Guest who created empty day to force host to accept a lower rate.

[Summer10]

A guest purposely booked in a manner such that there was an available day gap between his check-out day and my blocked day.
By doing this, he knew that I would have an empty day.
Then he insisted in paying me a lower rate for that empty day without going thru Airbnb.
As a new and inexperience host, also fearing a potential bad review from the guest who is a Super Host.
I agreed to him. Though I tried to reject him politely, he didn't accept a No as an answer.
How do I prevent such things from happening?
- guests paying a lower rate for empty day created by them.
- a potential bad review if I did not agree to Guest's requests.
Maybe the best solution is to quit Airbnb.
A very depressing start for me!

[Gina32]

If as you say this was a "super host" with Airbnb I would mention this to airbnb. Perhaps he found he liked your place after arrival and decided to stay an extra day. Perhaps it was not premeditated.

BUT if it was....This is unacceptable behaviour from anyone in the Airbnb "family". but I suspect it happens a lot. Hosts will take an extra night for a reduced rate, but this should not be less than the nett rate (your rate less the airbnb fees) perhaps.

My advice to new host:

You do not have to accept any rate that is lower than your listed rate.

Do not under value your product and service.

Do not bow down to the pressures of guests such as this.

This is unfair behaviour.

Good luck with your hosting.

[Marit-Anne0]

@Summer10

As you have instant book activated I would simply contact airbnb and ask them to cancel the reservations on the grounds that you are not comfortable with the guest. This scheming behaviour is not really acceptable and as a new and inexpericened host you have become a victime.

[Scott80]

@Summer10 said: "he insisted in paying me a lower rate for that empty day without going thru Airbnb."

You as the host have to be assertive and control the transaction. Your response should have been something like: It is not possible for me to accept off-platform payments and any objections to that should have been directed to AirBnB. If the guest suggested staying without paying, you could have let them know that they would be reported to the police and reported to AirBnB as a non-paying trespasser. 

AIrBnB, like any business, that involves dealing with the public. Most people are fair and nice but there are a few that are not and it is important to prepare for unwanted scenarios. As you implied in your post you have to evaluate if the profit compensates for both the good and bad aspects of operating the business and continue accordingly. 

[Summer10]

"you have to evaluate if the profit compensates for both the good and bad aspects of operating the business and continue accordingly."

At this moment, the bad aspects are higher.

I put in a lot of effort to make sure the Guests can have a pleasant stay- after the cleaning lady has cleaned the apt, I still do another round of cleaning. Also I have spent extra cash to make the apt more comfortable and well equipped.

I dare say that my apt is the most well equipped and fully furnished apt in my area.

Not forgetting my price is lowest too.

Sad to say, I have no more future bookings. Not a single one at all!

It is so frustrating.

[Robin4]

@Summer10

Now that's rather interesting.......you say you have no future bookings Summer. You have set a 2 night minimum stay, so that should not be an issue! You have had 82 views in the past week so visibility is not an issue either, people are looking! Make sure all your settings are correct and the way you want them. It does look a really nice listing and at this time of year you should be getting views and bookings. I am not familiar with pricing in your area but, how does your price compare with similar apartments?

It may also be that the lack of activity has pushed you down in the search pages, but then again, you are getting views. The listings with the most activity tend to stay most prominent in serach criteria. If this is the case and you have slipped too far down, refresh your listing! Put in a few more photos. Change a house rule or two. Swap your main photo of the chair and desk (which looks a bit messy for a lead photo) to the balcony shot looking out into the harbour. All you need to do is, on your editing page scroll down to photos and 'drag' the balcony photo to the lead position!

By the look of that balcony photo you must be somewhere near the 'Marina Bay Sands' which is a really nice area and a good location to have an apartment. We were on top of the Marina Bay Sands when an afternoon thunderstorm struck about 3pm...frightened us but it was 'gutsy' !!

Summer, as a new host you sound a bit disheartened by your experience and I have to agree you have not had a wonderful start but hosting can be just that....wonderful. Once you get a few good reviews it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy...they book you because of your reviews.

Just one last thing....don't haggle over your listing! It's not worth it, and I am amazed that a 'Superhost' would actually do that. Once this experience is over you should flag that guest. ABB do not like business going behind their back and they will take action against those who do!

Cheers.....Rob