The New Black. Adjusting to the Down Season.

[Paul154]

What a whirlwind this summer has been.. 3 months of non-stop popularity,

I could do no wrong. People just booked without asking questions. People checked in, only to turn around and go out to see the sites. Besides a bed, fresh linens and a shower, guests had no other needs.

Hubris - I must be a great host.

Wrong!

Already the crazies are coming out. The endless questions, the small complaints, the requests for discounts…  

The market is like a big on/off switch.

How do I adjust? My neuroses are coming out. Guilt at not providing the perfect stay. The worry of choosing the correct price point  (people who don’t book my place don’t tell me their reasons, so how do I know?), the fear of getting manipulated.  .

Summer - it was great while it lasted.

[Marit-Anne0]

@Paul154

Time to take a holiday perhaps 🙂  Buyers market is not so fun and teasing tourists out in the rain is even less fun !

Never had the issues you mention since I turned on Instant Book though.  Very few find the way to the "contact host" button at the end of the page.

[Christine615]

I'm learning that guests that ask for discounts right away will be trouble. Also those with endless questions before they book. Thank goodness most of those don't book in the end. I'm currently getting questions about whether I have stairs (my listing clearly says second floor, no elevator, must climb stairs), or whether I have a TV (2 shown in photos, plus it is in the listing).  One person cancelled 2 of her 3 days a week before, then left me a beautiful review, but told Airbnb that I had not disclosed "noise". Since we're on a quiet residential street and I live a block away, I can attest there is no noise. She won't answer my query about what noise she is referring to but luckily my other reviews talk about how wonderful and quiet the apartment is.

So just say no. If your instinct sets off alarms, pay attention and decline the booking. IMHO.

But yes - a lot of entitled people out there. Luckily most of my bookings have been a joy.

[Rosemary18]

Most of my bookings have been a joy too. You are right in trusting your instincts. Those with endless questions and those asking for a reduced rate are big flags. !! Thanks for sharing.

[Lori125]

I have so many guest requesting to pay cash ! I basically get cash from air b n b ! I don't understand why they want to pay cash and I absolutely will not and then they don't book ! I M thinking huge red flag trying to stay for free some how ! 

[Alanah1]

I have just started hosting - but have had no bookings yet. But have had a request for a booking with a cash payment - how does that work through Airbnb? 

[Kelly149]

@Alanah1 bad question from guest, not bad question from you!

[Kelly149]

@Alanah1 it doesn't. There is no such thing as a cash ABB payment.

They pay ABB, ABB pays you. The guest never gives you anything

This is a bad question. -- a bad question from the guest. Red Flag. No

[Alanah1]

Thanks so much Kelly - that's what I thought. But it looks like they are also first time Airbnb users.

I will suggest they contact Airbnb for advice.

Kind regards,

Alanah

[Jenny290]

Hi Im new to hosting Airbnb although we have used it over the last 5 years.

 Could you answer a question for me please if you can.

I have had a pre-booking for a couple and excepted without really checking his profile, it says that he has 3 verification, email and facebook, Im not sure is that enough ? I cant read any other info about him, so I have mailed him to ask for more details and have had no reply, that was 5 days ago.  Now I have a pre-booking for 2 girls and again no profile to check, is this normail ? do you just trust that airbnb make the checks the girls are members since March 2017 and the couple since 2016

How do you check on people beforehand

Best Regards Jen 

[Robert-and-Becky0]

A reply for Jenny asking how to check up on prospective guests before they arrive.   Two possibilities are Facebook profiles and Google Earth.  Reading one's profile and checking their pictures can tell you a lot.  If their home is pictured on Google Earth that can also tell you part of their story.  Once you have someone's full name, usually after the request is acepted "White Pages" can provide an address.

[Marit-Anne0]

@Jenny290

You have Instant Book enabled, so anyone sending requests are likely NOT to meet your booking requirements.  Declining would be my advice.  

[Gail94]

I totally agree with your comment about trusting your gut feeling, I study their profile picture and what they write about themselves. Also if they ask a lot of questions when it's all in the profile, I get really frustrated at that, so I'm glad I'm not alone. I just refuse point blank now as I know they will probably not book anyway

[Welcome0]

Yes, @Gail94 !  The only way to make a decision is to go by the gut. Since I have IB, I usually approve it right away and follow up with an attempt to find out the purpose of their trip. How many people?  If you receive no answer or the  answers are vague, that gives you a clue of possibly more people crashing at the last minute. I have frequent wedding party guests. Their usual excuse: " Well, I don't know when or if some of them will arrive by plane, train, etc." If there is too much confusion on  number of people, etc., it's going to be messy. I went through one of these neurotic family weddings! Parents were divorced, slept in separate bedrooms; sister on crutches due to a fall. She had her own crisis with a boyfriend and family. If you really do not want them to stay, It's best to encourage the guest to cancel the booking. Usually, the other guests do not know the House Rules.  The main guest fails to explain details to the other guests to separate the garbage, lock the door at night, hang up the towels, etc.

We can never rely on a guests reviews. Some of it sounds set up and phony. If a guest starts haggling with me on fee issues after I have approved it, it turns me off right away. Their arrogance means trouble  during the stay. I'd rather cancel it! We always give so much more in return.  Most of the problems stem from the guest not reading the House Rules and House Manual. Or the guest's lack of common sense! Their FB page is an excellent source to route out  the gems from the fakes. 

[Jos5]

I would never cancel a booking. I did after I rang 30 minutes after they booked to let them know that maintenance was planned but I hadn't blocked the dates yet.  They were happy enough. When I cancelled so they would not pay a fee I was banned for 12 months from becoming a superhost which I had been working so hard to get.  Boy did I regret cancelling the guests booking - I should have put the maintenance off.....