To think the recent changes to Air BnB will mean fewer people will book with them?

[Movinghouseatlast]

Have you looked at Air BnB in the last 2 weeks and noticed the changes they have made to the website?

I ask because I have a glamping business and since the 'summer release' I have had no bookings at all. Absolutely there are issues with the cost of living/ energy crisis but it seems a bit of a coincidence that I was getting plenty of bookings before the changes happened.

I just wondered if from a consumer point of view if the changes are making a difference? I just think it's not user friendly any more!

I do have my own website but I have stuck with Air BnB as I have always had a lot of bookings and to me as a business they work out cheaper than other platforms like Canopy and Stars etc.

Thanks!

I was so shocked by the outrageous lies that this host wrote about my friend and I. (We were both renting separate rooms from her.) She also misled me about parking (she told me it was available, and it turned out that it was very popular off street parking, 15 mins walk away). She was such an unpleasant person, she told me she didn't like people, but she loved money which was why she did Airbnb.

@smileyworld what were the reviews like?

For those of you who do use airbnb, can I emphasise to you that hosts do not provide travel insurance.

I’ve just had someone cancel for this weekend, due to the fact her ex can no longer take their children. She was coming down for the weekend to meet some friends, and booked on a moderate policy - this means I keep the first night’s money plus half of the remaining three. She wants all her money back. I will probably find someone else, but if I don’t then there will be no refund.

She is very upset and after seeing my reply called me in tears, pleading with me to make an exception.

If you want flexibility book with a host that offers a flexible refund policy, or go to a hotel that offers similar!

@Movinghouseatlast

Sorry if you’ve mentioned this up thread - what cancellation policy do you use? When I go on and look at what’s available in my area for the coming weekend - there are only places offered by hosts who use a strict cancellation policy.

I feel like airbnb has really gone down hill since people have realised they can make a quick few quid on it.

I most enjoy paying a £100 cleaning fee, and then getting told to do all the washing up and strip all the beds 😵.

They also seem to cost more than hotels after all of the hidden fees. I'm not surprised peoples booking are down. Everyone has got on the gravy train and quality has plummeted.

Best of luck OP.

I most enjoy paying a £100 cleaning fee, and then getting told to do all the washing up and strip all the beds 😵

Stripping the beds always annoys me. I don't do that when I pay to stay anywhere else and they don't charge me a cleaning fee.

I had one in London where I was told to empty the bin and put it in the public bin across the road and leave £20 cash for the cleaner. I obliged but it seemed strange than the cleaner wouldn't be expected to put the bin out after she had finished cleaning.

I suspect most hotels actively don't want guests to strip the beds as it will reveal the state of the mattress protectors. Grim.

The coming weekend though?!

totally makes sense to have a strict cancel policy when such limited time to get other guests

@BarbaraofSeville

re locations of AirBNB - I used to just message the owner and ask for precise addresses, to help me decide on which place to stay. Hosts always replied.

I used it once and never again. 3 bed house and the 3rd bedroom was locked and we had to pay 20 pounds for them to open the 3rd bedroom, every light was automatic and I felt watched. The house was clearly an old woman's who had been shipped out somewhere and the house listed as is with HR possesions still there. It was in a residential area and clearly taking a home away from people and the final straw was being charged for "stealing" a towel which we absolutely did not, with passive aggressive messages from the owner. The towels were 20 yrs old and weren't even used. I'd rather not have to take out a tenancy agreement when I go away for a few days and deal with extra fees for everything.

again

what were the reviews like?

@Intrigueddotcom

Any hosts who offers accommodation on a flexible cancellation policy tend to get booked first, then the hosts (like me) with a moderate policy will get booked.

Last will be hosts with a strict cancellation policy because if the guest needs to cancel they won’t get a refund. Hence me saying that these hosts haven’t had their rooms booked. I think they probably will sell by the end of the week, Airbnb tends be last minute.

By the way if you book after today, there’s no refund for COVID related cancellations, if you catch it and can’t travel travel you’re at the mercy of the host.

