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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To warn you about Airbnb...

101 replies

RuggeryBuggery · 08/05/2021 09:27

Have been really genuinely surprised at how Airbnb have acted here and wanted to warn others.

Booking made for half term some time ago, all manually confirmed by the host and paid upfront.
She contacted me yesterday to explain there had been errors with the booking/pricing, was sure she had done something wrong but not sure what and had been sooo busy so didn’t notice earlier that rate was wrong for school holidays and a promotion had been wrongly applied. She was prepared to let the rate stand but wanted another £150 for the promotion. I initially said we still wanted to come and she had confirmed the booking... suggested she take it up with Airbnb.
Bit more toing and froing then I said I thought I should contact Airbnb for advice.
Next thing I get a text through from Airbnb saying it’s cancelled.
I assumed by her.
Then saw she was readvertising same dates at 33% higher price.

I queried this with Airbnb as had been let to believe hosts aren’t allowed to readvertise dates when they cancel.
Host told me it was Airbnb that cancelled and they have confirmed this!
They didn’t even call me.

I’m obviously still (trying) to follow it up with them but just wanted others to know as am really shocked they would do this and leave us high and dry. Obviously there is nothing affordable or decent left that I can see tho am still looking.

They’ve offered me a 10% coupon for the inconvenience and promised a call to help rebook somewhere... but nothing yet.

To warn you about Airbnb...
OP posts:
MNHQ
YetAnotherBeckyMumsnet · 08/05/2021 15:00

Hello everyone. We're getting some reports about this thread. We removed the previous one as it named owners and posters were suggesting making fake bookings, which isn't really on tbh. Can we ask that you don't identify anyone on this thread or link to their pages on other sites? Otherwise, this will also be deleted. Thank you.

Original poster
RuggeryBuggery · 08/05/2021 15:03

I did say about the host on the last thread, yes. I said that straight after she (or so I thought) had cancelled when we were mid discussion about trying to sort it out. I regretted it and Mumsnet deleted that post of mine for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
RuggeryBuggery · 08/05/2021 15:05

As I’ve said on here, my anger and upset is now directed more at Airbnb and I thought others would be surprised at how things had turned out so it would be useful to share.

OP posts:
NOTANUM · 08/05/2021 15:18

AirBnB is like that. I don't use it any more because a friend was TWICE cancelled after arrival in a foreign country. Who wants to go abroad and not know exactly where you'll be sleeping that night? No thanks.

willstarttomorrow · 08/05/2021 15:24

These threads always get the odd owner who will tell us what an amazing host they are, and they probably are. The issue is not so much this, or the good stays which go without a hitch. It is that airbnb allow this type of behaviour with little or no penalty. It only has to happen once to you and you become really wary of using the site again, too much of a risk.

Also their fee structure is just rubbish for guests. I know other accommodation providers who list a final price will have factored this in. However looking to book a room for one night somewhere at whatever price, then £20 cleaning and also £10 service fee on top is just so off puting. The service fee for longer stays is often just crazy. I have found the same place listed elsewhere such as booking.com far cheaper when this is factored in. Also there is often a far better cancellation policy.

Airbnb may have worked for renting out a spare room but less so now airbnb has gone far beyond its original vision. This is without factoring the impact it has had in popular cities. Anyone thinks they can get into the holiday rental market and there is no garantee they are complying with local bylaws, have approrpriate insurance, can be contacted easily to rectify problems etc. There are several cases of people renting apartments to the sublet on airbnb at higher tourist rates. They had a bit of a wake up call when covid hit their rentals.

skeemee · 08/05/2021 16:35

@RuggeryBuggery I think you have had a lucky escape tbh. She is definitely being very greedy. I hope nobody pays her the £300 per night she wants (for a yurt).

Can we not use the power of MN to get you something else, or maybe better?

gottakeeponmovin · 08/05/2021 17:39

Most Airbnb hosts work really hard to make the stays amazing for guests so they get good reviews. We go beyond what any hotel will do leaving wine and cakes, the cleaning is immaculate, we leave food in the fridge. The guest can contact us at anytime and we will give them recommendations of where to go. Organise taxis, takeaways etc. As a host you will get banned if you cancelled frequently, and you are not protected from cancellations in hotels - I got moved to a different hotel once at the last minute because they were doing building work. I have stayed in fabulous Airbnb's myself. This is an event that doesn't happen very often and for the most part you will get a host at your beck and call doing everything they can to please you. The accusation that this is like puppy farming - why? It's a holiday rental. Some people prefer to have a property to themselves which gives them flexibility and some people make a business out of that. Strange view

Neonprint · 08/05/2021 18:11

Airbnb puts loads of power with the host. I know loads of people who have had accommodation cancelled last min. I'd never use them.

