FIVE MONTHS, FIFTY GUESTS, TIME TO REFLECT

[Shaun69]

We have two listings in Hurstpierpoint near Brighton UK, we are fifty bookings in after a five month period so I thought it would be a good time to reflect!!!!!!

PRO'S

1. Good exposure internationally for very little expense.

2. Always paid on time without any issues.

3. Forty nine good guests and only one bad one and that was 50% my fault as I had just started.

4. Returning guests already booking for next year.

5. Have really enjoyed meeting guests from around the world and have broadened my education.

6. Have learnt loads from fellow hosts in this CC.

7. Good income stream.

CON'S

1. Do not trust AIRBNB PLUS partner companies (enough said).

2. You are easy pray as a new host and guests will take advantage.

3. Group payments were bad, its great they have gone.

4. Airbnb is a US company with US rules and regulations which do not fit in with European ways of working, you have to adjust to accordingly.

5. Only contact AIRBNB help as a last result, sort things out yourself.

6. Do not use just one platform, ie do not put all your eggs in one basket.

LESSONS LEARNT

1. Make sure you really understand AIRBNB policies and rules don't just assume you do.

2. If in doubt ask fellow hosts in this CC.

3. Never trust AIRBNB PLUS partner companies.

4. Always use AIRBNB for extra payments from guests, never go it alone you will get your fingers burnt.

5. Always, always, always keep your calendar up to date, daily is best.

6. Make sure you use AIRBNB for any emails to guests so you have records and even more important AIRBNB do.

SUGGESTIONS FOR AIRBNB.

1. All new hosts should have to complete an online course on how AIRBNB works, they should then have to complete a test of some kind to ensure they understand. I wish that had been available when I started hosting it would have saved me making loads of mistakes.

2. The super-guest programme is a good idea and should be seriously looked at, content and perks depending!

3. SORT OUT AIRBNB PLUS partner companies they are unprofessional to say the least.

4. Do not lose track of what made AIRBNB special, do not become so corporate that the unusual is no longer welcome.

OVERAL.

AIRBNB has been good for us, I do not regret becoming a host and I appreciate the business it has provided. The only exception is AIRBNB PLUS partner companies who are totally unprofessional and should not be used.

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

@Shaun69 Good points and I would add, don't undervalue your property/room. AIrBnB pay approx 20 less that our customers from BDC. 

[J-Renato0]

Gerry And Rashid

Two questions, please.

Do you mean 20% or 20 Pounds/Euros less?

What is BDC?

[Robin4]

@J-Renato0 @Shaun69

I think Gerry and Rashid have had a night on the turps!!!

BDC could stand for 'Back-up Domain Controller" or maybe it stands for "Business Development Corporation"  .......

Or it could stand for 'Bottom Dead Centre' ....

or how about a, 'Bacon double Cheeseburger'!!!

Cheers.....Rob

[J-Renato0]

@Robin4

You has given me a great Idea !!!!  🙂

I will increase the nightly price by 20% and will give to each host a free BDC! = Bacon double Cheeseburger !  🙂

[Shaun69]

@Gerry-And-Rashid0 Agreed. Thanks Shaun

[Oomesh-Kumarsingh0]

@Shaun0 It seems that you are very happy to be on the Airbnb platform apart from having some issues with Airbnb Plus.Can you please share the problems that you had with Airbnb plus? Happy hosting!!!

[Shaun69]

@Oomesh-Kumarsingh0 Hi Oomesh, please look at my post called The Truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth it details a day in my life reference AIRBNB PLUS partner companies.

Regards Shaun

[Oomesh-Kumarsingh0]

@Shaun0 Thank you i just found your post.

[Cathie19]

Thanks for the insightful read.

🙂

Cathie

[Linda108]

Great summary of my experience as well.  Thanks

[Jim430]

I dont know who bdc is but I also use VRBO (aka homeaway) and find the vrbo people are easier to deal with and a higher quality  renter if that makes sense. The difference may be that vrbo will collect a damage deposit so that keeps people honest and the home cleaner when they leave.  I ask for $500.00 refundable, never had an objectiopn and vrbo refunds it when there is no damage. vrbo also doesnt try and beat the price down like airbandb does.  

[Letti0]

@Jim430  I am pretty sure bdc is Booking dot com. I would also agree you get a better quality guest from VRBO for the most part. Airbnb draws the discounters and bargin hunters where as VRBO has a reputation for being pricier, so it attracts a different type of guests. VRBO brings the far out resevations as they seem to be planners. AirBnB is a last minute booking site. I rarely get asked for discounts at VRBO, yet constantly on AirBnB. All my problem guests have been from AirBnB where I have to fight for damages  to be paid. 

[Luiz80]

@Letti0. Hi Letti. How do you manage different sites? I.am starting as host and just Airbnb draws quite some time. With a second or third site to.manage I foresee issues to keep calendars updated.  Cheers Happy hosting!!!

[Letti0]

@Luiz80  You need to sync the calendars at all the sites, which is pretty simple to do. You go to Listing then Availability and scroll all the way down to Sync Calendars.