more local (Pittsburgh) resident new user blunders

Sammy35
Level 10
Pittsburgh, PA

more local (Pittsburgh) resident new user blunders

 

Claire6:26 AM
Hi I’m looking to check into a place on Tuesday. I know that area very well I would like to reserve your place I have cash though is there anyway I can meet you in person maybe today or tomorrow and give you cash for at least the first couple days I should have the rest by Wednesday but I can pay you half in cash first if that’s OK?my debit card was stolen and 2000 stolen so i had to reorder one

 

Claire6:38 AM
Please call me at + (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) im could also buy a prepos debit card
 

 

Pittsburgh Pads8:42 AM
Hi Claire, thank you for your inquiry. Please refer to all the booking requirements for this listing as noted in the listing details and photos. Thanks.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/209/why-should-i-pay-and-communicate-through-airbnb-directly

As noted in said listing details, new users without previous stays or reviews may be able to book the shared space listing for a few nights to ensure guest adherence to policies and house rules. If such a trial stay were properly booked and payed for on the airbnb platform, then reserving the entire place listing might be an option.
 
Special offer sent for private room shared space listing (not whole place)· 2 guests, Jul 28 - Jul 30 8:50 AM
*NOTE THIS IS NOT THE "WHOLE PLACE" LISTING YOU INQUIRED ABOUT, ITS A LOWER PRICED PRIVATE ROOM IN THE WHOLE PLACE LISTING FOR ONLY A PORTION (TWO DAY) OF THE (SEVEN DAY) STAY YOU REQUESTED USED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO POSSIBLY MEET YOUR MONEY/CARD ISSUE NEEDS

 

If this offer is of interest, please have your 2nd party (guest of guest) create a profile, VERIFY HIS IDENTITY, and attach it to this itinerary.

 

Claire9:58 AM
I’m going to be in your area in about two hours and I could give you the cash then what time is good for you?
 
Also I could do like half on a car and a half in cash whatever you prefer thank you
 
Claire10:13 AM
Before I make a profile for him did you say you’re able to meet me so I can pay you in cash for half of the week?

Claire9:58 AM
I’m going to be in your area in about two hours and I could give you the cash then what time is good for you?
 
Also I could do like half on a car and a half in cash whatever you prefer thank you
 
Claire10:13 AM
Before I make a profile for him did you say you’re able to meet me so I can pay you in cash for half of the week?
 


This is going to be my new cut and paste template.  I'm so tired of fielding these and trying to help these IDK whats...dodos?
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Pittsburgh Pads11:52 AM
Hi Claire,

Thanks for your response, sorry for my delayed one. Please consult the following links resent (cut and pasted) from the above message thread.

For more reasons than I can even state, (liability, risk, safety, security, compliance, circumvention, only to name a few) AirBnB requests that hosts report and then block profiles that request to pay in cash, offline, or that try to see a place before booking--even including when guest non compliance with that term is incidentally or unintentionally overlooked. As a host, I do not exercise that request profile/account reporting option unless such becomes absolutely necessary as I realize new users are learning the ins and outs, especially in these tough financial times.

GUEST REQUEST to MEET HOST BEFORE BOOKING
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/127/can-i-visit-a-place-to-stay-before-i-book

PAYMENT SECURITY
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/209/why-should-i-pay-and-communicate-through-airbnb-directly

VERIFYING GUESTS
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1237/how-does-it-work-when-airbnb-verifies-your-identity

ADDING GUESTS
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2369/how-do-i-add-or-remove-guests-on-my-itinerary

GUEST BOOKING HELP
https://www.airbnb.com/help/booking-and-traveling

GUEST GENERAL HELP/CUSTOMER SERVICE OPTIONS
https://www.airbnb.com/help/contact-us/about-reservation

I truly get that new Airbnb users don't fully understand terms of service conditions and policies for using the AirBnB platform. Users that even incidentally or accidentally fall out of compliance can be booted and banned from using the site--I will never let that happen to me. As such I can only request that you consult the above links that I resent (cut and pasted) from the message thread prior.

I wish all us hosts had enough time in our day to serve as personalized customer service new user booking agents--most/many of us do not.  We do what we can to help guide new users along to the best of our ability but I personally cannot guide every step of the new user platform education process.

Once you've had a chance to consult those links and/or customer service/help you are welcome to reach back out to proceed.   If not, from one resident to another, I wish you both best of luck for your search here in the local Pittsburgh area.

Thank you in advance for being a diligent and duly informed Airbnb account user.

Sincere Cheers!
Pittsburgh Pads
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like nikey: just do it
3 Replies 3
Sammy35
Level 10
Pittsburgh, PA

anyone feel like they're calling offshore call centers when you get asked questions that are completely in-congruent and irrelevant to previous "dialogue"

ignore everything i've typed to try to help you, ask your same question(s), AGAIN, that was already more appropriately addressed in previous and again in subsequent messages.  i use the word N-O NO all the time.  i don't like to deliver it in a professional environment (here...work...etc) especially in a place where anonymity creates all kinds of entitled karens and crummy escalated-for-no-reason behavior that can get a host trying to be helpful "reported" and then scolded with an all listings indefinite pause.

my bigger fear is that the general public is generally becoming more and more stupid 😞

~~~~~~~
like nikey: just do it
Sarah977
Level 10
Sayulita, Mexico

@Sammy35  I do agree that it appears that there is some sort of stupidity pandemic going on. Maybe some toxin in the environment that kills brain cells?

 

Aside from this guest Claire not understanding anything about Airbnb policy, it almost sounds to me as if she wasn't receiving any of your messages. That happens sometimes- hosts think guests are simply ignoring the messages, but in fact, they aren't getting them.

 

I think that creating a saved message for the bozos is a good idea, however what you posted here is far too wordy. It is written up as if you are communicating with someone who actually bothers to read, when they have already made it obvious that they are brain-dead. Pare that message down and word it as if you are speaking to a kindergartner if you wish it to be read.

 

I've looked at your listings before- they are cute and eclectic, just my style. But you are also far too wordy in your listing info. I can relate- I like to write and want to make everything crystal clear, but we have to understand guests in general have short attention spans, and sometimes feeble brains, so need to condense and simplify, while still getting the point across. Facts and rules, with few explanations.

Helen3
Top Contributor
Bristol, United Kingdom

You are more patient than me @Sammy35 . I would have just declined the booking and reported the 'guest' to Airbnb.