Post by High Priestess on Jun 27, 2016 4:31:56 GMT
Attachment Deleted
Danny shared on NHF March 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-122928
Discounts, and more discounts...
I have a listing which is actually my guest suite in a very expensive and desirable area in real estate value terms. My bookings are very good for a month or so, I have been listing on the Airbnb.
I continue to receive inquires from the potential guests asking for discounts. I come from the hospitality/travel industry, and am used to the notion that you can ask for a discount if you have grounds for it. Say, you are a travel agent selling my product, and you want to try the product yourself in order to sell it better in the future.
I also understand that there are people out there who are asking for discounts as a matter of course. "It costs nothing to ask..."
I also understand that quite a few folks out there have been hit hard by the recent economic crisis. The bit I am having difficulty with is to understand why would someone who has been suffering from the consequences of the aforementioned economic crisis trying to book an expensive, upscale listing, while there are so many budget listings in town?
Has anyone tried discouraging the discount seekers by putting a "fixed price" statement in their listing description? Is there any other approach that would save me, and hopefully all the less experienced hosts from having to keep on writing polite replies, basically turning down the people who are asking for discounts?
Thank you very much for your input!
Dragan
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Deborah
Deboraha year ago
I don't know much about the pricing of things in your country compared to mine, but at least compared to the prices of accomodations in my area, and in the USA, your listing is actually priced as a budget listing!
I believe that it really is do-able to use language in such a way as to discourage those seeking additional discounts. Through our use of language in our advertising, we can cast our net wide, seeking to get the largest possible response (which as you indicate isn't working well for you) or we can fine-tune the language we use to help screen out those we would rather not have contact us.
I would suggest stating in your listing description that in addition to your nightly price, you offer a discounted weekly price (which is a an 8% discount over your nightly) and a discounted monthly price (which is a 21% discount over your nightly price), and then state that NO FURTHER DISCOUNTS WILL BE OFFERED (perhaps in caps like that) and you could even go further and say, "Therefore, please do not ask me for additional discounts".
I have found that many guests, particularly newbies, dont' read the listing info closely enough to see that, in fact, the weekly and monthly rates that hosts offer do actually offer significant discounts. So by mentioning that you are already offering discounted rates, you can help prevent guests from asking for discount on top of discount.
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Danny
Dannya year ago
Thanks, Deborah. Most helpful.
I have indeed kept my pricing on the lower side since it is a brand new listing, and I would like to gain a degree of popularity.
I'll definitely give it a try.
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Simone
Simonea year ago
Deborah's answer is perfect. I just looked at your listing and can't believe people would ask for further discounts! It's a great deal as is. When I started hosting in January I also started at a lower rate for my space but since it sold out practically over-night (to end June), I bumped the rate up for summer and beyond. I haven't had any requests for discounts although one inquiry didn't book because she "couldn't afford the rate after Airbnb adds their fees and taxes".
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Lisa
Lisaa year ago
Hi Dragan,
I rarely get asked for a discount but when I do, I politely email them the number of a very popular hostel down the street from me that may be more in line with their budget. The hostel down the street is only a few £ cheaper than me so if they'd like to sleep in shared accommodation with 12 other folk as opposed to my lovley serene and clean flat, theybare more than welcome. They never go book the hostel and always come back and book with me. Lol!
My rates are very low for Edinburgh and if they don't value what I have to offer, then I don't think they'd be compatible guests. I'm loaded with back to back bookings so that approach works a treat:-)
Reply Like 1 reply•4 likes Delete
Jeannette
Jeannettea year ago
I'm ** CHEAPER ** than the cheapest hostel in town, for a private room with a 1/2 bath, and I *still* got requested for a discount for (just a) 4-day stay!
