Post by High Priestess on May 31, 2016 3:58:09 GMT
Parvin shared on Silicon Valley Hosts
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-106105
Offering cash for extended stay
Hi,
I am hosting a guest couple. What I have been asked by the guest is that he would like to make recurring reservations every week for 3 days. He is asking for a discounted price.1) He is looking for a cash payout, instead of going via airbnb.2) The guy looks OK to me, his wife is more of a stay at home. While the guy is traveling, his wife is just inside the room.
I am looking for options, and suggestions from people, who have experienced this. I am thinking going airbnb route still.
Advise !!
12 comments
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Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
Most of us are not fond of going outside of the system as you don't get their insurance or customer help. You are only losing the 3% charge so if he wants more of a discount, it doesn't make sense for you. Most of the hosts I know have had challenges with folks who ask for discounts. You might choose to give him a discount, but if so, do it through the system.
Like 1 reply•2 likes
Parvin
Parvina year ago
I feel I have already provided a discounted price. How can I politely say no to the discount ?? I never feel like asking when I go as a guest.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
Then just say you don't do discounts as your place is easily booked, but you'd love to have them return. When you say you feel you've already provided a discounted price, did you give them a price different than in your listing?
Like 1 reply•1 like
Parvin
Parvina year ago
No, the reason I said discounted price. I meant, comparing at other host prices in the area, my price is lower with the similar facility.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
Ah. Then just say you're place is already below market price so you can't discount it more.
Like 2 likes
Judie
Judiea year ago
I use the insurance excuse that Rebecca mentioned and that usually shuts down the conversation of going off Airbnb.
Like 2 likes
Barbara
Barbaraa year ago
Hi Parvin,
I agree with Rebecca about only going through Airbnb because of the protections it provides.
I also agree with her about people who ask for discounts. Just tell him that your price is already below market and you have enough interest that you don't need to discount it.
As for his recurring stay for 3 days every week - that means that anyone wanting to book for longer than the other 4 days will not be able to, and you will likely lose money. I've had requests like this a number of times and what I say (IF I like the person) is that I will book two weeks ahead like that but that's all.
Like 1 reply•2 likes
Leah
Leaha year ago
Yes, I was thinking the same thing - if you have been getting lots of requests, you will likely lose out in the long run. I had a guest who came over a dozen times for a few days. He always booked a few days ahead for each time he planned on coming but it was not several bookings at a time. If I had room, he would book for the coming work week, if not, he had a few other hosts that would be his Plan B.
Eden
Edena year ago
I let the guest know that going through Airbnb also protects them. That puts them at ease.
Like 1 like
Carrie
Carriea year ago
I recently had a guest who also offered cash for extended stay, paying weekly and wanted discount for it. He seemed very nice, so I told him I didn't want discount, but if he paid the week in advance, I could block that week for him. Later, I received an inquiry for a longer period from a girl, and I prefer female roommates, so I told him about it, and asked him if he wanted to match her inquiry (he hadn't paid anything in advance at that time, so I didn't block the calendar yet) before I approved her. He thought about it and decided to rent a new place. Then, after his stay, he left a bad review for me, saying "Carrie always chose what's the best for her". I should have read this thread early and declined his request upfront. I think another pros of not going out of the system and declining to negotiate for such offer upfront is that there will be no hard feelings, and you can earn yourself a fair review (which is important to a new host like me).
Like 1 reply•1 like
John & Greg
John & Grega year ago
So mean.
Parvin
Parvina year ago
Hi Carrie, so sorry for the bad happened to you. This is what sucks. Anyways, it's always good to be professional. Let me share two experiences-
1) I am a new host. And the guest we had was a couple. The guy was going for work, but his wife used to be at home, just in her room. No talking nothing. They asked us for an extra day for cash after staying the whole day, plus they wanted a late checkout around 5 pm. Our checkin time for the guest is 5 pm. I at first took the cash and discounted it. My mistake that I actually discounted it to even loose the money. He also requested for 2-3 days stay every week for work, for a cash payout. After listening to the advice, and checking the lodging rates, I told him that we will go by airbnb, because that helps us record the calendar. And he has to book 2 weeks in advance. They have not yet booked for their upcoming stay. But they did not leave a bad review at all.
2) I along with my wife had to travel to LA for a weekend. By mistake I only booked for a night, and we realized it much earlier. So in reaching there I asked the lady if we can extend our stay by booking another night. The lady herself asked us to give her in cash . But we did not get any discount, it was infact the same price, with taxes. Lol !!
My two cents to you:
Reply to the review on what happened so that future guests know both sides of the story.
