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That makes no sense in a purely sentence-structure way. I said I currently have a guest. The guest is current. Your version, which is not what I said, does not make sense to me. “Currently wants” implies that she previously didn’t want to return and that is not even remotely part of this story. And then you didn’t read the other information such as:
Why not? I’m not supposed to ask a question that I need advisement on? I’m supposed to already know the answer? This question “came up” because, as I explained, I am new at asking guests to direct-book and specifically had it backfire on me by asking a different guest in person and am nervous about it.
People constantly ask stuff that I think is obvious (you included) but it’s clear to me that it’s not helpful to just laugh at the question.
The sentence about having a current guest is def. ambiguous. I think many of us thought that you currently have a guest “inquiring” about returning…not that the guest is currently in your home on an existing reservation.
And just to be clear…I was laughing at the situation, not you. I understand people are nervous about booking direct.
What struck me as funny is when you mentioned just doing it the old fashioned way and slipped a note under the door. So the fact that I was giving advice about not risking your account on ABB, etc…the entire time I did not realize you could speak to the guest in person. My advice would have been different.
It reminded of a “Who’s on First” or whatever by Abbott and Costello. That was the funny part - I expected to read after you did it the “old-fashioned way” that you called her or something. I did not expect to read you slipped a note under the door and I laughed out loud. That’s it.
I advise people everyday on Houfy forum when they are nervous about book direct. So I don’t make fun of people. I was laughing at the misinterpretation of it all.
“I currently have a guest who wants to return in the spring…” could indeed be taken to mean that you currently have a guest inquiring about that, not necessarily that she is currently staying with you.
Just because we know what we mean and assume we’ve made it clear, doesn’t mean it can’t be interpreted in different ways. I took it to mean what you intended, but I can see where it could have been ambiguous to others.
Using currently in that sentence to mean that I have a guest inquiring would have been superflous at best. My use of the word was used accurately. It also doesn’t matter. It’s not relevant, especially considering the other information I provided.
There word assumed was used in the posts to which I was replying. Surely everyone understands what that means.
I can Strunk and White anyone under the table but it’s never good for a forum. How’s your kettle?
And especially considering the other information you provided…it also led us to believe the person was not living with you on an existing reservation. If you can’t see the ambiguity in that, then oh well.
Your subsequent comments were almost like backing up that the person was inquiring through ABB and the message, etc. And some of us yes did “assume” you didn’t know how to reply through the message system without risking your account; hence, my advice to just let them book when contacting you through the system. Don’t waste your time with those bookers. I would have edited that advice if I knew this person was in the same house as you.
I’m sorry you took my response as laughing at you as that in no way was my intent. I was trying to explain how myself and many others understood it and why we had previously responded as we did.
Sometimes assumptions are made here in a written forum that wouldn’t have been made in person (irony/pun not intended) and yes this appears to be one of those instances. My apologies for my part in that while trying to be helpful.
Me too Deb.
I am primarily a B&B and I exploit Airbnb for the advertising.
I charge my normal rate to direct bookers and put up my price to Airbnb so I pay no commission to them. My guests do though!
I either collect cash or bank transfer (UK). It all works for me.
Hey @Debthecat and @courgette3, do you collect a deposit when they book? And, if so, what percentage? How do you handle the rest of the payment/terms and do you just have a set cancellation policy? Thanks!
I have multiple units booked at about 64%. I have several monthly returning guests. My life is easier, and their booking is easier, if it is all through AirBnB. When asked for a direct booking, I tell them I honor my agreement with AirBnB and will continue to give them the service they expect. No discount. I have never had a guest that has a problem with that. The whole reason for using AirBnB is the convenience factor to me.
The exception will be a guest that books through AirBnB for a couple of weeks and then find out they have to work in the area for 6 months or so, they fall under a long term lease with me for the additional period.
Curious if you will continue to do the same if/when ABB moves to charging commission to owners. Many claim they will just raise their rates. That commission is coming out of their pocket. They can call it anything they want. Will you be fine with that or change direction?
Have never taken a deposit in 34 years. Had a handful of no shows, sometimes you are better off without them,! No credit card payments either, cash, cheque or bank transfer have been my main payment method. Mary
I don’t spend time thinking about future decisions that I will make about things that may/may not happen. If it happens, I will weigh the pros/cons and make a decision then.
We have been hosting for approx 3 years and had 10-20% returning guests. 75% come direct. As we say our farewells and if they mention they’d like to come back, we mention the option of dealing direct.
We don’t take a deposit. Our cancellation policy is moderate, so even if they were on the platform they’d be able to get their money back if they cancel a week or more before. Also we have hosted them, so would only accept a return booking from those guests we are happy to host (that said we’ve never said no! Maybe because we don’t have direct booking and qualify any enquiry to weed out any potential undesirables).
Our ethos has been and still is “trust until proven otherwise”. We don’t ask for the money and wait until it is offered. We do cash and bank transfer. To date we’ve never had a single problem with returning guests.
An update: Another Direct-Book Fail for me
This makes it 2 of 3 times that it was refused.
You know, you guys make it sound so easy, so normal, so obvious but once again the guest did not want to direct-book with me. It’s starting to remind me of when I tried to get detention in highschool (and got thrown-out after sneaking in) or when I tried to have a one-night-stand in my 30s (and ended up marrying him!). It’s just another weird fail in a long line of weird fails.
The guest that is still currently here ,) never responded to my suggestion of texting me to book direct. She didn’t reach out at all for 2 days after I suggested it, which was odd because she had been especially friendly before and also especially eager to book a couple of weeks in the Spring. I thought I had lost her for sure but was definitely confused.
She finally reached out yesterday asking to meet up today, which was a relief. It was all super-friendly, she gave me some gifts, we had a snack and everything and then she mentioned booking the weeks in the Spring but also pointedly but casually said, “I’m just going to do it online”. I said, “of course, no problem”. And that was that. We didn’t discuss it any further. I know she must have her reasons but I think it made her uncomfortable. I really hate that it made her uncomfortable even though all seems well otherwise now. It didn’t do anything to help me at all. I only offered it to her because she’s such a great guest and it would’ve saved her about $700 but it seems to have only made her uncomfortable. Geez.
JJD- The guest bought you gifts, you had a snack together, so all seems pretty casual and friendly. When she said “I’m just going to do it online”, after saying , “of course, no problem”, I would have just asked her- “I’m just curious as to why you prefer that, if you don’t mind telling me, just so I have an idea why guests might be wary to direct book. I’d think guests would want to save the service fees, but there must be some factors I haven’t considered.”
That’s because you weren’t there to hear and see the “woman who’s made up her mind and don’t challenge it” tone
Seriously, it was said in such a manner that it was completely clear that she did not want to discuss it and so I respected her wishes. I would love to have asked her the questions you pose as I would also like to have her answers but it’s not her job to fulfill my requests, it’s quite the opposite, so I let it go.
