False advertising with reviews

[Aline609]

We are hosts on Airbnb have been for years. A local competitor host in the same complex lost a listing last November 2021. The got a new listing to manage in the same complex as us. Now 3 weeks (each week we report the listing) since we helped Airbnb understand this host has simply effectively updated a listing that is new in 2022 to them using another listing they lost in November 2021 thus they have all the reviews from the old listing compelling Airbnb guests to book this new one. AND AIRBNB DOES NOTHING!!!! So we are going to invite all AIRBNB HOSTS around the world to use this fun technique of false review advertising because there is clearly no integrity at AIRBNB. AND yes we have reported this to the Australian consumer protection so Airbnb can be held accountable with this rogue host. We have wisely not identified ourselves because are are certain Airbnb will punish us rather than the party that is in the wrong. We love many things about Airbnb but this is not one yet it seems obvious we now all as hosts have this post as our go to if Airbnb ever comes after us for a fake review (we have never done so) 

[Aline609]

https://www.airbnb.com.au/wishlists/1134160064  here is the listing

[Helen3]

You are confused - when you list on airbnb the reviews stay on your profile @Aline609 

also you say you're a host but there is no listing attached to your profile

[Gwen386]

@Helen3 Good catch that @Aline609 doesn’t even have a listing. 🤔

[Aline609]

I have listings however I set up this new profile to conceal my identity. I dont trust Airbnb as another host friend of mine got penalized for outing another host who was breaching Airbnb terms.  I know what I am doing. 

[Aline609]

I am not confused. If you Helen have a listing at 12 Bristol Ave then lose that listing as a host but pick up a new listing 16 Bristol Ave you could if you were a fraud and Airbnb allows it simply get Airbnb with you to change the address from 12 to 16 and immediately the new listing you host at 16 Bristol has a bunch of reviews on it assisting you to gain bookings and Airbnb based on reviews related to 12 not 16.  Sorry Helen you are confused.

[Gwen386]

@Aline609 I’m not understanding why you are so gungho on expending so much energy on this. Both life and karma have ways of correcting those who have been wronged. It may not happen today or tomorrow, but it will come to pass. So why not just let the bricks fall where they may. 

[Aline609]

That is exactly the attitude that allows those who do the right thing to be punished by those who dont. I say stop the frauds so the good hosts on Airbnb can flourish. Looking the other way when you know the drug dealer is next door hocking drugs on the youngsters in your neighbourhood is dumb wrong.

[Aline609]

Just an update for all those reviewing my post. 3 weeks have passed and Airbnb has done nothing. An email was sent to airbnb staffer ** nothing. So the verdict appears just as we expected. Airbnb has no issue with false advertising as long as Airbnb is benefiting via its commissions etc. So everyone do not let Airbnb bully you in the future if they accuse you of anything on your listing just use this post as your proof to push them back. I am very disappointed that our following of the rules means nothing to Airbnb while they allow rogue hosts to benefit and disadvantage hosts who comply. 

**[E-mail address removed due to safety reasons - Community Center Guidelines]

[Aline609]

Airbnb on a call said they take this very seriously however 4 weeks later nothing. Proof they have no issue with this behaviour despite all they say and the terms and conditions prohibiting false reviews. So playing by Airbnb rules is not necessary is the obvious message. If Airbnb is making commissions do as you please. Disappointing.

[Helen744]

@Aline609 . Is there a problem with the pictures of the new listing Aline ? Otherwise you just look like you think another listing needs to be taken down out of sour grapes, only because they are your competitor . More actual information would 

be useful . Nothing you have said so far shows the problem you feel the other host poses and you are starting to look like a stalker . H

[Aline609 · Accepted solution]

Helen it is not the pictures. It is the reviews. If this listing was done as per the terms and conditions we are expected to follow on Airbnb there would only be 1 review from August 2022. All the other reviews are from a different property in the same complex. Therefore any guest who considers reviews will be deceived. The Host is able to misrepresent the property has a history of reviews using the 17 that came from another unit. The Host benefits by having a high level of reviews that could contribute to being a "Superhost". The owner of the property our acquaintance is shocked that their property reviews are benefiting a Host on Airbnb that they ceased working with due to other issues. We when we list a new property start of with zero reviews and do our part to earn positive reviews that is what we are to do, fair, level playing field. Thanks Helen for reading and responding to the issues. We are just so surprised that Airbnb allows this behaviour so we thought it responsible to call it out. 

[C157]

**

 This place is falling apart. Ceiling badly damaged and not stable, mold everywhere, doors wouldn't lock, screens ripped and smelled bad but couldn't get refund and airbnb wouldn't help

**[Identifiable information removed in line with the Community Center Guidelines]

[Jenny]

Hi @C157 

I'm sorry to hear that you had a disappointing experience at a listing you'd booked.

Did you follow the process set out in this article when you realised things weren't as they should be?

I had to remove the address of the listing as it broke one of our Community Center Guidelines] - "Content that is sufficient to identify a listing’s location or other content that may pose a personal safety risk to an Airbnb community member".

The best way to make other Airbnb members aware of what happened is to leave an honest review of your experience.

As the post you're responding to is nearly a year old, you might like to start a new post here to see if our Members have any other advice for you.

Take care,

Jenny