Sure, it’s reasonable to ask for clarification via an inquiry. Though most of the inquiries I have received don’t do so. They just ask if the space is available. They could just make a reservation request instead.
I frequently send inquiries because I travel with small children and I always ask to confirm if 1. they are OK with very young kids and 2. have a pack and play or portable crib. I will often choose a place based on where I don’t need to rent a crib (which costs me around $120/week).
Since we are providing a service being nice to the people who are buying that service seems pretty straightforward to me. If the inquiry presents issues I don’t want to deal with, I think being able to say no before they get to my property and we have the discussion at the door is far better for both of us. An inquiry also shows some concern on the person’s part which also implies some thoughtfulness, no matter how it is phrased. Inquiries also let people have more feedback than accept or reject. Special requests make sure both parties are agree if the booking is accepted. Many times the wording in the description is not clear, so an inquiry clears it up. As for dates, I have found the calendars are not accurate and I get a cancelation days later. Soooo, depending on the importance of the reservation, I would like to know that host is guaranteeing availability. A fast response makes AirBnB look like a good place to go for a rental which means I rent my place out more often and so do all of you. I cannot think of any inquiry to which I would not respond unless it is an obvious troll like “can I set up a porn shoot at your house,” or “can I have private drug parties?”
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Hi @christianation,
To be clear, I always have (and always would) respond to queries. Not to do so would be unprofessional. The original question in this thread is simply whether explicitly declining inquiries (using Airbbnb’s button) is necessary/appropriate. Based on responses received, there does not seem to be a consensus about it. Obviously, my concern is whether declines would have a negative impact on me. Whether it would do so is not clear. In some cases, the inquiries are not really appropriate, so I don’t feel that I want to be the person declining.
So far, in 11 inquiries, I’ve had one person say they wanted me to host his teenage son, but not him. Another lady said she wanted to book outside Airbnb. In neither case did I formally decline, but I made it clear that these weren’t acceptable terms.
Keep in mind that an ~inquiry~ is an inquiry, nothing more than a word exchange, and a ~request~ is something different.
While on the subject, unfortunately AirBnB is a bit pushy when it comes to ‘closing’ a sale, and it is a pity interested guests must use ‘open calendar dates’ just to simply send an ~inquiry~; I mean really.
Yes, that doesn’t make much sense to me either. Why do you have to specify dates in order to ask a question?
In theory, it would prevent the exchange and disappointment from occurring if a guest were looking for dates that clearly aren’t available. So, neither party’s time is wasted.
I can see the reasoning. Potential guests still have to look at the calendar for the inquiry, to choose the first available dates, yet oftentimes they turn right around and ask: “What dates are available?”. That one always gets me.
Perhaps improvements are in order, for example:
1- For AirBnB to show the whole yearly calendar in ONE page as an option, something others (VRBO & Flip Key) do and
2- use better color combination, that grey/white AirBnB uses is very weak, I suppose to keep it to greyscale vs. color, and
3- Perhaps also add a ‘Next Available’ button, so inquirers can cycle through the calendar quicker.
Just random thoughts.
Hi Cabinhost,
I’m new here and would like to ask your opinion as I’ve noticed you are using booking.com and V as well.
How is that working for you? I’m worried about listing with booking since cash needs to be used (even for the security deposit).
Also, wondering how competitive my prices would be if I factor in V’s high fee for both the guests and myself?
I’d love to hear your opinion.
Thank you!
Hi @tagaytay,
It’s probably better to make that a new thread.
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