guest ratings

[Caroline443]

I would like a proper explanation from airbnb why hosts are unable to see star ratings of guests unless they have instant book. 

It completely defeats the object.  Being able to see the rating after a guest has been booked in autimatically is utterly pointless and it means the host has even less protection from guests who cause damage, are unsafe  or who break house rules.

What is the point of being a superhost if you are not allowed to see guest star ratings and if only instant book places appear in a search (unless the guest has changed their setting).  

 I am also getting very tired of the endless price tips.  If I took them up, I would actually loose money - (but airbnb would still have their fee).  Interesting too that when a guest cancels, I am strongly encouraged by airbnb to provide a full refund, which I always do.  Airbnb however still take their fee from the guest.  

Having hosted via airbnb for nearly 2 years I am ready to start using some other platforms now.  Airbnb has its strenths, but looking after hosts is not one of their a top priorities!

[Todd-and-Reese0]

We have instant book on, and figure that if a guest books with low stars, which we don't know how they would because we checked off "recommended by other hosts", then we will cancel because we don't feel safe. I do agree that all guests stars should be public, just like all the hosts' are.

[Marzena4]

@Caroline443 As for being on other websites, taken Airbnb's attitude to hosts it is even healthier. Just had a great guest from booking.com who said he would never use Airbnb again (he used to)

[Kelly149]

seeing the stars on an IB is helpful, if you take the time to look and then go ahead and ask cs to cancel the guest based on the poor reviews making you "uncomfortable"

[Susie5]

@Caroline443@Kelly149@Marzena4@Todd-and-Reese0, I'd be very interested to know about what alternative platforms to Airbnb are out there, and what is the experience people have had with them.  Someone mentioned booking.com - are there others?

I imagine that there will soon be some alternatives popping up, and I don't want to be the last to know about them!  

[Marzena4]

@Susie5 I did mention booking.com - they're the oldest and the biggest. And compared with Airbnb, charge only 15% TOTAL commission for a little better CS - at least for me: had maybe a few guests complaining (unreasonably), booking.com listened to both and ruled a Salomon's verdict. Kudos, which can't be said about Airbnb.

[Jeff129]

All great points. I totally agree, though I must assert that I've got instant booking enabled for everyone and yet have no access to information on reasons for lowered ratings.

[Barbara395]

I have been reading other ratings in my area  with other hosts and see where guests have left bad ratings when there was a fly in the house or the house was not up to date although the pictures on the hosting page clearly indicates older furniture.

I got a complaint cause my WIFI didn't work, but they were putting in the wrong code as indicated in a notebook inside the unit and I tried to tell them that to no avail. I think hosts should be able to rebutt all one line stupid complaints by some of these people  before the rating is put online for all to see. Cause some people are habitual complainers about stupid things and they effect your rating. I say go stay at the horrible hotels then you will have a legitment complaint espically in the area I host in.

Anyway, it just got my goat when reading some of the reviews from guests for other hosts in my area. Just should be able to explain BEFORE it effects your rating.