I’ve had some guests stumble over that and find something really small just to be able to answer that question.
Too bad it’s not asked differently.
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That’s probably in response to the “What could the host do better?” question.
While this may be a generally legitimate answer, such a “feature” may be abused by the Airbnb algorithm in the sense of “host is not going the extra mile to satisfy guests”.
As you mentioned in your previous response, it encourages guests to find something to “complain” even if the guests have received the advertised services and accommodation to 100%.
That’s why I’m surprised to occasionally see guests with an unhappy face as soon as they realise there is no full kitchen when it has never been advertised - on the contrary, it is clearly stated in the description and shown in the photos.
The desire for guests to “have” certain amenities will always be there. Be it the golden faucets, 25 extra pillows or 10 fresh towels a day. The fact that we don’t have a full kitchen is due to building restrictions which of course could be remedied with the investment of around $20,000 to make necessary changes just so the guests can have an addition of a kitchen sink and a small stove. Sounds a bit over the top for me, so I will have to live with the few complaints which are based on laziness or inability to read our description.
We need a feature for hosts when the guest review is requested to tell the guest ‘what THE GUEST could do better’…
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This ‘shabby’ thing…
Our apartments were built in the 1940s and are decorated in the style of the day. The bathroom and kitchen (even the range) in one of the apartments are original.
One client, a rather grumpy old bloke, said during the house tour ‘it’s very old fashioned’. To which I replied “Ah yes George (or whatever his name was) it is old fashioned to me and you, people our age. But youngsters love the original mid-century modern look. It’s very popular these days”. That seemed to perk him up a little.
Later he was outside talking to a friend on the phone and I overheard “Oh yes, it’s a lovely place. Mid-century modern. All the rage these days, you know. Really fashionable with the hip crowd…”
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they book a 150 year old house, renewed bathroom and kitchen, furnished to suit the age of the house and you get the comment - gee its old!!
Yes - as pictured…you didn’t look at the pictures, you didn’t notice the title?
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I find that the more reviews I write, the more I get. I just looked and I am up to 370 reviews now.
I also send strategic messages designed to get the guest to expect a review and leave a review.
I almost always get 5 stars, mostly because my messaging encourages reciprocity. I let them know they are getting five stars, while offering a discount for future stays. This dangles a carrot for the guest… So they see a value in giving 5 stars.
I am the first to admit the review system sucks
RR
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We got a second 4* out of 180 5*on Air today… I didn’t reply to it other than in guest message thread, in case Air ever questions it I can direct them to read that. I think the guest was just looking for an open complaint outlet after having a less than expected amount of fun on his trip. Still it hurts!
Saying there were leaves in the outdoor jacuzzi on a day so windy he couldn’t go boating… and two bed pillows for single traveler not enough… sort of bad. good. bad. good. stream of comments. oh well
Yes my last 4 star is because I have queen beds instead of king. Duh… my listing is very clear on that as well as my photos, but airbnb allows guests to ruin hosts businesses with such unfair ratings. Why is it the host problem that the guest did not read the listing or look at the photos.
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I think that’s a bit over the top.
If that was the worst thing they could say about your rental, then that’s pretty good, isn’t it? So I wouldn’t worry.
I have queen beds in both apartments and yet I’ve never had a complaint about them so I wonder if it was really something else?
What were your other 4 stars for?
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[quote=“gypsy, post:49, topic:60790”] I
think the guest was just looking for an open complaint outlet after having a less than expected amount of fun on his trip. Still it hurts!
Saying there were leaves in the outdoor jacuzzi on a day so windy he couldn’t go boating… and two bed pillows for single traveler not enough… sort of bad. good. bad. good. stream of comments. oh well
[/quote]
There seem to be people who think they always have to come up with cons as well as pros when presented with a review form.
Also, it doesn’t help that Airbnb encourages this with their “Let the host know what they can do to improve”.
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I read a review where the guest said “I guess if I have to find something that could be improved on, it would be “ and said something small, like adding a potato masher in the kitchen.
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guests once left me 1 star review because they walked in and saw pet decor and a gate on the stairs with notes about please keep pets downstairs. She left a dont stay here - her husband is allergic to dogs, but she did not even call me to dicuss a solution. My listing discusses that we think pets are part of the family and are welcome. We have no carpets and leather furnishings and blinds and shades so that we can offer a clean pet friendly home. My condo gets a deep clean and floors get pet enzyme rinsed and is kept very clean. My maid says mine is the best one she takes care of. The guest did not read my listing. They left and rented a hotel and did not even call me. I would have placed them in another owners condo and transfered their funds and taken the loss to keep the peace but they did not give me the chance. a 1 star is like a zero on a mid term. It pushed me pages down the scroll. Took me a year and a half to climb back up. Another guest gave me 3 stars. She could not find anything wrong so she pulled the sink drains out of the bath sinks (that is not easy to do) to find a hair. which is all bad she could say. Airbnb is not fair to hosts. Mean guests really hurt your bookings. Yes in 10 years i am seeing that guests are just getting meaner. And I let the 3 star lady have a 30% discount AND I let her check in at 9am and check out at 10 pm. but she had to find something wrong.
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Guests who ask for discounts and special allowances (checking out at 10pm means the guest should book another night, as it prevents you from renting that night to another person) are red flags. I would be wary of them from square one and most likely decline them.
Also, when hosts acquience to a guest’s request for you to make exceptions to your policies and pricing, those kind of people then peg you as a pushover and will walk all over you, rather than be appreciative.
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