Potential guests with no reviews or profile

[Sarah883]

Hi there,

I have recently had three potentail bookings, all from people with no profile information and no reviews.

I'm wondering what other hosts do in this situation?

Thanks!

Sara

[Rachel238]

you've resolved the issues by now, since I see you posted two months ago.

That said, I got two, similar instant-bookings (1 trip, 0 reviews) and I have my Instant-booking settings at must have * identity verified and *good track record.   Apparently "good track record" now means no negative reviews  (and no track record, in the normal sense of the word, ie repeat history, is necessary) 😕 .   I also remember the one awful guest I had several years ago, airbnb suggested neither of us review the other... so when I see zero reviews, I think "not good."

Now that the definition of "good track record" (odd as it is) is clarified, and I'm clear that my settings were wrong, I'm frustrated, and have simply turned off Instant-book for everyone.  I suggested that airbnb fine-tune the "good track record" definition, or offer a couple levels we can opt in/out of, rather than having to turn off Instant-book.

re: your ratings, call customer service, ask about the odd instant-book that you didn't expect.  Say something like, "since the person has no track record, has no reviews nor profile info, I feel unsafe having them come to my place." (safety is a powerful word) and " how do I cancel the booking without it affecting my ratings, since this person instant booked and doesn't seem to follow the guidelines?

That said, sometimes I've had new-to-the-platform bookings, we exchanged a few messages, and the visit turned out great.  But them providing some info and sense of their character is key.

good luck next time.

[Selma30]

It has beennhappening a lot recently. I declined at least 2 nonprofile or reviews. Is this the standard now? Why airbnb allow it? I thought they filter people.who join. Someone can be 0 review but no profile is unacceptable. Then they request a room by just sending a message I will be arriving on xx at xx time. They do not imtroduce themselves or say the purpose of visit...who they are or what they do...even out od courtesy. For several reasons i dont feel.comfortable and cannot accept them

[Michelle92]

I  am no longer using the Airbnb platform for my rentals.

They do not protect the property owner if a  dispute arises. The insurance only pays out as secondary insurance after your homeowner's policy claim has been filed.

They have gutted my local neighborhood because of state lobbying. As a result, we cannot regulate locally, and now have over 2000 Airbnbs operating in a  small coastal suburban area.

Imagine fireworks each night, garbage bins overflowing,  cars doing donuts late at night, and gunshots when the parties get crazy. This is South Florida and police are overwhelmed.

[Nicole3011]

Which platform are you using?

[Gian-Marco9]

I have the same, how did you handle it? I’m truly worried. Some had a profile since 2016 with no trips 

[Stephen1004]

You have to be ready to decline the reservation.  Like Sara says,,,

I agree with  @Debra300 .    Communication between a guest with no reviews  and hosts is extremely important! As someone else noted, a guest has to start somewhere. To date, I have been lucky, even with LTRs with 0 or 1 review. But i had several conversations via Airbnb messaging to get a feel for them and to ask their reason for visiting the area, confirming that the space can only accommodate 2 ppl max, and asking them to read my house rules and agree in writing to following them. 

Also James, don’t forget, even a person with good reviews can turn out to be a very disappointing guest. 

But the most important thing is to always, always follow your gut instinct. 

[James3621]

Deny their reservation, no reviews is a red flag. You don't need a reason but I would just say, "we don't accept reservations for guests with no reviews"

[Wilbur5]

What if they just signed up....like me? Pretty unfair.

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Wilbur5 I totally agree with you. We have never seen any difference in guest quality between those with no reviews and those with many. After all every guest (and host) on Airbnb had zero reviews at some point.

[Debra300]

@Wilbur5,

We accept newbies.  They need to start somewhere, but the vetting process is pretty thorough, because we want to make sure that they understand what they are renting, the cancellation policy, and setting their expectations for both guest and host conduct.  

[Gwen386 · Accepted solution]

I agree with  @Debra300 .    Communication between a guest with no reviews  and hosts is extremely important! As someone else noted, a guest has to start somewhere. To date, I have been lucky, even with LTRs with 0 or 1 review. But i had several conversations via Airbnb messaging to get a feel for them and to ask their reason for visiting the area, confirming that the space can only accommodate 2 ppl max, and asking them to read my house rules and agree in writing to following them. 

Also James, don’t forget, even a person with good reviews can turn out to be a very disappointing guest. 

But the most important thing is to always, always follow your gut instinct. 

[Stephen1004]

Thank you!

[Aiden51]

I’m currently in the same boat. I contacted Airbnb support and they were super helpful. They suggested to book through an ‘instant book’ place and even sent me some options in the area I was having trouble finding a place in. 

[M280]

Accepted a booking with a guest with 11 trips and no reviews and.... a truly nightmare!  After being asked to mention their expected arrival hour, no answer came for her after more than a month, then at the check-in day send a message by 16:00, telling she was arriving around midnight, when the check-in hour is set between 16:00 and 21:00. (I've made hundred's of check-ins after those hours, even by 4 am, but always after talking and managing things before with the guest).

This particular guest, after my message by 16:00, telling her that it would be difficult to do the check-in after 21:00, ignored my message and by midnight send a message wanting to come in, imposing her own rules and making me wonder  what would come next!

So..., trips without reviews mean problems. Every host have pleasure to write a review, when things go well and almost everything hosts know that, so Airbnb should share this concept in it's policies. No reviews, no instant bookings, no stress! Hosts have souls 🙂

[Mark4168]

I just had a guest who has been on airbnb since 2017 with no reviews and he said that he has never stayed in a airbnb before. He said he is from Turkey and asked to stay 28 days. When I asked him why he wanted to stay in this area and for profile info he didn't answer. Very odd. He has no picture so I have nothing to guage on whether I should okay his stay. I live in the house so I have to be careful. Any thoughts on this?