Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2016 3:53:17 GMT
Odd, but true
I currently have a young man guest moving home to Germany to work in the family ice cream business. I forgot how many stores they currently have and just opened more.
He admits to his addiction to the reviews.
One scenario is three shops in a row and all connected.
One for sit down eating dinner w/ ice cream.
One for sit down eating ice cream only.
One for ice cream take away.
All offer the same ice cream. He commented the differences in the reviews of the quality, same ice cream, customers just didn't know they were all the same business; the other most annoying complaint he found was the amount of 'wait time' for the consistent 5 star reviews for the product.
Both confirm there will always be someone who has to find something to complain about, one would think the other should be a compliment of how popular they are and certainly worth the wait if they have so many customers. IMHO
#2: I recommend a Manta Ray Snorkel trip to everyone of my guests. Totally awesome experience. The company I recommend is only 1 of 2 that guarantee if you don't see whatever they're taking you out to see, you will receive another ride out no charge. They are the best! My story goes that you are in the water 40-45 minutes just floating, so even with a wet suit on, giggle-giggle, the best part is they have HOT SOUP for the boat ride home along with fresh cut pineapple, etc. Yesterday I was phoning the owner for availability and I mentioned the hot soup. She stated they have stopped providing it and have replaced it with hot chocolate like the other boat operators.
They had actually received bad reviews regarding the soup...with chicken, meat, not enough, or whatever, AND, had been asked for some monies to be refunded since the guests did not eat the soup!
Just like us hosts, going above and beyond to please our guests only to have it slapped back in our faces with ding-a-ling reviews that only discourage business owners from extending such extras.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2016 4:09:57 GMT
This reminds me of another unbelievable. G/f renting high end condo in TN for 5 days or more. I don't know what site she booked through, but the listing stated they would be able to expect ONE roll of toilet paper and ONE set of towels per guest (2), per stay. Knowing me, I shall assume the unit has it's own washer/dryer for that ONE set of towels for the week. I'd stop at Wally World and buy more. I also forgot the amount of cleaning fee she has to pay, and she learned from the best . Obviously, I found that remarkable.
|
|
|
Post by High Priestess on Jul 12, 2016 14:35:36 GMT
Yes, reviews/ratings will never be all reasonable...particularly ratings. It's been my suggestion that star ratings should be attached to reviews so that guests can't say "Fabuous stay everything was perfect" and then rate you 3 or 4 stars in something...without this contradiction between review and ratings being visible to all.
|
|
|
Post by Inanna (Shaun) on Jul 13, 2016 20:36:22 GMT
I would love to see that too Deborah. Speaking of, I have a Dutch woman coming today. I almost declined her because she seemed very short and impatient, but what the hey, she filled in a last two day midweek opening and I've only got ten days of hosting in Chicago left. I expect thwt if everything goes perfectly, I will get four stars, as many hosts have pointed out that in The Netherlands, four stars is great and five stars is impossible. I deep dusted and cleaned the floor on my hands and knees with a sponge. We shall see what she says!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2016 23:13:07 GMT
Shaun, I shall keep you in my prayers along with my own for our continued sanity. Instant Book, from the Netherlands, exact same amount of $$ I needed to manifest for my co-pay for dental surgery on Friday which I had actually considered avoiding due to cost. They checked in last night, tg it's a two night stand, all breakfast products hoarded, jams, jellies left on the counter in the sun and leaving for the day. She's 3 months pregnant, do we have mosquitos? Each nationality has it's quirks. I've spent a fair amount of time in the Nederlands and there is good and gooder people all across our planet. Not to mention that they are Paying to stay at my house, so I can stay my lazy arse home! I pray your guests will be the most delightful and enjoyable beyond all expectations. If not, like our beloved CC would say..."Next...."
One night stand Papaya checks in at 6 pm. Tis my choice to sleep on the floor away from this gig of excitement than use one of those "most comfortable mattresses I've ever slept on" which do not happen to be Tuft and Surf".
Speaking of Papaya....my lovely german guests checked out this morning. They had met while working for the same company in China. I mentioned in my Speaking of Guest Reviews thread that he is the one with the family ice cream business they shall both work for, and his obsession with reviews.
Since she was a teacher in China, I asked her "what's with it and these stupid American names they make up?"
