abusive reviews-that is the reason why I quit airbnb

[Corrine0]

I am not too sure if there is an answer to what I am going through but maybe the community has a solution before I pack up everything and forget about aribnb altogether.

I have been a host for nearly 2 years and a super host for 6 month. there were up and downs... but the result had been pretty positive and I work hard to achieve those standarts.

I care about my guests and really go out of my way most of the time to accomodate and enjoy the exchange. I am not hosting for money but for lifestyle.

Two days ago, I had to confront a very nasty review. giving me 1 star, which is unheard off on airbnb, and with very nasty comments. I can hardly remember the guests as they stayed only 48hours. they checked in at 3 am in the morning and they left early in the morning and they came back middle of the night, making a lot of noise and I had to tell them to stop as other person were sleeping. they left early mornng the next day, and 14 days later, I am left with a very bad review and marking to one star. they left in their review that if they knew that I was that old,!!!! they would not have bothered requesting a booking. I felt very segregated agewise.

There were other abuses in their private feedback and they complained about the saccatos making noise outside.... Saccatos, in New Zealand, is a landmark and no one can stop them in summer.....Maybe they should blame me for the weather...

I tried to reach airbnb to have the review reviewed but they said that the review was very fine and totally compliant to their standards...... That there is no ground to remove one inch of it.....The person who replied to me did not go through my history, did not bother trying to get a personal backgroung. Just sent me already made links and already made answers. She just said that interaction were very encouraged on Airbnb.....Airbnb doesn't send you feedback neither. Everybody can send feedback and rating but airbnb doesn't ask you any rating on the service they are suposed to provide. So we are left with anonymous people..

I just wanted to know if other person had to suffer abuses and airbnb just let them down. i live by myself and I can't be exposed to what I have been exposed just like that. Airbnb seems to think it is a game between people but it is not.... 

Is Airbnb up to it standards or are they fleeing to avoid the problems of dealing with people?

Are they Ok people, or an organisation which weakens what we are trying to do at our small scale?

I am just ready to pack up, hoping they dont retain too much of my datas... I have been very upset by that reviews ( not review to my standards), and I am wondering if it happened to someone before, and if a member had to cancel the membership because it is perceived as a dangerous intrugion in their life.

[Helen427]

Hi Corrine & others, in NZ Quiet hours under law are between 11pm -7am.

One can reasonably expect people to be respectful of that within ones home to, we are all entitled to our "Peace and Enjoyment" in life wherever we are.

In regards to abusive Reviews I to have been subjected to a couple of vexatious ones that caused my listing to be "paused" & it's had a very negative impact on my situation.

Both of the said Reviews were Retaliatory for my standing firm to unlawful behaviours in my home and when viewed in chronology order & context the Guests concerned should be deemed to be in breach of Airbnb Terms & Conditions. Theft is theft regardless of the value of the item

[Helen427]

An area that must be addressed worldwide is Etiquette both in a person's home together with Online Digital Communications.

Netsafe NZ who administer The Harmful Digital communications Act in NZ must familiarise themselves with the chronological order, context of the whole situation for the individuals involved, and most importantly people using Airbnb need to be more proactive in ensuring Airbnb do something to separate more clearly where it's written to be a Public Review and that of "Private Feedback".

It's my suggestion that there be clear guidelines enforced for all parties what should be made public - the Report section where the "flags" are, to Report inaccurate, fake etc Reviews should also provide room for the person reporting it that "It's NOT OK".

Writing abuse online is Cyber bullying/ Harassment and simply unacceptable.

Corinne send me a private msg with your contact if you like as we both appear to be in close proximity to each other.

thanks. Helen

[Anne327]

Hi - I have been renting out furnished property for nearly 40 years and sometimes ( hopefully only ocasionally )  one just experiences immature and inconsiderate people . Luckily most people are great and so we carry on.  We joined  Air bnb  - and were given a Superhost status  -  but that was removed when I blocked off my listing to care for a member of   my family as I think ABB want to encourage consistent profit.  I also have many enquiries  - not upfront - from people who are intending to use one of our homes as a film location. Being a film designer - I am aware that the rates  and use are totally different plus the insurance. ABB people beware of those types of enquiries.  When I decline the booking I seem to be penalised or ticked off by ABB. In the end the properties and contents belong to us the owners, and we expect consideration,  honesty and mindful use of our homes.  Most of us are not full time hosts - we have other jobs and donyt have the time to keep reading and adjusting updates.  Please don't feel pressured or  intimidated by the system.

Best wishes,

Anne