How do you deal with questionable enquiries?‌‌

[Quincy]

Hello all,

Today, I would like to share one of the most reported cases on communication and fraud. There are sometimes guests who make enquiries to negotiate "off platform prices" or try to book a space for someone other than themselves. I’ve noticed that there’s an increase of said requests especially during the holiday and festive periods. 

Do you have experience with such enquiries? If so, do you have any advice for responding to such messages?

I look forward to hearing your answers. 

Quincy

[Francine207]

I am considering mounting a camera outside each door of the unit. Unfortunately,  I have 3 doors in which extra guests snick in.

[Julie1496]

I definitely have a camera set up, not only outside the entrance door to the courtyard, but also to the stairway leading up to the unit. I have it posted that “No unregistered guests” on the “House rules” sign. I tell the guest when they check-in that there are cameras per Airbnb rules and it seems to give them peace of mind for security as well as keep them on their best behavior. It is worth the investment!

[Bill1080]

Just like others who have commented here, many out of the ordinary inquiries turn out to be a red flag for future trouble. We do offer a longer discount for weekly or monthly stays, so that works for the legitimate guests, but the ones who want to work around the system are always going to be trouble. We also have learned that the guest who wants us to answer multiple inquiries before committing, are often the guests who cancel later at the last minute, or who find something to complain about later, or who can't seem to follow the simple check-in instructions and need special attention. It really would be helpful to be able to see the past history of potential guests before committing to them.

[Andy_Karen0]

Agree with wanting to see past host response especially to the question: “Would you host this guest again?” I answer it on my guests, but have yet to figure out were to locate it on new guest reviews. Anyone know were it is?

[Sarah977]

@Andy_Karen0  You don't see it on guest reviews. If you say you wouldn't host again, it supposedly prevents them from trying to book with you again and prevents them from Instant Booking.

Maybe if they get a certain amount of them, Airbnb closes their account, who knows.

[Anne1379]

Yes, I agree that it would be very helpful for hosts to see this. 

[Francine207]

I stopped automatic booking.

[Carol6081]

I never selected auto-booking, although once it magically occurred.   I have rent on 3 sights as well as list on craigslist, so too many opportunities exist for a problem to double book at least initially....

My philosophy...My Property...My Rules!

[Sarah977]

@Bill1080  "It really would be helpful to be able to see the past history of potential guests before committing to them."

When a guest sends an inquiry, you can click on their profile icon and then read any reviews they have. Same with a booking request.

It's only when hosts use Instant Book that guests can automatically book without the host reading their reviews first.

[Bill1080]

Thanks @Sarah977. I did not know that.

[Andy_Karen0]

There is also the question of whether or mot a guest is new to Airbnb if there are no reviews. It could be that the guest never submitted a review of the place(s) they stayed so reviews of them by host do not post. 

[Sarah977]

@Andy_Karen0  No, that is incorrect. All reviews are published regardless of whether both guest and host have submitted reviews. I've never understood where hosts get this false idea. The info is quite clear about this in the Airbnb info about reviews.

I've had a few guests who were not new, but had no reviews. Quite innocent in my cases. Had joined long ago but never booked anything, or their hosts hadn't bothered to leave them reviews. 

[Francine207]

It's really fishy when the guest has been a member for a long time and no reviews are available

[Ken2163]

totally agree. I start to worry whenever I see this kind of booking, and 80% chance they are not great guests

[Basha0]

@Francine207, I have been a member since 2009 as a host. I never get the chance to go on vacation myself! The one time I stayed at an Airbnb the host didn’t write a review. Oh well.