Why would someone not have any reviews in 4 years?

[Robin831]

So someone is inquiring about our lake home. They’ve been a member since 2016 and don’t have a single review. Under their inquiry it gave me the option to accept or decline. Most of our other bookings don’t have that. Is there something I’m missing here?

[Linda108]

You have an inquiry not a booking request, right?  You can choose to accept or decline but it is not required.  Just respond by asking the question, "I see you have been a member for the last 4 years but there are no reviews.  Did you stay at other Air BNB's?"  Sometimes I have seen people who signed up for Air BNB, but were never the booking guest so no review.

[Sarah977]

@Robin831  I've had several of these. 

1. Had joined with the intention of travelling, but plans fell through.

2. Had had a couple of previous Airbnb stays, but their hosts hadn't bothered to submit a review.

3. Had stayed at Airbnbs before, but under her husband's account. She also said she just liked to peruse the listings- "armchair travel"- kind of like people reading travel magazines.

All these guest turned out to be lovely. But I do ask them about the lack of reviews when I see that. I'll work it into a message about other things, so it doesn't seem like I'm putting them on the spot."Just curious- I see you've been a member since 2017, but don't have any reviews- what's up with that?"

I will also say that these guests all had good communication skills, and sent a friendly and informative initial message- I have a pretty good sense of someone from the way they communicate.

There is one reason for no reviews of a long-standing account that is worth being aware of- they may have been a bad guest and the past hosts may have been one of those who simply declines to leave a review to warn other hosts because they can't handle writing a bad review. Communication with guests is one of the best ways to get a sense of whether someone is an "accept" or "decline", IMO.

[Sarah977]

@Robin831  P.S. An Inquiry has the options to Pre-approve or Decline. But you don't have to do either of those. You can simply message back- this fulfiils your obligation and doesn't affect your stats.

A Booking Request has the options to Accept or Decline. You have to do one or the other within 24 hours, but there's nothing stopping you from exchanging messages with the guest before the clock runs out.

It's important to understand the difference between an Inquiry and a Request, because they are handled differently.

[Anonymous]

@Robin831 My experience as a guest has been that about a third of hosts don't submit reviews. Is there something else about this request that you find suspicious?

[Robin831]

No nothing suspicious! We’ve been conversing all afternoon and I did accept! I was just curious. We just started AirB&B in September so sometimes things come up and make me wonder why this or that lol. Thank you!

[Sarah977]

@Robin831  It's always good to get other host's feedback. Some things are definitely red flags, this one not necessarily.

[Lisa723]

@Robin831 your instant-book options may be set up to allow only guests with previous positive reviews to book.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/484/how-can-i-control-which-reservations-i-get-with-instant-book

[Robin831]

Thank you! I will check that out! 

[Helen427]

Hello @Robin831 

Just because a person has no reviews and has been a member means zilch.

Lots of people have joined ABB, as they do other online platforms or databases, and may not have used it for whatever reason.

Perhaps they have wanted a holiday away for 4 years and haven't been able to for whatever reason.

Holiday plans are made by people with goals in mind at times years in advance, think people who travel overseas for a year or have a dream to see xyz in their lifetime.  

There's people who may have joined and simply had a browse out of curiosity.

 I'm sure like most people in the world they simply want a break from all the Covid19 carry on and to relax away from the stress of it all.

Keep communication open and friendly, chances are you will have a person who was just like you, and others, when we first joined ABB.

Above all, make them feel welcome, you can always check their backgrounds online after they have booked to ensure peace of mind that you have made the right decision welcoming them into your home .

All the best

Central To All Home & Location

Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand