Does the Airbnb review model create a “hostage” situation whereby guests actually decide against making any requests of the host (not demands) in fear of retribution by the host - i.e host does not recognize guest requests as a legitimate right and in turn writes a negative public review of said guest.
As as host, I am diligent in limiting my reviews to the key areas: Communication, Following House Rules, and Cleanliness. Even if I sense a slight conflict for any reason at all, I have never allowed my public review of a guest to attack their profile and leave damaging images. I try to be professional in this case.
This thread is about those unpleasant “subjective” reviews by Hosts who choose to leave damaging remarks on their public review instead of leaving a private comment. I guess that is the choice we have as Hosts.
I am trying to present a situation in the most neutral and objective terms without judgement if possible. This comment has been edited and edited to remove bias. I apologize for repetition.
But often times we find Hosts asking other Hosts how they should review a guest who may have had issues outside of the key areas of communication, cleanliness and behavior.
Sometimes the reviews may be subjective due to obvious personal differences. The majority of these issues tend to arise when the host resides on same premise as guest, where personalities, languages , age, and culture closely interact and can conflict.
In many situations hosts may not like or agree with guests opinions or behavior for example. However, should guests be given negative review because they made a request , asked for an item?
As a solo traveler, I rented a bedroom with a shared bath in a home recently. I misunderstood some of the amenities offered . I thought about it, should I ask for these items or should I stay quiet and not risk any repercussions. I thought about the guests I host in my home… those whom I ask on a daily basis, is there anything you need? I would not want them to think twice about asking me for what I feel are basic items. I felt I had a right to just ask and not be silenced but actually had not clue that my requests would be reviewed so negatively. My mistake or my hypothesis is tested?
The temperature in the house was quite warm at night but the individual bedrooms had air-conditioning. After a long day, I enjoyed the AC . I was working on coursework with books and found it hard to do this in the area of the house without AC. In the bedroom, there were two single beds with tiny wall shelves and a lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. There was no chair. No small table for books or laptop. The shared bath did not have a hairdryer. The only mirror was in the small shared bathrooms. I also had wanted to unpack my suitcase so I just spread on the floor. Not one shelf in the closet was available. The closet space was for hanging clothes on hangers.
But I can do this.. long time world traveler been there and done this for 55 years. But, knowing how cheap things sell for in this country , I made the mistake of asking if the host had a mirror? Hair dryer? chair? Small table? I just asked and also actually tried to explain how having a mirrors in the 2 bedrooms would free up the shared bathrooms when just a mirror was needed. Mirrors were cheap. If I had been staying longer, I would have purchased these items myself and left them in the room. However, I was only there for 2 days.
I accept that the Airbnb review systems stands.. no review once posted can be edited or withdrawn so I will not attempt any discussion here. When you get burned by the system , then you really understand . However, I refuse to get into personal attacks or air any disagreements publicly. I feel like I should respond in some way to the way I was characterized. I never dreamed this would happen. I left the Host a 5 Star review.. and mentioned things such as the location and the additional information available as the pluses without getting into the drama.
Not asking what would you do, but should Hosts punish guests for making requests. And if and when you have been a guest, what happened? I ignorantly thought I was making good suggestions for future guests.. I had no idea.
P.S. The Host was not the owner of the home on Airbnb. . She was renting the home and then subletting to Airbnb Guests . In not owning the home, perhaps there is less investment and less accomodation.
Ouch
