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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Air BnB

22 replies

unclebuck · 17/01/2023 10:48

I am not sure if my experience is unusual or if my expectations are unreasonable so interested in views.

Our family have an event in London in the spring, it is not central and likely to end late so we want accommodation within walking distance. Premier Inn is fully booked so I have tried Air BnB.

So far I have booked 3 stays, all have been cancelled: the first after 7 weeks, the second after 10 days and the latest one today, after considerable correspondence with the host - after 12 days.

Is this standard service? I am concerned about trusting them now as this seems more than just bad luck!

AIBU to think that it should be very rare to book a stay that has been confirmed and paid for?

Any other recommendations for sites to find a rental on?

OP posts:
Original poster
unclebuck · 17/01/2023 13:54

Anyone?
I know it is boring 😂

OP posts:
Clymene · 17/01/2023 13:55

I've never had that happen but apparently super hosts are more reliable.

How frustrating

Original poster
unclebuck · 17/01/2023 14:00

@Clymene thanks, I will have a look. I haven't used it much and only have 2 reviews (both 5*) so wondered if that was the issue. It is very worrying as the closer the event gets the harder and more expensive it'll be to sort

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Extendivecover · 17/01/2023 14:02

I'm a superhost and have never cancelled anyone bar once when a digger went through the electricity cable and we had absolutely no option. We liaised with the customer through Airbnb who found the guest new accommodation, I had to prove photographic evidence of the problem and it was all sorted out very amicably for everyone.

Original poster
unclebuck · 17/01/2023 14:22

I wonder what is going on then, maybe a lack of good reviews on my side?

OP posts:
Nap1983 · 17/01/2023 14:26

I’ve been using Air BnB for years and never had a cancellation. Could be lack of reviews.

Charlieiscool · 17/01/2023 14:29

They do this when they sniff a possibility of charging more. Evidently the hosts in Liverpool all cancelled for the Eurovision dates and then hiked their charges. I doubt it’s anything to do with you or your reviews, they wouldn’t have accepted your bookings in the first place if it was that.

JoWawa · 17/01/2023 14:39

I am an Airbnb superhost and have never cancelled anyone.

rookiemere · 17/01/2023 14:41

You mention considerable correspondence with the host. Were you asking a lot of questions?

toastofthetown · 17/01/2023 14:42

I’ve had Airbnbs cancelled by the host before, and only for weekend city breaks. One host gave the reason that their building no longer allowed short term letting, but others haven’t really given a proper reason. I doubt it’s lack of reviews which is the problem if they’re rejecting after days and weeks than a shorter period and you have no bad reviews. It’s made me pretty cautious about Airbnbs for city breaks, though I stayed in one last weekend which was good.

TinySaltLick · 17/01/2023 14:47

I've never been cancelled on in many years, do you have bad reviews on your side?

emmathedilemma · 17/01/2023 14:48

I've been cancelled on once out 3 or 4 different bookings. It was at really short notice with no explanation (less than 2 weeks) and on a weekend when there was a big event on in the city so it really left us in a difficult situation as we had flights booked, event entry paid and friends were staying nearby. AirBnB were bugger all help so I spent half a day when I should have been working searching for new accommodation.

Original poster
unclebuck · 17/01/2023 14:55

rookiemere · 17/01/2023 14:41

You mention considerable correspondence with the host. Were you asking a lot of questions?

No, I asked about parking, she came back asked about the number of guests, ages etc then took the booking and I paid and all confirmed. She then messaged and asked names of guests again and i confirmed (family of 4 in a unit that sleeps 6 so not over crowding, no groups of young adults etc) she thanked me again then cancelled this morning

OP posts:
Original poster
unclebuck · 17/01/2023 14:56

TinySaltLick · 17/01/2023 14:47

I've never been cancelled on in many years, do you have bad reviews on your side?

no, I have 2 x 5* reviews from 2020 and 2021

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Original poster
unclebuck · 17/01/2023 14:57

Charlieiscool · 17/01/2023 14:29

They do this when they sniff a possibility of charging more. Evidently the hosts in Liverpool all cancelled for the Eurovision dates and then hiked their charges. I doubt it’s anything to do with you or your reviews, they wouldn’t have accepted your bookings in the first place if it was that.

ahhh maybe there is another event in the area I will do a google, never thought of that

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Original poster
unclebuck · 17/01/2023 14:58

emmathedilemma · 17/01/2023 14:48

I've been cancelled on once out 3 or 4 different bookings. It was at really short notice with no explanation (less than 2 weeks) and on a weekend when there was a big event on in the city so it really left us in a difficult situation as we had flights booked, event entry paid and friends were staying nearby. AirBnB were bugger all help so I spent half a day when I should have been working searching for new accommodation.

Yes I am worried about being left in the lurch a week before

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Caspianberg · 17/01/2023 15:02

That’s very strange. As a host, it’s very hard for us to cancel on air b and b.

The only time we cancelled a booking was when air b and b made a mistake and somehow allowed a 1 night booking, even though we have 5 night minimum stay. It took me the whole day back and forth to air b and b for them to finally confirm it was an error on their booking system side and allowed us to cancel. We would have had to pay the fees otherwise ourselves

Caspianberg · 17/01/2023 15:03

FYI, we very very rarely use it now. Our propyls listed there, but 99% of all bookings are via booking.cot or private.

I suggest you look locally privately or booking.com.

PeppermintChoc · 17/01/2023 15:04

You lose your superhost status for cancelling and you also get a penalty if you cancel too close to the booking.

Have they given you any reasons for cancelling? Sounds really odd. Are you trying to book something unsuitable for your needs?

bigbluebus · 17/01/2023 15:27

We've done Airbnb about 10 times and have been cancelled once. We'd booked for an event which got cancelled due to rising covid numbers (Jan 2022) but decided to have a city break anyway as we were all off work. A couple of days before we were due to go, Airbnb refunded our fees. DH contacted them to find out why and they said the booking had been cancelled by the host citing "a change in circumstances ". It wasn't a tourist destination city nor was it likely another event had been organised for which they would get a more lucrative booking.

We use booking.com now.

Original poster
unclebuck · 17/01/2023 16:19

PeppermintChoc · 17/01/2023 15:04

You lose your superhost status for cancelling and you also get a penalty if you cancel too close to the booking.

Have they given you any reasons for cancelling? Sounds really odd. Are you trying to book something unsuitable for your needs?

No reason given and no, they are very suitable! 2 bed flats/houses!
There is a cultural event in the park nearby that weekend I see, maybe that is causing an issue

OP posts:
Original poster
unclebuck · 17/01/2023 16:27

Caspianberg · 17/01/2023 15:03

FYI, we very very rarely use it now. Our propyls listed there, but 99% of all bookings are via booking.cot or private.

I suggest you look locally privately or booking.com.

Thank you, there is nothing nearby on Booking.com. I will have a google

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