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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I didn’t agree to book this airbnb?

27 replies

phollyphoo · 19/07/2024 22:28

I was looking at booking an airbnb for next summer in a very in demand destination.

It was booked for the first night we wanted. There are only ferries to this island once per week (v remote). The airbnb only accepts 7 night stays

I emailed asking if the airbnb was available the first night, and if it wasn’t, would the owner consider a 6 night stay? We’d book somewhere else the first night.

The owner replied saying they’d made a deal with the previous booking who agreed to leave a day early in order to let us book for the week. But they really didn’t mind.

DH thinks we are now committed to book, but I’m not wholly sold on the villa!

OP posts:
Original poster
phollyphoo · 19/07/2024 22:55

Thoughts?

OP posts:
RaininSummer · 19/07/2024 22:57

Well you don't have to book it but you have made the owner think you intend to now it is available.

CobraChicken · 19/07/2024 23:00

For some reason I feel it's a bit off if you don't book it now, but you hadn't actually confirmed, so it's up to you!

Motherhubbardscupboard · 19/07/2024 23:00

The previous people are probably family so it won't matter if you don't book. But you should let them know one way or another.

Changingplace · 19/07/2024 23:06

You’re not committed to it, but the owner has made a real effort to accommodate your request, why ask if you weren’t that bothered about booking?

Brokenpebbles · 19/07/2024 23:14

In my experience, it's always best to start that kind of exchange with 'just a tentative enquiry at this stage'. It avoids any misunderstanding.

Perhaps you could reply thanking them for being so accommodating, and saying that you'll let them know in the next couple of days whether you wish to proceed with booking.

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 19/07/2024 23:18

Whilst you haven't agreed to anything... the owner has made a deal with the other booking who have agreed one less day so it seems quite unfair to now mess them around

BeanBeliever · 20/07/2024 08:17

Changingplace · 19/07/2024 23:06

You’re not committed to it, but the owner has made a real effort to accommodate your request, why ask if you weren’t that bothered about booking?

^ this. If you DONT want to book it reply today and say you’ve found somewhere else so that the owner can take another booking

it’s just about treating people as you would like to be treated

Jc2001 · 20/07/2024 08:28

phollyphoo · 19/07/2024 22:28

I was looking at booking an airbnb for next summer in a very in demand destination.

It was booked for the first night we wanted. There are only ferries to this island once per week (v remote). The airbnb only accepts 7 night stays

I emailed asking if the airbnb was available the first night, and if it wasn’t, would the owner consider a 6 night stay? We’d book somewhere else the first night.

The owner replied saying they’d made a deal with the previous booking who agreed to leave a day early in order to let us book for the week. But they really didn’t mind.

DH thinks we are now committed to book, but I’m not wholly sold on the villa!

Well you've put people out considering you weren't really sure / bothered in the fist place. As the owner I would have had the impression they if you got exactly what you wanted you'd have just booked it right away. It's a bit selfish but up to you of course.

ricecrispiecakes · 20/07/2024 08:29

Well no, legally speaking you can do what you want, but I do think morally you've been a bit shitty.

IncompleteSenten · 20/07/2024 08:33

I don't think you are committed.

You didn't ask them to change anything for you.

You made it clear if it wasn't available that you'd book somewhere else. All you wanted was them to agree to 6 nights.

If they chose to boot someone else out based on that enquiry then first of all I'd be concerned about their professionalism and worried that they'd mess about with my booking too.

Spirallingdownwards · 20/07/2024 08:35

No you aren't committed. They may not even have a booking for the week before which is why they can accommodate your request. Indeed if there is only a ferry once a week you would have to ask why their bookings aren't in line with ferry arrivals!

Emilywiththegreeneyes · 20/07/2024 08:43

I don’t see the issue. The owner has not stated that they have changed the other guests booking, just that they are willing to.

Until you complete the booking process you have not committed to anything. That said, the owner has been very proactive so it would be rude to just leave them hanging. If you need a few more days to decide I would reply telling them that. Don’t leave them hanging.

Beautiful3 · 20/07/2024 09:11

Just don't leave them hanging. Tell them what you intend to do.

Kitkat1523 · 20/07/2024 09:13

Up to you….but tell them asap your intentions

Babadook76 · 20/07/2024 09:13

Do you want it or not? Everyone’s bending over backwards to meet your demands, and now you’re just being a bit of a dick tbf

PlaceMarkingHere · 20/07/2024 09:16

Course you are not committed. You wanted to know about availability. Only then can you make an informed choice and compare with other places before deciding.

This happens to businesses all the time. I have high standards of behaviour and would not default on a confirmed booking. But you were just making a query. The owner decided to ask the others to leave a day early. That act was their decision and they can change it back I am sure.

Holidays are precious, expensive and important. Make the decision that’s right for you.

GRex · 20/07/2024 09:22

If you prefer somewhere else, then I don't understand why you were wasting everyone's time with questions. It's just weird behaviour. Anyway, you're within your rights not to pay if you don't want to, so just say sorry you found something else.

LegendInMyOwnLunchtime · 20/07/2024 11:34

You made an enquiry, they responded… let them know one way or the other v quickly.

Presumably the majority of their guests are affected by the ferry schedule?

sonjadog · 20/07/2024 11:39

If they agreed to leave a day early, they are most likely friends or family. Paying guests who have travelled on holiday somewhere aren't going to agree to cut their holiday short just because someone else wants to stay there. I think you are fine to say no now, so far in advance. Presumably then they can go back to the original booking and tell them they can stay another night after all. But you should let them know asap if you don't want to book. I think it would be poor to leave them waiting for your confirmation for a long time.

BeanBeliever · 20/07/2024 12:26

OP - people can be very down on Airbnb hosts but for most of them it’s an important part of their income & leaving them hanging over a week long booking (in the summer high season?) when they have made arrangements to suit you is very poor form

Even if the other guests are friends/family who they have organised to leave a bit early, you are still giving the impression you are booking that week by your enquiry now that they are able to match your needs

If you have decided against it, let them know ASAP

Strangerthanfictions · 20/07/2024 12:29

You are not committed at all, air BNB owners should expect enquires that don't lead to bookings, you only asked. I agree don't have them hanging tho of you are not taking it

sweeneytoddsrazor · 20/07/2024 12:30

Presumably there was nothing else suitable or that you liked as much available, or you would have gone with them rather that faffing around booking different accommodation for 1 night . So why bother to enquire if you weren't really keen

BeanBeliever · 20/07/2024 12:34

@IncompleteSenten & @Spirallingdownwards : there are lots of reasons a host might be able to change a booking which don’t make them unprofessional

I manage an Airbnb: sometimes dates are blocked for friends/family, sometimes I block a day after a booking if I am not available to go to the property to clean/check (eg if I have other commitments), or just need a break from back to back bookings!

Might be that the host hires a cleaner but will do it themselves if the cleaner is unavailable etc - could be lots of reasons

IncompleteSenten · 20/07/2024 12:41

BeanBeliever · 20/07/2024 12:34

@IncompleteSenten & @Spirallingdownwards : there are lots of reasons a host might be able to change a booking which don’t make them unprofessional

I manage an Airbnb: sometimes dates are blocked for friends/family, sometimes I block a day after a booking if I am not available to go to the property to clean/check (eg if I have other commitments), or just need a break from back to back bookings!

Might be that the host hires a cleaner but will do it themselves if the cleaner is unavailable etc - could be lots of reasons

As I said - If they chose to boot someone else out based on that enquiry then first of all I'd be concerned about their professionalism and worried that they'd mess about with my booking too.