Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors

[Tony134]

Please see the link below for a detailed analysis on misclassification of employees as contractors, and tell me what you think.

http://dpeaflcio.org/programs-publications/issue-fact-sheets/misclassification-of-employees-as-indep...

also, this:

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/technology/sd-fi-labor-blurred-lines-20170807-story.htm...

I've been with Airbnb, as guest and host, for maybe 3 years now.  "Customer service" transformed into a time buying and apology team for Airbnb to ignore almost all aspects of the host agreement.  Many refunds have been issued without approval, airbnb has unilaterally changed the terms of service for everyone many times.

A lot of people don't realize this, but there are some things you can't just contract your way out of, and skirting employement laws with local, state, and national authorities, and the associated tax bureaus, is one of those things.

I took a financial loss to be able to take my first vacation in years this month (and a vacation from the constant beeping of Airbnb app and needs, I don't actually even get to go anywhere) and Airbnb canceled one of my long term stays for no good reason, essentially forcing me to take short term stays for the month again for this listing if I want to come close to breaking even... It's horrifying and honestly I just want to scream and cry and scream some more.  I haven't had a vacation in years... I've hosted over 800 stays for Airbnb.... Even when I go dirt cheap to get some monthly listings and get a breather... Airbnb takes it away, like they OWN me.  I hate it.

I don't get to decide what my cancellation policy is.  I don't get to decide when my cancellation policy is over-riden.  I don't have any recourse when guests break my house rules.  I don't have any final say over payment distribution conflict resolution, on even the smallest of scales. I don't get reimbursed when guests damage property.  Even when I contact other organizations for resolution like the BBB, I don't get the resolutions Airbnb promises because they claim they will stop poor practices up front, then just continue.  I don't get any of the benefits of being in a contractual relationship with Airbnb, becuase Airbnb regularly ignores it's own policies without recourse.  It's ridiculous.

On top of this all, Brian Chesky runs around doing all this virtue signaling stuff about how much he cares about everyone, as he slowly turns his own sheep hosts into slave workers.  Seriously, 37 year old grown man, and I just want to scream and cry.  Brian, it's been a year and a half I've worked for you like a DOG, I want my break, you sir are EVIL.

[Paul154]

Sorry @Tony0,

Hope things get better for you and you do take a needed break.

Yes, it sucks. Airbnb does need to follow their own policies. They will lose Hosts' loyality when a good competitor comes along.

Right now, you need to get more control. 

AIrbnb is not your employee. You are in control of your listing. Take a break, raise your rates, get a better housekeeper, don't care so much that you get stressed out.  Have fun

[Kelly149]

Transferring a large share of my nights booked to HomeAway has alleviated many of these problems for me. and yes, as Paul wisely mentions, raising my ABB prices. Any ABB guest who does stay has to pay for the fact that there is no deposit and there is no CS and there is no cancellation policy. Risk vs Reward pricing.

[Ute42]

.

@Kelly149, that's right. My prices on airbnb are 50% higher than on other platforms I'm using. First rent peak season stays somewhere, then fill the left over gaps through airbnb.

[Tony134]

I spoke with a regional manager yesterday about this situation, it is not just me,thankfully.  Upper management is specifically aware they have problems concerning the cancellation shenanigans, and generally aware whats going on in the low level customer service department.  The manager I spoke with, from a different department, promised to pass along a letter to upper management about the situation and has assured me they are trying to make changes.

That being said, hosts, you now know you are not crazy, what's going on with the cancellations and faux customer service is real and bad, you are not alone.  That means it is NOT time to stop the complaints, it is time to double down to get these guys out of the way so Airbnb can hire some decent (hopefully local to each country) customer service.  I for one am planning on calling CS every single half hour today, as my personal cancellation issue can no longer afford to be ignored if I want my bills paid.

For those new to this situation and wondering, for me it has been over 7 days since I heard from anyone at Airbnb who promised to get in touch with me, and most likely they never will based on other stories.  Say your piece here, but call in today and get heavy with customer service if you want this to stop.

I used to work at a call center.  They probably won't help you at all today, but someone somewhere does get the log of all the unresolved calls that go to the call centers.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.