I just heard about the Revenge Review reversal and put in a request to have a revenge review removed from 2019.
In my case, the guests (a group of around 10-12 people,) refused to leave at the agreed- upon time (I had told them they could spend an extra TWO hours after check out, but apparently that wasn't generous enough for them.) When our crew arrived at the home they saw all the cars still in the driveway and waited for them to leave. (Assuming they were collecting up the last of their belongings.) After 15, 20, almost 30 minutes, they was still no movement from them, so my crew went into the home and were stunned to find not only had they not packed up, but they were just sitting down for their lunch. They told my crew they had to eat first and then they would pack up and leave. To make matters worse, the house was a mess, especially the kitchen, where curry was spilled and smeared all over the floors, cabinets, counters, and even the slider door window. My crew told them they needed to collect their belongings very quickly and leave the home. The guests brushed them off. My crew called me and I messaged the guests and then Airbnb to let them know what was going on. I believe Airbnb contacted them, but they still weren't leaving, still telling my crew they needed to finish eating. At that point, my crew told them they were going to call the police. It was only then that they got up from the 3 different tables and went to pack their bags and leave... Then the guests had the audacity to make nonsensical claims of one of my crew members "hitting" someone's fingers and "yelling and cursing at them"... which of course was ridiculous. Later that day, the guests left a 1 Star Review. Writing in the Review:
"House and Owner was good and helpful but we experienced the worse check out ever caused by one of the crew."
We have NEVER received a 1 Star rating, the lowest being the occasional 4 Star. Of course, that 1 Star Review sent my rating plummeting to the ground. My listings are very large and don't get rented out several times a week, but rather several times a month, so we don't get a chance for loads of reviews. This has really hurt my business.
I contacted Airbnb and asked them to remove the review, but it was clearly left as revenge for being asked to leave the home and threatening to call the police, but Airbnb said they could not remove it because (under the old Airbnb review rules,) they said the Guest had followed the rules.
Needless to say, I was thrilled to learn about Airbnb's new "Revenge Review" policy, as that review was CLEARLY written out of revenge and was not an honest and truthful review.
My claim has been submitted to Airbnb today, we'll see how it goes.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