Like 1 reply•1 like
Carrie
Carriea year ago
Thanks, Parvin. I responded to the review. I also contacted Airbnb and let them know of the instance. After our conversation, the customer service agent looked it over, and emailed me, saying that I did a great job, but there is not much she can do about the review the guest left. However, she'd be sure to flag his account so that her colleagues are aware. I'm not sure what this will do, yet it makes me feel better that they did something about it.
Gabriela
Gabrielaa year ago
I tell people no and that they are free to look for a place they can afford...
Like
John & Greg
John & Grega year ago
Thank you for starting this thread. I learned a lot after reading all of this.
Like
Pamela
Pamelaa year ago
Almost everyone I have here that has extended their stats have made this request. I simply say no. I remind them nicely how CHEAP our rooms are in our beautiful homes in Silicon Valley and they usually understand. This is a business. We would be damaging our own financial success and wonderful and fun experiences we have all shared from the existence of Airbnb.
Like 1 like
Pamela
Pamelaa year ago
...if we began to make a habit of this.
Also, so many guests ask for lower rates that make 6 figures. This is so frustrating to me. Perfect example and one of many: a guest from another country (purposely not disclosed here) wanted a lower rate to stay for a month. I said no after many lessons that some people will financially attempt to sway you when they are very well to do. In the end he told me he is building a 'beautiful' extravagant hotel back home in his country and how rich he will be and needs to save every penny he can. I simply said that I understand the pressure as I'm doing Airbnb to simply try to hold onto my home here. He is married with children and raved about his wife and family life. He said he would be returning in a week. The last couple nights he was on the phone with a woman (clearly not his wife - ironically she called right after he ended the previous conversation) and with his deep voice carrying through my home (not insulated hotel walls) he had rather lewd conversations with her. I had already offered to drive him to the airport through Uber. In the car he talked of his devotion to his wife and family. How sad. He never returned here as it was also heard he was going to be staying with her. Personally, I would never host to him again.
Like 1 reply•2 likes
Parvin
Parvina year ago
Exactly!! Though we have no right to be opinionated based on others conversations, in this case the guests. But still there are few people, with whom that positive vibe is missing. We too had a guest few days back. I looked him up, and he is a CTO of a startup (every other startup will have a CTO 'designated' person), but neither me or wife got any positive vibes from him. He used to use the bathroom like 10 times in the night . Sometimes, if we were busy in our own things, he literally would make 200% effort to talk and converse, as if interfering. Not that we don't like to talk. With all our guests we sit and talk and have a good conversation over tea or coffee. I even learnt about a culture from one of our guests. But this one was just weird. Sort of annoying !!
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-106105
Offering cash for extended stay
Hi,
I am hosting a guest couple. What I have been asked by the guest is that he would like to make recurring reservations every week for 3 days. He is asking for a discounted price.1) He is looking for a cash payout, instead of going via airbnb.2) The guy looks OK to me, his wife is more of a stay at home. While the guy is traveling, his wife is just inside the room.
I am looking for options, and suggestions from people, who have experienced this. I am thinking going airbnb route still.
Advise !!
12 comments
Follow
Like
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
Most of us are not fond of going outside of the system as you don't get their insurance or customer help. You are only losing the 3% charge so if he wants more of a discount, it doesn't make sense for you. Most of the hosts I know have had challenges with folks who ask for discounts. You might choose to give him a discount, but if so, do it through the system.
Like 1 reply•2 likes
Parvin
Parvina year ago
I feel I have already provided a discounted price. How can I politely say no to the discount ?? I never feel like asking when I go as a guest.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
Then just say you don't do discounts as your place is easily booked, but you'd love to have them return. When you say you feel you've already provided a discounted price, did you give them a price different than in your listing?
Like 1 reply•1 like
Parvin
Parvina year ago
No, the reason I said discounted price. I meant, comparing at other host prices in the area, my price is lower with the similar facility.
Rebecca
Rebeccaa year ago
Ah. Then just say you're place is already below market price so you can't discount it more.
Like 2 likes
Judie
Judiea year ago
I use the insurance excuse that Rebecca mentioned and that usually shuts down the conversation of going off Airbnb.
Like 2 likes
Barbara
Barbaraa year ago
Hi Parvin,
I agree with Rebecca about only going through Airbnb because of the protections it provides.
I also agree with her about people who ask for discounts. Just tell him that your price is already below market and you have enough interest that you don't need to discount it.
As for his recurring stay for 3 days every week - that means that anyone wanting to book for longer than the other 4 days will not be able to, and you will likely lose money. I've had requests like this a number of times and what I say (IF I like the person) is that I will book two weeks ahead like that but that's all.
Like 1 reply•2 likes
Leah
Leaha year ago
Yes, I was thinking the same thing - if you have been getting lots of requests, you will likely lose out in the long run. I had a guest who came over a dozen times for a few days. He always booked a few days ahead for each time he planned on coming but it was not several bookings at a time. If I had room, he would book for the coming work week, if not, he had a few other hosts that would be his Plan B.
