So here I goes my first experience with airbnb, a totally fail!!!
First, you have to request a booking, before you can ask the host questions about the place you are interested. Then when you do this, you get a feedback from the host on your cellphone because you have to confirm your phone number, then you get an email which you have to open in order to reply, then the incoming continuous dialog messages come in phone and email and are not timely updated on the airbnb message board on your laptop, I have never witnessed such a chaotic correspondence or communication, plus you can't text back unless you have an app installed !!!
Next, ok I booked a reservation with my card but hello, "we need a trust verification", good luck when you book at time when you just renewed your drivers license, because their "trust machine" doesn't accept paper (temporary ID that you get while you wait up to 45 days for the plastic one).
Next Passport with that beautiful shiny laminate on the page, try to take it in the evening and playing photoshop from different angles and avoiding shadow, I uploaded several picture, the last time it didn't send that "there is a problem with your phone", nor is my paid reservation totally confirmed.
I spoke to 4 agents that night, it took me about 3 hours playing roulette with posting profile and gov issued papers. I said to the supervisor, there is a flaw in how the machines are reading the pictures, also there is a flaw in airbnb as to give needed guidance AND samples what kind of pics are good and which aren't.
Something like this is easy to prepare and would help consumers to take the correct pictures, if that is the true issue here, I wonder really what is going on with this "trust verification"???
There is no warranty at all it comes from the owners, don't get wallets stolen??
A friend of mine did host her place but gave it up, perhaps it is really a hassle to play along this game, people work, eat and sleep, and booking with airbnb is just terribly time consuming affair!!!
Airbnb please change something, make it userfriendly or there might be a competition brewing!!