We have just been 3 Starred by a host ..... unbelieveable

[Kevin1322]

we have just had a host stay, who ought to know better, 5 stars on everything except  4 stars just on location and check in yet 3 stars overall.

3 Stars.

3 smegging stars.

*3 Stars*

I messaged him to sayI was not angry,  just disappointed.

are we on the same side or not?

Asking for a friend.

[Lawrene0]

Oo, sounds like that smeghead set out to get you, @Kevin1322 . As you say, they know how ratings work. 

Other hosts have had the same. It makes hosts wary of hosting hosts. I never mention being a host when I travel now.

My own experience has been with only five-star-giver host-guests here, and when I travel I'm all about same-side generosity with stars. I wish this for everyone.

Let us know if you get a reply to your "disappointed" message. 

[Rowena29]

Hey@Lawrene,

I'm pretty certain when you're a host it gets specifically stated on your profile  - one of the  first things a host sees when they check you out when you've booked....

(BTW this is the FIRST TIME I have ever managed to post a photo on these boards. I've always thought I was just being dumb - now I realise the past 8 or so times I've tried, the platform just wasn't working...)

I'm pretty certain when you're a host it gets specifically stated on your profile 

[Lawrene0]

I know, @Rowena29 . They can look it up if they want, but I don't mention it in my first message. That "also a host" message is a glitch, though. For awhile, every single guest was "also a host", but they weren't actually. It was just the system having a moment.

And, yes, @Susan151 , I wasn't remembering the reams of hosts who really don't know anything at all about, well, anything. I don't run into them in real life. Maybe that's what happened to poor @Kevin1322 . 

[Susan151]

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@Lawrene0 wrote:

As you say, they know how ratings work. 

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Don't be too sure! I am actually astonished by the number of clueless hosts out there. They don't understand the ratings and can't do the math. They don't understand their own cancelation policies. They haven't read the TOS or the help files.

Don't "see" these hosts on the CC that much, but on other host forums they are everywhere!

[Emilia42]

Same, astonished. I am shocked when I see posts from superhosts will over 50 reviews that give the advice of "don't review your guest because then they can't review you." And I've seen quite a few.

[Sarah977]

@Kevin1322  Big bummer. What is wrong with these people? I doubt he lives in your neighborhood, so it's not like he's trying to knock out the competition.

I'd never had a Host/guest until just a couple months ago. She was a great guest and left an across the board 5* review. My next 2 reservations, in Dec, are also both hosts, so really crossing my fingers I don't get one of "those". Weird that I've never had a host/guest in the 3 years since I started hosting, and now 3 in a row.

[Jody79]

@Kevin1322 That really sucks!  I hope you do get a response from this host, that is just not right.  I know when I travel, now that I know how the review system works as a host, I give 5*'s across the board, and will continue to do so unless I run across one that grossly misrepresents the listing (thankfully I haven't run across this yet).  Any negative or suggested feedback is in the private sections of the review.

[Yadira22]

@Kevin1322 I am so sorry. 

I always have given hosts 5* (except for once) across the board but they were so lovely and their homes as well. 

The only time I did not give a host 5* overall was because of check in, the owner based in Brazil had over 2 hours to notify their staff in Ecuador  (was a hotel) and we very specifically asked before booking and confirmed our arrival time etc. For when we got there the host had not told any member of staff and we were left waiting outside, calling etc and nothing for an hour, they were all asleep. Once they opened, the staff were unable to communicate with the owner and they did not know how to proceed despite showing my reservation etc. It was such a beautiful place but very difficult for the situation, after I felt terrible for the host but he never got in touch to simply apologise, or ask if everything was fine. It was like he did not care... and he just took the money and left his staff at it. I apologised in the private feedback for the low rating but was very honest in the situation etc. 

I had another host give me 3* and then note down that she did not realise the room was not huge (despite them being taken by Airbnb) and that she may run to other guests ( it mentions this about 6 time’s in the listing). Honestly be annoyed and block with glee... one less stressful person you need to ever deal with! Anything/anyone taking away from your peace is usually not worth it! 

keep on going- better guests will come 🙂

[Kevin1322]

@Yadira22  Yea, I know. When we travel and stay Airbnb  we usually book with Mrs Kev's opther profile, and always give fellow hosts a five star review. we are on another booking platform, as bikers, and use my profile and we are always supportive of fellow hosts.

Our house itself is modest, but we cater for Bikers and Hikers. We have a designated drying room for wet gear as we are on the trans europe bike trail and south west footpath. They get a smart TV, fibre broadband,  and my wife is a chef.

They get a DAB radio in the room, heat and 24/7 hot water for a bath or shower, a really peaceful nights sleep, 700 metres from the hiking path,  5g,  and seem to expect hotel 5star facilities for backpacker prices.

I've just realised why everyone else closes down until the spring 😉

[Yadira22]

@Kevin1322 Your place looks lovely and by the way it is described it seems like such a cozy (as in comfortable and not small) space. Some people will never appreciate a place for what it is - you are doing fantastically! At the end of the day these rating etc they don’t pay the bills... do you and if after people still complain then it’s usually a reflection on them as an individual as opposed to your hospitality! Life is honestly too short... I promise you and I learnt this lesson in a very harsh way! Keep on going and Good luck to you! 🙂

[Emilia42]

Wow, some people. Sorry to hear it -

[Sandra856]

@Kevin1322 I have been downrated harshly by hosts as well. They didn't have a clue that they downrated me when leaving me less than 5 stars. Europeans in general doesn't have a clue about the rating system. My brother and his girlfriend are (once in a while) hosts - they don't know a thing about airbnb and the rating system. They don't know that they got a progress page.

It is annoying getting downrated - not because the guest felt that something was missing - but simple because of lack of knowledge :-\. I would if I were you, find a way to educate your guests so they at least know how the rating system works. 

[Linda108 · Accepted solution]

@Kevin1322   I would imagine you would seek feedback from the guest about their check in experience. What was it?  I find hosts are super sensitive to opinions that are not glowing.  Myself included.  Reviews are opinions and sometimes actual information you can use.   I did not see any recent negative reviews so I am not sure how this review affected you.

[Kevin1322]

@Linda108  yes I messaged him, he'd left some underpants, socks and T shirts in the bin, so I asked if we wanted these washing and posting to his home address, and while I was there I mentioned that the three star overall review seemed a bit harsh, and what could we do to improve.

Mrs Kev thought this was a bit scathing, I filed it under fair comment.

I don't expect I'll hear from him again, nor do we want to.

Maybe we, or one of our family will stay in his place one day and return the favour.

Meanwhile onwards and upwards.