where she has an established relationship ... 

[Elaine-and-Duane0]

@Ros0. It is curious indeed. Many things are running through my mind. I used to cringe when asked for a discount. I am grateful for the support I have gotten from host forums. It has helped me to realize the value I offer. Happy hosting! Elaine

[Helen3]

Hi Ros

I would suggest she didn't want to stay with them else she would have been paying £350 a week, rather than £200 🙂

I am sure they wouldn't have looked at offering anything like the discount you have. Also they might be full.

Anyway, I think you have done absolutely the right thing...she would have been a nightmare.

[Ros0]

Well the one GOOD thing that has come from all of this is this morning I changed my listing.

The price has edged up a little (so let's see how that works in terms of people staying) but I had initially listed the room on Spare room as well and eventually let it lapse when there were no bookings for the first couple of months.

I have amended my listing to say it suits short term guests, and have set a maximum of 28 days for a stay. 

I have categorically stated in the House Rules that the discount is applied for week/month stays exclusive of AirBnB's fees, which will not be discounted.

I also have gone into far more detail as to what is and is not shared property - so by all means work/camp out in my conservatory, but don't expect to use my office as your own.

You live and learn ... and once again thanks so much for the advice and guidance - hopefully this will set a far more realistic picture of what the space is all about, and what they can expect.