Suggestions for what I should do?

[Susan179]

Last night Trae came to my door with 2 other guests.  He had booked for only 2 people and my listing only allows a 2 person reservation.  I said, "That will be extra."  He repeatedly said, I know I booked for three.  The three young men were very well mannered, brought suits and here to attend the Bershire Hathaway shareholder's meeting.  As Trae left in the morning, I asked for an additional $10.  He said he didn't have the cash, but asked if the site would allow a payment.  I assured him it would.  At 11:26 that same morning, I got an email that said Trae had cancelled.  I will get my $45.59 anyway.   Just I should have demanded cash before they stayed. 

So, I had an extra set of sheets to wash and an extra breakfast that was served.  I am disppointed that I have been treated this way.  Is there someway to alert other hosts that Trae might try to scam them?

[Kevin1140]

Yes just give them a bad review and report them

[Susan179]

I would give him a bad review, but since he has cancelled the reservation and deactived his account, this is not possible.  

[Carl160]

Hi,
Some people tend to be self serving and manipulative.  We've chose to have a strict refund policy preventing these types of things for the most part.  People know there is no refund, they don't book unless they plan to follow house rules.  At least that's the idea.  We have not noticed less people staying probably because we have a real nice place.

[Kenneth12]

Sounds like it may have been a genuine mistake?

Wait.  You should never ask for an off-Airbnb payment.   You can be reported for that.   You should always document such problems via Airbnb messaging and other systems.   In this case,  that likely would have been by sending a request for extra payment,  which also documented your claim that there was an extra person (and thus gives the other person the opportunity to reply and document that in fact,  they do have three people).

I might file for the extra person charge in the Dispute Center (hey,  depends on what $10 or making a point is worth to you),  otherwise,   your cancellation policy applies unless the guest makes some other complaint.

[Susan179]

Kenneth, thanks for explaining about the off-Airbnb payment policy.   After feeding these three polite college students a 5:30 am breakfast and wishing them good bye as they left for the Bershire Hathway Shareholders meeting wearing suits, imagine my surprise to find an email at 11:30 saying the reservation had been cancelled.  The message from Airbnb went on to say that I would still get paid, however.   The Support Manager told me that Trae's account has been de-activated.  So. no review is possible.  Thus, I don't believe it was an honest mistake.  It is disappointing that his moral development is not as developed as his educational attainment, as he graduates with a degree in finance next weekend.  

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Susan179 

You could have just pulled up the itinerary or booking details to show and confirm how many people the guest booked for, and have the guest guest accept payment for an additional guest right there before they enter/get settled in.  And of course all this should have been documented thru the Airbnb messenger to the guest for evidence purposes. 

I hope you will leave an honest review about your experience.

[Susan179]

Wish I had thought about pulling up the booking details!   It was late and I was tired.  

I did want to leave an honest review.  At 11:30 that same morning after I had fed the trio a 5:30 am breakfast, I was notified the reservation had been cancelled.  My payment had not been modified, however.  According to the Airbnb Support Manager working with me, Trae's account has been deactivated, which means no review will be possible.