Switch turned on. I can be mean again!

[Paul154]

Today, guests asked to leave early. I said "Sure, just make sure you change your reservation"

I accepted their change and refund. 5 minutes later, I got a new reservation for tonight at a much higher rate!

Summer high season is here, baby.

I have been fending off month -long reservations for May and June. Prospective guests want a discount on current prices that they exptrapolote to the busy season. They seem to be unaware that rates increase greatly in summer and their request for a discount on a low rate does not  impress me.

From depression to mania  instantly- I must check my meds.

[Ben551]

Best one I’ve had was “Hi there, I notice you are on Open Homes. Can we stay free at your place too? We are struggling financially and need somewhere for a few weeks because [insert half page, carefully crafted sob story about no jobs, recently evicted, disabilities, health problems, debts, children, school fees, vet bills for sick dog... ]”

Wife looked over the story (with her investigative eye) and found several glaring flaws ... it read like fiction.

So we crafted a reply covering 1) job seeking help, 2) how to access emergency housing and financial support through the NZ ministry of social development, 3) sickness and disability benefits, 4) SPCA animal welfare, 5) Oranga Tamariki (resources for children)... help for each one of their problems. Lastly, I also casually slipped in that my wife worked in the forces... 

Their reply “Never mind. Don’t need all that, just cheap holiday. Thanks.” 

... lol.

[Sarah977]

@Ben0  That's unreal. It's amazing that anyone could be that blatantly shameless in their self-absorption. 

I want a Porsche. Can you buy me one? 

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

Yup..... I get at least one bargain hunting inquiry each semester about how they are a poor student trying to find accomodations for their exchange semester in Seoul.

First of all..... if they can afford to do a semster abroad they are definitely not poor 🙂 

And if budget is an issue the best place to stay would the the student dorm where they can walk to school or a goshiwon - which is what I suggest to them. 

[Susan151]

@Paul154  It is possible that you need two profiles pictures that you swap out depending on your "income season." You could have some fun!

[Jacqueline588]

I am new to Airbnb I have a question for high season how can I change the price per night for weekends or high seasons?

[Leonie69]

I personally believe the air b n b fees for guests are way too high . I think it should just be a one of booking fee of say $25 but instead they pay over $20 per night .So as hosts we put a fair price on the establishment and then for instance I had a 3 night booking at $150 per night and the guests then paid over $60 on top of that (I believe it is also a percentage of your tarriff which means the higher the cost for the acommodation the higher the fees) This can force hosts to reduce their rates to get bookings as with fees added on the cost can be unfair and guests will go to other providers . I do it myself.... it is often cheaper to book through Stayz or Booking.com etc . Host fees are fair maybe and thats good but I also like to stay in air b n b s and find the added fees way too much.We once stayed in Sydney for 3 nights and paid over a$100 in air b n b fees. No wonder guests are asking for discounts...... do we need a group to approach air b n b and complain ? All good if no one agrees.

[Paul154]

@Leonie69 

I am grateful to Airbnb for their 15-18% tranasaction fee. I consider it money well spent.

We get WORLD-WIDE advertisement! My little bedroom has been advertised on a sidebar of the Wall Street Journal!

I get quality guests from Asia - a place I would have no idea to tap.

Plus we get the "legitimacy" of being part of a  "standardized" mob. 

On top of that, we get easy administration and scheduling. Win-Win.

Their fee seems high because it is transparent. At my internet portal, the travel industry paid us 30% commision just for sending them business!  But the customer never saw that number.

No one is not using Airbnb because their fee is too high. Everyone gets a lot for that money. We usually are the first stop for penny pinching travelers.

@Leonie, I too wish the cut were lower, but I don't want to suffer poor execution.