Left items and what to do when the guest returns

1

A guest left a half finished (very expensive) shampoo last week. Should I leave it for him when he comes back for another stay soon? And, how do I present it if I am to give it back?

FYI I usually do not see my guests (business types who come in late and leave early in private rooms of my 2 fam house) so the expectation is that this guest self-checks in and out.

(PS: Hoping this question will be refreshing after the innumerable hosts complaining about bad guests that point out amenity discrepancies or hosts that want airbnb to send a SWAT team to police their guest count)

3 Likes
2

I would ask, do you want me to return it or leave it for your next visit.

If things got left in my rental, I always asked if they wanted me to mail it to them.

3

Good point, but they are arriving tomorrow - that is why I am asking how / if.

4

I’ve had regulars leave stuff before like that and I usually set it aside and then just set it in the room for them upon their next arrival. It’s one of the “services” that makes them feel like regulars (and keep returning : ) I only mention it to them if they ask me about it or if it seems particularly important (e.g. a wedding ring or something precious). Otherwise, they find it waiting for them at their next stay.

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5

I believe you’re in-home hosting right? Or on-site?

We do on-site hosting and always enter the accommodation immediately after check-out in order to start cleaning.

Any left items will be collected, photographed and the guest informed about them right away. Several times, the guests were not even more than 5 minutes away, or we met them half way to the train station or were instructed to destroy the items.

Why not just contact the guests right away?`

If your guest is returning tomorrow I would just tell them what you wrote here and offer to give it to them. I’m sure they appreciate your thoughtfulness. Worst case, they discard it instead of you.

1 Like
6

Just send the guest a message- “Hi XX, I stashed away the bottle of what looks like expensive shampoo you left on your last visit and just put it back in your room, thinking you’d want to use it again.”

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7

Ask them or just leave it in your Airbnb on their return.

8

I would not point out I think it’s expensive. “I stashed away the shampoo you left” should be adequate.

9

Perhaps you can leave it on the kitchen counter with a note.

10

Many times my guest are not guaranteed to return, so I reach out to them and asked if they would like the item shipped back. Based on the postage I usually pick up the cost.

11

I’d just text the guest back to ask if wants to pick it up if he is coming back soon. If not, and he wants to have it back, I let him know I charge $20/hr if I have to go to UPS, or take the time to get a mailer, etc, then the UPS charges and add up the costs and ask if he wants me to keep it or mail it back. I’ve not had anyone balk at this and most are very grateful either way.