Uneasy when I receive a requst

[Zacharias0]

Ever since Airbnb removed the photos from inquiring guests a sense of unease overcomes me when I receive an inquiry or instant booking. I know many others feel the same and  honestly the feeling never goes away. Its something about the fear of the unknown and then having to live with the person that becomes terrifying. I received a request from a guest and noticed they provided Airbnb four verifications: email, phone number, government ID and work e-mail but the host isn't provided ANY of that. In fact, it'll take a court order to even get that information unless the guest willingly provides it.

The guest does have the option of providing a paragraph about themselves but lately NO ONE is filling it out. Its the worst when all you have to rely on is previous guest reviews when basing your decision on if you want someone to become a roommate for a few days to a few weeks. I tell guests to provide reasons for their stay because I have a one month minimum and people arent forthcoming with information either. Im never sure how to ask nicely: Im looking for inquiries from people who work full time or will be occupied and out of the house at least 40 hours a week. This statement only applies to people who choose not to provide any reason for visiting that would logically keep them out of the house more time than not.

[Sarah977]

@Geri26  You can still see a guest's reviews if you don't use IB. Click on that circle with the letter in it that used to contain the guest's photo, to the left of your message stream with them. That will take you to their profile page. If there's no reviews visible there, it means they don't have any.

[Cindy84]

Sarah I've had a few that have no reviews.  That leaves you pretty much in the dark 😞 

[Susan151]

@Geri26 I can still see reviews, the profile narrative [though no one is doing those these days,] where they are from, and which verifications their profile has accumulated during the inquiry process. I am surprised that you are unable to see all of this information. I am one of the hosts who doesn't worry about photos, but does want to see their reviews.

[Geri26]

@Susan151I have been using Airbnb successfully for over 12 months in 2 spaces in my home so have been 'privy' to the changes that have been made this year.  While my bookings have dropped off, my concern is that now I have turned off IB, the options for Guest Requirements clearly state:

Government issued ID - INSTANT BOOK ONLY

Recommendation from other hosts INSTANT BOOK ONLY

Guest trip information INSTANT BOOK ONLY

So, yes, I have always looked at reviews in the past when they were available, but I no longer have the option to do this with no IB

[Sarah977]

@Geri26  Did you not read the responses above? Just because a guest doesn't IB doesn't mean you can't see their profile write-up and reviews before approving them. Those are available to see when you receive an request.

[Geri26]

Hi Susan (I cant tag you, sorry)  Yes I did read the reply and I do know how to check profiles and for reviews when a guest has booked.  But when I look at the booking settings for my listing it says in big block letters that ID, recommendations etc are not available unless IB is on.  Perhaps if others looked at their booking settings too to see what is available for them it might be clearer what I am concerned about.

[Sarah977]

@Geri26  I think you tagged Susan instead of me. Yes, I have never used IB myself, so I'm well aware that those requirements can't be checked unless you use IB. So I use a combination of reading a guest's reviews, if they have any, reading their profile write-up, if they have one, and the tone and content of their messages to get a sense of who they are and whether they'll be a good fit. If I feel that they haven't provided enough info to make me comfortable, I'll ask for more.

Of course I'm upset about no longer seeing profile photos until after accepting a booking, no more thumbs up or down, no more recommendations visible. It's outrageous and disrespectful of Airbnb to keep taking away host vetting tools, but I'm dealing with it as best I can and have never had an objectionable guest (I consider that partly luck, partly the nature of my listing attracting a certain type of guest, partly how I direct the messaging conversation).

If Airbnb keeps going in this direction, expecting hosts to accept every guest, and making sure we do so by removing all vetting tools, I'll be looking for another way to carry on hosting, or quit entirely.

[Karen452]

I understand why this is done. Airbnb might want to stop hosts from discriminating against guests. But, as a woman I feel unsafe not being able to see a picture of a guest before they book. As a person of color, I also think this is backwards and counterintuitive and potentially dangerous. Why in the world would I want to stay with a host who us prejudiced or racism? The host can’t see my picture. I book. I show up and the entire time the host  is rude, strange, and hostile toward me. I would actually feel unsafe and fear for my safety if I were staying with someone who didn’t want me in their home because of my ethnicity.  This new policy has good intentions, but is a very bad idea and makes everyone unsafe. Airbnb needs to return the pictures and just ban hosts who show a pattern of discrimination or who have blatantly discriminated against guests. 

[Shahid3]

I totally agree Air BnB decision on this matter very very wrong.

It makes host vulnerable and become a prey of this culprits.

We need some kind of security and possibly back ground check

[Cindy84]

I couldn't agree more!  I do long term only and usually ask the guest what brings them to Atlanta.  Usually I get summer interns; sometimes people on temp assignments.  If someone has no feedback and can't give me a straight answer as to whether they're coming on vacation or for work;  I won't accept.  

[Lesley1]

First time commenting but I found that not using instant book gives me more control - especially now we can’t see who is making the request . I rent out my entire  home, not a shared space or holiday apartment, so it’s very important to me that I’m confident accepting a booking as I’m not on site after they check in. I hate not knowing much about the guests and some are not very forthcoming with trip details and this at least allows me to ask  questions until I feel like I understand more about them and their trip. It’s not fool proof but works for me. I’ve not accepted a lot of teenagers who try and book my place for the Australian version of Spring break. Often doing it in a sneaky way. If I had IB I would have my house overrun by drunk partying 18 year olds every November! I tell anyone asking me about ABB to keep IB switched off. I still get loads of enquiries too. As a frequent ABB guest I look at all options and not just those that have IB. I never search using that option. I honestly think IB is more beneficial to the guest than the host. 

[Mark5]

I'm glad that at least Airbnb lets you cancel the RSVP if there is not a clear photo. I have used this yet... has anyone else tried it?