Enquiry Option: Same Day Booking

[Alexandros9]

Hi. I have been searching quite a bit for this answer, but I've come up empty handed. 

I have Instant Book enabled on my listing, as well as same day booking option. As many of you know, same day bookings can present problems for us hosts -- especially those who accept instant bookings. 

The cut-off time is a great feature, however, I would like more control. I know it's not possible to disable instant book feature for same day bookings, but how could I imitate such a parameter? My fear is that I will be out and about one day and someone will instant book. I then won't have enough time to have everything ready. 

At the moment, I have stated twice in my listing to please contact before booking same day. However, you can say whatever you'd like in the listing, but the booking system does not prevent someone from booking.

Are my statements in the listing sufficient for Airbnb to grant me the option of a penalty-free cancellation (no loss of superhost status)?

Thanks,

alex

[Helen3]

Why don't you just not accept same day booking?

Would seem the simpliest solution.

[Alexandros9]

@Helen3

It would be the simplest solution if that's what I wanted to do. 

My occupancy rate for Jan was 80% -- I want higher than that. And closing off same-day bookings would hinder that goal. 

[Dede0]

@Alexandros9 Even if you enable IB, it *is* possible to disallow same-day bookings. Look harder.

[Alexandros9]

@Dede0

I do hope that not all of your responses here are veiled with such condescension.

Secondly, I wasn't asking how to disable same-day booking. 

Look harder. 

[Andrea9]

@Alexandros9

@Dede0 is one of the regular hosts on this forum helping out. There are so many hosts publishing questions because they haven't taken the time necessary to delve into all of the  possible settings. You can't imagine how many questions come crashing into the forum, and sometimes the answers get a bit short and might seem condescending while they're not.

Go into your IB settings and click on the different options and you'll find you can block same-day bookings. If you want a maybe yes and maybe not option, well, that won't be possible.

Cheers

[Alexandros9]

@Andrea9

Yes, I've noticed that many of the questions posted are fairly simple and require a few minutes of searching. I've also seen some "regulars" respond in not so nice manners -- for whatever reasons. I'm sure most of the time it's because the question has been answered many times. This however, does not give someone the right to respond with "it *is* possible" and then turning them away to "look harder". And to top it off, @Dede0 didn't even read my question correctly. 

In a few days, I'll hit my 5 year mark as an Airbnb user. I know quite a bit about how their systems work and the tools they provide. I joined the forums just last week and have answered one question for someone who asked how to contact Airbnb. I provided them with the exact answer even though it's been asked countless times (how to contact Airbnb). That's how the "regulars" should answer. If you can't handle the repetitive questions, then this isn't the place for you.

In any case, I already knew the answer to my question before I posted it. I just wanted to see if there was anyone out there who would want the same optionality. These are, after all, the things Airbnb developers want people to ask so they can continue to build a platform that empowers the users.

Alex 

[Karen-and-Brian0]

Hi @Alexandros9 I too have noticed that some of the usually kind & solid regular posters here are becoming more & more clipped and impatient in their responses - I chalk it up to assistance fatigue from answering the "how do I contact Airbnb?" question one time too many. They have snapped - which is understandable - even someone with infinite patience will eventually succumb to the water droplet torture repetition of that question. 😉 

I think they just need to take a break - step away for awhile and come back with patience refreshed & willingness to assist strengthened anew.

Because, on the other side of that question is a brand new host, lost, bewildered and confused (as we all have been!), searching for help - and often this is his or her first contact with Airbnb - only to find what they get is a clipped, curt, dismissive response. The experienced hosts that are snippy & impatient have forgotten what it's like to be a newbie. Simple as that.

The very best mentors are those who remember what it was like at the start of their journey - and the people who helped them along the way. We have some wonderful mentors here, and maybe some of them just need to take a break for a bit. - Karen

[Lawrene0]

@Alexandros9, I can help! You already knew your answer before you posted, and you wanted to know whether others would like the same optionality. 

The answer to that is to post your suggestion in Host Voice. That is under 'Discuss' at the top of this page, and that is where you go to run things like this up the flagpole, see how many thumbs up you get, and maybe get some attention from the developers who can make the changes you want. 

They don't spend any time in these forums, unfortunately. 

Hope you do that. All the best.

[Helen3]

If you already knew the answer to your question, why did you see in your opening post

'Hi. I have been searching quite a bit for this answer, but I've come up empty handed'.