Eden
Edena year ago
I let the guest know that going through Airbnb also protects them. That puts them at ease.
Like 1 like
Carrie
Carriea year ago
I recently had a guest who also offered cash for extended stay, paying weekly and wanted discount for it. He seemed very nice, so I told him I didn't want discount, but if he paid the week in advance, I could block that week for him. Later, I received an inquiry for a longer period from a girl, and I prefer female roommates, so I told him about it, and asked him if he wanted to match her inquiry (he hadn't paid anything in advance at that time, so I didn't block the calendar yet) before I approved her. He thought about it and decided to rent a new place. Then, after his stay, he left a bad review for me, saying "Carrie always chose what's the best for her". I should have read this thread early and declined his request upfront. I think another pros of not going out of the system and declining to negotiate for such offer upfront is that there will be no hard feelings, and you can earn yourself a fair review (which is important to a new host like me).
Like 1 reply•1 like
John & Greg
John & Grega year ago
So mean.
Parvin
Parvina year ago
Hi Carrie, so sorry for the bad happened to you. This is what sucks. Anyways, it's always good to be professional. Let me share two experiences-
1) I am a new host. And the guest we had was a couple. The guy was going for work, but his wife used to be at home, just in her room. No talking nothing. They asked us for an extra day for cash after staying the whole day, plus they wanted a late checkout around 5 pm. Our checkin time for the guest is 5 pm. I at first took the cash and discounted it. My mistake that I actually discounted it to even loose the money. He also requested for 2-3 days stay every week for work, for a cash payout. After listening to the advice, and checking the lodging rates, I told him that we will go by airbnb, because that helps us record the calendar. And he has to book 2 weeks in advance. They have not yet booked for their upcoming stay. But they did not leave a bad review at all.
2) I along with my wife had to travel to LA for a weekend. By mistake I only booked for a night, and we realized it much earlier. So in reaching there I asked the lady if we can extend our stay by booking another night. The lady herself asked us to give her in cash . But we did not get any discount, it was infact the same price, with taxes. Lol !!
My two cents to you:
Reply to the review on what happened so that future guests know both sides of the story.
Like 1 reply•1 like
Carrie
Carriea year ago
Thanks, Parvin. I responded to the review. I also contacted Airbnb and let them know of the instance. After our conversation, the customer service agent looked it over, and emailed me, saying that I did a great job, but there is not much she can do about the review the guest left. However, she'd be sure to flag his account so that her colleagues are aware. I'm not sure what this will do, yet it makes me feel better that they did something about it.
Gabriela
Gabrielaa year ago
I tell people no and that they are free to look for a place they can afford...
Like
John & Greg
John & Grega year ago
Thank you for starting this thread. I learned a lot after reading all of this.
Like
Pamela
Pamelaa year ago
Almost everyone I have here that has extended their stats have made this request. I simply say no. I remind them nicely how CHEAP our rooms are in our beautiful homes in Silicon Valley and they usually understand. This is a business. We would be damaging our own financial success and wonderful and fun experiences we have all shared from the existence of Airbnb.
Like 1 like
Pamela
Pamelaa year ago
...if we began to make a habit of this.
Also, so many guests ask for lower rates that make 6 figures. This is so frustrating to me. Perfect example and one of many: a guest from another country (purposely not disclosed here) wanted a lower rate to stay for a month. I said no after many lessons that some people will financially attempt to sway you when they are very well to do. In the end he told me he is building a 'beautiful' extravagant hotel back home in his country and how rich he will be and needs to save every penny he can. I simply said that I understand the pressure as I'm doing Airbnb to simply try to hold onto my home here. He is married with children and raved about his wife and family life. He said he would be returning in a week. The last couple nights he was on the phone with a woman (clearly not his wife - ironically she called right after he ended the previous conversation) and with his deep voice carrying through my home (not insulated hotel walls) he had rather lewd conversations with her. I had already offered to drive him to the airport through Uber. In the car he talked of his devotion to his wife and family. How sad. He never returned here as it was also heard he was going to be staying with her. Personally, I would never host to him again.
Like 1 reply•2 likes
Parvin
Parvina year ago
Exactly!! Though we have no right to be opinionated based on others conversations, in this case the guests. But still there are few people, with whom that positive vibe is missing. We too had a guest few days back. I looked him up, and he is a CTO of a startup (every other startup will have a CTO 'designated' person), but neither me or wife got any positive vibes from him. He used to use the bathroom like 10 times in the night . Sometimes, if we were busy in our own things, he literally would make 200% effort to talk and converse, as if interfering. Not that we don't like to talk. With all our guests we sit and talk and have a good conversation over tea or coffee. I even learnt about a culture from one of our guests. But this one was just weird. Sort of annoying !!