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@muddy : yes, I send the canned response to all inquiries without reading their questions. I used to answer their questions but I found that most of them don’t book so it was not worth my time.
But based on this discussion, I may change my strategy. I might answer questions from people who write nicely or have legitimate questions. If they invest their time in asking a good question, I might invest my time as well. If they ask something that’s in my listing, I will send the canned message to keep my response rate high.
I tend to get guests who are readers. Most send an informative, friendly message along with their request or inquiry that makes it evident that they have read the info provided.
So their questions are about things which are more situationally relevant to them specifically. Like letting me know what they plan to do in the area and asking if I think it would be a good idea for them to rent a car, or whether they could easily get to those places by public transport. Or single women seeking reassurance that the 20 minute walk to town and back is safe.
I never mind answering those kinds of questions and guests express appreciation for the reply.
My guests don’t have a problem understanding my explanation nor do they have very convoluted concerns, and furthermore — hold your breath on this one — all of my past and future potential guests very recently convened a worldwide general body meeting in Prague and unanimously passed a declaration to tell me that @Annet3176 doesn’t represent them.
I’m sometimes a guest, and when I am, I sometimes need to send an inquiry rather than just hit instant book. An example, from the last time I booked, is that the listing said quiet hours were between 10 pm and 8 am. It was for an entire place, but attached to the host’s house. Since I would be working random and late hours and with no idea whether my car headlight beams might sweep across their room or the sound of my key in the lock might wake them up, I asked whether it was okay for me come and go during those quiet hours if necessary.
If I had received a canned non-answer response, I would have looked elsewhere. I didn’t. They assured me that odd hours would be fine, and so I booked with them.
As a host, I find some guest inquiries make sense, lots are annoying, but all get a real answer. I see your point, @house_plants , that the effort doesn’t always bear fruit so is energy wasted, but I’m a fan of the old-style Airbnb and connections and perfect fits and all that sappy stuff.
I have IB one (some restrictions) and of course they all are bookings. I do get booking requests for those who don’t quality for IB and they are usually accepted after some comms unless some of their questions are silly. OTOH I also have my property on BDC and all bookings are effectively IB. Sometimes the guest will message me to say why they are booking but that is informational only since they have already booked and I can’t cancel.
If you get all the business you want with this strategy, then why change it?
But you might also be underpriced. I highly doubt that most people read the listing thoroughly before they IB. But if the price is too good to pass up, they’ll book just to grab it and ask questions - or read the listing - later.
Nope. There is no way on earth I would have complete strangers off the internet share my home without communicating with them first. Nor would I want to be phoning Airbnb, waiting on hold, to tell them I’m “uncomfortable” with a booking. My guest room can go back to being empty most of the year, used by family and friends, or I would find a different way to advertise.
Heads in beds may be a fine philosophy for some, but not for me.
I checked and the policy is still the same: 3 penalty free cancellations a year and if you need more than that you can have them but you have to contact them. They also say that “If you cancel a large number of your Instant Book reservations, you may be required to turn off Instant Book.” That’s an interesting penalty. Hosts that cancel a large number or reservations should be suspended or removed from the platform.
Agree. However there is a wisdom of having a “what if plan B” germinating.
I think I I would accelerate my personal planned timeline: move into my beach rental & rent out my current home on Furnished Finders (less than 4 miles from 2 hospitals with > 1000 beds each. One is a teaching hospital & level 1 trauma center.).
This is so true, I just went through this with a inquiry on VRBO, started off declaring they would be bringing a guide dog puppy in training and a “registered therapy dog” and what would the total be? I told her I was not comfortable with a puppy and I did not think it would be a good fit. Next message was she is considered a puppy in training until 16 months, she is 11 months fully potty trained, I relented and said go ahead and book. Next message was asking me to waive the pet fees.
Well I would have been ok to waive it for the actual service dog but not the therapy dog. Sorry but not sorry there is no fecking thing as a legitimate registrar for therapy dogs that I know of and I was getting tired of her.
I am sorry, it looks like your dates are no longer available.