I also think it's massively unethical how it can mean areas have no control over the amount of holiday accommodation.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep · 08/05/2021 18:16

@willstarttomorrow

These threads always get the odd owner who will tell us what an amazing host they are, and they probably are. The issue is not so much this, or the good stays which go without a hitch. It is that airbnb allow this type of behaviour with little or no penalty. It only has to happen once to you and you become really wary of using the site again, too much of a risk.

Also their fee structure is just rubbish for guests. I know other accommodation providers who list a final price will have factored this in. However looking to book a room for one night somewhere at whatever price, then £20 cleaning and also £10 service fee on top is just so off puting. The service fee for longer stays is often just crazy. I have found the same place listed elsewhere such as booking.com far cheaper when this is factored in. Also there is often a far better cancellation policy.

Airbnb may have worked for renting out a spare room but less so now airbnb has gone far beyond its original vision. This is without factoring the impact it has had in popular cities. Anyone thinks they can get into the holiday rental market and there is no garantee they are complying with local bylaws, have approrpriate insurance, can be contacted easily to rectify problems etc. There are several cases of people renting apartments to the sublet on airbnb at higher tourist rates. They had a bit of a wake up call when covid hit their rentals.

It's the hosts who decide whether to add a cleaning fee or deposit to their pricing. Personally I don't - I have my fee and Airbnb add their % on top.
Northernsoullover · 08/05/2021 18:16

I was looking at Airbnb accommodation in Spain a few years ago. There were some lovely ones on there but a few of them did say that the host cancelled the stay. Can you imagine in peak season having that happen to you and having nowhere to go? For that reason I will never book with them.

Egghead81 · 08/05/2021 18:18

Oh, you’re back

fiheka · 08/05/2021 18:18

@gottakeeponmovin That is not what I find. Decent bed and breakfasts and cottages and good hotels often leave things like homemade cakes and wine.
What I really want when I book somewhere is to know my stay will be honoured unless something catastrophic happens like a fire.

Egghead81 · 08/05/2021 18:20

Love air bnb
Never had any problems
And I have book marked the place that you called a “fucking bitch” because I think sounds lovely and plan to enquire for next year

So thanks OP for the unintended recommendation!Grin

fiheka · 08/05/2021 18:24

I have had lovely air bnbs stays and awful ones. I no longer use them. I book from places that inspect properties. Costs more, but the standard is consistently high.

BottleFlipper · 08/05/2021 18:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Frenchfancy · 08/05/2021 18:29

I am (in theory) an Airbnb host. I say in theory because in practice most of our bookings come from elsewhere.

Airbnb are a nightmare as a host. Their advertising somehow comes across like they either own the properties or heavily vet them, they do neither. Their site regularly changes our pricing structure or our minimum stay requirements. They allow guests to cancel on the smallest pretext and particularly during Covid, changed their policies to cancel bookings without our say-so.

They have got seriously too big for their boots. Their website is good but that is about it. Booking.com is no better and actually charges a higher commission.

Zebraaa · 08/05/2021 18:31

@Egghead81
Ahh it’s you again. Definitely the host.

BottleFlipper · 08/05/2021 18:31

@Egghead81

Oh, you’re back
You too. Hmmmm....
AdobeWanKenobi · 08/05/2021 18:32

[quote Zebraaa]@Egghead81
Ahh it’s you again. Definitely the host.[/quote]
Grin

Egghead81 · 08/05/2021 18:32

[quote Zebraaa]@Egghead81
Ahh it’s you again. Definitely the host.[/quote]
Grin

Yep, not calling her a fucking bitch makes me the host!

I would bloody love to own enough land to start a glamping business. One day!!

Egghead81 · 08/05/2021 18:33

And perhaps I’m also an owner of air bnb? Seeing as I rate it highly?

londonrach · 08/05/2021 18:35

I read your last post and decided to never book with air b and b. I wouldn't have cancelled but certainly not paid extra on something already over priced...

EnidPrunehat · 08/05/2021 18:35

This isn't going to end well. I'm always surprised that people think something positive is going to come from simply starting again from where the previous binfest left off. Regardless of the righteousness of the cause.

Ellmau · 08/05/2021 18:49

So sorry, OP. It does sound as if AirBnB made the mistake.

I hope you can still get a holiday.

Pinkpaisley · 08/05/2021 18:54

Airbnb just doesn’t come with enough guarantees for me. It never has. It’s one of those things where when it works out it’s can be amazing, but when it doesn’t it’s a nightmare with absolutely no protections.