AIBU to think the review system on Airbnb is a joke

[Fuckairbnb]

Last year I went on holiday with my family to an Airbnb apartment in France. All good except for some issues with cleanliness. Nothing major that we couldn’t sort out ourselves, but I felt it didn’t merit a five star rating. I gave the property four stars and some private feedback on why I had done this to the host.

In reply to my review he cut and pasted my feedback about the cleanliness and gave his replies. He denied what I said, and shared my ratings up saying that they were too harsh.

He gave me a neutral review, signing off with his name, the name of the property and what town it is in. When I put this info in Google it took me Straight to his property details.

We’d like to take a break this summer so I’ve been on Airbnb looking at properties. However when I ask to book I’m always refused. The last host said he doesn’t want guests in that give low ratings as a reason to refuse. I assume they are all finding last year’s host and looking at my review with the host’s comments.

I went to Airbnb and ask them to take last year’s host’s comments off my review, so that I can book again. Am waiting to hear if they will do this?

This has also happened to a friend of mine. What is the point in airbnb’s whole review system? I’ve given up and am looking for a hotel.

It's the same with everything now. If you don't give an uber driver 5 stars apparently you are threatening their livelihood.

It should be that 5 out of 10 is average, instead now it's at least 7. On goodreads, when rating a book, 2 out of 5 stars is still classed as 'I liked it' under their rankings. Ratings mean nothing anymore.

And yes, it's worse when the people being rated can retaliate.

This is why I have avoided reviewing our recent airbnb as I wouldn't give it 5 stars (they served some kind of weird stir fry vegetable mix as part of a cooked breakfast which was totally not child-friendly). I am aware how important constant 5 star reviews are from my sister who runs an airbnb and they were very nice people and lots to like about staying there. Now I know my review might stop me going anywhere else I definitely won't write it! Not helpful to anyone really.

Don't give up. Look at homeaway instead, or gites.co.uk or the Brittany ferries page holidayfrancedirect.co.uk .

We are owners in France and only use airbnb as a last resort. It is rubbish for owners as well as guests and you pay£££ in extra fees.

Open a new account on Airbnb?

Yeah make a new account. New email address, job done.

Homeaway costs loads more for the guests though. We use them and they charge the guest about ten percent on top of our rates then a 3 percent fee to pay us plus a 300 quid annual fee. Rates are cheaper with air bnb. I think though airbnb is often used by people wanting a bargain. My holiday cottage is lovely and booked up via homeaway so I don't feel the need to juggle the various sites. I just price it accordingly.

I've tried airbnb during the down season and I found people a bit hard work. Group's of people rather than families, bringing extra folk and using all the spare linen on a two night break. Taking home the loo roll supplies/ dishwasher tabs. I totted up my sums and realised its not really worthwhile for what I was charging.

Create another account in your husband's name if you want to book though :)