Uptick in odd/illegitimate booking request

[Ann489]

Hi all.

This is a bit of a follow up on a recent post I made in regards to booking requests that clearly seek to either violate house rules or are just plain odd.   In the last week alone, I had about ten such requests--the most recent one for a bridal shower.  Someone thought it would be ok to cram fifty(!) people into my 720 sq ft guesthouse and take over my entire backyard for the nightly rate of $70.00. 

Is anyone else getting these type of requests and how do you respond?   My house rules are pretty clear( or so I thought).  I have tried different ways, from reporting users(Airbnb gives us only a limited number of options, none ever seem to apply) to declining, which, of course, cuts into our acceptance rate.  Has anyone tried adding a sentence to their listing, asking potential guests not to send an inquiry, asking to make an exception?  I realize that this could be potentially off-putting to some.   Thoughts?

[Linda108]

Here's your problem, @Ann489 , your place is just too adorable! 😄  I love how you think there is a way to stop unwanted inquiries...   Just kidding.  We know guests look at dates, cost and pictures and usually don't read everything in your description.  Perhaps picture captions can help a little bit especially for outdoor shared space like the pool.  Rather than a caption that reads only "pool" since that is obvious, you could add, "Registered guests only. No parties!"  Just a thought.

[Ann489]

@Linda108What a great idea, Linda!  I will do that right away!    🙂        On a more serious note....I do wish that Airbnb would gove us as hosts better options to reply to and deal with these kind of requests, sigh.    Thanks for your super-helpful input!

[Linda108]

I wonder if you could construct a generic message for inquiries that do not fit your listing and used the saved message for a quick response.  Something like, "Thank you for your interest in our listing.  However, your inquiry contains elements not allowed in our listing.  Please read the listing thoroughly.  We do not make exceptions.  Good luck with your search."

[Emilia42]

@Ann489, you really do have a super cute place! I never thought I would find myself in Idaho but I want to stay there! One of the reasons I love instant book is because people look at my listing, they like what they see from the photos and they like the price, so they are confident enough to go ahead and book it. I want those people as guests! People who contact me to ask questions are trying to bend my rules or haven't done their own research. More times than not, I would rather pass on those people. I don't put too much thought or time into it. My answers are quick and straightforward and basically saying good luck in your search. 

[Sarah977]

@Ann489  Just also want to add my compliments on your super nice place. I'm not normally a fan of all white walls, myself, but you've totally made it work with your playful and classy sense of additional color and design. 

The trumpet vine is glorious. I have a jasmine vine that grows up the side of the house like that and sort of surrounds the guest bedroom door. The lucky guests who book when it happens to be flowering have perfumed nights. 

[Kenneth12]

First,  I think you can discourage people by language such as NO EVENTS ALLOWED,  NO PARTIES allowed,   NO EXTRA guests (etc,  as appropriate).

Second,  I'm tempted to reply "a bridal shower is a major event beyond the scope of my Airbnb listing,   but I'd be willing to consider it for an appropriate fee..." and follow with "what were you thinking" or "in the $750 to $2500 range,  depending on details."

(P.S.  Inappropriate requests and the time it takes to reply to them,  do/es get annoying.  Everyone,  please do try to be helpful and nice and respectful to your fellow hosts).