Post by High Priestess on May 28, 2016 2:07:43 GMT
Tena shared in Bedder Hosting May 2014
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-90826
add-ons
I think I saw something where someone had added amenities (such as special goodies in the fridge) that were charged for, on the honor system. Does this work for anyone? Does it seem stingy, or helpful? What kind of goodies would you have available?
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Sally
Sally2 years ago
Stingy to hotel like either leave something nice like I usually leave a fresh bowl of fruit ot a bottle of wine sometimes homemade cookies after I get a sense of my guests I do this because it gives me joy to make my guest feel extra special
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Gordon
Gordon2 years ago
I offer a mini-bar service. All items at cost price. Not stingy IMO.
Reply Like 1 reply
Tena
Tena2 years ago
And do people seem to enjoy it? Use it? Pay for it? I like the idea... Something more than expected...
K. Naomi
K. Naomi2 years ago
This year I started to offer personal dove soap, aveda shampoo & conditioner, and face face wash (all travel sizes that I get pretty cheap at the store). It has made things much easier. i also keep a shelf of communal things (large bottle of shampoo, soap, male/female razors, mouthwash, toothpaste, q-tips, band aids, etc...). I started the communal shelf 2+ years ago and when longer term guests leave they tend to add to it so I've only had to buy for the shelf once this year.
In terms of goodies. I keep a basket of communal tea, coffee, treats, snacks, granola bars and more on the kitchen counter. I also keep a communal cabinet of spices, sweetener and cereal. I rent two of my bedrooms out to airbnb guests and I live in third bedroom.
I found that by offering these extras people stay out of my personal food and items. I will often get guests treats from the farmer market, such as honey from my favorite bee keeper, fresh apple spice donuts and fresh fruit, etc... These are great things I discovered because I live here but they would probably never experience unless someone told them about them.
I tend to do this for guests who are respectful and friendly. I have found that if someone is difficult or being somewhat nasty/rude to me, offering these "extras" makes their behavior worse - as if I owe them - but this is not a common attitude I get (perhaps once a year at most).
I also get student discounts to broadway shows, the ballet and the opera in NYC. So, I tend to offer the discount to my guests to help them save money. I also have made a list of all the major NYC museums that have a free or pay what you wish day during the week, so my guests save money also. Even if they have the money to spend on museum admissions I tell them I think it's a better use of their money if they spent it exploring NYC's great restaurants, taking a day trip to DC, Boston or Philly, shopping, or seeing a show.
In the spring I leave a bowl of clementines for my guests in their rooms. They're in season, sweet, easy to find at the grocer and I have never had anyone allergic or who did not like them. Other fruit I've found to be touch and go but overall everyone enjoyed the fruit.
I have a degree in business with 13+ years in marketing and communications. Successful business strategy #1 - make your customer feel like they are getting more for than their money. Getting your money's worth is satisfying. Getting more than you bargained for gives you the same feeling as winning the lottery.
As a host you want to think about what it's costing you to run your business, so I understand not wanting to shovel out a bunch of dough per reservation. But think about how you can add more value at minimal cost. You can even take the cost and add it back into the reservation if it makes you feel better. The personal soap and the fresh organic bag of coffee in the kitchen is easily less than $4 per reservation. An apple spice donut is .50 cents. I think I can afford that since the cost benefit equals a guaranteed glowing review and more reservation requests which allows me, when I have the time, to operate at 100% capacity.
In terms of what I don't offer. I have a washer and dryer in my apartment. Guests can do laundry once a week for free but they have to provide their own detergent. I found when I didn't have these boundaries people treated my place like a free laundromat doing laundry every couple of days. I don't buy breakfast/perishable items like milk, eggs, juice, bread, etc... for people coming because I found everyone is different and I am allergic to dairy, yeast, eggs and am grain and sugar free, so if the guests don't eat them they go to waste. I do direct people to where they can buy these things easily and am lucky to have a great mini market on the corner of my block.
