What is the lowest offer you ever received?

[Inna22]

Today somebody offered me $25 less the amount of my cleaning fee “all in”. Meaning taxes and fees which in Chicago comes to about another 40% on top of the booking rate were included in the offer as well stay itself and cleaning. Basically, this would not have even paid for utilities and cleaning supplies. Other than charity request for free stay, what is the lowest offer you have ever received?

[Huma0]

@Helen3 

Yes, I also had this approach fairly recently with the guest saying she had found other places that were more affordable but she liked my place best, so could I give it to her for X price.

Where is the logic behind that? Would you go to a 5 star hotel and tell them, "I have found 3 star hotels that I can afford but I really want to stay in a 5 star one so can you do it for the same price?"

[Anonymous]

I'm baffled by what possesses these people to think they can negotiate concessions with no clue what their leverage is.

(Insert Brexit joke here)

[Sarah977]

@Huma0  They probably think that hearing your place is so much nicer is worth you sucking up XX per night. $30 off per compliment.

[Huma0]

@Sarah977 

Good point. They say that flattery will get you anywhere, but what they don't realise that it will only get me to accept their booking, seeing as that most guests pay compliments when they approach me.

Funny how people think that a host with hundreds of positive reviews has no other interest in their listing...

[Elena87]

Guest - I'm prepared to offer 100 dollars for a week for your place.

Me - In high season? I know a hostel more suitable for your budget, only twenty five minutes uphill walk from the eighth bus stop beyond the last metro station. Only 16 people per room and although hot bedding is in operation, you are guaranteed at least 9 hours per night and second use of the bath towel if you use the exclusive discount code 'Chancer'

[Kelly149]

@Inna22 “Somethings better than nothing, right?!?”

ugh. People are ridiculous. 
At least your folks listed a number, I find people usually act like this is an eBay auction where they’re hoping they can choose between multiple low offers. “How much can you take off?”  How about none, does none work for you?

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Inna22 

I guess I'm one of the lucky hosts.... I had some potential guests asking for discounts - which I quickly said the long-term discount has already been applied so "NO" (Ute-style) -  but nothing ridiculous.

Especially for exchange student guests, if they try to haggle, I simply tell them "it seems like your budget is more suited for a shared room in the school dorm or a goshiwon - I suggest you look at those options". And that's the end of the discussion from my end. 

Oh! I remember one female student who said she thought she should get an additional discount in addition to the monthly discount because she could speak and understand some Korean. 🤣 🤣 - I told her no thanks~

[Inna22]

@Jessica-and-Henry0 did you say that in Korean? 🙂

[Anna9170]

@Inna22  The best offer that the guest made me was 15 euros per night without cleaning fee, for a couple with a child. I rent the whole apartment, it's a bedroom+living room+terrace+wc, they said they won't touch the bed, they will sleep in sleeping bags on the floor ...🙄😂
these prices are only available in very cheap hostels in the lowest season in a shared room for 15 people, I wonder why they did not write their request there?

[Sarah977]

@Anna9170  I've never had a guest ask for a discount, but Airbnb's price tips for my private room, with private bathroom and balcony and full use of my well-equipped kitchen and garden areas is $19/night. A hostel room here, shared with 3 other people, is $20-$25.

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Anna9170 

Your post just reminded me!!!! I did have one guest contact me saying he was looking for a place to stay for about a week with his wife and toddler child (2 adults + 1 child), and said my listing (which is a single occupancy private room with private bath across the hall) looked nice and perfect for his family but it was over his budget - could I bring it down a bit for him. 

Before fees, our nightly rate is anywhere between $33~38, with a 3 night min and no cleaning fee. 

In our area, a shared room for 8~12 people at hostels are $22~28/night per person. A private room with private bath in guesthouses or hostels are $35~40/night. A decent-enough, no frills motel probably $45~50/night, and private home studios or 1bd places for 2~3 people (on Airbnb, which are technically illegal) seem to be about $50~80/night. 

I responded we don't host locals (=Koreans) (because it's illegal for private room Airbnbs in Korea to host locals, we can only host foreigners), plus our room is single occupancy with one single bed in the room and we don't accept extra guests... all of which is already explained at the very TOP of our listing description. 🙄 🙄 🙄

[Anna9170]

@Sarah977  Oh Yes, price tips from airbnb is a separate song about pain)

[Debra300]

I almost forgot about this inquiry.  It arrived one week after I had listed my new apartment in Atlanta this past February.  The offer was about 60% less than the rate at that time.

"Hi Debra, 

My name is XX. My husband XX and I are professional homeowners, in our 40's, with 2 daughters in college. Since sending both girls off to college, we have embarked on the adventure of travel physical therapy. My husband is an orthopedic specialist and manual therapist and while traveling, I have been teaching yoga.
I am reaching out about your home as we have the possibility of a 13 week contract in the area. We have not committed as we need to find a place to live.
We travel with our 11 year old black lab, Hix (he's more like a large cat) and with 2 children in college, have a very tight budget of $800/month that we try our best to adhere to.
Please let me know if there is any room for negotiation or if you have another listing better suited to our needs.

With much gratitude,

XX and XX"

I responded, and didn't even address her lowball offer.  Again, another person who didn't respond to me.  Oh, well.

"Hi XX,

Thank you very much for inquiring with us at the Keep Cool Atlanta Retreat. It sounds like you and your husband are embracing the adventures that life has to offer.

I am a dog-lover also, but there are no pets allowed at the apartment. The primary reasons for this policy is because there are people with allergies to dogs and other common pets, and our property doesn't have any fencing.

Our other listings are in St. Lucia. Please do check us when you are ready to take a trip to the Caribbean.

Debra"

[Sarah977]

@Debra300 They probably earn that $800 in 3 days with the work they do. And as "professional homeowners" who are taking off for months at a time, they likely rent out their house while they're away, too. 

[Sue251]

I live in a town popular with freedom campers, who travel around in vans.  I often get couples who just want a break from van life, a decent shower, a comfy bed and wifi for a night or two.  I have had several bright eyed and bushy tailed young couples come to me with their just thought up Great Idea!   They will stay on my lawn in their van, so wont use my room or my sheets, but otherwise have access to the house, laundry, shower, toilet, wifi, kitchen etc for a minimal price.  Usually $10 a day or so, like a camp ground.   They mean it genuinely, and they are quite surprised that i'm not enthusiastic about their genius idea.