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I'm almost homeless: Why you should not go outside Airbnb's payment system

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Re: I'm almost homeless: Why you should not go outside Airbnb's payment system

#11

Post by zacharydanger »

jjcm wrote: post #5

I'm not sure what the situation in Texas is, but I know many homes in Hawaii specifically will mention that refunds aren't available due to roach occupation in the home. Cockroaches there are quite literally a way of life. Doesn't matter how clean your house is, you will have them. You kind of get used to them while living there, and after a while they don't really bother you. Texas may very well have the same situat…

It's most definitely not the way of life here in Texas. I'm currently in Dallas, but grew up in the sticks and have never had to cope with the roach situation he's describing.

Re: I'm almost homeless: Why you should not go outside Airbnb's payment system

#12

Post by GreenTomato »

nhangen wrote: post #8
GreenTomato wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also because I know someone is going to say I didn't plan ahead or came on too tight a budget... I know. I'm living on the edge and pushing things but it will turn out ok and I will have had a valuable experience. I'm just trying to protect someone else from getting screwed over by sharing my experience.

You didn't get screwed over IMO. You paid half price, and got half the value. You didn't expect any problems at that price?

There are lots of rooms in Austin available for $500 a month. You can get a master bedroom with private bath for that price.

We could have we just ran out of time.

Re: I'm almost homeless: Why you should not go outside Airbnb's payment system

#13

Post by cobralibre »

Roaches are unpleasant, and I empathize, but Texas is going through a historic drought right now. You can expect to find thirsty pests heading indoors.

And I haven't heard of $500/month rent in Austin in over a decade. For rent that cheap, expect hardships.

Re: I'm almost homeless: Why you should not go outside Airbnb's payment system

#14

Post by kragen »

This is a great story! Thanks for sharing!

It's not really surprising that someone who was willing to cheat AirBNB out of their cut of the deal was also willing to cheat you. You've got to watch out when you're dealing with people like that.

Couldn't you have hired exterminators for US$310? Let alone US$700. Also, Hostelling International Austin charges US$28 per bed per night with a shared bathroom in the room, so your (potential) savings on the AirBNB deal are at least good for a week in a youth hostel.

Re: I'm almost homeless: Why you should not go outside Airbnb's payment system

#16

Post by jinushaun »

All this over some roaches? Seriously? I don't know where you're originally from, but around here (Virginia), insects indoors are a part of life. Having recently moved from cold Seattle, I've never seen so many bugs in my life. I feel like I'm in the jungle.

Re: I'm almost homeless: Why you should not go outside Airbnb's payment system

#17

Post by boyter »

I guess I should pass this piece of advice on. If you have roaches in your house (or anywhere for that matter) there is a simple cheap effective way to get rid of them.

Boric acid. Just sprinkle it around the place (its not toxic to humans, or comparable to salt anyway), on the sideboards, and anywhere else the roaches are likely to go. It will kill them all pretty quickly.

I recently had issues with the neighbor having lots of them and boric acid really controlled them. Before applying I saw at least a dozen on any given day. Afterwards I was (un)lucky to see one a week.

Re: I'm almost homeless: Why you should not go outside Airbnb's payment system

#18

Post by teddytruong7 »

It's true that roaches are a PITA when it comes to your own living space. But imagine what story you could have told if part of your startup's success came from overcoming this event? Hahaha it sounds ridiculous -- but really, people would have loved it. