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Our consequences of a guest writing a bad review is they don’t get to come back. Really. The one 4 star review we got this year complained about the rug shedding when they moved the furniture around as well as a few other very picky things we fixed. We responded to the review that we took that into consideration and replaced the rug, and updated the pictures.
She tried to rebook for the next year. We said no. We told her it was obvious our place was not a good fit for her group.
That plays into my thoughts when writing reviews when I’m a guest. If I’d like to stay there again it’s 5 stars. Why would I want to stay in a four star place?
Not really. All that saying you wouldn’t host them again accomplishes is that they can’t instant book with you again. It doesn’t help other hosts at all.
She had last-minute jitters because of rising cases (I remember clearly what was going on around Christmas – some of my own family agonized at the last minute over their travel plans (some cancelled, some didn’t)… perfectly understandable).
She asked you and Airbnb if she could cancel, you both said “no,” she accepted that and didn’t “punish” you during a stay you yourself describe as “unexceptional” (i.e. no problems) and left the place clean
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I can’t see anything in there that would have convinced me to give her anything less than five stars. I’ve had guests over the years that were dicks – but getting cold feet at the last minute during a week when case numbers were going crazy is not “dick” behaviour.
Honestly – I think the *** rating was a punitive over-reaction to having to deal with someone who was not doing anything malicious – she was a nice person (“unexceptional” stay, “clean”) who was increasingly afraid of travelling in light of the nightly reports on TV news.
It also prevents them from Instant Booking w a host who requires positive recommendations from other hosts…although I suppose it is possible that it is only within the last year or whatever timeline AirBnB might use…anyone have any experience woth this to know if it “times out” or not?
Yes, I do know that. But suppose that 2 hosts have said they would host them again and 1 said they wouldn’t? Nowhere is there any indication that one “not recommended” would prevent the guest from IBing with other hosts.
And hosts have also been told by Airbnb that only a 1* rating is considered to be a negative guest review.
Ok, that is your interpretation, which is obviously different than mine. I use the criteria and have received requests to book from many people, some that obviously had do not recommends from previous hosts.
No, it stops guests from using IB with any host who has the only positive reviews from other hosts option checked. If you never want them back at your place, you have to block the individual guests.
I actually know this based on a recent guest interaction.
House rules… don’t allow guests to move furniture around. Don’t want someone moving the bed to a different wall and then leaving it there! Don’t want torn up rugs or scratched floors. Nope! It’s in my rules.
I have an update with a similar incident from another guest. He asked for a refund, I politely declined and didn’t debate the refund policy with him. He came, stayed and left the place in ok condition. This time I gave the guest a five-star review. Not arguing with guests about refunds has served me well.
Excellent response. I believe in reviewing people honestly. In fact I did that this week although it was at the deadline as the guest hadn’t left a review yet & was probably not happy that I reminded him there is no smoking in or on the property as he was lighting cigars for him & his friend on the motion activated Ring doorbell that he was notified of before checking in.
