Strange reviews by a Guests

[Cam4488]

Hello fellow Hosts,

Thanks to most of my Guests leaving 5 🍁 (sweeter than a five star 😆 #elbowsupcanada), I've been granted Superhost Status here in Manitoba, Canada 🇨🇦 .

However my last Guest left a strange review, in their review they stated "We misread the directions" and then only gave me a 3/5 for directions.

So I was hoping to hear if you have also had reviews that make you ask "What?" 🤔 

Looking forward to reading your replies.

Thanks in advance,

Cam

[Martha-Jetty0 · Accepted solution]

@Martha-Jetty0 Yes, simetimes this happens. People can be strange. I always get 5 stars forr everything. A month ago somebody gave me a 3 for the lication. Alrhoufh the location is well mentioned, in the middle of nature.  It is not nice but sime just can not be positive. Believe in yourself and your concept. Kind rwgards Martha

[Cam4488]

Martha,

vielen Dank für deine Antwort.

Ich freue mich, dass du normalerweise 5 Sterne bekommst. Das ist es, was wir alle als Gastgeber anstreben sollten.

Leider finden manche Leute selbst bei klaren Erklärungen immer noch einen Weg, weniger positiv zu sein.

Mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut, deshalb hoffe ich, dass Google Translate gute Arbeit geleistet hat.

Alles Gute, Cam

--

Martha,

many thanks for your response.

I'm glad you usually get 5 stars. That's what we should all strive for as hosts.

Unfortunately, even with clear explanations, some people still find a way to be less positive.

My German isn't very good, so I hope Google Translate did a good job.

All the best, Cam

[Google translation added by OCM]

[Martha-Jetty0]

@Cam4488 Your google German is great. Thanks for the effort. Verry kind of you! I am Dutch living in Germany, speaking Englisch, German, French, Dutch, Tagalog, spanisch and Italian.  Do not worry about 1 bad review. Those things happens. Regards Marjet

[Bhumika]

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful advice @Martha-Jetty0 with @Cam4488 ! 

Is your listing located in a country side or a forest area that gives guests a chance to explore peace and nature?

[Martha-Jetty0]

Yes my airbnb is in the middle of nature, woods, mountains located in the center of a village wirh 187 inhabitants. HOCH SAUERLAND GERMANY

[Bhumika]

Sounds so exciting @Martha-Jetty0 😍 I took a quick look at your listing photos and absolutely love them! 

After looking at the pictures, I was wondering do you offer breakfast options to guests?

[Cam4488]

@Martha-Jetty0 ,

Bedankt voor je reactie.

Hopelijk werkt mijn Google Dutch ook goed.

We zijn in contact gebleven met voormalige Airbnb-gasten in Nederland 🇳🇱 en ik hoop er ooit nog eens terug te kunnen komen.

Ik heb twee weken in België 🇧🇪 en de omliggende landen doorgebracht en dat was niet genoeg tijd.

Ooit zou ik mijn vrouw graag een aantal historische bezienswaardigheden laten zien.

Met vriendelijke groet,

Cam

[Google translation added by Community Manager]

Martha,

Thanks for your reply.

I hope my Google Dutch works well too.

We've stayed in touch with former Airbnb guests in the Netherlands 🇳🇱, and I hope to return someday.

I spent two weeks in Belgium 🇧🇪 and the surrounding countries, and that wasn't enough time.

Someday I'd love to show my wife some historical sights.

Sincerely,

Cam

[Cam4488]

[Google translation added by Community Manager]

[Martha-Jetty0]

@Cam4488 You and your wife are most Welcome. Love Canadians, they liberated Holland. Hoch Sauerland is beautifull. Lots of old towns, castles, middle age churches. If you like history and nature, this is the place to be. Closest airport is Dortmund Germany, Cologne or Padeborn. Start making plans, you have a free stay with me.

[Cam4488]

Martha,

Hartelijk dank voor je vriendelijke aanbod. Mijn grootvader (de vader van mijn moeder) maakte deel uit van het Royal Canadian Army Service Corps tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Zijn militaire dossier vermeldt niet precies waar hij zich in Europa bevond tijdens de oorlog, afgezien van de Campagnesterren (medailles).

Hij bracht 637 dagen in het buitenland door, het Verenigd Koninkrijk niet meegerekend.

Hij overleefde de oorlog en stierf toen ik vier jaar oud was.

Net als duizenden andere Canadese soldaten ontving hij de volgende militaire onderscheidingen: 1939-1945 Ster; Italië Ster; Frankrijk en Duitsland Ster; Defensiemedaille; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; Oorlogsmedaille 1939-1945.

Helaas...

Met vriendelijke groet,
Cam

[Google translation added by Community Manager]

Martha,

Thank you very much for your kind offer. My grandfather (my mother's father) served in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps during the Second World War. His military records don't specify his exact location in Europe during the war, aside from his campaign stars (medals).

He spent 637 days abroad, excluding the UK.

He survived the war and died when I was four years old.

Like thousands of other Canadian soldiers, he received the following military awards: 1939–45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939–45.

Unfortunately...

Kind regards,
Cam

[Bhumika]

Hi @Cam4488 , firstly, huge congrats on the Superhost status! 🍁 It can be indeed strange when you get one of those ratings that make you say "what"! The upside is most guests totally appreciate the effort, just like yours do with those amazing 4.98 ratings I just noticed on your host profile 😍

In the Community Center, hosts always advise on leaving a reply to reviews. Have you replied publicly yet to this specific review with any clarification of sorts?

[Bhumika]

@Cam4488 Since this is such an interesting topic, I would also love to invite a few hosts so we can get to hear their experiences as well! 

Hi  @Christine615 @Dr-Jayanthi1 @Dave-and-Deb0 @Oksana127 @John5097 , have you ever come across a similar review situation? If so, how do you deal with it?

Regards,

[Oksana127]

@Cam4488 Oh yes, you’re definitely not alone 😄

I once received 3 stars for “check-in / directions” because the guest had to step out of the car to open the parking gate before driving into the courtyard.

Apparently that was considered inconvenient.

Another time a guest mentioned something in the review that was clearly written in the instructions — but they admitted themselves that they simply hadn’t read it.

Sometimes I read a review and think: “Wait… what?”

But I guess this is part of hosting. Most guests are wonderful, and occasionally we get those reviews that make us smile and shake our heads at the same time.

[Frances3408]

@Cam4488 . You know the saying about pleasing all of the people all of the time, right?

I assume directions is part of Location rating? Location is one, very subjective and loaded rating imo. I have had people book who gave a 4 for location because it was too quiet. Others give 5 because it was so quiet 🤣

Others who complained electronic lock keypad didnt work properly with their long fingernails or they shouldnt have to press firmly.

But have another look at your directions and see if adding any more detail can help. I added solar number lights to the front fence as  council street lighting is limited due to consideration for the native wildlife (another thing guests either love or dont!)

I agree with @Martha-Jetty0 so have a good laugh and move on. 🙂

[Monique1298]

Hello, 

I too am a Super Host in Ottawa, Ontario 🇨🇦 and have received 1 review that said the housecleaning could have been better?? He gave me a 4.7 review. I reached out to the guest and asked what the problem was so I could rectify this going forward and he never responded.  I found it so strange since one of the remarks I receive most often from guests is how clean my place is.  I chalked it up to some people just won't give a perfect score no matter what. I guess we can't please everyone all of the time.