My guest does not know arrival time because he is waiting for car rental conformation

[Inna22]

This is making no sense to me. Today is Thursday, guest is arriving on Sunday and is telling me that he will know that morning because he is waiting on the car company. He is telling me he is not able to narrow it down whatsoever and I need to meet with him to check IDs (he has an option of forwarding them but he wants to meet). His excuse is making no sense to me. I no longer know how to continue responding without sounding sarcastic or suspicious. New user. Did not read the listing and I could barely squeeze any information from him. I do not think he is malicious, just clueless. Right now he is hard at work reading my listing (I directed him to do that after I realized all this). He is texting me every few minutes clarifying every other word. I am thinking I should have kept him clueless.

[Colleen253]

@Inna22 “he has an option of forwarding them but he wants to meet)”

I would firmly insist he forward them, since he can’t settle on a meet up time now. His excuse is a bit sketchy. 

[Inna22]

@Colleen253 I told him the door codes will not activate until we either meet or he forwards them. I suspect some people think I do not actually mean it

[Carole124]

Instead of asking him when he's coming, tell him when he can arrive.  Maybe a 3-hour window so you're not stuck waiting twiddling your thumbs.  

As far as the questions go, if the answers are not in your listing, you may want to include them somewhere (FAQs, House Rules, House Manual, photo captions, etc,).

[Inna22]

@Carole124 he is just clarifying what is already there. Like: if this is extra, do I have to buy it (I offer some paid extras like late check out). Silly stuff like that. And good idea to lock him into a window based on what I can accommodate

[Helen744]

@Inna22 these guests who need extra help to navigate rules etcetera are those who have not used the site often . Persist with wanting Id and persist with needing time of arrival . i simply say that I am no longer able to host people without id and send my phone number for texting time of arrival and ids etcetera.I also add the same info thru Airbnb at the same time. I also say that since I do not live at the listing that an ETA plus any changes is super important plus a ten min before arrival heads up .I add that this is for safety purposes . Genuine people get this and generally get the lead out.I also tell them that a key is not left for persons that i have not hosted before . I am finding that these simple requirements are taking an age to get done these days.It is better though to work them thru before arrival as any red flags will be sorted . Then when I meet people at least I know pretty well who they are at least.Many people also are travelling who do not take notice of check in times or any other details as relevant and for whatever reason have switched to Airbnb  from some other method of travel or often none or travel facilitated by others or a travel agency. H. ' you are not the only one'

[Helen744]

Also these are red flags as per, Maybe he has no car at all and is travelling with another person or persons who he does not want you to know about or is underage or simply has no accurate id because he used someone elses , expecting not to see you at all . Or is old and unable to navigate various parts of his phone . Good luck. If he has other guests with him then maybe they also are refusing id for their own reasons sometimes it is not straight forward and you can get bogged down in conflicts outside your own making .H

[Kelly149]

@Inna22 rental cars are really hard to come by right now... like, really hard. We have cancelled trips that we were able to get lodging and airfare, but a rental car was impossible or $$$$. So, it's entirely possible that he doesn't know what is going on with the car, but at this moment, I'd start TELLING him when he'll be meeting you vs ASKING.

Ex: I can meet you at 6pm-7pm but the walkthru takes 25 minutes, so if you aren't here by 635, then the next possible time I could meet you is... 9am tomorrow morning. I realize it would be very inconvenient to have to find another place to stay on xxx date, but we are not a hotel, there is not a front desk, and I cannot hold my entire day hostage to you not knowing what your schedule may be. Please let me know of your plans, sincerely, Inna"

of course you know this is all bluster bc if he dillys around and doesn't show up on time then some CS person at abb WILL give him his money back if you aren't there to get him in the door at whatever time he does arrive. Good luck!

[Helen744]

@Inna22 I have a person at the mo who wants to book in at midnight with his daughter and his wife and son may turn up or not in answer to my question about 'why a three bed house for two"I have a checkin time 

by eight pm . I do not leave keys for people I have not met before especially for those turning up at midnight . Waiting for updates on everything.I feel I should cancel. Maybe I will simply tell him my son will meet him at midnight  H. call his bluff if it is one