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Despite a stove not appearing on the amenities list AND no photo of the stove (the kitchen photo does not show it), this is the second time in a while where a guest has been ‘surprised’ that the stove is disconnected.
I think I need to put this information in another location (‘the space’ for example, or on a caption of the kitchen picture?) so that guests do not get agitated when they show up and think they can cook.
Suggestions on how to put this, and where? In ‘guest access’ (‘no stove or oven provided’ seems a bit awkward to say
In description on pictures of kitchen say no range or no cooking. I’d suggest you draft a booking message that reiterates all the idiosyncrasies of your listing and tell the guest they need to acknowledge in the message thread that they have read it and understand. I know you probably have this when they book but maybe you need to do it again.
Example:
"Thanks for booking with me. In order to ensure my rental meets your needs I’d like to reiterate the following:
*no range top or oven or cookware. You can reheat items in the microwave.
*Then other things you’ve had trouble with in the list
Please expressly let me know that you agree to this or cancel your booking within x hours if this is not what you expected."
Yes, it is built-in. Plus, I have no place to put it LOL.
I’m thinking of taking the burner grill etc. off, and replacing that with a flat surface, putting a succulent on it, and also my coffee maker.
But the big issue is when people read my listing, how do I tell them there’s no stove? As we know, it’s a checked off amenity if we have one. The guests don’t know that if it’s not on the list it’s not in there
I’m sure you have put a lot of thought into it, but I am curious why it’s disconnected? It looks like a fully functioning kitchen so I’d be surprised too.
I would think there was a stove available because that’s the standard in a USA kitchen. Perhaps add: (NOTE: kitchen does not offer a traditional oven or stove. A microwave is available)
In addition to the message @KKC is suggesting. As we all know people don’t read so repeat the message at least 2x
If I were dead set against having people cook, I think I’d pull out the stove and replace it with something like this, and put it prominently in the photos of the kitchen. It’s easy to put a stove back in when your needs change.
This should make it clear for guests that read the listing.
@Rolf said it’s a built-in, so probably requires a lot of additional work to make it look presentable.
You don’t say why you want to keep it, but not allow guests to use it. Still, I would chalk this up to trying to use your space for something different than it was designed for so there will be some cases where it doesn’t fit as expected. It’s not a bad thing, but it needs to be factored into your expectations as well as the guests.
Whenever we stay in an STR, we rarely eat out so I appreciate having a proper cooker. However, we’ve stayed in several places where a microwave and toaster oven have been supplied and they have been fine. Or supply an induction hob - they are about $50 I think.
I can’t think of anything I wouldn’t be able to cook with a combination of those three items.
Incidentally, something our guests often appreciate is the fact that we supply a folder of takeout and regular restaurants that deliver.
Covering the top would help. I would put a not operational sign on the front of the stove and have that show in your pictures. Perhaps you could take the handle or door off the stove and cover the front as well. Using kitchenette as suggested by others is a good idea. Perhaps you could put a stovetop toaster oven on the covered stove top.
The problem is that currently potential guests do not see that I do not provide a working stove before they show up. And honestly I’m very happy people cooking even in the toaster FYI
Just be explicit in listing, for example: “please note- kitchen does not have a stove available. It does have a toaster, microwave and fridge for easy meal prep”
I would like to understand why they can’t use the stove… is it broken?
You offer what you offer, and that’s ok; your place looks great, and a stove is not a necessity. I recognize that you’re really asking how to make it clear in your listing. This is just a side question, because I’m curious like that!
I do something similar. I use SmartBnb to send an automated message for me - post booking - that reiterates the rules and idiosyncratic things like ‘no dishwasher.’
If the stove actually works but is turned off I would turn it on. If it does not work I would remove it. Yes it is built in, so what. Thinking about it is harder than doing it most of the time.
That being said, communication needs to improve so the expectation for a stove is not there.
Where would you put it? He said he has no where to put it.
He didn’t say if it’s a cook top and oven that are separate. That would be odd to have a gaping hole in the cabinet.
This seems like a case of overreaction. A few guests get there and want to cook when they see the range. So what? Tell them it’s clear in the listing that it’s not a provided amenity and move on. @Rolf
If the stove doesn’t work, it should be removed and thrown out. Why would anyone want to store a broken appliance? If it was me I would just replace it, perhaps with a smaller stove that’s not built in.
