Post by High Priestess on May 29, 2016 6:57:10 GMT
Holly nov 2014
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-93722
Holly2 years ago
Guest checking out space before booking?
Hi all, working to secure my first reservation here, and the gal just asked me if she could check out my place before booking the reservation. She seems perfectly nice and has one review (positive) so far. I'm mostly wondering if the request itself is odd (AirBnB says it's "rare") and if this should be a warning sign.
So A) nice girl with rare request but one that's easy enough to accommodate?
Or B) shady request and maybe indicative of something else (scoping my place to see what/if there are any valuables)??
C) something else?
Thanks in advance!
6 comments
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Emily & Lou
Emily & Lou2 years ago
I will go with C. Some people just do not fully get Airbnb; they assume that a place can be checked out prior to booking it. In reality, Airbnb discourages that kind of action. The few times we have had someone ask if they can see our place prior to booking, I have explained very diplomatically that it is not only an unreasonable request, but also one that Airbnb discourages. That is why you should have a very detailed listing with nice photographs. If this prospective guest decides not to book in light of this, then good: You just dodged a bullet. -- Lou
Like 1 like
Holly
Holly2 years ago
So helpful to hear your advice and experience, thank you!
One more question that may or may not be related to the above, she's local, from Brooklyn and looking for another place while her roommate hosts her family over the holidays. Is that fairly normal too?
Like 3 replies
Emily & Lou
Emily & Lou2 years ago
It's not normal. It's a pain in the butt. Just think: if she is so demanding now, imagine what she will be like once she checks in. I/we stay away from those type of guests because they are the ones who tend to give uninhibited bad reviews.
Holly
Holly2 years ago
Ok, good to know. Thanks again!
Christina
Christina2 years ago
It has happened to me only twice and I declined. My photos are accurate. However, I don't think her reason is unusual. She could book 1 or 2 nights if she is not sure and extend her stay if you both like each other.
Alia
Alia2 years ago
My two cents: I tend to agree with Lou and Christina, but also they haven't tried to secure their first reservation in a long time.
It depends how bad you want your first guest, and how bad you want *this* person to be your first guest (and first review...).
If you want them, and you don't want to let them see the space beforehand (because that is not a good trend to encourage, IMHO) I think I would respond along the lines of,
"Thanks so much for your interest in my listing! You may have noticed I'm new to airbnb, so it would be really helpful to me if you could let me know what attracted you to my listing and also what your concerns are. Airbnb discourages potential guests from visiting hosts until a reservation is confirmed for safety and security reasons-- after all, now you know where I live! So, while I can't invite you into my home yet, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have."
Like 4 replies•2 likes
Emily & Lou
Emily & Lou2 years ago
Excellently phrased!
Alia
Alia2 years ago
I was a journalist and now I'm a novelist-- I oughtta be able to write.
Holly
Holly2 years ago
Worked out just great: I got around it by saying I have family coming into town (true) this week and so couldn't show her the place but am happy to answer any other questions, send other photos, etc. She never responded and now somebody else booked the dates (for 5 nights instead of 3 too!) so, wins all around. Thanks so much, all!
Emily & Lou
Emily & Lou2 years ago
That's awesome. Congratulations.
Holly
Holly2 years ago
Awesome, so so so helpful! Really appreciate it.
Like 1 reply
Emily & Lou
Emily & Lou2 years ago
You should come to our upcoming gathering. There are a lot of awesome hosts in Queens. Scroll down for the details. -- Lou
Alia
Alia2 years ago
Perfect!
Like
Margaret
Margareta year ago
This is really helpful. I was always uncomfortable with these requests.
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-93722
Holly2 years ago
Guest checking out space before booking?
Hi all, working to secure my first reservation here, and the gal just asked me if she could check out my place before booking the reservation. She seems perfectly nice and has one review (positive) so far. I'm mostly wondering if the request itself is odd (AirBnB says it's "rare") and if this should be a warning sign.
So A) nice girl with rare request but one that's easy enough to accommodate?
Or B) shady request and maybe indicative of something else (scoping my place to see what/if there are any valuables)??
C) something else?
Thanks in advance!
6 comments
Follow
Like
Emily & Lou
Emily & Lou2 years ago
I will go with C. Some people just do not fully get Airbnb; they assume that a place can be checked out prior to booking it. In reality, Airbnb discourages that kind of action. The few times we have had someone ask if they can see our place prior to booking, I have explained very diplomatically that it is not only an unreasonable request, but also one that Airbnb discourages. That is why you should have a very detailed listing with nice photographs. If this prospective guest decides not to book in light of this, then good: You just dodged a bullet. -- Lou
Like 1 like
Holly
Holly2 years ago
So helpful to hear your advice and experience, thank you!
One more question that may or may not be related to the above, she's local, from Brooklyn and looking for another place while her roommate hosts her family over the holidays. Is that fairly normal too?
Like 3 replies
Emily & Lou
Emily & Lou2 years ago
It's not normal. It's a pain in the butt. Just think: if she is so demanding now, imagine what she will be like once she checks in. I/we stay away from those type of guests because they are the ones who tend to give uninhibited bad reviews.
Holly
Holly2 years ago
Ok, good to know. Thanks again!
Christina
Christina2 years ago
It has happened to me only twice and I declined. My photos are accurate. However, I don't think her reason is unusual. She could book 1 or 2 nights if she is not sure and extend her stay if you both like each other.
Alia
Alia2 years ago
My two cents: I tend to agree with Lou and Christina, but also they haven't tried to secure their first reservation in a long time.
It depends how bad you want your first guest, and how bad you want *this* person to be your first guest (and first review...).
If you want them, and you don't want to let them see the space beforehand (because that is not a good trend to encourage, IMHO) I think I would respond along the lines of,
"Thanks so much for your interest in my listing! You may have noticed I'm new to airbnb, so it would be really helpful to me if you could let me know what attracted you to my listing and also what your concerns are. Airbnb discourages potential guests from visiting hosts until a reservation is confirmed for safety and security reasons-- after all, now you know where I live!
So, while I can't invite you into my home yet, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have."Like 4 replies•2 likes
Emily & Lou
Emily & Lou2 years ago
Excellently phrased!
Alia
Alia2 years ago
I was a journalist and now I'm a novelist-- I oughtta be able to write.
Holly
Holly2 years ago
Worked out just great: I got around it by saying I have family coming into town (true) this week and so couldn't show her the place but am happy to answer any other questions, send other photos, etc. She never responded and now somebody else booked the dates (for 5 nights instead of 3 too!) so, wins all around. Thanks so much, all!
Emily & Lou
Emily & Lou2 years ago
That's awesome. Congratulations.
Holly
Holly2 years ago
Awesome, so so so helpful! Really appreciate it.
Like 1 reply
Emily & Lou
Emily & Lou2 years ago
You should come to our upcoming gathering. There are a lot of awesome hosts in Queens. Scroll down for the details. -- Lou
Alia
Alia2 years ago
Perfect!
Like
Margaret
Margareta year ago
This is really helpful. I was always uncomfortable with these requests.