Guest inquiring but profile not complete?

No Profile=No Booking

Lately I've been receiving inquiries from brand new Airbnb members. Unfortunately, they are not completing their profiles (no photo, no details about themselves, maybe one verification, such as an email address). I think that in light of all the issues lately, Airbnb should require members to complete their profiles before being allowed to make a reservation request. I plan on adding this recommendation to the survey & urge everyone to do the same!

Keith:

I believe Airbnb also agrees with you.
I can't speak for them but I understand this is something they're working on..
Either people won't be able to book without complete profiles or hosts may be able to disallow requests from such people by updating a profile setting.

I suspect well hear from them on this shortly.

Also I learned there is a hosts newsletter that cones pit this week. I'm not sure where to sign up for it but I'll report back when I do


Trevor:
Yeah, I've got at least 4 bookings lately from very new AirBnB guests who had not photos, 1 verification.

I worked with one to add 3 more verifications (including offline which I usually require if they don't have reviews) and to add more tot their profile, which they did. They are now booked with us for today

Another was an older woman who just couldn't figure it out. She had absolutely nothing except an email verification. She never contacted me again.

PEter:
Here's what I send to those booking requests bereft of profile information. I keep this in a file where I keep frequently used replies. You can edit for purpose of an inquiry rather than a booking request:
"Dear ___,

Thank you for your booking request.

I notice that there is almost no information about you in your profile, which is normal for someone who just signed up for Airbnb. If you don't mind adding some more information about yourself, the purpose of your trip etc, that will assist me greatly.

Airbnb is all about trust and verification, especially since Hosts are opening up our homes to others, unlike hotels. I'll decline your request for now to give you time to complete your profile and also because Airbnb penalizes Hosts for not approving or denying within 24 hours. But please make another booking request when you have completed your profile."

In truth, there is a slight "ding" for dismissing a request. But, before a more Host-friendly approach is instituted (as Keith intimated above, that's in the works), this is the best alternative I've been able to devise. Of course, this is not an issue for those who activate Instant Book.

Mark:
I agree. It's disconcerting to get those inquiries. Perhaps new guests could be "guided" through that process by AirBnB?