Deceptive Listings

[Mark4824]

How often are renters being duped by a listing that is misrepresented, then protected by ABB?

We have had nothing but great expieriences with ABB in the past, but this last attempt was a disaster!

The unit we rented ended up being next to government housing. The host mentions nothing about this in her listing, and when we asked directly, she lied and said it wasn't...it is! (pictures sent to ABB.)

My son and I were afraid to get out of the car as a ** woman was following us  after she saw me take a picture of her to send to ABB , in an attempt to give examples of the situation we were in, for refund purposes. The woman started screaming and yelling that we owed her 5k for the picture, and would not leave us alone. We should have known it was going to be a tricky situation when we drove up to the unit with graffiti on the building next door, broken windows, a dead mattress and furniture on the curb, trash everywhere, illegal items on the sidewalk, beer cans, eviction notices on front doors, boarded up business etc.!

When we contacted The host, she dismissed our concerns and tried to turn it around on us, that we weren't ok with the situation, we must have a problem. Its been 9 days, and were still trying to get a refund for a property we could not get out of our car to get into! 

ABB must have higher standards for their hosts!

Here's the listing below **

**[Identifiable listing removed  and some content removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines- Please note that is not allowed to post a listing link unless posted by a listing owner]

[Dawn241]

@Mark4824 Aircover for guests has a safety line and can relocate you to another listing.

when you do the review, it sounds like the location was not as described 

check to see if the local jurisdiction requires licensing and if she is licensed, if not you could report her to local authorities for not being licensed

Did you immediately cancel your reservation upon realizing you were not going to stay? 

[Mark4824]

Thanks for responding @Dawn241 !

Yes, we called the host, and ABB immediately. The host was offended when I asked if the building next to hers was government housing, and basically told us we were bad people for not accepting the neighborhood. It was pretty scary with a child, not familiar with the area, people looking at us, wondering why we were driving around looking lost...just BAD! 

We started driving around trying to kill time until my hubby called us back, when a gentleman in another neighborhood  told us DO NOT stay over there, its dangerous at night. When I told the host the info from the gentlemen, she said "I find that hard to believe". We spent $1779.00 thinking we were getting a nice 4* place,  but was * to be kind. Also, The only parking is street parking, which would be fine, accept, the people living in the building/area take big orange cones to reserve their own parking spots, so the closet parking is a garage a few blocks away, across the street from the gov housing unit and the community center...again, not safe! I'm in shock the burden is now on us after the complete misrepresentation of the unit.

This incentivises hosts to be dishonest IMO.

Again, thanks for responding!

[Mark4824]

I wonder why ABB didn't offer to place us in another unit? It was a Friday, holiday weekend, so they told us they would review and get back with us.

So disappointing and cost us a fortune!

[Ronda66]

You know, after reading all comments, what comes to mind is that I strongly believe airbnb needs to have a mediation method where both the renter, host and airbnb member ALL get on the phone to talk things out.  I went through a rough first renter to where this would've been extremely helpful instead of the right hand not knowing what the left hand was doing because I had spoken and messaged so many different people.  Airbnb has been a great experience. But always room for improvement.  I'm so sorry @Mark4824 what you are going through to correct this.  However, I still don't think it was appropriate to take a photo of this woman.  Seems there would've been other things to take photos of to back your complaint up?  Good luck!  

[Mark4824]

Thats a great idea! I hope ABB reads these and takes the suggestion u def consideration.

suggestion.

As far as the pic of the woman, we did exactly what ABB t asked us to do to document the situation bc of the lack of cooperation from the host. We took numerous photos of all things discussed, not just of her. We were in our car and it was drizzling rain, the fact the pic was noticed being taken, ought to give you an idea how out of place we looked. We had to keep driving around,  looking lost, with No where to park but blocks away, trying to discuss with the host on the phone, then trying to discuss with ABB on the phone before friday close and the weekend, it was just a really unfortunate situation all around! Thanks for your input. 

[LaWanna0]

@Mark4824 Wow, she wrote that it is on a quiet street.   She also stated that it is walking distance from attractions.   If it is not safe to walk why write that?  Did you file an aircover claim?   I believe you file the claim requesting money from the host (if it works the same way for a guest as it does for a host),  If the host refuse or does not respond involve Airbnb after 72 hours.   Provide all the documentation that they requested.   I would point out that her first sentence is untrue and that she insinuates that it is safe to walk in the area when it is not.   All of that is misleading if it is as you described it.   Don't give up  and Good Luck

[Mark4824]

Thanks for responding! 

