Hi @Matthew285,
When the policy did really change, than this would really be bad news!
Because that's what I also always used to do: Just a message back within 1 hour - and move on.
We have IB on (no restrictions), So they can book as they like. And therefore no real need for any Pre-Approval? It just doesn't make sense!
We get quite often inquiries, and indeed for many different reasons:
- Haggling/Requests for Discounts, Can we hire only 1 bedroom iso the whole accommodation?,
- Requesting date-range A, but actually wanting to stay during date-range B (Which is already booked)
- Just weird requests, such as: Do you provide a Chef cook-Service in your self-catering accommodation for our honeymoon? In what town is your accommodation actually?
- All sorts of requests, which are either not in line with our house rules, or that fit our accommodation, or doesn't fit our check-in/check-out schedule, etc.
- People seeking advice on investments
- People trying to sell something
- Any example, you name it, and it will occur
And now basically the only option, we have left: Is to Pre-Approve them?
Because a rejection, will have a negative impact on the acceptance rate, right?
One could say, there is no difference between a Pre-Approval and an IB-Booking without restrictions.
But there is!
When people make an inquiry, that does either not fit the accommodation, or is not in line with the house-rules or doesn't fit the check-in/check-out schedule.
But despite that, and you would still pre-approve them. Then you are not supposed to decline them, when they actually book!
With an IB, you can always contact Airbnb Host Support. And get them to take action with regards to such a booking, when it doesn't fit the listing!
I already did, but from now onwards I will keep an even closer eye on the Countdown Clock, and whether it does disappear. After a simple reply.
With an inquiry, in by far the majority of all cases. We do not hear anything back anymore.
I replied to an inquiry very recently. And the countdown clock still disappeared (Upon refresh).
Thanks Matthew for making us aware of this!
Because when I read the help text, it is really as you state.
Ps @Marit-Anne0,
Last year we had 2 new messages, which weren’t either a request or an inquiry.
I'll take it, that these must have been glitches in the system (as we received them on 2 subsequent days).
Pps.
I've always had some mixed feelings about the button: Contact Host (Just asking any question).
Because on receipt it has been translated to an inquiry (Real intention to book).
And now the commercial impact of such a 'simple' message, does even increase?
I would not be surprised, when any user pressing this button. From now on, will be bombarded in the coming 24 hours with automated messages: You only have nn hours left to accept the Pre-Approval of host xx.