After being in a situation where I could not get back to my computer before a booking request expired, I received a scolding from Airbnb and the directive to ask the client to rebook. I like to think that as a property owner and host, I have already achieved adulthood and do not need prodding to do what is responsible.
My property is in San Francisco, with neighbors up to the property line on both sides. Since both neighboring properties are doing massive renovations, I typically tell anyone inquiring or requesting to book about the situation, with construction hours, noise levels, parking difficulties, etcetera. I did this with an inquiry a few days ago, and with a booking. I do not want to accept a booking unless the person booking gets enough information to make an informed decision. The person inquiring may have found the dates blocked by the person booking, the day after her inquiry. I cannot fault Airbnb for blocking the dates when an actual booking request has been made, so although I was concerned that she might be upset to lose the dates, I knew my responsibility would have to be with the booking client. I explained the details of the renovations and waited for his response. When I did not hear from him the next morning, I was disappointed, but did not want to accept his booking without him telling me that the renovations would not be problematic for him. So I waited, rechecked for a response and went about personal business.
I went out for the late afternoon and early evening, missed his go ahead email and got back to my computer to find his note that he wanted to book and the notification that the 24 hours had expired 45 minutes earlier, along with the chastisement and solicitation to have him rebook. I sent the request for him to rebook, along with profuse apologies for having missed the deadline. Then went on to say that I would accept his reservation as soon as it arrived. That was last night. I checked the computer this morning with no luck. When returning from my early morning walk, I found an email entitled Booking Request, only to find a note from him that my dates were booked, so he supposed I had accepted another booking and then found himself another accommodation.
Why on earth was I told to request a new booking from him, if the system wouldn't let him in and continued to block the dates from the original person to request a booking? Does Airbnb think it responsible to accept the booking, even with extenuating circumstances that are unknown to the client? When dealing with one off problems like mine, a host needs time to communicate with someone who could be across the world or across the country. I can't even offer him free admission to a popular museum as a way of showing good faith, because my phone number will be blocked. Rant over...
