Post by High Priestess on Oct 6, 2015 13:55:21 GMT
Joan shared Oct 5th 2015
Another quick question! :-)
Is it ok or appropriate to ask a few questions of a guest before I confirm? Their profile doesn't have a picture. They've verified their phone number but that's it. All my other guests have inquired about our place by starting with "hi I'm so and so and I'm from x place. Looking for a quiet place etc etc" Given that my last guest wasn't a good fit for our place I'd like to make sure both this guest and us as a host are a good fit. Is it off putting to a guest to ask what they're looking for in a place and what activities they're looking for?
Queenie & Ted:
We have put these questions in our House Rules as a requirement, even for Instant Booking
Hi !
We'll be delighted to host you and your husband/wife/friend but I want to make sure you have read my listing descriptions and house rules, the maximum of people that can stay, the amenities we offered, our cancellation policy and our location.
I see that you are new to Airbnb and do not have a completed profile. I am happy to help you through the process but will need you to answer some questions for me. We ask the following questions to make sure that this is what you are looking for and the right fit for your needs.
• What is the purpose of your trip? What brings you to our area?
• What will you be doing during the day?
• Have you stayed in a Airbnb rental before (and if they can provide references from other stays)
• What are the full names of the adults (over age 21) staying in the room? Please tell me a bit about them.
• Do you have any allergies?
• Where do you live now/what do you do?
• How can we find you online? You will need to be "Verified" through Airbnb before you can book with us. If this is your first Airbnb stay and you have no reviews, we may ask you for identification upon your arrival
Joan:
Queenie, thanks for the detailed response? I like your questions! Has it ever turned anyone away from booking? Just curious.
Queenie & Ted:
I have never had an inquiry where guests did not answer these questions. In return, I provide a lot of Information on me and Ted. We know each other pretty well by the time a guest shows up at the door.
Joan:
Queenie, that's good to know. I've asked for more information from a pending guest. We'll see how it goes! BTW, you look/sound like a very fun loving host!
Queenie & Ted:
The Answers to the questions have caused lost bookings due to folks with pet allergies - we have 2 dogs, a local guy who wanted to use my place for child visitation - we don't host children and don't need divorce drama.
Kathy:
Thank you for this!!
Jackie:
Yes it's certainly appropriate. You're hosting these strangers in your house why would you not want to know at least the basics about them? If they've read your listing then they know about you. If they are new to Air BnB they may just need this explaining to them
Joan:
Thank you for the reassurance! It's nice to have an actual photograph of someone to look at when approving bookings. Much better than just a cartoon charicature.
Clare:
Queenie & Ted's response was spot on. I would only add that I require a personal photo on the guest profile. Recently had a guest post his dog's photo which I told him was unacceptable (in nicer words). He quickly changed the photo and turned out to be a great guest!
Deborah:
I too would add that one of the most common questions of new hosts, (or one of the most common bewilderments, because it is not often actually stated as a question, but as a bewilderment) is "What do I do if the guest has no picture of themselves on their profile?" The answer is exceedingly simple -- "Ask them to put a photo of themselves on their profile." This tends to be the way things go for what you want of guests that they haven't supplied. YOu simply ASK for what you want. (And you make it clear, that you are REQUIRING this info...not simply HOPING they will provide it...when that is the case).
Another quick question! :-)
Is it ok or appropriate to ask a few questions of a guest before I confirm? Their profile doesn't have a picture. They've verified their phone number but that's it. All my other guests have inquired about our place by starting with "hi I'm so and so and I'm from x place. Looking for a quiet place etc etc" Given that my last guest wasn't a good fit for our place I'd like to make sure both this guest and us as a host are a good fit. Is it off putting to a guest to ask what they're looking for in a place and what activities they're looking for?
Queenie & Ted:
We have put these questions in our House Rules as a requirement, even for Instant Booking
Hi !
We'll be delighted to host you and your husband/wife/friend but I want to make sure you have read my listing descriptions and house rules, the maximum of people that can stay, the amenities we offered, our cancellation policy and our location.
I see that you are new to Airbnb and do not have a completed profile. I am happy to help you through the process but will need you to answer some questions for me. We ask the following questions to make sure that this is what you are looking for and the right fit for your needs.
• What is the purpose of your trip? What brings you to our area?
• What will you be doing during the day?
• Have you stayed in a Airbnb rental before (and if they can provide references from other stays)
• What are the full names of the adults (over age 21) staying in the room? Please tell me a bit about them.
• Do you have any allergies?
• Where do you live now/what do you do?
• How can we find you online? You will need to be "Verified" through Airbnb before you can book with us. If this is your first Airbnb stay and you have no reviews, we may ask you for identification upon your arrival
Joan:
Queenie, thanks for the detailed response? I like your questions! Has it ever turned anyone away from booking? Just curious.
Queenie & Ted:
I have never had an inquiry where guests did not answer these questions. In return, I provide a lot of Information on me and Ted. We know each other pretty well by the time a guest shows up at the door.
Joan:
Queenie, that's good to know. I've asked for more information from a pending guest. We'll see how it goes! BTW, you look/sound like a very fun loving host!
Queenie & Ted:
The Answers to the questions have caused lost bookings due to folks with pet allergies - we have 2 dogs, a local guy who wanted to use my place for child visitation - we don't host children and don't need divorce drama.
Kathy:
Thank you for this!!
Jackie:
Yes it's certainly appropriate. You're hosting these strangers in your house why would you not want to know at least the basics about them? If they've read your listing then they know about you. If they are new to Air BnB they may just need this explaining to them
Joan:
Thank you for the reassurance! It's nice to have an actual photograph of someone to look at when approving bookings. Much better than just a cartoon charicature.
Clare:
Queenie & Ted's response was spot on. I would only add that I require a personal photo on the guest profile. Recently had a guest post his dog's photo which I told him was unacceptable (in nicer words). He quickly changed the photo and turned out to be a great guest!
Deborah:
I too would add that one of the most common questions of new hosts, (or one of the most common bewilderments, because it is not often actually stated as a question, but as a bewilderment) is "What do I do if the guest has no picture of themselves on their profile?" The answer is exceedingly simple -- "Ask them to put a photo of themselves on their profile." This tends to be the way things go for what you want of guests that they haven't supplied. YOu simply ASK for what you want. (And you make it clear, that you are REQUIRING this info...not simply HOPING they will provide it...when that is the case).