How has Airbnb changed you?

[Paul154]

As I  was reading an curious article today http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Cabin-overnight-bus-San-Francisco-Los-Angeles-LA-12195820.php I now realize how much Airbnb has changed me.  

This reporter reminded me so much of some of my reviewers.  

So inappropriately entitled.  She took a bus ride and expected that it would be the Taj Majal on wheels.   She would take some valid, but minor point like " no mirror in the bathroom" and overly dramatize it. She also would take an obvious expectation like “bus got caught in traffic” and make it all about her. Me. Me. Me.

All  hosts know this person.   Books a room and expects a luxury spa.  Sigh.

Anyhow, since being a host, I am now much nicer to service people.  I now know that there are a lot of complications providing good, reasonable service.  Sarcasm and haughtiness do not help service people provide better service - but it does justify host’s response to raise prices 🙂

How have other hosts here changed since becoming a host?

[Farah1]

@Paul154 ,

I must say that doing Airbnb made me handle issues better. It also helps me improve some of my skills: communication, customer service, time management, and more. It also taught me that there are many people who do not have common sense (or at least not the same common sense as me, lol), so I need to build a house rules/system/strategy.

[Willow3]

I read that article and my take away from it is very different from yours. I felt she gave a very thorough review and it helped me to know that this is not a service I would be interested in. Others may enjoy it. 

As for how Airbnb has changed me - I no longer use robes or a second towel (I have long thick hair and used to use two towels when I showered). As a mom and former retail worker, I've always been extra kind to service personnel - I know what it's like to deal with demanding customers. 

[Mary593]

Willow, 

Hmm. I doubled up my supply of towels and robes to encourage my guests to use them. And I sometimes have back to back bookings. I stayed 5 days at one Airbnb with one wash cloth, hand towel and main towel and was using t-shirts by the end of my trip to dry my hair.  Not an experience I want my guests to have.  Feel free to chillax in my linens any day and pile up the laundry! 

[Willow3]

@Mary593 - I offer an abundance of towels to my guests and if they need them I'm happy to launder them. But I do admit a bit of joy when I find minimum number used when I go to turn over. So I hope to give other hosts that little spark of joy too, lol. 

[Marit-Anne0]

I have grown a thicker skin 🙂 especially after being attacked and threatened by a customer service rep in my novice days. On the bright side, I learnt very early that I am on my own.

[Rick122]

After reading the article, the reviewer gave a realistic approach to what it's really like riding on Cabin. The person is a little knit picky but I agree that I would be a bit upset getting dropped off a mile from the noted drop off spot. It would be quite inconvenient hauling luggage for a mile around town. Cabin's marketing that it is a luxury overnight ride isn't completely true. I would still try using their service, it seems kind of cool and different. That being said, being a guest on Airbnb or a rider on Cabin, we should be a little more open to adjusting to situations rather than being quick to complain. If you want to try something different than the traditional hotel or flight, we have to be in a differrent mind set. If not, you're better off not using these platforms and stick with a hotel or flight. 

What I've learned is, some guests simply compalin about everything. I try to do what I can within reason to keep damage control to a minimum. I try to put myself in their shoes and be understanding about reasonable complaints. I too would be upset if I could not check into the place I'm staying at after a long drive or flight. But sometimes there are things that are not in our (Host) control, like an unexpected power outage on our whole street. It's an unfortunate situation for both host and guest, it doesn't mean we hosts are doing a bad job, yet still guests take it out on us and we get dinged in our reviews. 

So, I do my best to do my due diligence and cover everything that I provide in my listing, and also list what I don't provide, and repeat that to my confirmed guests in an email. I then repeat that info again onto my "Welcome to my home" notebook, and even have a video link of check in information and rules to follow. If a guest were to complain, I'm covered! Guests need to read more thoroughly... 

Thanks for the article, it was a good read. 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Paul154 ok, mirrors are important to us who wear contact lenses so I can understand her 🙂

Yes, hosting changed me unfortunatelly .  I lost weight because check out and cleaning is at the same time when I used to go on the market, cook and eat  😞  And I am not happy about it.

[Lara16]

It has helped me lose weight as well.  We do nearly all of our own cleaning. It's intense work, especially in a quick transition between guests. Lots of stair climbing, on hands and knees scrubbing floors and baseboards, etc.

[Fred13]

Unlike in the past in my other businesses, when 'the customer was always right', today they are far from it. I have a new attitude when dealing with people: 'Nothing Has to Be'. Nothing. No, I do not have to give emotional weight to the silly things some find of paramount importance, nor play dramatic games with them, and no I do not even have to host them in the first place, even after they arrived! The guest sense this and accept it, for we never have an issue and they all have a great time. judging by the reviews.

Having said that, I make sure I DO my part in kindness, effort and value; in turn, I expect them to be Low-Maintenance guests. That is the deal. I have noticed that being super explicit in my Airbnb description has helped getting only people that are well suited to my place and my personality, which has helped eliminate any hassles thus far. I have yet to call Airbnb in three years about anything.

My story.

[Anke-Beate0]

Airbnb has definitely changed me. Now I know that everything that can go wrong in a property - will go wrong (at some point). I have therefore streamlined my property so that it is so easy to use by anyone regardless of ethnic background, literacy and even people of little common sense can use it. I have learnt to grow a thicker skin - although I'll never be thick skinned. I have also learnt with each complaint to look for that one grain of truth that may be hidden in it. I then take action to change my flat/ practice in order to prevent it from happening again. 

This summer I had three sets of guests within a week who raised issues (all of which outwith my control as a host). For a moment I thought that I should stop doing Airbnb but then realised that the most important thing is to manage guests' expectations in advance.

I amended my website accordingly and have had lots of happy guests since. I love hosting on Airbnb and I think it has brought the whole wide world closer together.  

[Nutth0]

For me, I know more about my neighbors. I introduce my guest to visit their shop. Some become a friend. For me as someone who moves from a big city is like a new life. ( My listing is an old house I renovate )

[Oomesh-Kumarsingh0]

@Paul154 Great post from you! Becoming a host on Airbnb has change the ways that i would normally reply to a guest outside the network. I became more aware about the advantages of replying to a potential guest message almost instantly and trust me here speed is everything. It can determine if you will get a booking or nothing. I guess as the old proverb says " Time is money". Happy hosting!!!

[Paula351]

 I try to give my guess what I would want. Our homey farmhouse property is so appreciated by families who want to reconnect' wind down , and just have fun.  

 I am having a great time hosting and love having people come visit.  I enjoy hearing their stories and seeing their diversified lifestyles So far it's been nothing but a pleasure dealing with Airbnb 

[Welcome0]

@Paul154 Hosting via Airbnb has helped me prioritize my daily chores. Since retiring, I had gotten somewhat lazy. Airbnb forces me to get up, get dressed, and be presentable to the public.  Before hosting, I could lull around in my robe, enjoy my coffee, catch up with my reading, etc. I used to waste a lot of time. As a result, I have become less of a procrastinator. 

I am amazed how quickly I can zip through getting my Airbnb cleaned and spotless for a quick turnover. At the same time, I have everything set in place for the following party.  Wedding party or corporate meeting? My creativity is constantly being challenged to implement something new in the apartment. Line up extra linens, extra beds or futon, office desk or pack n' play.... I've worked everything down to a science how to make it attractive and effortless!

I've learned that you must always be ready  for the unexpected. Have 'Plan B' ready with a smile for every guest or group! You must accomplish everything before guests arrive without it looking chaotic or stressful. 

Hosting is 100% live theater, but you don't want to be upstaged! As long as you enjoy it, you'll continue getting accolades  and applause!