The review system has been a blessing and a curse. In answer to your question, Chicago… I TOTALLY avoid leaving a so-so guest a review because I am afraid it will prompt them to write something with some negative dings in return. I know they have changed the system so that you can’t read theirs until you’ve written yours, but lately I have had such a string of whiners that I’d rather they didn’t leave one… especially if it will contain a backhanded compliment, which many, not surprisingly do! Even the GOOD guests, ones I was positive I could trust to leave a great review, have left me one with a stinger. I mean, if they want to communicate something and let me know something was wrong or not to their liking, I wish they would simply write it in a PM. It’s totally unfair of the guest to write a review and ding me for things that are disclosed in the listing or were bonus items not even advertised in my listing in the first place! I’ve had it so much I just can’t trust guests.
So short answer… unless they are OUTSTANDING guests, ones whom I have confirmed with and asked to leave a good review, I skip it. I just don’t want them to be reminded to leave a review, and/or prompted by the system to state what could be improved.
I have 60 reviews, but am at 4.5 stars. Just over the whole review process.
Back to your specific case, Chicago, I would call that guest in violation of more than a serious infraction. Wrecking your sheets with self tanner? What are they thinking? Extra bill by the cleaner? Shoes when the house rules say none? These are things that should get the guest dinged. I would have…
One trick I use so that I can avoid the ping pong review effect is to wait until 11:59 on the last night of the review period. Unload it all and hit submit. They won’t have time to ding you back.