@Mark1340
Yes Mark, I am afraid you have found out the hard way!
Potential Guests fall into two categories....
A/.......Passive/Complimentary!
B/.......Aggressive/demanding!
When a guest comes to me and says ...."We have seen your lovely listing and can't wait to stay for a couple of days", I can't hit the accept button fast enough! They have not required anything other than what I stated in my listing description, they just want to pull out their credit card and stay! I know they will be great appreciative guests! I don't want to check on their background, they have told me everything I need to know!
When a guest comes to me with a list of requests....."We are in Mt Barker for a wedding, is there off street parking?.........can we have the wedding party over for a drink?.....is there WiFi available so we can send some pics back to England? " No, hang on, this is my property, you get to accept what I offer, not what you demand, and if you had read the listing description fully those questions would have been answered!.......Mark, big red flag!
Mark, there is a golden rule attached to STR....."You never let to hagglers"! Every time a haggler asks something of you, they strengthen their ground and they weaken yours. The requests keep coming until you will do anything for them to get them out of your life!
Mark, hagglers are easy to pick! Just look at their introductory message or their enquiry request, study the wording! If they are after something you have not already stated, or you are prepared to entertain......run like **bleep** mate, decline their request, suggest they should look elsewhere!
Cheers......Rob