Why does airbnb promise to get back, but always break their promise?

Why does airbnb promise to get back, but always break their promise?

As Airbnb guests, we encountered what would seem a fairly straighforward question about a refund. The landlady agreed to give us a refund on our room. The only problem, she said, was that she didn't know how to formally give permission to airbnb to activate the refund, so she sent us a mail to show to Airbnb, as evidence to get the refund. 

That was several months ago. I must have called and talked with Airbnb advisors a dozen times now. It's the same pattern every time - the advisor listens to the story, agrees that we ought to get a refund, and promises to pass the problem to a higher level - and that they will get back to us in a few days. They never do. Every time, they fail to do what have promised. 

How can the company behave so irresponsibly? They are not even together enough, or honest enough, to give us a straight 'no'. Instead they just leave us hanging, every time.

This has really put me off using Airbnb. If they can treat me like this over a fairly minor issue, what happens if a really serious problem comes up? Will they just run away like they did here?

I am thinking of making a YouTube documentary of this saga, together with recordings of the phone calls and broken promises. 

 

4 Replies 4
David126
Level 10
Como, CO

It is not that difficult for a Host to process a refund. 

 

Not sure about the CS aspect, staffing? organisation?

David

Well, indeed I would not have thought our host would have many problems. But she did have a 'no refunds' policy and didn't know how to order an exception to that rule. As it is, she says she needs the help from Airbnb. 

Easy enough to over rule the Strict Cancellation, well apart of course from AirBnB fees, there are help articles on the site. Be MUCH easier for her to  do it than waste time contacting ABB.

David
Helen3
Level 10
Bristol, United Kingdom

Hi @Jonathan260

 

When you cancel your booking, Airbnb send a message to the host offering them the option to refund over and above what they need to in terms of their cancellation policy.

 

IF your host confirmed they are happy to do this Airbnb processes the refund.

 

Did your host do this? I wonder if they didn't and this might be why there is a hold up?

 

Just a thought.


Try reaching out to Airbnb via Twitter Help this often helps move things along.