Honesty box

[Ian33233]

I have an honesty box in my house with clear instructions that if any items, such as crisps, chocolate etc that I provide are taken, then a donation should be made.

My most recent guests emptied the basket but didn’t give any donations. Would I be within my rights to charge them for items through the resolution centre, even though I don’t give specific prices?

thanks

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Ian33233 probably you can BUT you will buy yourself a bad review for a few quid. It isn't worth it.

[Kia272]

@Ian33233 

Um.......no. 

An "honesty" box is reliant upon the honesty (or lack thereof) of your guests. By setting it up this way, you are allowing the guest to make the decision. If the guest decides not to pay, you have no recourse. 

"Honestly" I can't believe you even asked this question. SMH. 

[Colleen253]

@Ian33233 If you want to provide a welcome basket of treats for guests, factor the cost into your nightly rate, and do away with the honesty box. 
When you ask for trouble and disappointment, you’re sure to get it. 

[Sarah977]

@Ian33233  Why are you providing things for guests you want them to pay for? Many hosts provide some sort of snacks for guests- they are complimentary.  If you want to leave things that guests can purchase, you need to make the payment clear and mandatory.

I also find it exceedingly strange that you would try to charge guests after the fact. You seem unclear on the definition of the word "donation". A donation is voluntary.

[Andrea4731]

Yes don’t supply anything edible if you don’t expect a guest to consume it. Add a few dollars onto your nightly rate to cover the costs or don’t offer it at all. 

[Loni56]

@lan33233 Olá não acho uma boa atitude

deixar algo e cobrar disfarçadamente,

(se consumir deixa uma oferta)

melhor e incluir no seu preço

Att Loni 

[Karla533]

Translation to English for Loni:

Hello, I do not think it's a good approach to

leave something and then charge without prior disclosure.

(That is, if consuming, leave an offering.)

It's better to include it in your price

[Annie1372]

@Ian33233 

To whom that donation is given ?

Just provide your guest with a few snacks and treats in a beautiful basket with a welcome note and you are buying yourself a lot of 5 stars in your rating 😉

or just do provide anything if you are selling then under the hidden label of ‘donnation’

[Linda108]

@Ian33233  What a lovely home!  I especially like that you are a Head Teacher and your expectations of the honesty box is right in line with your profession, I would think.  However, as others have noted, it is not as effective in the hospitality industry.  Definitely find another way to provide guests with extras.  I see that you have travel size toiletries featured for guests on the bed.  Perhaps you can provide large size shampoo, etc, for repeat use and leave a little treat on the bed instead.  

[Robin4]

@Ian33233 

Hi Ian, I am afraid if you offer it, it is going to be abused and you just have to put it down to experience and learn from it.

I can assure you, an honesty box will be abused. The reaction on the part of the guest is...."I have already paid for this, I will use it, I am not paying again"!

I had a guest come to my door one night after a bandaid strip, she had cut her finger while preparing dinner. I told her there was a supply of bandaid strips in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom and she said to me she had looked in the medicine cabinet but......it was empty. Intrigued, I gave her a bandaid and asked if I could inspect the medicine cabinet, and sure enough it was totally empty, a previous guest had cleaned it out, scissors, tweezers and all....just an empty box.

I provide a block of chocolate for each incoming guest......I had a supply of chocolate bars in the restock cupboard which the guest managed to find her way into.

In that cupboard were 24 chocolate bars......

When the guest left, there were 15.......

It's just a part of being a host, some guests will use very little of what you supply, some will use their share but, there are some that will take a scorched earth policy and leave absolutely nothing behind.

Ian, you would have absolutely no recourse through the resolution centre, my answer would be, put out what you are prepared to accept as a condiment loss per guest night and don't give them the option of anything beyond that. 

You can be sure they will fight any compensation request from Airbnb and you will end up with a bad review for nothing more than being a helpful accommodating host! 

Cheers........Rob 

[Katrina79]

@Ian33233 It’s a lovely idea and if you want to continue on with the honesty box, just don’t put anything too valuable in it! I put lots of items all around for guests to use if needed and I’ve never had a guest clean me out. Maybe all of the items together in a lovely box was too tempting for your guest, or maybe they didn’t understand the concept. Charging after the fact through the resolution Center is tacky, after all it is an honesty box which implies an honour system, not an agreement to purchase.