Help, am I being scammed?!

[amijustnaive]

I have an Airbnb booked for just over two weeks time in France. It’s a small studio, basement, air con but no windows. It cost £350 for 5 nights.

I got a message from the hosts via the app today to say that they were very sorry but the aircon has broken. They gave me two options - stay and get a partial refund, or they would transfer my booking to another of their properties. They apparently can’t get an engineer to fix it until the end of August, after my stay is done.

They explained that the studio was unbearable without the aircon and they would recommend switching. I switched.

I am now in a much nicer property and it was more than double the cost of the original one. It’s in a better location, bigger and brighter.

The booking is now all confirmed in my app, and looks legit. But now I can’t help but wonder if they’re scamming me?! They refunded me and I booked into this new apartment for the same cost as the previous one. They had the thing turned on where you basically have to ask them to book and they decide if you can or not.

Help! Am I being scammed or are they just really good Airbnb owners?!

YABU - they’re just nice people. Chill out.

YANBU - phone Airbnb support tomorrow and get them to check it out

Yep. Everyone in France goes on holiday in August. Aircon repair is especially problematic ... I know this to my cost as I own a property in France and aircon broke down a few summers ago!

I’m so happy I could cry! I’m only planning to use it as a base, but it’s become such a convenient base. The team stop is literally right behind the apartment, the sea is literally right in front of it. Perfection!

I suppose it it's in 2 weeks and the bigger app. Is not booked it's no skin it their nose to move you into it as they would have zero income from it anyway unless it was booked last minute. Of they have good reviews I would not think it's a scam

Glad to see a positive Airbnb story on here for once! Hope you have a lovely holiday, OP.

Only it is different! Many places shut down entirely in August, it isn’t uncommon to go somewhere and nothing at all is open. It’s like not having a clue that having a siesta is common in Spain! Your ignorance has led to be becoming irrationally paranoid.

Christ, calm down love. It’s not that deep.

I’m so excited now! Good things never happen to me so I’m so excited

Lol France shuts for August, this part is NOT suspicious

Not unusual at all in France, especially Paris as many companies close down for a month and the locals leaver the city.

I think it’s just great customer service from the hosts!

Now I know it’s legit, same! This Airbnb genuinely could not be more perfect for me.

Grand vacaciones is very well understood. If you are going to Paris have you checked that the places you wish to visit are open?

Agreed.
Last year I tried to buy a new AC in a not so touristy area in Greece and installation wouldn't be possible for at least a month as no engineers available.

I’m not going to Paris.

You may have already said and I missed it but presumably you’ve checked their reviews and they’re decent so it seems above board, non? I think they’re just being decent hosts who understand sending you into that particular property without aircon in the height of summer wouldn’t be pleasant. They likely want to avoid negative reviews to keep their reputation in order.

Also regarding les grandes vacances, rural and coastal areas get busier than usual in August for obvious reasons.

The famous French author Marcel Pagnol wrote books about Les Grandes Vacances. Its a pretty well known cultural thing due to them placing the importance on family time.

Obviously not everything shuts due to tourism, but lots of non tourist related businesses shut for two or more weeks in August.

The French are also known for being quite rude to English people that don't make any effort to speak French.

The onions around the neck, stripey shirts and a beret thing is a myth though! 😝

But surely they've just made extra money from you because the basement flat isn't suitable to be rented right now anyway? And you've just paid them extra to stay in a nice place.
I'm sure it'll all be fine, and hope you have a lovely trip.

It’s pretty well known actually! Italy is the same.

My family live in france (southern) and a popular tourist destination everything closes in August, it can be difficult to even go out for a meal. They tend to go on holiday for about 4 weeks unless we are visiting. I don’t understand the logic but it is common that nothing happens in france in august 🤷‍♀️

But you think you’re being scammed when one of your main reasons for believing so is your lack of understanding of French culture. You’re so wound up you posted on an internet forum about it 😂 think the calming down is something you need to focus on.
Do basic research before visiting another country and you’ll have a much less stressful and more rational reaction when something unexpected happens.

Air con engineers are usually a nightmare to get hold of during peak season let alone during one of the hottest summers on record.

Ours went down last summer and it took 3 weeks to get the company to even look at it. Often if it’s still under guarantee you have to be careful at who fixes it as well in case it invalidates your guarantee.

I asked a question because to me it seemed unbelievable. I’m not wound up, I’m not stressed, I’m totally fine.

You should read @amijustnaive replies to the poor woman with a foreign body in her ear.
They're persistently wrong.
She doesn't know much about anything it seems.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5563228-i-get-that-ae-is-busy-but-was-not-expecting-to-be-spoken-to-so-rudely

There is a known issue with booking.coms system being hacked - not sure it's sorted yet, so best to message with them or call.

However, if it's all showing OK on booking.com and you're accessing the site via the AP, it's unlikely you've been scammed.

They’re correct.

You need to get a life.