Any tricks to discourage left behind items?

[Melanie58]

I have only hosted four guests so far, but two have left behind items.  The first I found within 15 minutes of her leaving so she came back and retrieved an earring.  The second family left early in the morning, and despite me contacting them at 7:30am, they didn't write back until the afternoon.  

I was just wondering if anyone has found an effective way of encouraging folks to look twice for left behind items?  It must happen all the time, but I guess since it is my house/my review etc, I would just like to avoid having people leave things behind in the first place to avoid the annoyance/stress of reuniting people with their things.  

[RobandAnna0]

I always ask my guests to take a last look and then I usually go to the room and check. Still things get left behind. I no longer reunite anything but if they want to return then it's up to them.

[Dede0]

It's a hassle, but I think helping guests get their forgotten items back is part of the deal.

We just returned from a trip where, at one AirBnB, we accidentally left a very purpose-specific charger for an electric toothbrush. The host contacted us, shipped it to us at home, and declined compensation (roughly $4 postage, not to mention time and trouble). We had already reviewed them, so couldn't say even more, but you can bet I'll recommend them to friends and stay with them again in the future.

As a host, if someone leaves something totally ordinary and easily replacable (like a pair of used boxer shorts under the bed), I don't bother to contact the guest. If they contact me, I'll do what they want, of course. If I find something unique or valuable (a phone or a ring, for example), I'll contact the guest and ask what they want to do. I have a PayPal account, and I recommend that all hosts set one up. Makes it very easy to be reimbursed for postage, packaging, etc.

[Melanie58]

@Dede0 how does the paypal work?  Do they pay you and then you use the funds to return the items?  Or you send an invoice after you send the stuff and then they pay it?  

[Dede0]

@Melanie58 I won't explain PayPal in full. The point is that it makes it very easy for anyone to send money to anyone, for free. If you, as a host, need to ship something to a former guest for a postage fee of, say, $5, you can let them know (before or after shipping) and they can transfer the money to you quite easily. I use PayPal all the time for purchases (eBay owns Paypal), sending money to my kids, or paying for stuff overseas or getting refunds from overseas. Seamless, effortless, instant. With a recorded trail.

[Mike77]

Google PayPal.  The PayPal site will explain what they do.

Mike
AirBnB Treehouse for Rent
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7292887

[Ash-and-Dasha0]

You should not be using paypal for charges that came out of airbnb business. There is the resolution center for that purpose. Go to your resolution center, pick the right reservation from drop down menu, then follow the steps. You can request a guest to send you extra money for shipping charges. 

[Sandra126]

I don't return socks and underwear but everything else. Post if necessary, but somethimes guests are still in town when I am cleaning and they can collect. I don't charge for postage but it is annoying. Just part of hosting I think! Maybe soon you will increase your prices a little and then you won't mind the extras which happen from time to time.

[Helen56]

I have just had a guest leave her favorite hair clip behind, so I mailed it back to her and enjoyed constructing  a small box for it.  She was delighted to get it back and it made me feel good to do this for her. I didn't charge her for postage.