Won't take no for an answer

William428
Level 3
Manger, Norway

Won't take no for an answer

We've been hosting at our fjordside cabin for the last 5 years. It's a few hundred kilometres from us, so we host primarily during summer holidays and around weekends. Because of this, we have a 48 hours lead time on bookings, but guests can request arrival at shorter notice. When possible, we've accepted them.

 

Great experiences so far, but this weekend has been somewhat surreal. We were contacted by a guest on Friday afternoon asking for accommodation for 2 people from the next day. Even though it meant a change of plans, we were positive and pre-approved the request. We then heard nothing more and at 10pm had to ask if they were still planning to come the next day; it would still involve a 2 hour drive for us. At that point, the guest count was now reduced to 1 and it wasn't certain they could come at all as the didn't have a car or very much money. Could we wait til 11am the next day for their decision? OK, we agreed to wait.

 

11am came and went, and by 12 we withdrew the pre-approval. From then on, we had a further stream of requests for different days (Sunday to Wednesday, Tuesday to Friday, Sunday to Thursday), and always with an extra discount. We already had a 20% discount in place for those days and declined to go further down - despite hints that they would choose another cottage. By this stage, that would have been fine for us!

 

Late Saturday evening we agreed new dates and a price and sent a (final) special offer. Sunday morning comes the response that this is still too expensive after all. At this point, we say we can't host them and suggest they find another alternative. 10pm Sunday evening, they get back in touch to say they've left home regardless and have no accommodation, are lost in the fog, are 3 hours from us and can we help find them somewhere to stay! We have to decline, having returned home and are not some sort of emergency service. This morning they get in touch again asking for accommodation - despite our previous, very clear, messages that we cannot accept a booking on a weekday!

 

We always try to do what we can to help guests, but have never experienced so much from someone who we have given special offers to, changed our plans for, are obviously too expensive for - but for whom we must somehow sort out all their problems. All for nothing! 

 

In short, is there someone to block further communciation? It seems that saying "No, sorry, we cannot accommodate you" doesn't always work!

3 Replies 3
Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

Call Airbnb ask them to block the guest.  Be prepared to wait on the phone. @William428 

 

You can also report the guest's profile.

 

You can also confirm to this person that you won't be able to communicate with them further....then don't.

Robin4
Top Contributor
Mount Barker, Australia

@William428 

Wow, you have dodged a bullet here William, guests with requests invariably turn out to be poor quality guests to host. They aren't like a fine bottle of wine, they don't improve. 

To stop any further communication with this guest, on the bottom of their profile page you will see a field which says....'Report this Profile', hit that field and you will be prompted to give a reason why you have reported the user. State the user would not accept your house and listing rules and you do not feel comfortable hosting this guest. 

At that point the user will be blocked and not be able to contact you again!

 

Cheers........Rob

Inna22
Level 10
Chicago, IL

@William428 you have communicated for way longer than I ever would have. I do not think you should reply to this person any more. At all. Not matter what they say. Even if they are in front of your cabin and offer triple in cash.