Instant booking

[Jeri13]

Hi People

I have been an airbnb host for several years and overall have been very pleased.  

Only recently I feel penalized because I do not want to use instant book, and therefore am uable to get reviews on people.   I am so disappointed, and very frustrated.  As well I feel like I am no longer a perfered host even though I have been a 'superhost' since I started.

Can anyone tell me how they like instant book?  The pros and cons. 

Thank you for considering my question.

Jeri

[Lawrene0]

I was a reluctant convert to IB, @Jeri13. I felt I needed to talk to each prospective guest to make sure they were okay with the strangeness of my listing. But I became invisible when the filter defaulted to IB. Once I took the plunge I was comforted by the pre-booking message that IB hosts are allowed. It is great - a brief statement in which you highlight the thing that most concerns you. We are also allowed three questions (like trolls in fairytales...). I have found that some guests ignore those, but it has not been a big problem. And, as you say, we can see star ratings and reviews. We can cancel if we feel uncomfortable with a guest, but I have never had to. Forum hosts recommend going through Airbnb to do that. Don't just hit the cancel button and hope for the best. 🙂

Keep on top of your calendar. That's a big one. 

A year ago I was firm in my conviction that IB would never be a fit for me. If I had my way, and things were set as they were five years ago, even now I would turn it off. Some hosts have tried IB and then switched back. They have written about it in the forum, so you might do a search for those posts. I would be singing a different song, too, if something had gone wrong here, but it hasn't.

There is this, too: When I did not have IB enabled, I was still saying yes to nearly everyone. I had as many awesome guests and as many inconsiderate guests as I do now. Heavy on the awesome, very light on the inconsiderate. You, without IB turned on, are trying to vet guests, but with your hands tied - unable to see ratings and reviews. (I knew you couldn't see ratings, but I am surprised you cannot see reviews. Wow.) So you might find yourself in greater control with IB, just given the way it is set up. 

[Steve2743]

I personally like it. I have the security settings at max, so they have to have verified government ID, and at least one previous review. Some instant book guests aren't ideal, but I've only had one bad guest. And even they weren't bad in the truest sense, just extremely picky, and left a horrible review. It didn't stop me from getting superhost status as soon as this review period ends. But my listing is for an entire suite. I'm not sure I'd want it if guests were in my personal suite. 

[Michael956]

I've had IB on since I first started hosting about six weeks ago.  My 2 rooms are full almost every night, and I haven't had a single problem guest.  As suggested above, put the security setting too max (at least one previous review, etc.) and you'll be fine.  

[Marzena4]

I've been on IB for almost two years now (is that possible?). It really attracts a lot of visitors, it's true that you cannot sieve them, and my biggest concern is syncing calendars (with another platform).

[Matthew285]

@Jeri13, I am on Instant Book and always have been. It has worked out well so far.

The point I wanted to address is when you say "and therefore am uable to get reviews on people." because you are not on Instant Book.

You do not need to be on Instant Book to see people's reviews.

The only extra thing Instant Book gives you regarding people's reviews is the ability to see the Star Ratings on guests.

Any host should be able to read a reviews of guests, whether they are on Instant Book or not.

My concern is this: if you somehow aren't seeing reviews of guests, turning on Instant Book will not solve that.