In other words you don't have to give everything, but a little goes a long way. In the bathroom each bedroom has their own shower caddy and soap dish. With the provided soap items I find the bathroom is much neater and when people check out I know exactly what is leftover from a reservation and what I can throw out. Also, the separation makes people feel like they have their own space and are able to feel more at home.
By the way, the snack basket, communal cabinet and communal shelf in the bathroom is often refilled with things people leave behind. I rarely buy anything for them.
My guests also bring me amazing things from all over the world and the guests that just left on Saturday were so appreciative (I think there is magic int he apple spice donuts from my farmers market, lol) they bought me a card and gift certificate to Whole Foods because they know I like to shop there so much. I was so touched and warmed by their thoughtfulness and generosity.
If you don't agree, try it out as a test for the next couple of reservations and see if you notice any change. Sometimes guests ask if I charge for these things and I make it very clear that I do not accept money for anything that I offer them in my home. If I offer it, then it's included in the cost of the reservation. If I don't offer it, then don't touch it! I do have to say though that I clearly state on my room pages that I am offering a house share, people who make a reservation are opting to be a short-term housemate, roommate or neighbor (whichever term they are most comfortable with), and although I seem to offer a lot my home is in now way a hotel, hostel or bed & breakfast. Do I still get folks behaving like it's a discount hotel? Yes, but they are a minute few at this point.
Sorry for such a long post!
Reply Like 9 likes
Tena
Tena2 years ago
I'm can see why you get great reviews!
Reply Like 1 like
Lisa
Lisa2 years ago
There is no need to charge for these little extras . The response you will receive in your review will give you more guests and they are so appreciative. I leave the same for each guest: 1 red 1 white wine 2 small beers and if children are here some child cereal, strawberries fruit and toasting breads, 3 small pots of jam and balls of margarine . And a couple of small chocolates. Lisa
Reply Like 1 like
Jane-Marie
Jane-Marie2 years ago
This is so true. Going that little extra mile doesn't often cost a lot but makes the whole experience better all the way around.
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-90826
add-ons
I think I saw something where someone had added amenities (such as special goodies in the fridge) that were charged for, on the honor system. Does this work for anyone? Does it seem stingy, or helpful? What kind of goodies would you have available?
6 comments
Follow
Like
Sally
Sally2 years ago
Stingy to hotel like either leave something nice like I usually leave a fresh bowl of fruit ot a bottle of wine sometimes homemade cookies after I get a sense of my guests I do this because it gives me joy to make my guest feel extra special
Reply Like 3 likes
Gordon
Gordon2 years ago
I offer a mini-bar service. All items at cost price. Not stingy IMO.
Reply Like 1 reply
Tena
Tena2 years ago
And do people seem to enjoy it? Use it? Pay for it? I like the idea... Something more than expected...
K. Naomi
K. Naomi2 years ago
This year I started to offer personal dove soap, aveda shampoo & conditioner, and face face wash (all travel sizes that I get pretty cheap at the store). It has made things much easier. i also keep a shelf of communal things (large bottle of shampoo, soap, male/female razors, mouthwash, toothpaste, q-tips, band aids, etc...). I started the communal shelf 2+ years ago and when longer term guests leave they tend to add to it so I've only had to buy for the shelf once this year.
In terms of goodies. I keep a basket of communal tea, coffee, treats, snacks, granola bars and more on the kitchen counter. I also keep a communal cabinet of spices, sweetener and cereal. I rent two of my bedrooms out to airbnb guests and I live in third bedroom.
I found that by offering these extras people stay out of my personal food and items. I will often get guests treats from the farmer market, such as honey from my favorite bee keeper, fresh apple spice donuts and fresh fruit, etc... These are great things I discovered because I live here but they would probably never experience unless someone told them about them.
I tend to do this for guests who are respectful and friendly. I have found that if someone is difficult or being somewhat nasty/rude to me, offering these "extras" makes their behavior worse - as if I owe them - but this is not a common attitude I get (perhaps once a year at most).
