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Off to Spain on Sunday (supposedly) and have booked an AirBnB for 10 days. The host is ignoring my messages to organise check-in for Sunday evening - just keeps saying "will text you tomorrow" for last few days, and it has now gone past the point where I can cancel and get a refund. I am a noob on AirBnB - only used it a couple of times previously. I am getting the impression he is trying to pull a fast one and am not impressed he's ignoring my messages - it feels like he's deliberately put me off until the cancellation period is done. I am getting concerned that he's going to fob me off and dont want to turn up on sunday and have nowhere to stay. What recourse do I have with AirBnB? Have paid nearly 2k for the AirbnB so dont want to lose that amount of money :(
[Post edited 27 Jun 9:36]
"Blueas is a great guy, one of the best." - Donald Trump
AirBnB Question... on 11:19 - Jun 27 by giant_stow
My Bro has a couple of holiday homes to rent in Norfolk and its true what you say: he's got them on a local agency's site, booking.com, verbo and AirbandB. No point just fingering Airbandb...
(Incidentally, he's new to booking.com and already has the hump: very good at getting business in, but only because it seems to always find new ways to discount the price without him knowing. And weirdly, the quality of guest seems noticeably lower from them: bods that whine at silly things, bods that let their dogs piss all over the gaff or even nick things / trash the place.)
Personally, I'd say holiday lets are fine as long as they contribute to the local economy and are therefore locally welcomed.
"Personally, I'd say holiday lets are fine as long as they contribute to the local economy and are therefore locally welcomed."
I'm curious - does your brother contribute to the local economy with teh income he makes off those rentals.
I live just outside Lavenham and quite a number of the high street properties are now AirBnB or similar. Majority of locals get frustrated as the benefits to the local community are limited - they tend to make more money from day-trippers and coach trips.
The rental property owners say that it brings benefits to the local shops whereas majority of people who use these holiday rentals shop at the supermarkets in Sudbury, and use the house as a base to head to elsewhere. Very little of the overall cash spent on the holiday comes back into the community, it's pocketed by the property owner, while property values increase, making housing less affordable.
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AirBnB Question... on 11:32 - Jun 27 with 532 views
I've used Airbnb loads and it's not unusual to get check in details sent to you the day before you're due to stay, sometimes even on the morning. Not really a problem for me as I'm not one for being a fanny.
AirBnB Question... on 11:19 - Jun 27 by giant_stow
My Bro has a couple of holiday homes to rent in Norfolk and its true what you say: he's got them on a local agency's site, booking.com, verbo and AirbandB. No point just fingering Airbandb...
(Incidentally, he's new to booking.com and already has the hump: very good at getting business in, but only because it seems to always find new ways to discount the price without him knowing. And weirdly, the quality of guest seems noticeably lower from them: bods that whine at silly things, bods that let their dogs piss all over the gaff or even nick things / trash the place.)
Personally, I'd say holiday lets are fine as long as they contribute to the local economy and are therefore locally welcomed.
Don't use smart pricing on Booking, don't offer discounts for mobile users or local users. In fact I'd only offer discounts for stays over a week. Booking send emails out weekly suggesting lower prices, shorter lead times, discounts for whatever. Ignore them all and set a price that gets you the income required and doesn't rely on people who are just interested in the cheapest option. I don't accept animals either.
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AirBnB Question... on 11:35 - Jun 27 with 530 views
I've used Airbnb loads and it's not unusual to get check in details sent to you the day before you're due to stay, sometimes even on the morning. Not really a problem for me as I'm not one for being a fanny.
I like to be planned and organised. I worry if everything isn't sorted. I even plan trips and outings what I am going to do each day on holiday!
"Blueas is a great guy, one of the best." - Donald Trump
"Personally, I'd say holiday lets are fine as long as they contribute to the local economy and are therefore locally welcomed."
I'm curious - does your brother contribute to the local economy with teh income he makes off those rentals.
I live just outside Lavenham and quite a number of the high street properties are now AirBnB or similar. Majority of locals get frustrated as the benefits to the local community are limited - they tend to make more money from day-trippers and coach trips.
The rental property owners say that it brings benefits to the local shops whereas majority of people who use these holiday rentals shop at the supermarkets in Sudbury, and use the house as a base to head to elsewhere. Very little of the overall cash spent on the holiday comes back into the community, it's pocketed by the property owner, while property values increase, making housing less affordable.
