Instant Book Cancellation Policy

[Robert78]

I don't get it: Airbnb advises that I can cancel an IB in the event that I'm unsatisfied with a guest (which begs the question: how can I know I'm unsatisfied with the booking of a guest before they have checked in, other than the fact that they asked a lot of dumb questions which is par for the course.) So, if they arrive and I'm unsatisfied because they have facial tattoos, piercings and swear a lot, then I cancel their booking on the spot (having avoided a fist fight on my doorstep) after which I get penalized for cancelling the reservation anyway, what's the point of providing hosts with a provision to cancel IB's when, essentially, it doesn't really protect me or the guest at all?

[Susan151]

I believe that the IB cancellations are limited to three and are available if the guest doesn't respond to messages, asks for things that are no provided in your listing, or actually wants to bring more people than your booking allows. Tatoos are probably not a sufficient reason for cancellation. Swearing in a shared home might be [depends on who you get at AirBNB.]

If you feel uncomfortable with a guest, your best bet is to contact AirBNB and ask for their help. If you are unsatisfied with their response, do it again. The range of problem solving skills provided by AirBNB reps varies greatly. As you know, if you cancel, there are severe penalties.

[Robert78]

Okay, but by then they are already inside my property, ignoring my messages, shoving dead hamsters down the toilet bowl and playing death metal at volume 12. It doesn't really answer the question, does it? Three strikes, you're out, but meanwhile I'm nursing a broken jaw. What, precisely, constitutes effective policy for declining an IB in the event that I am insuffuciently impressed by the credentials of my guest?

[David126]

How is this an Instant Book issue?, do you ask your guest about their music likes?

How will you know if they have body piercings? How is this relevant?

[Robert78]

David, forgive my hyperbolic facetiousness, I was using this example hypothetically. Poe's law is in effect, okay?

The case in point is at what juncture does the rule apply to cancellation of an IB ipso facto.

[David126]

You have to have cause to ask ABB to cancel a reservation without penalty, examples have been given.

You are dealing with the Public, you will have weird situations sooner or later, like you do in any other aspect of life.

You deal with them, ABB is a booking facility, in extreme case you would then need to get ABB to cancel the reservation partly or in full, but that is more the financial side.

[Robert78]

Yes, David, I concur. I have had occasion to cancel under extenuating circumstances previously. Nevertheless, it still doesn't address the issue.

Thanks for your input.