Lisa
Lisaa year ago
P.s., I just looked at your listing and it is gorgeous! And a more than fair price! Don't offer the discounts, you're offering a lovely place at a very fair price
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Sandrine
Sandrinea year ago
HI, I think your price is right! As you said many people think, "if you don't ask, you won't know!" so I would not take it personally and just answer no. At the same time, as a general rule, I think it's more fair to ask for a discount on a very high price than on a very low one. I'm sure people who rent their rooms at $25 don't make very much money on it so why ask them to lower it, it would be robbing the poor? Rooms at $300 can afford to lower their price by 5-10$.....I am always checking the prices of the other renters around me and adjusting my price by a few dollars to remain competitive. I do this every week or so.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Danny
Dannya year ago
Thanks, Sandrine. I agree with you. Nope, I do not take any of it personally. My goal is to reduce my unpaid workload in writing back to the people who are obviously missing the point, and misunderstanding the listing.
Nathalie Et Claude
Nathalie Et Claudea year ago
Hola Dragan, since my price policy is clearly written in the offer, nobody ask for a discount when these discount don't apply to them.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Danny
Dannya year ago
Thanks, Nathalie. This sounds like a very good idea.
Danny
Dannya year ago
I don't understand how hosts who have spent considerable effort to set a price for their accommodation go ape shit when someone asks for a discount. I price my place at the price advertised because I researched the competition and thought about the kind of cash I needed to do all the work and set the place up. If a potential guest asks for a discount I tell then to immediately look somewhere else.
Reply Like Delete
Craig & Mark
Craig & Marka year ago
We won't even open dialogue on people who ask for discounts they are dispatched immediately. If your listing is budget then why drop more. A generalisation but they tend to try squeeze you in other ways as well.
Reply Like Delete
Rick
Ricka year ago
When I get a request for a discount...I go immediately to my city...& pull up comparable listings for the same dates...Mine is invariably one of the least expensive!! So they are wanting a discount on the cheapest rooms in town??!! I have even told prospective guests---"If you can find a better located, less expensive listing, you had better book it immediately!!" "they are rare indeed"..
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Katri & Ville
Katri & Villea year ago
Yup, we have these discount-questions sometimes too and I've just answered "Good luck for finding a cheaper place to stay!"
Gordon
Gordona year ago
Only cheap guests ask for discounts. And they'll want you to bend over backwards for their cash too. Best avoided.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Deborah
Danny shared on NHF March 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-122928
Discounts, and more discounts...
I have a listing which is actually my guest suite in a very expensive and desirable area in real estate value terms. My bookings are very good for a month or so, I have been listing on the Airbnb.
I continue to receive inquires from the potential guests asking for discounts. I come from the hospitality/travel industry, and am used to the notion that you can ask for a discount if you have grounds for it. Say, you are a travel agent selling my product, and you want to try the product yourself in order to sell it better in the future.
I also understand that there are people out there who are asking for discounts as a matter of course. "It costs nothing to ask..."
I also understand that quite a few folks out there have been hit hard by the recent economic crisis. The bit I am having difficulty with is to understand why would someone who has been suffering from the consequences of the aforementioned economic crisis trying to book an expensive, upscale listing, while there are so many budget listings in town?
Has anyone tried discouraging the discount seekers by putting a "fixed price" statement in their listing description? Is there any other approach that would save me, and hopefully all the less experienced hosts from having to keep on writing polite replies, basically turning down the people who are asking for discounts?
Thank you very much for your input!
Dragan
11 comments•1 like
Following
Like
ian
Delete
Hide
Deborah
Deboraha year ago
I don't know much about the pricing of things in your country compared to mine, but at least compared to the prices of accomodations in my area, and in the USA, your listing is actually priced as a budget listing!
I believe that it really is do-able to use language in such a way as to discourage those seeking additional discounts. Through our use of language in our advertising, we can cast our net wide, seeking to get the largest possible response (which as you indicate isn't working well for you) or we can fine-tune the language we use to help screen out those we would rather not have contact us.
I would suggest stating in your listing description that in addition to your nightly price, you offer a discounted weekly price (which is a an 8% discount over your nightly) and a discounted monthly price (which is a 21% discount over your nightly price), and then state that NO FURTHER DISCOUNTS WILL BE OFFERED (perhaps in caps like that) and you could even go further and say, "Therefore, please do not ask me for additional discounts".
