Im having the exact same problem but from the point of view of the customer. I have messaged a host and requested a room for £400. They have agreed however the special offer I recieved is for £476. This is out of my budget. Now I need to ask the Host to further reduce the already special offer so that all I pay is £400. The problem is that the host cant understand why that isnt already the case.
I called customer services and after explaining the issue I was told that the host needs to lower the offer. (THANKS!!) I asked what does the offer need to be lowered to to ensure I pay only £400. The lady couldnt get her head around it. After 40mins she hung up. I called back got a second lady and after 22 mins she hung up. I called back and it turned out the this lady knew the second lady anmd refused to discuss the issue as she was not the case manager and wasnt able to deal with the matter. I asked to speak to her supivison and she outright refused.
This never used to be the case with AIRBNB they were so straight forward and the customer services were always excelent. Needless to say im extremely dissapointed. My holiday starts in 5 days and I still havnt heard anything back.
The issue is unnessesarily confusing. I should be able to discuss a price direct with a host, agree that price and the host should be able to present that exact price to me as a special offer. its not complicated.
Also customer services need to buck up and bring the call center back to the UK or I can see many people being turned off from airbnb in the future.