We've used ABB so many times and never an issue, so unfortunate!

We involved ABB immediately as the host refused to work with us immediately.

She has $1779.00 of our money, and we weren't even able to step out of the car sadly.

I see the link to the property has been removed by ABB. Why would they protect a dishonest host? Wish me luck! 

[Bhumika]

Hi @Mark4824 ,

I understand your concern and thank you for sharing it with other Hosts asking for advice.

I wanted to let you know that we refrain from posting a link to an active listing that could identify a Host or their location (unless the Host shares the link by themselves in the Community Center for feedback). You may refer to the Community Center Guidelines.

[LaWanna0]

Maybe they suspended it as a result of your complaint. I don’t think they would support a dishonest host.  If that is the case you should get your money back.   

Do you still see your reservation in your inbox?  

[Kia272]

@Mark4824  I think this says more about you than about the host. Yes, hosts should be honest about their listings, but this host doesn't control the surrounding environment. It would be good and fair for her to include issues that might affect a guest's stay in her description, but she's not obligated to. 

What I object to here is the implication that government housing means BAD people live there. The implication is that the homeless woman is somehow poses a danger to you just because  she's homeless? Why would you take a picture of a homeless woman to send to AirBnB? There can be homeless people in Beverly Hills. What should AirBnB do about that? 

"and we weren't even able to step out of the car sadly."

You actually were able to step out of the car, you simply chose not to due to your implicit bias about "poor" people and the places they live. 

Would you not have seen comments about this in the reviews for this property? Or maybe it hasn't been a problem for others.......the conclusion being that interpretation of the surrounding area is an individual thing, based on one's own personal and socio-economic circumstances. 

So......I'm thinking that maybe there are at least two villains in this story, there being two sides to every story. And we haven't heard the host's side. 

If you are such seasoned AirBnB travelers, what is the rating of this property? They must be okay or you wouldn't have booked it, being such seasoned AirBnB travelers. 

Perhaps a hotel would be a better choice in the future. 

[Ronda66]

It seems highly intrusive to boldly take this woman's photo!  Not your right to do!  Very good points on above comments as well.  

[Mark4824]

For or someone so inclusive, you certainly are ** and pretty rude with the personal attacks! I gave factual info, you **.

Are you by chance friends with the host? You're So defensive, in a really odd way!?!?

Did you spend $1779.00 and have your trip ruined? So Please stop with the grand standing on what a great person you are...we all get it, you're great, I stink bc I was expecting the unit to be what she claimed, and worth $350.00 a night! If the government housing wasn't a problem, why did the host lie when asked about it? If it's a HUGE plus to the property, she should certainly post true pics, give full disclosure about the area, and tell the truth when asked. Why just show cropped pics of the unit/surroundings and be dishonest?

The rusted bed frame outside her unit has clearly been there a long time if there is no fabric left surrounding the springs, maybe she should have it removed, along with the nightstand on the curb!? So are you implying the people living in the area should accept graffiti, boarded up businesses, trash everywhere? I certainly believe EVERYONE deserves  to live in a respectable clean environment! Why should the less fortunate have to settle for less? Again, you passing judgement and assuming something you know nothing about!

I think you've missed the point with the post and wanted to make it about yourself. I suggest you focus on yourself, and post if you have suggestions to offer to assist a tricky situation instead of trying to make it all about how inclusive you are when you clearly aren't! 

**[Content removed inline with the Community Center Guidelines- Please be respectful in your discussions with other members]

[Kia272]

Why are you feeling judged if there's nothing to pass judgement on? 

You're just upset because I don't agree with you. And very upset, I might add. 

The "facts" that caused me to "vomit judgement" (hilarious) are YOUR facts. There are two sides to every story. Just because you said it doesn't make it so.  

Pretty sure I didn't say anything about what a great person I am, but thanks for pointing that out. 

When you come to a public forum, you have to accept the fact that not everyone will agree with you, but by virtue of the fact that you get to voice your opinion, so do I. 

[Mark4824]

Oh I don't feel judged, your post is the definition of judgment. 

Merman-Webster

1: the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing

I posted facts about the situation, you gave personal thought/opinions, derived from a relationship with the owner.

I don't know either of you, don't care, just want my $1779.00 refunded for a misrepresented property! 

Have a great day!