@Mary996
Mary I do not use that approach where accidental damage is concerned....we all have accidents. Most accidents we settle amicably!
What I have described above is my approach when the guest denies any implication, or steals something from me. In my 420 + hostings that has happened on maybe 10 occasions and the object of my approach is to stop the guest from doing the same thing to other hosts.....make them realise they have responsibilities.
Guests who don't volunteer creating an issue become both defensive and aggressive when confronted with it!
I learned 2 things very early in my hosting career!
1/......Confronting a guest with an explanation or damage claim during or just after the stay will be guaranteed to get you a bad review from the guest.
2/.....Leaving a bad review gets you and the hosting community nowhere! As soon as the guest sees it they complain to Airbnb and get the review removed....and a removed review is useless, it tells the hosting community nothing!
By not leaving a review or complaining to the guest I have a high chance of getting a good review from them because, I have given the guest no reason to resent me.
Once that review window has closed the guest cannot hurt me any more and it is then that I let loose with my feelings both to the guest and to Airbnb.
Mary, I have a feeling my tactic does work to the advantage of the hosting community. On 4 occasions out of the 10 I have used it I have noted that the guests profile has subsequently disappeared, and it is possible that that is Airbnb trying to right a wrong!
Cheers.......Rob