@BarbaraofSeville i get guest asking for my location all the time, and am quite happy to give a full postcode.

If you know you want to go away this weekend why do you want a flexible cancellation policy?
You do understand the room/ house would be reserved for you, cleaners might be booked, laundry done and paid for and then you decide not to go and get your money back?

I've found the site / app really awful recently. Plus expensive.
I'll admit that after seeing places on there I do a quick Google and book direct for usually £200 less on a weeks stay.

@Movinghouseatlast

I’m not talking about last minute bookings.

Guests who are booking one or two months in advance want to be able to cancel and get a refund if their plans change. Hence me saying that hosts who give flexibility will get booked first.

@Movinghouseatlast

I offer my accommodation on a moderate policy and I’m always busy.

I have just checked my listing and can't see any differences except the AirCover. My description in the title and body of the listing is unchanged. We have it set up for Instant Book so have a moderate cancellation policy but use discretion depending on the circumstances.

There's quite a bit of generalisation going on here but no two Airbnbs are the same, because no two owners are the same. Because someone else had a less than perfect experience it doesn't follow that you will too. In our case we do not charge a cleaning fee, would never expect someone to strip the bed and it doesn't affect the local housing market because its an annexe in our garden. You'd also be hard pushed to fit a raucous party in there unless it was a party for two

Just come on Mumsnet and notice that Airbnb is being promoted as a way to make money. I can vouch for that. I didn’t get rich but the money does make my life easier.

Most guests want their privacy and to get on with whatever they are in my area to do, which is fine by me. I don’t want people encroaching on my life either. Having said that I’ve met some lovely people who come and stay regularly.

I’ll never rent my room out to a lodger, if things don’t work it’s a hassle to get rid of them. I’ve never had to ask a guest to leave, and I wouldn’t want to. If I do all I have to is call Airbnb and say I feel unsafe. Then I can put their luggage out and have them gone! There’s no messing around with legal action to evict.

This is exactly why I don't use Airbnb. You don't ask people to do something but your rating of them reflects their inability to telepathically know the basis on which your feedback is given.

I prefer a professional arrangement with a hotel or agency where I don't have to deal directly with the owners' caprices.

Just come on Mumsnet and notice that Airbnb is being promoted as a way to make money. I can vouch for that. I didn’t get rich but the money does make my life easier.

I don’t think anyone would think that hosts did it for charity! And of course like any business will have varying degrees of impact on their income

@Asperia

“This is exactly why I don't use Airbnb. You don't ask people to do something but your rating of them reflects their inability to telepathically know the basis on which your feedback is given.”

So those who do use Airbnb can’t ask a host on what basis they give their feedback, if they want a five star review? I have only ever had one person do this.

All hosts are different - if you are worried about your rating talk to him or her about it. And don’t whinge if he or she tells you’ll get five stars if you strip the bed, empty the bin and put the crockery and cutlery in the dishwasher!

I run an Airbnb and would never expect guests to strip the bed, wash up or take the rubbish out! I do all that myself and get consistent 5* reviews. I take very good care of my guests as it's very important to me that they enjoy their stay. It's an annex in my garden so no depriving locals of housing either. My booking entry looks unchanged

@changedsoicanrage

Mine is a room in my house. I live in a town where hotel prices are ridiculous. Airbnb is the only affordable way for many single people to stay here. I only take women and want to them to feel safe and comfortable here.

I’ll always ask them at some point if there is anything they want, and if things are okay. Most of them say they are fine, I mostly get five star reviews too.

I find it frustrating when I don’t, with no explanation given. I also want to take good care of my guests, so if there is something which could be done better it would be very useful to me to know what.

I have a strict policy and have had 90% occupancy for the last 4 years. But given that nobody is clicking on my listing nobody can tell what my cancellation policy is!

Well Having said I’ve been using Booking.com more recently, I’ve just gone and booked an Airbnb for a European city break.

great cancellation policy, small cleaning
fee, and together with flights still cost less than somewhere in the uk for four nights!