I also get student discounts to broadway shows, the ballet and the opera in NYC. So, I tend to offer the discount to my guests to help them save money. I also have made a list of all the major NYC museums that have a free or pay what you wish day during the week, so my guests save money also. Even if they have the money to spend on museum admissions I tell them I think it's a better use of their money if they spent it exploring NYC's great restaurants, taking a day trip to DC, Boston or Philly, shopping, or seeing a show.
In the spring I leave a bowl of clementines for my guests in their rooms. They're in season, sweet, easy to find at the grocer and I have never had anyone allergic or who did not like them. Other fruit I've found to be touch and go but overall everyone enjoyed the fruit.
I have a degree in business with 13+ years in marketing and communications. Successful business strategy #1 - make your customer feel like they are getting more for than their money. Getting your money's worth is satisfying. Getting more than you bargained for gives you the same feeling as winning the lottery.
As a host you want to think about what it's costing you to run your business, so I understand not wanting to shovel out a bunch of dough per reservation. But think about how you can add more value at minimal cost. You can even take the cost and add it back into the reservation if it makes you feel better. The personal soap and the fresh organic bag of coffee in the kitchen is easily less than $4 per reservation. An apple spice donut is .50 cents. I think I can afford that since the cost benefit equals a guaranteed glowing review and more reservation requests which allows me, when I have the time, to operate at 100% capacity.
In terms of what I don't offer. I have a washer and dryer in my apartment. Guests can do laundry once a week for free but they have to provide their own detergent. I found when I didn't have these boundaries people treated my place like a free laundromat doing laundry every couple of days. I don't buy breakfast/perishable items like milk, eggs, juice, bread, etc... for people coming because I found everyone is different and I am allergic to dairy, yeast, eggs and am grain and sugar free, so if the guests don't eat them they go to waste. I do direct people to where they can buy these things easily and am lucky to have a great mini market on the corner of my block.
In other words you don't have to give everything, but a little goes a long way. In the bathroom each bedroom has their own shower caddy and soap dish. With the provided soap items I find the bathroom is much neater and when people check out I know exactly what is leftover from a reservation and what I can throw out. Also, the separation makes people feel like they have their own space and are able to feel more at home.
By the way, the snack basket, communal cabinet and communal shelf in the bathroom is often refilled with things people leave behind. I rarely buy anything for them.
My guests also bring me amazing things from all over the world and the guests that just left on Saturday were so appreciative (I think there is magic int he apple spice donuts from my farmers market, lol) they bought me a card and gift certificate to Whole Foods because they know I like to shop there so much. I was so touched and warmed by their thoughtfulness and generosity.
If you don't agree, try it out as a test for the next couple of reservations and see if you notice any change. Sometimes guests ask if I charge for these things and I make it very clear that I do not accept money for anything that I offer them in my home. If I offer it, then it's included in the cost of the reservation. If I don't offer it, then don't touch it! I do have to say though that I clearly state on my room pages that I am offering a house share, people who make a reservation are opting to be a short-term housemate, roommate or neighbor (whichever term they are most comfortable with), and although I seem to offer a lot my home is in now way a hotel, hostel or bed & breakfast. Do I still get folks behaving like it's a discount hotel? Yes, but they are a minute few at this point.
Sorry for such a long post!
Reply Like 9 likes
Tena
Tena2 years ago
I'm can see why you get great reviews!
Reply Like 1 like
Lisa
Lisa2 years ago
There is no need to charge for these little extras . The response you will receive in your review will give you more guests and they are so appreciative. I leave the same for each guest: 1 red 1 white wine 2 small beers and if children are here some child cereal, strawberries fruit and toasting breads, 3 small pots of jam and balls of margarine . And a couple of small chocolates. Lisa
Reply Like 1 like
Jane-Marie
Jane-Marie2 years ago
This is so true. Going that little extra mile doesn't often cost a lot but makes the whole experience better all the way around.