Question-Haven't had this before

[Summer64]

Hi All!

Had a guest come in last evening. He and his girlfriend booked my room until Monday.

I was eating dinner, so said 'hi'. His cousin, her dog, and another person followed them in and went into the room with him. (My rules state no animals and no guests not on reservation, but I didn't say anything, just greeted them). They all only stayed a few minutes. He changed clothes and then I was upstairs when they left. However, my Ring Doorbell picked up the activity and while he left his car parked in front of my house, he put a small suitcase in the other car and he and his girlfriend got in and left with the other 2.

THe door to the room is closed. My ring never picked them up coming back in, and when I went to check the mail, the blinds (which I leave open when guests check in) were still open from yesterday. I haven't heard a sound. I don't think they slept here last night.

I've seen other posts where guests come in, leave, then after their check out time, they call Airbnb for a refund for some reason or another.

I'm worried that he decided to stay with his cousin and that he isn't going to cancel/modify, just demand a refund later.

Is there anything I should do to be proactive in this case to possibly avoid that situation? If that's the plan?

[Colleen253]

@Summer64 I wouldn't reach too far with worst case scenarios. But you might message the guest and just ask if everything is satisfactory with the accomodation, as you notice they haven't returned since checking in. If the guest replies all is good, then great. That's on the record. If no answer, then it's also on record that you asked.

https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/2868/airbnb-guest-refund-policy

[Summer64]

Thanks! Will do that!

[Michelle53]

@Summer64   I had a guest book for a long weekend, and check in on the first evening. He was coming into town for work, but also visiting a former significant other. 

I always send a "How are things going?" message the morning after check-in. He just said everything was good. 

I also have a ring doorbell, and did not see him come back after that. I am guessing they had a reconciliation. He was decent enough to check out on time, and not request any refund for nights not stayed. 

[Linda108]

It is possible your place was a plan B in case something didn't go as planned.  I agree with @Colleen253 you should message the guest.  Keep us posted as to what happens, please.

[Summer64]

Well.....Ladies. Here's what happened. 

I messaged him this morning. THis afternoon-after check in for today-he responds asking how he can get a refund. I told him he can go online and cancel or modify for at least Sunday nights refund. He goes online and modifies as if he checked out this morning instead....when it is too late to have another guest check in for today. I approve it, because I'm done with him, and he can still leave me a bad review. I don't want to argue and draw this out until I can't have my calendar free for tomorrow either. I go down to the room and open the door. I never do that while I have guests stay, but in this case, he checked out this morning at this point, so the room isn't his. None of his stuff is there....so I gather he knew last night he wasn't staying. HIs car is STILL parked outside my home. I go back inside and tell him that since he isn't paying for tonight either, he has to move his car. He leaves me a review, and says he'll move it in an hour. 4 hours later, it is still there. Since he's already left me a review-I message him again, explaining that he needs to move his car because anyone that stays at my home expects to be able to park, and I'm trying to get these nights booked since his lack of communication has already lost me money.

I normally am sweet and gracious on my reviews. Letting the other hosts know if there are problems, but in diplomatic ways. Not this time. I can't wait to write a review on this guy.

[Colleen253]

Ugh, @Summer64  what a tool. The nerve, asking for a refund. At least having sent him a message, you got an answer sooner, as he wasn't going to be up front about what was going on.  No reason for him to leave you a bad review, but he can edit his up to 48 hours if you don't do yours right away. Just fyi.

[Michelle53]

@Colleen253  Looks like my response crossed yours in the ether 😉

[Michelle53]

@Summer64  A factual review from you would be good, in this case. You've already communicated with him since he wrote his review, but he does have up to 48 hours to edit his review if you haven't posted yours yet.  He likely doesn't know that, though. 

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/367/editing-a-review-you-wrote

[Summer64]

Haha...good to know. The car is STILL out there. So, I guess I better write his review before I message him and tell him if he doesn't pick it up, I'm going to call and have it towed or ticketed as an abandoned vehicle? LOL. Right now, if another guest booked for tonight, they couldn't park in front of my home because of his car. 

[Colleen253]

@Summer64 Yep get that review done. Then deal with the car in whatever way suits you best. I would not give this guy any further consideration, myself.