Fake bookings that block your reservations

[Tyler370]

Today I had a booking request come through for 3 nights. I accepted the request. But the guest never finished the payment information, and p the booking says awaiting payment.  No the rental suite has been blocked off for the entire weekend preventing others from booking.

As the site awaits payment I can not cancel or drop or open  up the booking. for 24 hours,  I've messaged the "guest" several times and no answer. 10 hours has gone by and I feel this was not a real booking instead a scam to fill up my weekend bookings preventing other guests from booking my place who are searching at the moment.

Has anyone has a similar experience ? This has happened tome before but now Im starting to figure something must be up. Any advice suggestions or comments?

[Peta7]

We only have to wait for 3 more hours for our listing to become available again and believe blocking a listing with ‘Awaiting Payment’ is just one of the many new tools placed in the hands of the relentless Airbnb guest.   

They are also easily able to hold a Host to ransom and to extort refunds against Policy or extended stays against will with the one-sided review system which could result in the Host’s suspension. 

Then by following simple instructions available on the Help Centre, are able to lodge fake complaints that will definitely impact on the listing of the unconforming Host whom refuses to change rules to suit the guests needs. 

This coupled with the level of competence of the CS department, will leave no place for ‘sissies’ on this platform, hosts will just have to be tough, as in ‘T u f f’?  

[Peta7]

So, after our listing was blocked by another host as a guest for 3 days are we now again able to recieve bookings after the host / guest withdrew less than an hour before deadline.  

This underhanded approach to booking appears to be a new norm in SA? 

There are many other contributions on the same subject, please search for "Awaiting payment abuse" or “Awaiting Payment” in Community Centre. 

[Chris16728]

It appears the only option is to not accept near-term reservations if the guest doesn't have a verified payment on file?

[Peta7]

The culprits all have verified payment methods available on file, not sure how they arrange for delayed payment though, possibly with 'no funds available' ?