I totally agree that holiday lets add upwards pressure to house prices and that that's a serious downside to them.
But on the other hand, the people staying in them spend money in the local shops, pubs, post offices or in cafes and other tourist businesses. I don't know Lavenham, so can't comment there, but the two villages where my bros places are are on the coast with very tourist dependent economies. Visitors keep those shops and services alive and well (for example, the corner shop in one stay open to 9.30, which would never happen without visitors). Another example: the local bus services runs every hour, which to my mind is pretty amazing for such a small place. This wouldn't happen without tourists. Or how many place shave lost their post office? Not this village, cos they opened up a tea-room as part of it, again for tourists.
And yes, he does contribute to the local economy: he uses a cleaning lady, who went on to start her own holiday let cleaning business - she's since expanded to laundry. The guy two doors down is about to paint the front of the house. Another local just got 20 grand plus off dearest bro to redo the thatch. Another guy in the village (a builder) converted the place for 70 grand plus a few years back. The women over the road is slipped a few quid for putting the bins out. A fella from the next village does the garden. Then my bro of course spends a fortune in the shops, cafe and pubs when there himself too.
(sorry this ended up sounding defensive, but only because I've thought long and hard about the rights and wrongs of this, as I get to stay there too!)
[Post edited 27 Jun 11:43]
Has anyone ever looked at their own postings for last day or so? Oh my... so sorry. Was Ullaa
Don't use smart pricing on Booking, don't offer discounts for mobile users or local users. In fact I'd only offer discounts for stays over a week. Booking send emails out weekly suggesting lower prices, shorter lead times, discounts for whatever. Ignore them all and set a price that gets you the income required and doesn't rely on people who are just interested in the cheapest option. I don't accept animals either.
Sound advice, although the village he's in is extremely dog-centric, as the beach allows them, so people come from far and wide for it. The places that don't allow them, don't get business.
Has anyone ever looked at their own postings for last day or so? Oh my... so sorry. Was Ullaa
As others have mentioned speak to Airbnb asap, not wanting to worry you but the Spanish authorities revoked over 60,000 airbnb licences last month, hopefully this is just a coincidence and the owner is just poor with communications. Buena suerte!
I've used Airbnb loads and it's not unusual to get check in details sent to you the day before you're due to stay, sometimes even on the morning. Not really a problem for me as I'm not one for being a fanny.
Yeah but he’s not going for a night in Cromer.
“Hello, I'm your MP. Actually I'm not. I'm your candidate. Gosh.”
Boris Johnson canvassing in Henley, 2005.
I’ve used air bnb loads and generally worked out well. I did get 1 clown cancel my NYC accommodation a couple of days before I was due to travel but to Air bnb’s credit the customer service was superb and I got a hotel instead through a different site. It was actually a bit more expensive than the accommodation I’d booked and they paid the difference as a goodwill gesture (I didn’t even ask). Probably worked out better in hindsight but I can see why it would be more of a pain if it’s in a specific more remote location or particularly large place for a group booking etc. Mine was just a few nights away with the Mrs so plenty of alternatives were still available at short notice.
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AirBnB Question... on 13:16 - Jun 27 with 323 views
I have 3 properties on Booking and Airbnb. From a host standpoint Airbnb are much better to work with than Booking.
If I was spending hundreds (or thousands) on a stay I would only book a place run by a Superhost on Airbnb and with a review score of over 9 on Booking, and with a minimum of 20 reviews.
Most properties here are actually run by agencies who offer a package of dealing with bookings, cleaning and emails. I wouldn't use one as a host unless absolutely forced to. Generally their service is poor to average and they will be the ones you talk to rather than the homeowners.
I personally mail guests a week before arrival, give them all the house and regional info as well as my WhatsApp number for any questions. I meet them at the property and offer to be there when they leave. An agency would do the bare minimum.
In reality it matters little if you book via Airbnb or Booking as it all depends on the host or agency. If there are issues, it's probably easier to get a resolution on Airbnb than Booking.
As for the OPs problem, I would definitely contact Airbnb and explain the issue. They will contact the host and you're more likely to get things sorted via the company.
