Slap in the face. What we get in the reviews

[Yulianna0]

Being a host is really great training for patience. Not only during the stay of the guest but also after, when we are reading their reviews, private feed backs and star ratings. I’m permanently learning. One lesson - don’t try to be nice. They will put you down for it. My latest guest put 4 for check in: difficult to find. Ok. They were arriving at deep night, without internet and language. Counting with all that I suggested to pick them up near  subway. They had just to make a call as soon as they arrive there. They agreed but finally found the way to arrive without my help. And after all I’m getting lower mark for check in.       Honestly I felt like they really slapped my face...

[Ann3]

Re-typing this little tale o' woe: Even after around 200 sets of guests, it still stings when I get downgraded in even one category. I know I can't do anything about location! Sheesh!

One guy who booked the stay gave me 4* for check-in because he refused to use the app! Seriously. He and his party (4 total) arrived two hours early without alerting me that was their plan! I was in a classroom with 1st graders and had my phone off. When I turned it back at 2:30 there were multiple increasingly angry voice mails from him. When I pulled up to the house, all four were standing on the sidewalk in front of my house. It was a pretty hot day, so I offered them a cold bottle of white wine and poured them each a glass, all the while explaining as nicely as I could that (a) checkin is 3:00 and they were early; and (2) I had not had any communication from the guy who booked since he had made his reservation weeks before. And that he had not responded to my message the day before asking about arrival time. The other 3 understood. The guy? Not at all. He told me right then, "I hate the Airbnb phone app, and I refuse to use it." I told him I would have willingly contacted him by text, phone or passenger pigeon IF HE HAD BOTHERED TO LET ME KNOW. 

He also gave me 4* on accuracy and value (which really ticked me off). 

There is more to the story of what happened afterwards, but this is already very long. Suffice to say his wife was super-embarassed when I followed up (via the platform) after the review was posted. The cheapest hotel in the historic district costs about the same for 2 double rooms as our beautiful cottage AND the hotel charges $20/day to park! 

[Emilia42]

@Yulianna0, 

I don't look at the star ratings anymore. Sure, eventually I find myself on the 'Progress' page where all reviews are complied every couple of weeks but when the review comes in, I only read it through my e-mail. The written review is what matters. That is what future guests are reading front and center and that is what is helping them decided to book the space. All your written reviews are wonderful, don’t worry about the little stars.

[Yulianna0]

I think that I should do the same, @Emilia42. But when I log with PC in is unavoidable to see the stars and feedback. Sometimes I feel bad about good review that I have given. There is something to work on. For example, I put 5 stars for communication and only after I see the review it appears that the guest was not able to clarify or ask for something and was unhappy because of it. I recommend this person but obviously he or she will be troublemaker. 

[J-Renato0]

@Yulianna0 

Some guests are very unthankful and not reasonable.

Life must go on!  Forget this type of guest.

[Geri26]

I have snoozed my listing and will be permantly delisting once my current 13 reservations are fulfilled after ABB's handling of a person last week's revenge review after he left my property mid afternoon on the last day, took my keys and asked for a refund which I declined  despite his obvious attempt at intimidation.

ABB response 'it will be against the policy that Airbnb requires and will be defeating the purpose of setting our host standards. Again, we apologize that some certain situations may occur, but it does not mean that we don't value your commitment, we value you as a host, and we appreciate all the hard work that you've put in helping Airbnb with the business'

Non action towards  'guests' only perpetuates to them  that they can get away with anything, including intimidation  and the host has no proctection at all.  In a world where online bullying, harresment and intimidation are constant news, this sort of behaviour should not be tolerated. In any form. On any forum.