I have found that many guests, particularly newbies, dont' read the listing info closely enough to see that, in fact, the weekly and monthly rates that hosts offer do actually offer significant discounts. So by mentioning that you are already offering discounted rates, you can help prevent guests from asking for discount on top of discount.
Reply Like Delete
Danny
Dannya year ago
Thanks, Deborah. Most helpful.
I have indeed kept my pricing on the lower side since it is a brand new listing, and I would like to gain a degree of popularity.
I'll definitely give it a try.
Reply Like Delete
Simone
Simonea year ago
Deborah's answer is perfect. I just looked at your listing and can't believe people would ask for further discounts! It's a great deal as is. When I started hosting in January I also started at a lower rate for my space but since it sold out practically over-night (to end June), I bumped the rate up for summer and beyond. I haven't had any requests for discounts although one inquiry didn't book because she "couldn't afford the rate after Airbnb adds their fees and taxes".
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Lisa
Lisaa year ago
Hi Dragan,
I rarely get asked for a discount but when I do, I politely email them the number of a very popular hostel down the street from me that may be more in line with their budget. The hostel down the street is only a few £ cheaper than me so if they'd like to sleep in shared accommodation with 12 other folk as opposed to my lovley serene and clean flat, theybare more than welcome. They never go book the hostel and always come back and book with me. Lol!
My rates are very low for Edinburgh and if they don't value what I have to offer, then I don't think they'd be compatible guests. I'm loaded with back to back bookings so that approach works a treat:-)
Reply Like 1 reply•4 likes Delete
Jeannette
Jeannettea year ago
I'm ** CHEAPER ** than the cheapest hostel in town, for a private room with a 1/2 bath, and I *still* got requested for a discount for (just a) 4-day stay!
Lisa
Lisaa year ago
P.s., I just looked at your listing and it is gorgeous! And a more than fair price! Don't offer the discounts, you're offering a lovely place at a very fair price
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Sandrine
Sandrinea year ago
HI, I think your price is right! As you said many people think, "if you don't ask, you won't know!" so I would not take it personally and just answer no. At the same time, as a general rule, I think it's more fair to ask for a discount on a very high price than on a very low one. I'm sure people who rent their rooms at $25 don't make very much money on it so why ask them to lower it, it would be robbing the poor? Rooms at $300 can afford to lower their price by 5-10$.....I am always checking the prices of the other renters around me and adjusting my price by a few dollars to remain competitive. I do this every week or so.
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Danny
Dannya year ago
Thanks, Sandrine. I agree with you. Nope, I do not take any of it personally. My goal is to reduce my unpaid workload in writing back to the people who are obviously missing the point, and misunderstanding the listing.
Nathalie Et Claude
Nathalie Et Claudea year ago
Hola Dragan, since my price policy is clearly written in the offer, nobody ask for a discount when these discount don't apply to them.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Danny
Dannya year ago
Thanks, Nathalie. This sounds like a very good idea.
Danny
Dannya year ago
I don't understand how hosts who have spent considerable effort to set a price for their accommodation go ape shit when someone asks for a discount. I price my place at the price advertised because I researched the competition and thought about the kind of cash I needed to do all the work and set the place up. If a potential guest asks for a discount I tell then to immediately look somewhere else.
Reply Like Delete
Craig & Mark
Craig & Marka year ago
We won't even open dialogue on people who ask for discounts they are dispatched immediately. If your listing is budget then why drop more. A generalisation but they tend to try squeeze you in other ways as well.
Reply Like Delete
Rick
Ricka year ago
When I get a request for a discount...I go immediately to my city...& pull up comparable listings for the same dates...Mine is invariably one of the least expensive!! So they are wanting a discount on the cheapest rooms in town??!! I have even told prospective guests---"If you can find a better located, less expensive listing, you had better book it immediately!!" "they are rare indeed"..
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Katri & Ville
Katri & Villea year ago
Yup, we have these discount-questions sometimes too and I've just answered "Good luck for finding a cheaper place to stay!"
Gordon
Gordona year ago
Only cheap guests ask for discounts. And they'll want you to bend over backwards for their cash too. Best avoided.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Deborah