Need feedback on my review for bad guests

[NoelR]

I think we have a winner. Thank you so much for talking me down.

[NoelR]

I still won’t post it until the last day.

[konacoconutz]

@NoelR

think we have a winner. Thank you so much for talking me down.

Use this one as “therapy” and then post a no-nonsense, non-snark review with just the facts, ma’am.

[NoelR]

Here is the final:
This guest was not a positive experience for me. They made unsubstantiated claims about my property, and I could not reason with them. The experience was regrettable on several levels, and I do not recommend them at all.

[Maggieroni]

I don’t mind what you wrote without all the mold specifics. I think imaybe they were not a good fit for your listing. I don’t know how a host will interpret so somewhere between too specific and too vague is the sweet spot. Good that you aired your feelings here !

[konacoconutz]

@NoelR

This guest was not a positive experience for me. They made unsubstantiated claims about my property, and I could not reason with them. The experience was regrettable on several levels, and I do not recommend them at all.

umm, this is a little too vague! Can you beef it up some more?

[faheem]

Hi @Maggieroni,

@Maggieroni

XX and her sister, XX, left our space after the first two nights of their four-night booking. I told them to contact Airbnb, who would send me a notification, and I would approve a refund for the unused nights. They never did cancel, so we were left with no way to fill those nights. They then filed a claim with the Airbnb Resolution Center where they restated their issue but also inadvertently revealed the truth.

Minor comment: the latter part of this text talks about “their issue”. But the earlier part just says “left our space”. For completeness, perhaps it would better to say something like “left our space because they claimed there was an issue”? People can leave for other reasons than an “issue” with the space. Family/friend emergency, urgent business to attend to. Etc. etc.

[Artemis]

What about -

XXXX and her sister XXXX booked my room for 4 nights. Apparently I was their second choice accommodation. When they got notification that their first choice location was available, they left after spending just 2 nights. They made up a claim about my listing in an effort to get a refund. Avoid these guests!

[NoelR]

I like this wording, too. I am saving it and keeping my options open. Thanks.

[konacoconutz]

@NoelR

XX and her sister, XX, left our space after the first two nights of their four-night booking. They claimed they could smell mold and mildew and were allergic. This had never come up before, and I could not smell it, but I told them to contact Airbnb, who would send me a notification, and I would approve a refund for the unused nights. They never did cancel, so we were left with no way to fill those nights. They then filed a claim with the Airbnb Resolution Center where they restated their “mold” issue but also inadvertently revealed the truth. They had gotten word from another accommodation where they wanted to stay that there had been a cancellation, so it was open for them. I wish they had been honest with me and not created a lot of drama to get a few dollars back. I would have understood. I cannot recommend them as guests and would not have them back.

I wouldn’t mention Resolution! You aren’t allowed to refer to open cases! Also don’t mention you would have been glad to refund anything. How about:

"Unfortunately, these guests proved to be quite the headache. Upon check in, they claimed there was mold (patently untrue; they even took photos of moss on rocks outside, claiming this was the “mold” in question) and yet stayed 48 hours anyway, actually using the bathroom, shower and refolding the towels! Then leaving and claiming we had mold and wanted a refund. We discovered they received word that another accommodation had opened up and we suspect that’s why they were anxious to leave. They also threatened us with a bad review if we did not comply with their demands for a refund. These guests behaved in an irresponsible, conniving manner and I would never have them back, nor would I recommend to other hosts. Stressful experience. Avoid! "

[faheem]

I like it. Straight up. Tells it like it is. Nice work @konacoconutz.

The only thing is, should one talk about mould in one’s own listing? It’s like someone said about vermin. Don’t mention the v word, or something to that effect.

[konacoconutz]

That will be $70 please. Nahhhh just joking.

As for the mold, this is on the guest review. It’s not going to show on her listing.

Vermin= RATS, etc. Mold is not vermin! At least last time I checked.

[faheem]

@konacoconutz

As for the mold, this is on the guest review. It’s not going to show on her listing.

True, but it will be linked to her listing if the host leaves a review.

@konacoconutz

Vermin= RATS, etc. Mold is not vermin! At least last time I checked.

Mold is definitely not vermin. But mold is BAD. My point was, as I understood it, that one should avoid making bad associations with one’s own listing. I’m not a marketing person, so I can’t speak with confidence on this point.

[konacoconutz]

Not sure… but I think it makes a good story to mention that they took photos of moss and tried to pass it off as mold!

Mold is one of those intangibles people want to sue over, at least here in the US!

I don’t think it hurts her to mention that the guest LIED about the mold.
How many people do that. Follow guest reviews back to the host?

We don’t even know if the guest will leave a review.

I think she should say exactly what the guest lied about, but it is up to her.

[konacoconutz]

@faheem

that one should avoid making bad associations with one’s own listing.

Also this is buying into what the guest lied about, especially if it is completely untrue,.

[konacoconutz]

@konacoconutz

hen leaving and claiming we had mold and wanted a refund.

What about saying “claiming the accommodation was unsuitable.”

By the way, to the OP… if they want to leave early, it’s on them. DON’T give them a penny back. You did nothing wrong and stand by your accommodation being mold free!

[NoelR]

So do they get to leave a review for me as a host since they went to the Resolution Center and apparently got money back? It still comes up on my listing that I get to leave them one, and I am waiting until the last minute.

[dcmooney]

Still sounds like a rant. Not necessary. “He said, she said”. Just cut to the chase. No one needs to know about the problems with not being able to fill those nights, etc. etc.

[dcmooney]

I would just add something that makes you sound good like “I am sorry we weren’t able to resolve our dispute in a more cooperative manner” or something.

[faheem]

@konacoconutz

Not sure… but I think it makes a good story to mention that they took photos of moss and tried to pass it off as mold!

Agreed.

@konacoconutz

I don’t think it hurts her to mention that the guest LIED about the mold.How many people do that. Follow guest reviews back to the host?

Probably not many.

@konacoconutz

We don’t even know if the guest will leave a review.

Agreed.

@konacoconutz

I think she should say exactly what the guest lied about, but it is up to her.

I don’t have a strong opinion about mentioning mold. And certainly the way you have told the story makes them look very bad, which is the idea. To be clear, I wasn’t saying one should not mention the mold, just raising the point.