Why does Airbnb invite problems?

[Paul154]

I got a stressful scare today.  Airbnb called me at 12:30pm with a complaint about cleanliness and subsequent cancellation.

I wracked my brain thinking who?, what? when?

Then I found out it was for today - two hours before checkin!

While I "know" that I have my setting set for 2 pm checkin, CS rep insisted it was "on the computer" as an 11 am - 1 pm checkin 😞

I double checked my setting and reviewed that My checkin is correctly stated as 2 pm.

Of course CS rep is referring to the ability of the guest to choose an early checkin - regardless of my agreement.

Why does Airbnb do this? They are very smart people. It is easy to line up checkin settings with allowed checkin times.

Airbnb is totally awesome about automating scheduling with little host input. But this oversight of Airbnb causes stress between the host and the guest.  Airbnb's suggestion for an early checkin "blesses" the undesired early arrival.

As of right now, I am going to get paid for today's cancellation. But I would rather provide service than get stressed out needlessly.

[Victoria567]

Hi@Helen

Jesus is a very popular Spanish name!....had such last year, he didn’t walk on water but was very pleasant!

Back to the early check in nonesense.

In my listing I clearly state no check in before 16:00 hours, and it’s worked a dream so far.

I did have 2 guests appear early but it was really too bad for them as I was in town doing my shopping ( as one does!)

[Sandra126]

@Fred13, no worries. Just say ''yes of course it is'', and proceed to check in as normal, but sans clothes.

[Fred13]

Depending on who are the guests @Sandra126 😉

[Huma0]

I don't think this option for the guest to select a check in time is new as I remember it being discussed on the forum a while back, but I'm still confused as to how it works. I've never had a notification that a guest has automatically selected a check in time, nor has any guest ever mentioned it to me.

So, does every guest get sent this or just IB guests? How do they receive this? Is it part of the booking process, do they get messaged about it closer to the time of the booking? Does the host get notified when the guest selects a time?

Many of my guests ask me for an early check in, but this is always discussed in the message thread. How do I know if they are also receiving this automated option from Airbnb also, thereby leading them to believe early check in is an option even though it's not?

The feature would be useful if it reflected the check in window the host has selected and the host was notified of the selection. If not, then it's a total nonsense.

Also, I absolutely think the feature should optional, i.e. the host chooses whether or not to offer it.

[Rosemarie9]

Huma, the check in time was stated in the booking details, which were not visible on the app, and I only clicked when I was on my phone chasing up a guest who hadn't turned up. He had stated a late check in- not asking me, it was however there in the booking details. I had no idea this was happening or I would have checked. 

[Mika8]

the feature is absolutely stupid when the host get no notification .. because the guest is not aware of this .. the guest is beliving he has given a check-in time to the host.

Further a booking request should only be possible if the chosen check-in time is in the check-in window of the host ... and the host should be able to choose if the guest could send him an inquiry if the check-in time is outside his windows (some hosts are for example more flexible on specific days like weekend or so) .. or if even an inquiry is not possible then, because he could never make an exception.

But in any case a notification is essential for the host to plan the day.

[Rosemarie9]

Totally agree, it is really getting difficult doing business on a daily basis when things keep changing for the worse on the site. The cancellation policies are almost impossible to enforce with guests continually asking for special consideration. I have had a ridiculous few weeks of flaky guests changing plans, I don't know if I am coming or going and it takes a bit more effort to try and fill in bookings in the quieter season. Renting out rooms vs whole house is becoming so much more work for less money and more entitled guests. The race to the bottom is happening, and I really doubt airbnb care about home sharing anymore.