Traveler with no profile picture.

[Eric374]

I just started hosting and I have a request from a new traveler with no profile picture. He does however, have all verifications and is ID verified. I asked him to complete his profile as much as possible to include his picture and his location. He entered his location stating that he is new to this and overlooked it. But he did not want to update his profile photo, saying it was SENSITIVE INFORMATION. He did give me his full name and stated he's one of the top Re/Max agents in the midwest region, president of a softball league and mentioned his "impeccable reputation" as an owner of a plumbing and heating company for 30 years. Is this enough? Should I push the issue? Accept? Decline? 

Thank you!

[Susie5]

hi @Eric374,

I'd pass on this one - if he's so famous, why is he reluctant to share his photo?  Red flags going off here. He expects you to do something (provide your photo) which he is unwilling to do - it's an unequal relationship. I'd explain that as you are new to the experience, you want to make sure everything goes well, and you need to be sure that people are who they say they are, so you will have to decline his request. Don't worry, there will be other requests!  He may relent and provide a photo.

Alternatively, you could require him to provide his drivers license when he checks in and take a photo of that, if that would satisfy you.  He has your photo - why can't he share his own?  

Good luck!  Susie

[Kelly149]

@Eric374 Could also be that the photo won't be visible until the reservation is confirmed. Discrimination and all that. 

[Eric374]

He has a photo of a cartoon mascot for his profile photo. Still hasn't changed it. 

[Eric374]

That's what I was thinking! He told me to Google his name to verify who he was. Another thing, he mentioned that the age range of his group was from 29-47 years old. For arguments sake, let's assume he's 47. He say's he has owned a heating and plumbing company for over 30 years. That math doesn't add up. When I googled his name, it is attached to all those titles he listed, but I can only find one picture of him. His real estate agent photo. 

[Eric374]

So he decided to not upload his photo and not move forward with the booking. Good. Now is it better to decline it or ask him to cancel it, so I don't have a declined request recorded? 

Thank you for your input btw! 

[Colleen47]

@Eric374 Let him cancel

[Lina53]

@Eric374  If person sent a request, call Airbnb to have the request reversed (this way you do not have a decline strike against you).  

[Eric374]

Had no idea you can do that. Thanks! 

[Colleen47]

@Eric374 I have accepted a traveler without a pic. She was an older lady had a new account, and I just assumed she is tech illiterate. Not sure why a middle aged man may want to hide his identity and book a room... Unless he was trying to sneak around? Or he's just shy... 

[Eric374]

Thanks Colleen. Yeah not sure but if he went through the trouble of verifying his ID, why not upload a photo? Well he decided it was too much to ask for and moved on. 

[Ann3]

Last year I went against my gut feeling and allowed a reservation from a guy with a weird profile picture that didn't show his face.  I should have listened to my inner voice.  He demanded early check-in (which I did not allow, although I let him drop his bags off) and after he checked out, I found he had made a giant mess our cottage. Oh, and of course he left me a terrible review -- the only one who has ever given me 3 stars in anything. 

So now I push the issue, and just nicely say up front that I'll be happy to consider the booking if they fix their photo.  

I did flag his profile with Airbnb, by the way, but as far as I know, he never changed it.  

[JB-and-Ramona0]

Hi guys. Same scenario here with two bookings with no picture. But the AB&B site says a guest must provide a photo which will be shared with the host so why would these folks be able to book? Totally confused!