I am very new to hosting, and after testing it out for two weeks last month, and getting booking from two great guests who were a delight to host, I decided to unblock more dates in my calendar.
As I was still figuring out the whole process of booking, I had instant book on and ended up having to cancel on a guest as the demand was too high and check in times that i had already agreed overlapped. I have then decided to turn instant book off, as I feel a lot happier knowing i can accept bookings around my avaliabilities, and also feel a bit safer being able to have a look at the people trying to book.
Since turning instant book off, all the inquiries i have had either dont reply, even when I have pre approved their booking, meaning it expires. Or they have already booked somewhere else in the time it takes me to reply (usually only an hour or so if i am at work). Is this usual? It seems weird that I can have so much luck with instant book on, but totally unresponsive guests that dont follow through with the booking with it off! I feel much safer with instant book off, having also had a request that made me feel uncomfortable, but also glad I didnt have instant book on! But if i dont get any bookings then whats the point?