Unfair review

[Gene745]

Hi Bnb community,  this is my first time here and posting, I have been doing bnb for under a year, I am feeling really like I can't be bothered anymore as I had a elderly couple for art deco, I realised I charged really low, they asked for cacli milk and symbio yogurt,  special butter, I got all this in, i also drove them into town  picked them up several times which they texted me to do, then with their review, they marked me low because they said there was a spider in the shower and a black hair in the shower  , I feel so pissed off, it feels so unfair when I went above and beyond for these folk, the thing is I put my review down as excellent for them and now I can't change it, has anyone else has these experiences? Gene

[Sarah977]

@Gene745  Why on earth did you leave these people an excellent review when it sounds like they were a royal pain in the arse and didn't appreciate anything you did for them? Reviews are meant to be honest- they are for the benefit of other hosts to know if this is a guest they should accept or not. And an excellent review is a reward for a guest who indeed, was excellent. Reviews aren't something that is tit-for tat- you write me a great review and I'll write you one- that makes reviews worse than useless.

If you write honest reviews going forward, you'll have no reason to regret them.

And don't bend over backwards to do things for demanding, entitled guests- it won't result in a good review, because these kinds of people never leave good reviews, it will only result in you feeling used and taken for granted. Nothing wrong with doing something nice for guests who have proven themselves to be nice and appreciative, but not the complainers and demanders.

[Luana130]

Here is where I stand... If you give them a hand they will take an arm... I offer what I offer, nothing more, I do not take requests for extras from guests. And usually the ones that give you the most troubke are the worst guests os complaints. It is better to draw a line.

[Ange2]

@Gene745    You can ask Airbnb to remove the review you wrote. I did it once and Airbnb was happy to oblige.  A note of caution: only bend over backwards if you don't expect a reward for it.  In my experience people who expect (demand) favors/extras will complain whether they get them or not,  it's what they do.

Also, realize that many guests do not know how badly star ratings impact hosts and not everyone is aware of how vicious online can be, or that the norm is now to see criticism as an attack (and businesses like Airbnb use this as a blunt instrument for their ends), when not so long ago it used to be viewed as constructive even helpful.

[Sandra126]

@Gene745 , 4.94 average,  well done. Even the review from this couple was good, they must have left private feedback? However, with your response you have highlighted the issues.  Be aware that hosts don't read that, but future guests will.

[Gene745]

Sandra yes they did leave private feedback , yes good point I will see if I can get my comments removed,  thank you 

[Gene745]

Thank you bnb hosts for this feedback, I put my review in before they complained to me and I could not change it,  they were demanding but the real nasty attack came after the time for changing the review was closed, I agree with the comment if you have a little they take a lot, it put me off doing bnb with these folk 

[Sarah977]

@Gene745  But you did indicate that these folks were constantly asking for special treatment and favors during their stay, as if you were their own personal valet. So that could have been mentioned in the review, even if the complaints didn't come until after.

It's frequently reported on this forum that elderly guests often have no idea what an Airbnb is and what can be expected from the host (only what is offered in the ad) and what the expectations are regarding guest behavior. They have likely never stayed in an Airbnb before and are only accustommed to hotels or traditional Bed and Breakfasts. They are also often not very adaptable unless they are people who travel a lot. They're old and set in their ways and tend to be fussy. So it's important to be very clear with them from the beginning.

[Gene745]

Sarah977 that is a awesome reply and great information, yes they never used bnb before and obviously were expecting a lot but the thing is , they paid far less than I should hv charged, I have now changed my information,  I used to say tell me if you are vegan I will get in what you need ,it had put me off helping,  entilled people. Thank you for your reply