My list of everything that could upset guests

Tim209
Level 7
Honolulu, HI

My list of everything that could upset guests

Alright, here’s my list of everything that could upset guests. What did I miss?

 

  1. The property was not as described

  2. Uncomfortable beds/sheets/pillows

  3. Noisy (A/C unit, road noise, refrigerator, neighbors) lead to poor sleeping conditions

  4. Guests run out of stuff – toilet paper / paper towel / etc.

  5. Expected items are not there like tv or internet

  6. Things that don’t work such as an advertised hot tub

  7. Couldn’t access property

  8. Worn out stuff

  9. No instructions about what to do with trash

  10. Insufficient outdoor seating – guests don’t want to carry the sofa outside

  11. Construction noise or inconvenience

  12. Neighbor issues

  13. Poor communications with the host – either before, after, or during – “there was a major problem during my stay and the owner didn’t answer my calls”

  14. Terrible or no WiFi

  15. Vacation rental location deception

  16. Too many rules

  17. Lack of privacy

  18. No refund with no explanation

  19. And my personal favorite - no plunger

Tim
TurnoverBnB

67 Replies 67

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You're so funny.

 

Hitomi3
Level 10
Montreal, Canada

Hahaha 😄

I can add: "Around XXX (insert whatever the area outside my property) was unclean". 

Someone recently explained "I know it is technically not your property, so I didn't write this in review", for giving me multiple 4 stars. Ok, you know it's not my property that was unclean, and inside my apartment was sparkling clean. So, what am I getting dinged for?

Ned-And-Laura0
Level 10
Simi Valley, CA

Hair!  Man if a guests finds a single hair anywhere they get grossed out.  Especially on the bed!  I guess I understand, other peoples hair really makes it seem like the place was never cleaned, even if the hair is from whoever cleaned the place.  But I always double and triple check for hair.

Hair the nemesis of every host! I get 3 guests checking in with fine long hair and I’m a wreck thinking about the cleanup from the moment the checkin. You think mandatory hairnets On premises at all times as a house rule is going to far?

Jan209
Level 6
North Maleny, Australia

haha yes! Hairnets!   but what about sequins?!! i had a small group of 3 cheerleaders who had come for a cheerleading Comp to the entertainment centre...and gosh! 3 weeks later I am still finding tiny sequins...i just tell Guests now, watch out for sequins, welcome to keep any you find ! 

Sue102
Level 6
Sarasota, FL

97 steps to the pool (she counted them!)

Thinking about coming to you just to double check. If theres 98 steps... lets just say we're going to have a problem. 

Sue102
Level 6
Sarasota, FL

not enough facecloths (guest failed to look in the bathroom cupboard where a half dozen more than the original four are stored)

Adriana100
Level 10
Pitts, PA

Tim,I hear you. I shall add, "vague directions". I give the gps address, the intersection (my house is on a corner) plus pictures of the house and gate. whats left? latitude and longitude? 

 

As about the plunger, let me tell you a story: I was a guest in someones appartment in DC with my neohew and another lady with her son. My nephew went #2 about 9PM and it wouldnt flush down the toilet. There was no plunger.

 

All night long, like every hour I went to the bathroom and I tried to flush down the thing. i was afraid that a double flush would flood the bathroom... I was just horified about what my friend and her son would do in the morning when they had to go potty. It was horrendous. I couldnt sleep a whink. I was considering going to a store and buying a plunger the first thing in the morning. By 5 am I managed to flush the toilet and everything was back to normal but it was a sleepless night. because of a plunger! Nevertheless I gave the host a 5 * review. You dont think how important it is unless it happenes to you. 

Thats why I made sure my listing had a plunger on day one.  That's not a call I want to get at 3 am and it's not a mess I want to deal with!  Especially not for a $5 item at Target.

Sabina65
Level 2
United Kingdom

Hi everyone. I just got a three star review because the guest said there was no light in the hallway...all they had to do was flick the switch and the light would come on. The actual review said “no comment” and it took an Airbnb representative to extract this reason from her. These were the most annoying guests I had ever had they didn’t arrive until 1am they never spoke to me...they demanded a kettle in the room by text when I only have one kettle and it is in the kitchen. I don’t understand how these guests can try to ruin your reputation with no come back on them! Sadly I gave them the benefit of the doubt and gave them a five star review...I wish I could take that back! 

Jan209
Level 6
North Maleny, Australia

oh dear!  they sound awful and so rude..   yes, do next time give them a bad review, as we Hosts do really rely on those. 

Did the Airbnb rep change the star rating? I really think they should be able to do that in cases like that.  

I just had smokers, although my house is specifically for non smokers.  (which I see in new terms and conditions that we can refuse people on the grounds that they are smokers! yay!) 

 I wrote in Review, that they would be more comfortable in an Airbnb where they could smoke, and where the Hosts would be OK with the amount of work, washing of curtains, cushions, mats, chair cushions, required to bring the Unit back to the standard that non-smokers require! I also said  a  positive thing, that is they did the washing up before they left . 

 

I do find that the Guests original message tells a LOT about them!

I just had an enquiry, wanted to park in driveway as husband was nervous re parking in street.  (which would block my car) and wanted to know how far they would have to carry bags, as they were 'elderly, not infirm' . Then instead of awaiting my reply, booked.

 

I sensed trouble,  so send a specific message with details of street, narrow, that sometimes they would have to park 4 doors down as neighbour also has an Airbnb and it's first in first served, parking in driveway not an option since i park there so as not to disturb my GUests whne i go out early. 

 

Next, i got a message, which was very rude, accused me of misleading them, (by not saying street was narrowish! what!) called my writeup a blurb, didnt even address me, said 'we will have to cancel'   (yay!!) ....... I suggested they read the terms and conditions and get familiar with the ethos of AIrbnb, and told them that noone had ever been that rude to me on Airbnb. That it is not a Motel with guaranteed parking next to Unit, that Holidaymakers come as GUests to a Hosts Home and are prepared to be flexible as are Hosts so we all have a positive experience.

 

Haha, I think they expected me to carry their bags! 

 

They are within the demographic that I have found, to be most demanding and rude...the elderly person,  used to Motel service whose friends have said 'stay at airbnb it's so cheap' think they have paid to leave the place not cleaned up etc . I even had one Woman say to me, "you should provide a hairdryer"   (and there is one in there if she had only looked! )  NOt the older peole who are great travellers who are willing to be open minded and flexible, of course who are great Guests.! 

Good luck with future GUests!

JAn

I hate the ones who make an issue of their cars. They are the biggest bores on the planet. I have put it in three different places to keep the driveway clear. I do not allow parking in the gate because my dog has been nearly hit with stupid selfish guests who deliberately ignore my rule, and it is in my directions so they cannot miss it. I am going to start locking the gate next and putting a buzzer or get them to call. And yes it is older guests who think it does not apply to them. They are the messiest too, and the " posher" they are the worse the mess. I seem to get treated in a condescending way by some UK older guests who are taken aback that I am Australian. Lord knows, the empire has died but I get my 4 star reviews only from these types.

Maybe they thought you were the good lord...

when they repeatedly tried saying 

“Let there be light!” to no avail they were disappointed. 

No comment, You have to love those passive aggressive guests, they are always low IQ individuals! Just like the ones who do not read directions, then get narky, no phone call so I can help. I can anticipate a lot of things but I cannot read minds- yet! It is a shame you couldn't leave a no comment response just to see their reaction.