About a month ago, we all received message from Airbnb that they are going to do away with the questions we set before the guests send us request. The questions were great idea I thought. Now without the questions like "what brings you to XXX, what’s the age of travelers? " etc, lots of inexperienced guests don’t have any descriptions about themselves and sends request, after I ask questions, they won’t answer. I had to decline or accept without knowing nothing.
Anyone has the same complains? I am going to call Air to complain about it.
Just turn on instant book and don’t worry about it. I would not answer your questions anyway as a guest, oh and I would skip over your listing because I filter for IB. All this vetting is costing you money IMO.
RR
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The only question I ask is: “What approximate time do you expect to arrive?”
Our community vehicle gate closes nightly at 7:30 p.m. Although, I give arriving guests an electronic gate key at check-in.
But you can ask: “Do you have any special requests to make your stay more comfortable?”
Their answer will allow me to ask more questions or alert me of something unusual before they arrive.
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I like to know what brings my guests to the area. I volunteer this info as a courtesy to every host I stayed with. I think it’s only polite, even if I IB, to send them a short message introducing myself and saying why I am coming over when I will arrive etc. Eventually to ask one or two questions.
I really don’t like when people IB me with no message and I am clueless of who they are. I can see their profile but still… So yes, Im sorry they gave up on those questions
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Agreed. When a guest books, I don’t ask them any questions. Just the opposite - I thank them for booking and ask them to get in touch if they have any questions about the apartment or the local area. I don’t want to know about their travel details until the day before check in as the guests often aren’t sure until then so they give an approximate answer that can be completely wrong, especially if there are travel delays. Often, they don’t have an accurate-ish arrival time until just before check in time.
Lots of guests are nice enough to send a little message like " we are coming town with my parents for a vacation". But some of them has nothing, being able to ask questions has helped us avoid lots of party people. We are in a big party town, sometimes to be able to know there age and purpose to visit, we will insure they know the rules not to have parties and loud music, smoking in the house. The last thing we need is neighbor’s complains.
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As we’ve discussed before I think it depends on whether you are sharing your room as to how much information you might want about a guest.
I am going to move my IB questions to my house rules @Ping
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I’m still a very new host and have instant book turned on for both Airbnb and VRBO. I haven’t had any issues through Air yet, but just got my first instant booking with VRBO. They are brand new with only email verification and haven’t filled out anything on their profile. I think I’m realizing that VRBO doesn’t have quite the same vetting process for instant book that Air has. I’m going to send some questions and hope he answers, otherwise I guess I’ll take the penalties and cancel. And turn off instant bookings with them.
Why? I do not understand, why do you not want to host this guest?
You will never know who you are really getting, vetting is a way to not host.
RR
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I’ve written this here a million times before (okay, I know…) but I’ve never understood why hosts refuse guests. I never have and I’ve also never had any huge problems. A few minor ones, yes, but nothing I couldn’t handle and nothing that was really any big deal - and that’s with two apartments and renting them for many years.
In the ‘old days’, before Airbnb and even before the internet, we would have guests turning up at the door with a suitcase and that’s all - no ID, no reviews, no profile, no photograph. The guest could give a false name, a false reason for being in the area…
The world is a safer place these days but still there are hosts who want guests to jump through hoops before they are permitted to stay with them. It seems crazy to me. Rant over.
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There are a few reasons I’ve declined guests in the last year
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The guest was booking in advance for what is prime season; they explained that they are dealing with a family health issue and may need to cancel should that situation arise. The reviews of the guest were great and in a slower season, I would have not had an issue, but in this case I didn’t want to be left with a last minute vacancy.
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A guest asking if smoking outside was OK, despite my house rules clearly stating the contrary.
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I’ve had guests booking for other people.
I do use IB, and that at least gives me some perspective of the guest from their reviews. For those who send inquiries and that don’t have reviews, I ask them to confirm that they’ve reviewed my house rules and to provide the information requested therein. I’ve had several guests this year who were new to ABNB and who had no problem responding with the information. Those who don’t respond, provide validation of why they may not be a good fit for my listing.
In general, the reason I want information is that I want to ensure that guest expectations are met or exceeded, and that I don’t run into issues that can be avoided.
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Different hosting styles. I wouldn’t cancel in any of the circumstances you mentioned apart from the third party booking only IF it’s mentioned in the Airbnb message system.
I think that’s lovely and I wish that I could do it. Luckily, it’s never been an issue as yet.
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You are so right; there is no set approach that works for all … and despite that I’ve learned so much from you, and other hosts on this forum.
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I called Airbnb to complained this, they said they will pass it to tech department. They also have heard a lot of same complains.
Thank you. Exactly right. Bottom line, we are still renting out a home, not a hotel room. We do not have security team, concierge on the site. We do not have attorneys in the back give us advises. So we try to be careful and avoid any unnecessary trouble.
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I did not ask any questions except for on the day of when I send them their door unlock code and ask them their ETA. Really none of it is my business why they’re here. When they actually arrive I’ll try to get an idea of what they’re here for in case they need recommendations
I like that with Air I can choose to only accept instant bookings from people who have been recommended by other hosts. This one small thing gives me a lot of piece of mind. I realize that anything can go wrong with anyone at anytime, but a little bit of vetting goes a long way for me.
With VRBO I have nothing, just a name. No confirmation of having read house rules, in fact no communication at all. I’m not a hotel, this is our home away from home. We’re happy to share it with others when we can’t be there, but it’s my home and I feel I have every right to know who is staying there and why. Plus, I’m an off-site host and am 7.5 hours away. I don’t have the privilege of meeting my guests in person, which honestly, would make me feel a whole lot better.
The last booking who didn’t communicate at all cancelled at the last minute during a special event weekend. I have a moderate cancellation policy, so got to keep some of the money, but could have made a whole lot more. I’m feeling a bit gun-shy since this new booking is for Memorial Day weekend.
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Of course you do! It just will result in fewer bookings.
This makes it more difficult, I am a 5 minute WALK from my listing and I have cameras outside. I could and would evict if needed.
Happy hosting
RR
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I’m grateful We’re not reliant on the the income, but it’s nice to help offset some of the costs.
I wish very much we were closer, but we love where we live in the summer time and I’ve found an invaluable local who cleans and and helps with anything that comes up with the rental. I like people and I think I would truly enjoy meeting our guests, so I envy those of you who get to do that.
I have never lost a booking because of asking questions.
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