This forum is dedicated to connecting hosts with other hosts. Sign up to get the latest updates and news just for AirBnb hosts! Note that we are not affiliated with Airbnb - we are just passionate hosts!
I would just be clearer on this part, and state that he was now wanting to check in 8.5 early for the second check in. And again didn’t ask if this was okay, but made a comment that he hoped he wouldn’t have to wait like last time. And last time you let him in 6 hours early.
I understand that you are saying this, but I wouldn’t leave anything to the imagination - and would clearly state exactly how many hours he was getting in early, and then being pushy about it.
The rest sounds fine. I don’t think there is too much need to spend a lot of time polishing off a negative review for someone who does not need to be a part of the Airbnb community. Plus, the only way another guest is going to see your review, is if they start clicking around on peoples’ profiles to see what you said about them. I doubt most guests even do this.
As a host, if I read that review - he wouldn’t be staying with me.
Thank you for the comments. I’ll review them in more detail later. Right now, I have a yoga class. But for now a quick question - do you happen to know the limit on the length of Airbnb reviews? This is exceedingly relevant - there’s no point writing a long review if there isn’t space for it.
I know you favor giving a lengthy review so my suggestions are for grammatical changes.
In the last sentence of your sixth paragraph, I would delete the words “In the event,” and just state, “He turned up at 9 am.” (More impact.)
In the next paragraph, I would suggest substituting the words “verbally abusing me” which is more of a conclusion than a clear description of what he did. Most people would not know what you mean because those two words are not usually used together; physical or emotional abuse, certainly, but not verbal abuse.
Did he shout at you or call you names or otherwise demean you? State what you mean and include that he threatened you with a bad review. Did the confrontation end with you asking him to leave the premises? Then so state.
I would delete the sentence, “Shortly afterwards, he left with his luggage” because it mutes the volatile scene.
Suggest as your final sentence: “I definitely cannot recommend this guest.”
Why add the ratings? It sounds like you are waffling on what was obviously a horrible experience.
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Again, I’ll reply in more detail later - yoga class.
Good point about the ratings. That will be the first thing to go if there are length issues.
I thought “verbal abuse” was a standard expression. Maybe not. I could just say “yelling”. Everyone knows what that means.
But I’d really like to know what the length limit is. Anyone? It’s surprising that this isn’t clearly stated anywhere online. Of course, one would not expect Airbnb to state this, but I would have expected someone else to put it on record.
If you start to type your review in the little box you can see the number of characters remaining in faint letters, bottom, right corner, just below the box. I don’t have a review to write just now [guy just left], but I am going to take note when I get that notification.
Faheem, i would make it much shorter definitely. It sounds to me like you are writing to him, explaining how bad he was (which he was). In fact you are reviewing him for other hosts. I would just say that he was rude, showed his temper, asked you something that was clearly against your rules, and was a poor communicator.
And i think 3 is a very high rate for his behavour
I personally don’t think there’s a point reviewing him twice. It doesn’t help future hosts to know he stayed twice. And you don’t want “more” space to write - you want just the main parts, as it’s more effective than a long speech. Just concentrate on communicating what they need to know.
Francois booked incorrectly then didn’t want to pay the extra in the proper way. His communication was poor, he had no respect for my check-in times, and did not even show up on the day he was expected. He refused to fill out government paperwork and complained rudely when I did it for him. At checkout time he shouted and became aggressive. Sadly it was a very unpleasant experience and I cannot recommend Francois.
Oh I see…the instructor comes to YOU - lol. Earlier I was going to suggest walking by the visitor center on your way back from class. I think what surprised me was picturing you venturing out to the class, more so than participating in yoga. But I see yoga comes to you instead. - I think you know I am just teasing…but it’s so hard to resist
Ok. Yes, he did come up with some phrases I could include. And I didn’t tell him to leave the premises - he left on his own. But just before he left he stood at the front door at my home yelling at me. So I did tell him I’d call the police. Gosh, that was a fun morning. (Definitely not going to mention the police thing.)
This isn’t a Hollywood screenplay. And I guess I wanted to make the point that it ended there, and that he left on his own. But I suppose the latter is not clear. Maybe “he left on his own with his luggage”. In other words, I didn’t order him to leave.
Agreed. The ratings are a bit redundant in this case, though I do normally add them, and they are normally all 5’s (I don’t think coming across as a fussy host is generally a good thing.)
Thanks for the detailed commentary. (Maybe one day someone will film a HW movie set in the world of Airbnb.)
It’s 500 words, not 500 characters. When you begin to write the review the bottom of the text box says 500 words left. As you type each word the number of words you have left updates.
Thanks for the comments. I’ll reply to you together, since you are making similar points.
(Fair warning. Many words ahead.)
First, some general comments. I do think that a more detailed review is generally better. Bear in mind that you, the person reading this, may not be very interested in details about a random stranger, but in the future, a host who is potentially considering a business deal with this person involving possibly hundreds of dollars may be quite interested. I think one should offer this hypothetical person a compelling story.
At least, speaking personally, if I am reading a negative review, I’m very interested in knowing more details, because rejecting a booking is a potential financial loss for me. For example, some months ago, I read a negative review which went verbatim:
I am affraid that everything was a bit dirty after they left
This is a somewhat extreme example, but it left me wondering - what happened, exactly?
Again, personally, I would definitely read the 500 words or less about someone who I was considering hosting in my home.
That’s all well and good, but personally I’d like to know what he said and did in more detail, if I was another host.
A 3 rating for which field?
I can’t review him twice, the period for the first review has expired.
Well, it comes into the story, so it’s relevant. I could maybe say it with less words.
That looks good. But it does miss out an important item - threatening with a bad review. And I would certainly like to know why he shouted and became aggressive. This is probably the most compelling factoid, and any host who believes that this happened is likely to say no to a booking. Who here wants to risk another bad review, or wants to host someone who considers this acceptable behavior?
@faheem So curious what this guest wrote in HIS review. Will you post his review after you post your edited one? Also would like to read your final version – this will help me when I have to write a negative review.
And I guess I wanted to make the point that it ended there, and that he left on his own. But I suppose the latter is not clear. Maybe “he left on his own with his luggage”. In other words, I didn’t order him to leave.