Hello everyone,
I have been a host since end of July still pretty new.
Something pretty crazy just happened, A women contacted me about my listing, saying she wasnt comfortable sending her permit pictures to me. which I told her wasnt for me but to authenticate she is really who she says she is. I think We both accepted and she called. Might have not needed to authenticat no idea. Asks about my cats the room and the place. Its a basement place, if you look at my listing everything is there, And on pictures. Room/storage cats etc
We talked on the phone for a while because she wanted details of all these things and help to rent a car. Which I gave her many informations for her, her husband and daughter. I tried my best to help the most I can. Its her first booking.
Week goes by, she calls because they arrived, ask help again about car rental. I help out. The next day they arrive early, My guest didnt check out yet. They werent checking in, they had a place to go but before wanted to see the place. I ask the guest if I may just show them around, they say no problem, but I feel like they rushed out because of it. ( they said no they needed to leave anyways, but I felt bad ) Gave me a good review Thankfully.
The familly goes around, ask about the laundry, kitchen cooking ETC, things I already talked to them about on the phone. They checked the place and said see you later.
Did I mentionned they booked a month!
Went they came back I helped with things, opened the tv set up what they wanted to watched made sure they had everything. We even had a nice conversation.
This morning after 1 night. I say how did you sleep.
she respond by saying thats what we were going to tell you. BAD, Its in a basement theres cats, theres storage, its not open.
I said YES ALL things That is listed AND shown on the listing, AND I told you when you called. we exchanged a few things. I was trying to help. Said leave the door open, if its that openes you need. I put a gate so the cats cant go in, she said but they could jump over it. I said no, the gate has been there for over a year. They dont jump over it. I put the gate there for that. Then she throws the and my daughter is allergic to cats! WTF lol
Why Would you book a room for a month in a house with 3 cats! I even had some locked in my room during the night because I wanted to be nice. they said thy were downstairs with them all night. bothering them. (they are 6 or 7 years old and scared cats that sleep all the time and hide from strangers ) like I said they were in my room under my bed) opened the door ealry. I offered the luggage out if it was bothering them. because she kept mentioning it. All to say they wanted to cancel.
I told them go ahead through airbnb, the woman was almost asking me to do it. On top of asking how I got paid. if I did get paid something like that (weird) I told them about the way it works and that I also lost booking. It was up to them to decide what they wanted to do and do it. They said they didnt want any trouble and were still kind of sweet but still.
Well I got a notification that says, they did a alternation to the reservation. 1 night. The one they just did. I freaked out called abb. Said thats not right how are they allowed to do that now I am going to be the mean and bad person to have to decline. Which i ended up doing after chatting with abb.
My policy is strict I have booked every night since I started hosting. I couldve booked these days.
I am definetly not giving a full refund. They havent done anything since I declined the alternation.
I was told it would be better to wait. which I am going to do. But now I am crossing my fingers they wont come back. would be so awkward. also why would they. lol
what would you guys recommend and or do in my position.
I dont want to be mean but at the same time I cant just let this happen for no reason and be in the loss.
Thank you guys so much in advance.