Just to mention (since it seems like I come to the forum mostly to vent :)) I had a string of really sweet guests.
So this is about my next booking and a bit of Airbnb assistance experience (positive I’d say).
This guest booked a 1 night stay about a month ago, 2 adults, one kid, 2 dogs.
2 weekends ago I started a landscaping project (paved patio, some stairs). Most of the work is done (excavation with heavy machinery etc) but unfortunately the rain last weekend threw us a bit off the track so the workers are coming back to finish this coming Saturday when the guest will be here.
I informed him yesterday (Monday) that the landscaping project under the patio is not done and there may be some noise, possibly dust, and if he thinks they will be bothered by it to cancel the stay and I will refund the money.
Wow, he replies today that it is too late to re-book at his price range, and that it would be great if the workers are done by 4pm, when they would arrive. I say probably not, sorry, it would be more likely 6pm. Here he goes, that will not work, he is so disappointed, we had an understanding (what understanding? that the unit will be ready says he - the unit is not affected it is a landscaping project), he is respectfully requesting the work to stop at 4pm, he is not being a jerk (his word) and is “Just hoping we can come to a fair understanding here”.
After some less pleasant hosting experiences, I am a bit less inclined to cater to every request the guest can make so on the phone with AirBnB I go. I am uncomfortable with this guest I say, and they tell me it’s ok to cancel the booking and there will be no penalty (I allow IB). Not sure if the penalty-free would be this easy if I did not have IB.
All in all, I decided it is not worth the money to put up with the guest that will come here already unhappy. Very polite person, but at the same time (my feeling) demanding and bossy. So his stay is cancelled, I can have workers here not tiptoeing around, no danger of bad reviews.
Is this going to affect my SuperHost status? I am not sure and honestly I do not care. As many of you said, do not let the guest walk all over you. The income is nice, but not stressing out over the guest’s behavior and/or review is even nicer