Worried about no show

[Sara1202]

Hi,

I'm worried about a no show last night. We msged at 9 and called but got voicemail. Left a voicemail at half11 saying we left the doors open for ease if they get here v late. It's 7am and they didn't arrive. Called again and got voicemail - but phone is ringing so in signal. It's a young californian girl and her friend and just worried in case something's happened to them... what next steps would you take if no response bk from them at all? At what point might calling police be an idea? She has great reviews about being communicative and it doesn't seem likely she'd just not show up without cancelling... just want to know they're safe...

[Helen3]

There are guests, who for whatever reason just don't bother to turn up.

I wouldn't waste police resources on this. They are adults. This happens in hotels all the time.

However if you are concerned, why not call Airbnb and see if they can contact the guests.

[Sara1202]

Thanks, I messaged Airbnb... You're right - probably all fine, just don't like to think of them in trouble somewhere.

[Kath9]

@Sara1202, I would definitely contact Airbnb about this and possibly the police as well. It seems strange to me that they wouldn't at least message you to let you know of a change of plans (although who knows with people these days). I would message them saying something like "We are very concerned that you and your friend didn't arrive for your booking. We would greatly appreciate it if you could let us know if you are safe". If you don't hear back, I would contact the police, so they at least have something on their records. I disagree with @Helen3 that this is a waste of police resources. I learnt a valuable lesson recently after finding a car crashed on rocks near an extremely high coastal cliff not far from where I live. I just assumed it was some drunk idiots from the night before and didn't think to call the police. They were finally contacted by a tourist about 6 hours later, sparking a major search and rescue mission that lasted several days. Turns out it was a probable suicide but the body was never found, so the young man is still listed as 'missing'. I still feel terrible about it - if I had reported it when I saw the car, there may at least have still been time to find his body. Call the police if you don't hear back from them as I can assure you Airbnb won't.

[Helen3]

Hi @Kath9

I think the situation you describe - finding a car crashed on the rocks (something I would report) and guests who are no shows are very different.

With the first one there is evidence that something has gone wrong either an accident, vandalism or sadly suicide with the second there is no evidence that something has gone wrong, so I wouldn't involve the police.

Sadly there are some rude, ignorant people out there who don't bother to show up for Airbnb  or other room bookings and don't let the host or hotel know.

@Sara do let us know what happened with your guests.

[Sara1202]

@Helen3 thank you - they are safe, just ran into issues so serious in the States that they abandoned all bookings in NZ. The girl did eventually reply and apologise for worrying us, but sounds like something disasterous happened over there for her. 

[Sara1202]

@Kath9 Thanks so much - first off, guest is now marked safe 🙂 

So sorry about your experience -  that's so distressing and I take your point, though sounds like you wouldn't have been able to prevent the poor man from hurting himself. 

I was considering contacting the police (the Grace Millane case being distressingly top of mind here in NZ) but didn't want to overreact... Airbnb advised waiting 72 hours and said they would escalate if they decided there were concerns for her safety. They also said they would try and contact her in her timezone hours, but I pointed out she was meant to be in my timezone - I did ask if she had successfully stayed in other airbnbs in New Zealand but they wouldn't divulge that information. They then couldn't contact her. I found her on FB and left a message there... no reply and it didn't look like she saw it. Still no reply by phone. 

The next day I sent another message through Airbnb more concerned in tone, saying I was now quite worried that neither Airbnb nor we could get in contact and asking for her to please just drop a line, hoping she'd not run into trouble. Especially since Airbnb mentioned no-shows usually would contact them to plead extrenuating circumstances and try for some kind of refund. She msged back apologising and saying serious problems came up the day before she was meant to fly and she didn't make it out of the States. Told Airbnb and they said that matched their data - which it would have been good to know! But privacy rules I suppose...

Anyway, massive load off my mind after couple of very concerned days. I would never just not turn up for something without a word to anyone, so would like to know that people would be looking for me!

[Sara1202]

Hi @Kath9 - my reply to you was removed as spam - weird, maybe it was too long or because I mentioned GM case. Just to say guest is safe but ran into trouble and was unable to leave the States. So sorry about your experience - so very sad. Didn't call police in the end but would have done if no one heard back from them. Very relieved. 

[Kath9]

@Sara1202, good to know - I guess it would have helped ease your mind if they'd let you know! Common courtesy is sadly a rare thing these days...

[Cathie19]

Hi @Sara1202. Have you heard from the guests? 

What is the latest update from Airbnb?

[Sara1202]

Hi @Cathie19 - I eventually heard back and it turns out they were prevented from even leaving the states due to a serious issue. She apologised for worrying us. When I informed Airbnb, they said that matched their data... it would have been good if they'd let me know they didn't think she'd even made the trip over, but I suppose privacy issues. They hadn't been able to contact her either, so in the end I sent a highly concerned message which she did reply to thankfully. Weight off my mind.

[Huma0]

@Sara1202I'm glad to hear that your guests are okay and I think contacting Airbnb was the right thing to do as a first step in this instance, although I personally find that calling them gets a quicker result than emailing.

I think that @Helen3 is right though that these sort of 'no shows' do happen from time to time. You would think it common courtesy to contact the host to let them know rather than leave someone waiting for you. However, some people don't if they have realised already that they won't get a refund.

I had two girls tell me only late the night before their stay that they were not coming (said they were allergic to cats, which I find a dubious excuse given that they were informed of the cats from the start). They would not have even told me had I not chased them again for an arrival time.

Another girl simply didn't respond to my messages, texts or phone calls and Airbnb couldn't get hold of her either. She never showed up and I never heard from her again. I hope nothing bad happened, but Isuspect that it's most likely she changed her mind, realised it was too late to get a refund, so thought why bother replying. 

Some guests are just not responsive. I spent months chasing a guest for info after he had instant booked with just one sentence, "I will arrive at Heathrow." Eventually, I called Airbnb who couldn't reach him either. They agreed to cancel the booking penalty free. As soon as it was cancelled, the guest who had ignored my messages for months suddenly woke up and instant booked again.

[Sara1202]

@Huma0 Thanks - yes this was my first instance of visiting the forums, and I've gathered how common no shows are now. How strange that people don't get in touch when they've spent the money! Bizarre...

[Huma0]

@Sara1202

Yes, very strange indeed. It would not even just be about the money. I would contact the host to let them know anyway as it’s the polite thing to do, and that’s how I would have behaved even before I started hosting because that’s how I was brought up. Unfortunately not everyone has the same consideration.

i do often wonder how so many people get on in life these days with their poor communication but it seems to be a common problem. I am always astounded by the interns we get at work, I.e. intelligent, educated young people who are absolutely terrified if you tell them to answer the phone when it rings. They can garner thousands of followers on Instagram, but the idea of picking up a phone and taking down a message is completely alien to them. They just leave it ringing!