blocking a user from future bookings

[Kevin1855]

Hello,

I had a recent guest that i'd like to make sure they never book with me again.  It appears the only way to block someone is because they were offensive. 

I was offended by the way they left the property upon check out but I think AirBnB defines offensive in a verbal or threatening manner.

I've reached out to the guest for feedback before I write a review but regardless of how they respond, I want to make sure I never have to deal with them again.  How do I do that?

Thanks and please advise.

[Anonymous]

@Kevin1855  If you thumbs-down "would host again," it blocks the person from Instant-Booking your listings, but they might still be able to send a request. If you write an honest review saying in actual words that you would not host the guest again, it's extremely unlikely that they'll still attempt to re-book anyway, though there's nothing to stop them being a member of someone else's group.

But  sure, you can still use the Block User procedure and define "offensive" in your own way. It won't affect the guest's ability to book other listings.

[Kevin1855]

Thank you, Andrew - VERY helpful.  I want to give them the benefit of doubt with a chance to respond to my inquiry before i write a review; but still, I don't want them back as guests.

Thanks again,

[Jenny]

Hi @Kevin1855 

I'm sorry to hear that you've had a negative experience - did you receive a response from the guests?

Jenny

[Kevin1855]

Hello Jenny,

I have not - I continue to wait for a reply from my message to them.  I will do so up to the last day of being able to review them.  Thank you, 

[Huma0]

@Kevin1855 

It's annoying that Airbnb only gives the 'they're being offensive' option for blocking guests. I do not know why that is, but it's unfortunately how it is, so go ahead and select this.

I spoke to CS about a guest who I had turned away (due to a shockingly bad review + awful communication) who then tried to book again using a different profile with no reviews. The second request was flagged by Airbnb as suspicious. The rep told me to report and block the guest specifically by choosing the 'offensive' option even though it had nothing to do with that, because it is the only option available. 

I wouldn't worry too much about it or feel guilty about it if the guest behaved badly in some other way. It doesn't appear that Airbnb necessarily do anything about it when you select that option. The guest I mentioned still has both profiles active on the platform (both shown as verified by Airbnb, even though it's against their own policy for a guest to have multiple profiles) and she has been able to book with another host using the second, 'fake', profile.

[Kevin1855]

Hello Huma0 🙂

Yah, it's unfortunate and it stinks.   I had a guest last year that had intentions of subletting my space (!).  When I learned they were not actually going to stay at my place but was booking for another party, I immediately cancelled the resy and reported them - but AirBnB did not kick them off the platform.  I was surprised by that.  

And even when you indicate if you would host them again [or not], it's not publicized on the guest profile; nor are they even made aware.  The only thing it does is block them from booking with you again under that profile. 

I really don't want to see another host to experience what I went through....but at the same time, if i leave a negative review AND write in the review that I would not host them again, am i setting myself of for a spite reservation under another profile?  

Overall, i've been pleased with AirBnB.  But i've had a few experiences that I feel AirBnB could have done more to prevent bad situations in the future. 

Thanks for your feedback,

[Huma0]

---

@Kevin1855 wrote:

I really don't want to see another host to experience what I went through....but at the same time, if i leave a negative review AND write in the review that I would not host them again, am i setting myself of for a spite reservation under another profile?  

---

While that is possible, I think in most cases, it's unlikely. Most sane people would not try to book again with a host who gave them a bad review. It sounds like the problem with this guest is that they left your listing a state, rather than they seemed nuts?

In terms of warning other hosts, you can also leave low star ratings, especially for cleanliness, which other hosts will be able to see unless that guest already has a lot of 5* ratings, but I would say it's better to leave an honest review as well.