Her reply, which is 100% spot on, is that their names are so difficult to pronounce (which I catch myself doing an immediate eye roll upon introduction); that they just make up an 'American Name'.
Silly me, I thought the 'American Name' was something close to, or as similar of what the Asian name would be translated to. Nope.
So, to end this 'Quick Reply'......at least I found where to post a quick reply to keep the humor flowing in sequence....
Just last week, I totally forget where, but there was a story of a girl named Syphillis, teacher greeting new class asks her 'how do you pronounce your name?' and the girl replied the American way we would pronounce it. Ends up her mother was just perusing the dictionary, and thought that sounded nice.
I'm kinda biatchy/exhausted over the continued begging for refund for a guest I now wouldn't invite on property; and in great anticipation of talking to a fruit for a one nighter. It's actually Mango season, my first choice should have been to get my arse out there and speak to those lovely fruits instead of inflicting my Pity Party here.
I really don't get biatchy....I say I get Fitchy...I missed my morning swim. Both checking out tomorrow, you KNOW I'll be spending my time in enjoyment rather than playing tour guide, whatevers until check-out.
As always, with much Aloha, current vent at peace
Only time will tell how Ms Preggers gets on, and I do declare, Ms Preggers should be checking-out tomorrow morning!!
Oh my, the Universe is good to us!!
|
|
|
Post by Inanna (Shaun) on Jul 14, 2016 2:34:32 GMT
You will have certainly deserved your relaxation then, Rhonda! Jam ruinin', breakfast hoarding dental surgery payin' guests! I loved visiting The Netherlands, where I may have pocketed a breakfast roll and pat of butternut my hotel breakfast. I was only 21 though, in my defense. When guests annoy me, I remind myself of things I have done.
The Dutch lady was supposed to arrive at 3, but then sent me a message saying that she may be later than ten, my cut off for checking in. I sent her self check in instructions and will go to bed.
We get loads of Chinese guests and I absolutely love most of them with their crazy names. We had an Elvis and a Happy Wu and true to his name, Happy just sat around smiling.
|
|
|
Post by lambada on Jul 14, 2016 4:55:55 GMT
I just got a review from previous guest who said I run my Airbnb listing as if it was a business. As if I did something wrong. I'd love to know who, among all of you, who is doing this just for fun or charity. I'd be the first to admit, it if weren't for the money, I'd rather go away on vacation without any interruption. I'd be hapy not to check my cell wvery 2-3 minutes and wouldn't panic when I don't get cellphone coverage for an hour.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2016 5:15:14 GMT
Aloha lambada, I have had the same comments made with the addition of 'like a 5 star hotel' or some BS. But another really nasty review stated the whole thing felt 'transactional'. My bad, I have the internet connection instructions on a 3x5 card folded in half all around the house instead of on page 58 of the hotel guide stating internet access is available for $10 per hour, 50 floors down in the Business area in the main lobby who's hours are between 5 - 6 pm for guests. I actually do it for giggles and kicks, as I couldn't come up with a better idea at the time. If I ran it like a business, my first thought would be Profit. That particular guest I am sure had every intention of skipping out without paying his taxes, and had moved himself into a more expensive room for free. Business??? Waz That? My current headache is still grumbling how she had to rearrange all her plans for the least cost because I wouldn't refund her for cancelling. Complaining she's a teacher, on a budget. I zipped the lip that I won that 'face off' on who's winning this $$ battle. Apparently some do think we do it because we don't have or would like a life. Oh, and I have a card taped to the interior bedroom doors reminding them of check out and the taxes. My bad.