Sounds like you know what you're doing BB, list them here, always good to use someone thats genuine and cares
UPDATE: Bloke now got in touch with me and all good. Check-In arranged for sunday evening. I sent a polite but assertive whatsapp earlier and he has response to that. More good news is you lot will get a break from me for a lil while :)
"Blueas is a great guy, one of the best." - Donald Trump
AirBnB Question... on 13:28 - Jun 27 by blueasfook
UPDATE: Bloke now got in touch with me and all good. Check-In arranged for sunday evening. I sent a polite but assertive whatsapp earlier and he has response to that. More good news is you lot will get a break from me for a lil while :)
I have 3 properties on Booking and Airbnb. From a host standpoint Airbnb are much better to work with than Booking.
If I was spending hundreds (or thousands) on a stay I would only book a place run by a Superhost on Airbnb and with a review score of over 9 on Booking, and with a minimum of 20 reviews.
Most properties here are actually run by agencies who offer a package of dealing with bookings, cleaning and emails. I wouldn't use one as a host unless absolutely forced to. Generally their service is poor to average and they will be the ones you talk to rather than the homeowners.
I personally mail guests a week before arrival, give them all the house and regional info as well as my WhatsApp number for any questions. I meet them at the property and offer to be there when they leave. An agency would do the bare minimum.
In reality it matters little if you book via Airbnb or Booking as it all depends on the host or agency. If there are issues, it's probably easier to get a resolution on Airbnb than Booking.
As for the OPs problem, I would definitely contact Airbnb and explain the issue. They will contact the host and you're more likely to get things sorted via the company.
We've used AirBnB loads of times, stayed at some really nice places and never had a problem - in fact most have overdelivered. But as you say, we've only ever stayed with Superhosts.
Trust the process. Trust Phil.
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AirBnB Question... on 13:42 - Jun 27 with 254 views
I've been booking villas etc for 20 years plus. Generally hosts seem to come into 2 categories . Those who communicate well and want to meet you there and show you round. And those that do not communicate so well and send you directions, house rules and access details (usually an external safe key) close to arrival, usually day before. Not quite as black and white as above, but generally so. It is frustrating not to get a better reply, but I have never had an issue apart from some Athens scally moving us into a different apartment in the same building. But it did not really matter a jot. We gained a balcony but lost a roof terrace and that roof terrace was not accessible from the apartment anyway so not much loss. Also the Spanish seem to be the worst communicators, manana is definitely a thing with them. Confident you will be okay.
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AirBnB Question... on 14:08 - Jun 27 with 192 views
AirBnB Question... on 11:40 - Jun 27 by giant_stow
I totally agree that holiday lets add upwards pressure to house prices and that that's a serious downside to them.
But on the other hand, the people staying in them spend money in the local shops, pubs, post offices or in cafes and other tourist businesses. I don't know Lavenham, so can't comment there, but the two villages where my bros places are are on the coast with very tourist dependent economies. Visitors keep those shops and services alive and well (for example, the corner shop in one stay open to 9.30, which would never happen without visitors). Another example: the local bus services runs every hour, which to my mind is pretty amazing for such a small place. This wouldn't happen without tourists. Or how many place shave lost their post office? Not this village, cos they opened up a tea-room as part of it, again for tourists.
And yes, he does contribute to the local economy: he uses a cleaning lady, who went on to start her own holiday let cleaning business - she's since expanded to laundry. The guy two doors down is about to paint the front of the house. Another local just got 20 grand plus off dearest bro to redo the thatch. Another guy in the village (a builder) converted the place for 70 grand plus a few years back. The women over the road is slipped a few quid for putting the bins out. A fella from the next village does the garden. Then my bro of course spends a fortune in the shops, cafe and pubs when there himself too.
(sorry this ended up sounding defensive, but only because I've thought long and hard about the rights and wrongs of this, as I get to stay there too!)
[Post edited 27 Jun 11:43]
I never do this normally - who cares, but Clapham, you're slightly becoming my downvote stalker. In many ways fair enough, but I just wish you'd say what your issue with a given post was... any chance this time?
Has anyone ever looked at their own postings for last day or so? Oh my... so sorry. Was Ullaa
AirBnB Question... on 14:08 - Jun 27 by giant_stow
I never do this normally - who cares, but Clapham, you're slightly becoming my downvote stalker. In many ways fair enough, but I just wish you'd say what your issue with a given post was... any chance this time?
Don’t worry about it Ulla.
He’s almost definitely a proper weirdo, at best he’s an odd bod.
“Hello, I'm your MP. Actually I'm not. I'm your candidate. Gosh.”
Boris Johnson canvassing in Henley, 2005.
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