@SirNightingale I’d wouldn’t necessarily agree with you. As a matter of fact, from the very beginning my experience with Airbnb has been extremely positive. Even though I have some suggestions how could they improve their platform, I believe Airbnb site is a reasonably good balance between easiness of use and functionality. Sure, they could improve and probably they will. But at least for me, they are good enough. Also, Airbnb support has always been helpful and responsive, at least in my case. Also, I’ve been lucky to have great guests and never had any problems with them. They all treated my apartment exceptionally well.
I think we’re just chatting amongst ourselves here now. Looks like Sir packed up his bat and ball and left the playground back in July. 
@australia oh… you must be right, didn’t notice the dates:)
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Looks like @SirNightingale took his sword and shield and galloped off to find a new ‘oppressed’ land. Asta La Vista.
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I just looked at this again after a while. Is the point that Airbnb gets to keep the service fee even if the guest cancels?
Hi @MarkP,
I think with high probability that happy state of affairs will not last. Then again…
I don’t think I’ve ever found that to be the case. So maybe you’re the possessor of a lucky magical amulet too.* Or something.
- In-joke.
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Yes, Air keeps service fee if guest cancels.
The only time Air doesn’t keep the service fee is if the guest cancels under “extenuating circumstances.” - How generous of Air…
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@faheem You might be right and we’ll see. For time being I feel Airbnb is still providing reasonably good value for the money they take (3%+13%). Time will tell;)
I agree. When you’re doing your finances and you see the amount that Airbnb has changed over, say, a year, then it’s a good idea to work out what your advertising and marketing costs would have been without using Airbnb. (I can’t speak for any other similar platforms because I don’t use them).
Considering all the fees we’d have without using them, I see it as good value. Especially when you factor in your own time.
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Fabulous value; 3% for all they do, excellent. To appreciate just imagine they NOT existing OR they charging 10-20% like the other booking agencies did for years.
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As one of the forum members pointed out, Airbnb actually takes 3% PLUS 13 from the hosts. After all, guests are not stupid. They will pay only as much money as they are prepared to spend. Effectively the 13% that Airbnb takes from the guests “cuts” into potentially higher rates that the host could achieve.
That said, I believe that even the combined 16% (in total) is the money well spent for the value that Airbnb provides. The marketing and maintenance costs, as well as the time and the hassle(!) that we would be facing having to invest into building and maintaining our own presence in the noisy digital world would be far far greater;)
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Mark, Airbnb doesn’t take 3% PLUS13% from the host, but from the guests. The 13% is not our money, never was, it is Airbnb’s money after and only after they spend 100’s of millions of dollars to be able to get it, we haven’t.
If one charges $100 for one’s place, these are the fees based on my case: Airbnb 3%, VRBO 10,50%. Of course, Airbnb also includes other added services, painful VRBO doesn’t.
Having said that, the fact the people are indeed willing to pay $113 vs. your $100, is indeed interesting. What should mean is that ~IF~ one can start getting direct bookings, they indeed can charge $113 dollars and bypass Airbnb. The possibilities of that is another subject.
Sure @Mearns, I agree. I guess I just wanted to stress that from the guest’s perspective the total fees are what matters. They determine the final market price no matter the split (hosts/guests). Other than that, I feel Airbnb is treating hosts fairly in comparison to other similar platforms and is actually offering reasonably good value for the money they take. Take care! Mark P.S. Your island is awesome:)
Agree. They are not perfect, but 3% is a sweet deal. They e=could easily charge us double that and it would still be a deal. (Not to give them any ideas, yikes!)
Got cha, yes they do establish the ceiling. What kills me is how much the guests are indeed willing to pay, after our cut, the booking agency’s, cleaning fee and good old taxes.
@konacoconutz I been ‘told’ by hotel owners around my area they pay 15%+ to either FlipKey or bookings.com.
I guess I’m going to have to search for an area for newbies in order to learn the ropes. The way ya’ll just attack people and rip them to shreds, the way you have your buddies and can’t stand it when a new person offers a different point of view, my gosh! Heaven forbid! I about had a heart attack trying to read through this. I’ve read several like this, now, and I can’t take anymore. No outsiders or newbies or dissenters allowed, apparently. So arrogant, my goodness. Wait, let me get my armour on.
Um… this thread is two years old. We didn’t have moderators then. but yes, please do leave if you don’t like it.
Um, thank you for your kind reply. You must be so pleased with yourself.