Guest can pay outside Airbnb and get away penalty free

[Brian686]

I have had a guest trying to get discounts for a stay and have refused to give in despite their repeated demands. Just when I thought the guest finally understood no meant no discount, the guest messages and asks to book directly with me outside of Airbnb. They are still wanting discounts and now trying to get out of the service fee as well. 

No matter what I do I can’t block this guest from contacting me as the block function has decided to pass away and is beyond resusitation. When I pointed out to CS that the guest clearly asked in a message to take the transaction outside of the platform, the response I got floored me. They stated that a guest can pay outside the platform if they want and that offering to do so is not a problem for the guest. It is a breach of Airbnb ToS from my understanding and the CS actually agreed this was so. What really got under my skin was when the CS stated that I could be delisted as a consequence of the guest wanting to book outside the platform. I had clearly refused to accept any payment from the guest outside the platform in the message back to the guest stating I was not prepared to accept her booking as she constantly demands discounts. The guest had mentioned disability in a message reviewed by the CS and then they lecture me on not discriminating against the guest.  

When I pushed the TOS issue I really got the impression that the guest could do whatever they liked with no consequences. It increasingly looks like only the hosts are liable for penalties and guests get away absolutely free. 

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

@Brian686

FIrst - you did the right think - run a mile from anyone suggesting paying off the platform. 

Second - ignore any messages...just delete them.

There are things in your message that don;t make sense. You say she is trying to get out of the service fee - but she won't have paid a service fee unless you accepted the booking? Is that the case, that after booking she started asking for discounts etc.

I think you have been misinformed by whoever you spoke to at AirBnB. One of their biggest 'No-No's' is either guests OR hosts going off the platform. I would go back and speak to someone else.

[Paul154]

@Brian686

I'm not sure why you're wasting your precious time and sanity by calling Airbnb...

Yes, it is unfortunate that your block feature is not working.

But why can't you deny and then just ignore or go on Automotron mode? ("I'm sorry, I don't offer discounts and only accept payment through Airbnb."

Keep everything on the platform.

Yes, she's an awful guest and we do hate her, but other than that...

Am I missing something?