instant booking with guest who don't follow rules

[Sharon66]

Just wondering about a recent situation I had to deal with.  I had a guest from India instant book our place who refused to provide his own transportation.  My listing clearly states you will need transporation and we are not located by any restuarants, shopping, etc.  He not only insisted we pick him up at the airport, he wanted me to find him a driver to take him to Yellowstone for a day.  I responded that we do not offer this service and there was no way he could get around in our area without transportation.  I gave him a number for cab service.  He ignored everything I said, refused to cancel his booking, and kept insisting I either transport him myself or find someone who would.  He then offered to pay me for this service.  I wasn't interested in spending a day with a man I did not know but did find a neighbor who was willing to take him to Yellowstone.  I gave him the contact information for my neighbor and said he'd have to work out the details with him.  I told my neighbor what he had offered me to take him to Yellowstone so my neighbor said he'd do it for that price.  Well the guest then began to try and get it cheaper after all this trouble.  I don't want to ever go through this again.  We don't provide transporation.  Should I have just called airbnb and had them cancel for me?  Anyone ever have this happen?  I'm hoping it's a once in a lifetime situation.

[Kim-and-Jen0]

Hi @Sharon66

Yes I think you should call Airbnb. Some guests are so demanding!

If the guests dont follow the house rules you can ask them to leave, thats the part of the agreement when they made the booking.

Good luck!

[Robin129]

Yes. I would contact ABB to let them know he isn't abiding by the house rules - you don't provide transportation. I would also reconsider IB. Is it worth this hassle?

[Monika64]

@Sharon66 Wow, I think you were waaay too nice, should have called Airbnb right after he started to make demands. That's usually only the start 😞

If it's stated in your listing that you don't provide something they should not demand it. Simple as that. 

[City-Limits-Ranch0]

Maybe if you had not picked him up at the airport he might have never been able to show up at your remote location?

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@City-Limits-Ranch0 You read my mind 🙂 I was thinking the exact same thing.

@Sharon66 Personally I think it is important as a host to stick to the rules you decided on and post on your listing description. If you start to bend one rule, it makes it easy for the guest to think "Oh, so if I'm pushy and insistent enough I can ignore the rules and get the host to agree to what ever I want~" Based on my experience (which is very little as I'm a new host) I think it's better to be strict about rules at the start and if the guest has shown they respect the host's rules throughout their stay, then, if necessary you can consider a compromise near the end for maybe one of the rules if the need arises. That way, you can end the guest's stay on a positive note, and the guest will really appreciate that you tried to accomodate their needs despite the fact you didn't HAVE to.

[Sharon66]

@city limits ranch.  I didn't pick him up at the airport.  When he called me I said to take a cab and gave him the number to call.  He then called my neighbor who was taking him to Yellowstone the next day and the neighbor brought him.  The next time I'll just call airbnb and have them cancel.  I honestly had not thought of that because I don't call airbnb.  I just kept thinking I couldn't cancel it.  I've never had a guest so pushy in my life and have since learned it can be part of their culture.  

[David126]

I just provide accomodation and I assume most Hosts are the same.

If you want to get into 'Uber' just make sure you are adequately Insured.

There was no need to get into long conversations.