How would you handle this?

Bob39
Level 10
Goldfield, NV

How would you handle this?

Here is the message thread:

 

Hi,
We are interested in doing some stargazing in the Goldfield area. Is your home in a dark area (is there a lot of light pollution around it)? Also, do you wash all of the bed linens (including the comforter) after each guest's stay? Thank you.

 

Hi Patricia,
Stargazing is excellent in Goldfield, if it is a clear night. Clouds can interfere. For the best possible stargazing, go out of the town a couple of miles. But stargazing is still very good at my house. The nights you have inquired about are also the peak nights of the annual Perseid Meteor Shower.
Yes, we wash all the bedding and all the towels after every guest checks out, and we give the house a cleaning after every guest checks out.
Thank you,
Bob

 

Is the grill gas or will we need to bring charcoal? Do you have basic condiments in the refrigerator? Is there wifi access? Thank you.

 

Patricia,
At my house I now have a roof over my back deck to provide shade in the daytime. Thus only a small part of the sky is visible from the back deck. A fairly large section of the western sky is visible from the front porch. For stargazing I generally recommend getting out of the town a but, such as the cemetery which is 2 miles north of the town and completely dark. Of course I have no way to know or guarantee whether a particular night will be clear or cloudy.

The grill on the deck runs on propane and there is a propane tank already hooked up to it. The refrigerator normally has a little butter. There are 2 spice racks in the kitchen and a photo of them is on the AirBnB listing. There is also a small supply of coffee, teas, creamers and sweeteners.

 

Yes, there is Wi-fi at the house, at a speed of 1 Mb/Sec. There is no grocery store in Goldfield and no gas station. The nearest gas station and grocery store are in Tonopah, 26 miles north of Goldfield.

Bob

 

(At this point she submitted her reservation request.)

 

If you are certain that you want to rent, I will accept the request and that will complete your reservation. Do you have any other questions or concerns before I do that?
Bob

 

We are certain as long as the house is as clean as your previous guests have stated. I have a bad cigarette allergy and so I am assuming that the home does not smell of smoke and that any smoking that has occurred outside has been cleaned up. I am very glad to hear that you take the time to wash all the bedding. I know that some places only do the sheets and not the bedspread/comforter.

 

Patricia,
There are major fires in California right now and a little of the smoke is drifting towards Nevada. This morning I can detect a light smell of smoke outside although visibility is normal. There are also many other potential allergens in Goldfield: wildlife is abundant here, there are dust storms here now and then, and there are many Great Basin plants which may be releasing pollen now, including halogeton, Russian thistle, rabbit brush, mustards, etc. I think Goldfield may be the wrong choice for your trip, so in your best interest I will decline the request which will release it and you won't be charged anything. I'd recommend you seek another location further east; possibly even in Utah, Idaho or Arizona. Thank you for your interest in Goldfield, though. I hope your trip works out well.

Bob

 

(At this point I Declined the request.)

 

My allergy is to cigarette smoke. As long as the inside of your home does not allow smoking or smell like cigarette smoke, then my allergies will be fine. I live in Las Vegas and am used to the occasional wild fire smoke, dust, and etc. I wish you would have conferred with me before canceling my reservation. I am still interested in your property and look forward to hearing back from you.

 

Patricia,
This property is also in Goldfield and it is only $89 a night, and they don't allow any smoking on the property at all, so it is guaranteed to be smoke free: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/25733076?location=Goldfield%2C%20NV%2C%20United%20States&search_id=9ceb...
Bob

 

This property is not available on the nights we need it. Do you not want to rent to me for some reason? I am confused.

 

Patricia,
I think you would likely end up being disappointed with my house. There are also some cabins in Diamondfield which is 5 miles east of Goldfield, a very good spot for stargazing, and I think they are only $50 per night last time I checked. They are not on AirBnB so if you wanted to book with them you would have to call them directly.
Bob

 

I don't know where you get that impression. I've seen the photos and read the reviews. Your home is complimented for being very clean and it looks very cute. Are you unwilling to rent it to me?

 

(That is the last message. I have not responded.)

 

What would you do?

48 Replies 48

no way, Bob is done, no more messages, hes done everything to explain.  Had this booking been accepted, this is a bad review guarantee.. this is the type of guest that no one can  make happy.  

Thank you Deb

Niel3
Level 10
Llanberis, United Kingdom

You know she's going to be a nightmare if she stays, her pre booking communication makes it clear she has numerous standards of expectation and you don't know the ones she has not asked about & just assumed. One wrong assumption on her part will surely be your fault.

 

As we can no longer block people from booking, as you know her dates I'd just block those dates off on your calender so they can't be booked. I'd rather lose a potential few days booking than risk having a troublesome customer, you can always make them available again after  a while and hope she's booked somewhere else.

Thank you. I don't have Instant Book. All reservation requests have to be approved or declined by me.

Krystal16
Level 10
Toronto, Canada

Run Forest Run......

This is the point where I archive the conversation and hope she goes away, I like the suggestion of blocking off the nights if she has the ability to host.  Also, kudos to you for washing the duvets between guests, hotels don't even do that.

Thank you.

John1080
Level 10
Westcliffe, CO

@Bob39, I can almost guarantee she will be a pain in the rear given all the questions she's already asked. She sounds very needy and will probably be unsatisfied.  You know if she sees one insect or if one end table or something happened to be missed in the dusting process, she will find it.

 

I would go with your gut on this one and just leave it where it is. 

Thank you John.

@Bob39

If you are worried she might try to book with you anyway.........I suggest you "flag" her (report this user) and possibly block her. 

 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2020/how-do-i-report-a-message-or-block-someone-on-airbnb

 

I would also be very hesitant to host a guest like that. You should trust your gut~

 

OK great, thank you Jessica & Henry. I don't have Instant Book so she can't book without my approval.

Mark116
Level 10
Jersey City, NJ

This guest will be a nightmare. 

Ute42
Level 10
Germany

.

Hi @Bob39 ,

 

first it was the starglazing and washing the comforter, then its the grill and the condiments and the wifi, and then it's the cigarette allergy and the cleanliness. What's next?

 

Bob, how many red flags do You need to be sure that declining is the right thing to do?

 

 

Oh, maybe a few more red flags and I'll be convinced ... lol.

Thank you for your reply.

Gordon0
Level 10
London, United Kingdom

Nightmare guest of the highest degree. Run Bob, run. 

Ria16
Level 10
Northland, New Zealand

@Bob39  You are a legend 😉 block her