|
|
|
Post by helgaparis on Jul 14, 2016 8:09:08 GMT
One of my guests last month wrote something like 'she appreciated how welll used I'm to having guests'. Or something in the sense to express that everything runs smoothly and all information is provided. That's a much nicer way to say it than "transactional". She was a nice and easy going guest too, not the type creating problems everywhere. It struck me funny then, as it became true over the last year of close living quarters. Take it as a compliment, Rhonda, and respond with something like "thank you for lauding my professionalism and I hope you do not experience any more chaos on your further travels. " As guests can lie in reviews and bring such tiny insults, we can do the same in retaliation, to turn the meaning around and insinuate he needs a pro to avoid chaos or that he run into chaos at other stays. ;-)
I thought of you 2 days ago, when I decided not to sell the single bed foldout but to take it to Paris, put it into the garage and use for single nights when I hand over the whole apartment. It happens often that they arrive late or change their plans last minute, when I can't change my train tickets anymore. Now, I'll jst plan on spending one night in the garage - and have them pay 50 Euros for changed times or late check-in nevertheless.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2016 9:14:02 GMT
Aloha Helga, Thanks for thinking of me. We're really stepping up in this world for sure! I've got a few tuft and needle mattresses you can have. I broke down and put the foam cushion on my office floor to avoid Papaya and her girlfriend who kept begging for the breakfast goods I was preparing for the morning.
Let's see, I'm sleeping on the flippin floor, sweating my ass off baking goodies for YOUR morning breakfast when I should be making dinner for myself; and you want to make mess and eat what I've prepared in the evening so I can avoid you in the morning?
Guess who had to translate Snorkel? I told this little one night stand, "Yes, I am going snorkeling in the morning, shark hunting, will you pay your taxes now, as I probably won't see you in the morning."
The shark hunting is for real. I think one of our friends found a mate. Rarely are two seen together. They were circling my guests who checked out this morning while I was in another bay looking, and found our other friend who shares the 'shark cave' with turtles. The turtles were there, but the shark was gone, then swam under us on his way back to bed.
Oh, I forgot to add that Papaya couldn't park her car with no other cars in the driveway and ended up running into one of the front porch pillars.
Needless to say, I rolled them eyes, turned, and walked away.
Never a dull moment!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2016 9:21:40 GMT
The 'transactional' statement was from a total slam of a review. It was meant with ill spirit. He's the one that complained I had every modern kitchen appliance available, so it felt like they were in civilization. Oh, and the traffic was too noisy they had to close the windows to sleep. I've been doing my best to remove all those appliances, but just can't figure out how to do it and still provide the excellent breakfast he stated he enjoyed after writing a novel of complaints.
Anything I can do for my guests enjoyment, sign me up.
You appear to have the same tactic as me, just leave until check-out time and start it all over.
|
|
|
Post by lambada on Jul 14, 2016 16:11:07 GMT
Oh and you guys should be the first to know, that guests do not read anything! So after a few incidents (where can I pick up my key? When I already gave her the keyless entry code), I decided to put CAPS on a few things, like KEYLESS or please leave the bed UNMADE. So this guest who seems to be unhappy that I was running a 'business', put in the private review that he thinks caps lock on emails seems to be aggressive. Whaaaa??? Btw, he damaged a few of my beautiful plants and let the petals fall all over the floor when parking his 2 bikes and locked them on my fence. THAT seems to be aggressive to me.
|
|
|
Post by High Priestess on Jul 14, 2016 16:27:02 GMT
Lambada -- I think that there are some who will think it aggressive if you confront them in any way with their wrongdoing or violation of rules. There's always a way to spin something so that the other person is in the wrong, I've noticed....
|
|
|
Post by lambada on Jul 14, 2016 16:32:55 GMT
Lambada -- I think that there are some who will think it aggressive if you confront them in any way with their wrongdoing or violation of rules. There's always a way to spin something so that the other person is in the wrong, I've noticed.... Yep, I agree, Deborah. So this guest wanted to extend his stay but the place was already booked. I could only offer him a different space (my floor, where I rent out every now and then) but the rates are higher since it is much bigger. He said that is way over his budget. To that, I just responded, no problem, I understand. So I did get a sense that he wanted me to lower the rates for him. But I learned along the way not to give special treatments since most of the times I ended up getting disappointed with that decision. Maybe that's the reason why he thought I was running a business.
|
|
|
Post by lambada on Jul 14, 2016 17:05:45 GMT
Aloha Helga, Thanks for thinking of me. We're really stepping up in this world for sure! I've got a few tuft and needle mattresses you can have. I broke down and put the foam cushion on my office floor to avoid Papaya and her girlfriend who kept begging for the breakfast goods I was preparing for the morning. Hi Rhonda, So are you not liking that tuft and needle mattress? I was wondering if I should get one, but not sure.. Re.: quote: Looks like once you get to the original quote, you are not able to get to 'outside' the box.
|
|