Messages not read - and guest is a also a host

[Kelly333]

Hey folks!  Any thoughts?

I just had a guest who is also a host (per Airbnb profile) who did not read any messages I sent via Airbnb app.  She booked 3 months in advance and not a single pre-booking message was marked as "read." I had to reach out via text to get her attention because one of my messages was a question about check in and check out times. 

When she was at my house, she also did not respond to Airbnb messages (no "got it", no "thank you", nothing).  I finally had to text her again to ask her to check her messages. so I could confirm she saw the check out instructions.  

When she checked out, she left the sink full of dirty dishes and started the dishwasher but only 1/2 way (she could have put the dirty sink dishes in the dishwasher).  Again, shocking a host woud do that when we all know we're hustling to get the next guests in (and which I did so she could get an early check in). 

I contacted Airbnb support to double confirm about the "read" receipt.  I found out if a guest is reading messages via email (instead of the app), that a message read via email will not show as "read" in the app. I was worried about giving her a low rating for communication if she was reading emails but chose not to confirm/respond via the app.  

I guess I'm annoyed because I expect host guests to be the best guests.  Am I being overly annoyed about the lack of communication?  Is a 3-4 stars rating for communication fair if I have to keep texting a guest to get their attention? 

I assumed that a guest who is also a host would be paying attention to their messages.  Welcome your thoughts 🙂 

[Shelley159]

Hi @Kelly333 

There are 2 things that prevent us from knowing for sure whether a guest read our messages.

One is if they can read it in email as Support has said, the other is that anyone can turn off read receipts on their account (Menu, Account settings, Privacy).

So if they don't respond, one is unfotunately never sure whether the message was read.

[Kelly333]

Thanks for letting me know about that privacy setting! All my other guests have been awesome about reading and using emojis to confirm their participation. I love it. Was just frustrated by the crickets from the host guest.  Good to know and thank you!

[Shelley159]

Yes @Kelly333 most guests communicate great. Personally I think it's unprofessional for a host to turn off read receipts- it's really bad if a guest makes contact and doesn't know whether it was read.

But someone who had one booking of their holiday home 7 years ago can also show as "host", so hopefully this was one of those cases.