The cheek of some guests!

[Kerry-Phil0]

I had a prospective guest make an inquiry about hosting 6 guests. After answering what felt like a zillion questions (all information was on the listing but he did not read it) I received a hosting request from him for 4 guests. I asked what happened with the other 2 and he said they were still coming but adding them would trigger extra charges and he was trying to avoid that! I told him additional guests require additional linen, towels, bedding and utilities so they needed to be included. Eventually, I received a request reflecting the correct number of guests.

Needless to say, I am NOT impressed!!!!! We are offering 6 people to stay for under $200 for the night in a gorgeous location. How on earth is that expensive or unreasonable?

[Enda0]

Ha ha! That's pretty brazen! 😄 

Good luck with them!

[Eileen4]

Just to save some wear and tear on your nerves, figure out a nice way of saying all the necessary information is on your listing. I do have a note early in my description that says "Please read my listing thoroughly before sending me questions. Everything you need to plan a great stay is there." 

I know some hosts like having conversations with guests to get to know them, but my property is self-contained and so I don't really feel the need to do that. I've actually declined or pulled pre-approvals on people who ask two or more obvious questions. I know from experience that they'll probably need quite a bit of handholding in person too. This is one of those barometer issues with me.

[Sally10]

Good point 

Its so so important to be able to read between the lines of questions asked. After a while you get quite good at sensing

who and who not would be a good match or who may be a problem !

I always use by gut feelings after a couple of chats back and forth. I have so far really been right on.......

Best to all 

Hosting is work for All those who think its a breeze huh 

But I absolutly love it and most people  really wonderful 

if you give them a chance 

Sally

[Mary-Ann0]

@Eileen4

I do the same thing.  I have a very detailed description and if the guest asks questions that have been plainly laid out in my description I wonder about them.  I think it means they didn't read it through and may be an indication that they will be high maintenance guests if they are already wasting your time rewriting what you wrote before on your description.

I have started to ask guests to read the entire description to make sure my place will work for them.

Mary Ann

[Eileen4]

I manage another Airbnb unit for a relative. It's more modest than mine and it comes with a very different experience. Even with cleaning included, five people can stay for less than $25 Cdn a night each.

What I can't get over is how much pilfering goes on in that listing. I've tried to keep first aid stuff in the bathroom, but it keeps disappearing. My last guest helped herself to several toilet paper rolls and a tub of margarine. She also took some magnetic spice containers off my fridge door. 

Rolls of garbage bags have disappeared as have entire stocks of snacks.

The difference between the kind of guests that go upmarket and those who budget-book is remarkable. I'm always surprised.

[Mary-Ann0]

Yes, unfortunately I have found that to be true also.  The more you give the more this type of guest will take!

But if I keep the price a little higher there is less chance guests won't abuse the amenities.  

[Mark-SL0]

Thats not unreasonable but certain some people are.  AIRBNB is about a community sharing for the benefit of all.  Certain people figure we run properties for them alone.

[Andrea9]

@Kerry-Phil0

 In numerous past posts re. more guests arriving than were booked experienced hosts have said that they include in their house rules that there will be an ID check upon arrival. Also that staying with more guests than have been booked are immediate grounds for cancellation.

Guests need to tick off the box for accepting house rules upon booking, but like with software updates usually don't bother reading them, yet you will thus have covered yourself.

After a booking has been made, you could send the party (even if just 2 have been booked) a message asking for the full names of all guests that will be staying, and that there will be an ID check. (I've heard that some insurances require all guests to be registered, and in my city hosts need to keep a kind of hotel guest register).

I've myself have never had problems with my guests (I only rent out a room in my home). In the beginning I wasn't bothered with checking ID and only perfunctorily checked off a box on my register as to having looked at it. After reading all kinds of stories about terrible guests and damages I changed that tactic and now write down their IB #. I very nicely tell them it is a mandatory regulation I have to follow as host even for renting out a single room. Yet it is interesting how this official moment seems to have a certain gravity that guests seem quite aware of. As if they realise that if they trash a place their host might still be able to track them through their personal ID.

[Kerry-Phil0]

Thanks everyone for your support and suggestions.

I like the idea about collecting official ID, may start using it for sure.

I do tend to say if you look at the listing and the photos you will find the answers to your questions but this guy wasn't taking the hint . I'm glad I engaged in discussion with him though as that's how it came to light 6 of them were staying so I was able to pull him up on the booking request for 4.

[Kerry-Phil0]

Just an update. The guests arrived and were nice enough. Decided at noon the next day (check out is 11am) that they would like to stay another night. Commence requests for discounted cash rate. I declined and insisted on going through Airbnb. They did and stayed another night. We got home today to found our house left in an absolute mess- crayons mushed into the carpet, lollies on the floor, pieces of deflated balloons left everywhere, porch lights left on overnight and all day, flour and chocolate all over the kitchenfloor along with mud, filthy stove, helped themselves to the contents of the pantry, the list goes on...and to top it off they left a gate open in one of our padocks that contained livestock. Fortunately nothing escaped but really, not the point. GRRRRR!

[Eileen4]

Sounds like they may have been resentful and left a bit of a passive-aggressive mess. Please give them the review they deserve. These are people who should not be using Airbnb. 

[David126]

I agree, there were warning signs. Some business is just not worth it, better to walk away.

[Mary-Ann0]

Sorry that happened.

I agree with others that these guests may be mean spirited and passive aggressive and revengeful.  I think they deserve a truthful review and other hosts need to hear about this but with this type of behavior you might get a spiteful response.

Don't set yourself up like I did:

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/New-Hosts/I-would-like-your-opinion-on-this-response-to-my-truthful-...

Mary Ann

[Eileen4]

@Mary-Ann0 I left you a more encouraging response on that problematic thread. Take heart.