Post by High Priestess on Sept 28, 2015 15:09:18 GMT
Paul shared:
How do we get rid of "Lets Make a Deal" people??
5 out of the 7 request I have gotten from Airbnb are more like cheap people from couchsurfing or someone looking for a roommate. Asking for 50% discounts to rent for the month. Many of whom have never used Airbnb.
As a result of needing to decline all these people my visibility on Airbnb goes down and I rarely get quality inquiries anymore. Despite I only have positive experiences from my guest based on reviews an also have a 100% response rate. Yikes! What should I do.
Rhonda:
Keep denying and let it go. I also find this a total waste of time usage; but like any business, we shall have many 'window shoppers'.
Paul:
Unfortunately Rhonda its a little different. As Airbnb's algorithm is set up where the more window shoppers you don't pander to, the less visibility they give you. We are penalized for turning down the window shoppers.
Rhonda:
I don't think there is actually anything you can do. I believe it was back in April that I was receiving a tremendous amount of inquiries such as you describe. I was pondering if it was a 3rd party trying to get in on the profits where they could rent it out for more than I could. Whatevers, I do not care for longer term, I am on property, and it's history. I'm not sure what you are speaking about visibility, I am only on pay-per-booking rate.
Rhonda:
Ahhh, you mean penalty for not replying to the inquiry? I keep my reply rate high even if I'm annoyed with the outrageous questions.
Paul:
I keep my reply rate high as well. I always respond and even Pre-approve those that I tell "to find somewhere else" Airbnb's algorithm makes those who accept every booking as more visibile when guest search for properties. Everytime we turn someone down we are less visible on guest search results
Rhonda:
Aloha Paul, I did not realize that, but I agree the time used is aggravating.
Salvia:
If there are many reservation / booking requests asking you for a discount you could "threaten" them politely to accept it without granting the discount unless they withdraw their request within XXhrs. The same with at least some of the inquiries. Or pre-approve them explaining that ypu do that based on the indicated price. That makes at least tge system happy. Furthermore you could use a picture subtitle to stress that you do not discount. And/or put this information high up - / prominently in your listing description.
Serena:
I reply to enquiries but if not suitable I never hit the decline button though I do respond promptly with a message. Doesn't seem to effect my visibility and good bookings come in
Helga:
Paul, the reply rate counts answers, pre-approuve or special offers as answers and communication till booking, not afterwards. At least officially. You can answer with a special offer slightly under or even over the original price if you do not trust the algorithm to take the "I need more information" field into consideration.
- In your listings, you still have the airbnb standard text on top. You could use this space to make clear what you offer and that you don't grant discounts. (On the online account, you have two descriptions to fill in and you only used the detailed description) The other is higher up, where the title is.)
- Psychologically, maybe you invite the discount questions because you are very accommodating in your description. I would limit the free pick-up on the airport to "as an option, I can pick you up" or similar text implying there will be a fee and I would limit the option to bring a guest at home to "with my permission, you may..."
Personally, I would not mind people bringing a guest or two for dinner, not over night, but I would not advertise that as a free for all.
Helga:
The acceptance rate officially counts pre-approuved, booking and special offers.
Ann:
I too can chime in and give my 10 cents worth. I have found that the more people want the less satisfied they are. High maintenance people permeate the planet. I was a psychotherapist for 15 years and learned to pay attention to how the relationship began. Were they always wanting to reschedule at the last minute? Complaining about a copay? Wanting extra things? The more the demanded the less they were satisfied. I see same with air bnb but I think it is a reflection on how some people approach life. It isn't about you and don't become a gymnast to try and accommodate people who can never be satisfied.
Rosanne:
No discounts unless they are staying for at least one week or if they are return guests. I have only discounted a few people and they were a pain in the *ss and not worth it.
Ed:
I don't think replies count against you, so instead of declining, reply quickly, then archive the conversation. Your decline rate should not increase if you simply ignore, rather than decline.
How do we get rid of "Lets Make a Deal" people??
5 out of the 7 request I have gotten from Airbnb are more like cheap people from couchsurfing or someone looking for a roommate. Asking for 50% discounts to rent for the month. Many of whom have never used Airbnb.
As a result of needing to decline all these people my visibility on Airbnb goes down and I rarely get quality inquiries anymore. Despite I only have positive experiences from my guest based on reviews an also have a 100% response rate. Yikes! What should I do.
Rhonda:
Keep denying and let it go. I also find this a total waste of time usage; but like any business, we shall have many 'window shoppers'.
Paul:
Unfortunately Rhonda its a little different. As Airbnb's algorithm is set up where the more window shoppers you don't pander to, the less visibility they give you. We are penalized for turning down the window shoppers.
Rhonda:
I don't think there is actually anything you can do. I believe it was back in April that I was receiving a tremendous amount of inquiries such as you describe. I was pondering if it was a 3rd party trying to get in on the profits where they could rent it out for more than I could. Whatevers, I do not care for longer term, I am on property, and it's history. I'm not sure what you are speaking about visibility, I am only on pay-per-booking rate.
Rhonda:
Ahhh, you mean penalty for not replying to the inquiry? I keep my reply rate high even if I'm annoyed with the outrageous questions.
Paul:
I keep my reply rate high as well. I always respond and even Pre-approve those that I tell "to find somewhere else" Airbnb's algorithm makes those who accept every booking as more visibile when guest search for properties. Everytime we turn someone down we are less visible on guest search results
Rhonda:
Aloha Paul, I did not realize that, but I agree the time used is aggravating.
Salvia:
If there are many reservation / booking requests asking you for a discount you could "threaten" them politely to accept it without granting the discount unless they withdraw their request within XXhrs. The same with at least some of the inquiries. Or pre-approve them explaining that ypu do that based on the indicated price. That makes at least tge system happy. Furthermore you could use a picture subtitle to stress that you do not discount. And/or put this information high up - / prominently in your listing description.
Serena:
I reply to enquiries but if not suitable I never hit the decline button though I do respond promptly with a message. Doesn't seem to effect my visibility and good bookings come in
Helga:
Paul, the reply rate counts answers, pre-approuve or special offers as answers and communication till booking, not afterwards. At least officially. You can answer with a special offer slightly under or even over the original price if you do not trust the algorithm to take the "I need more information" field into consideration.
- In your listings, you still have the airbnb standard text on top. You could use this space to make clear what you offer and that you don't grant discounts. (On the online account, you have two descriptions to fill in and you only used the detailed description) The other is higher up, where the title is.)
- Psychologically, maybe you invite the discount questions because you are very accommodating in your description. I would limit the free pick-up on the airport to "as an option, I can pick you up" or similar text implying there will be a fee and I would limit the option to bring a guest at home to "with my permission, you may..."
Personally, I would not mind people bringing a guest or two for dinner, not over night, but I would not advertise that as a free for all.
Helga:
The acceptance rate officially counts pre-approuved, booking and special offers.
Ann:
I too can chime in and give my 10 cents worth. I have found that the more people want the less satisfied they are. High maintenance people permeate the planet. I was a psychotherapist for 15 years and learned to pay attention to how the relationship began. Were they always wanting to reschedule at the last minute? Complaining about a copay? Wanting extra things? The more the demanded the less they were satisfied. I see same with air bnb but I think it is a reflection on how some people approach life. It isn't about you and don't become a gymnast to try and accommodate people who can never be satisfied.
Rosanne:
No discounts unless they are staying for at least one week or if they are return guests. I have only discounted a few people and they were a pain in the *ss and not worth it.
Ed:
I don't think replies count against you, so instead of declining, reply quickly, then archive the conversation. Your decline rate should not increase if you simply ignore, rather than decline.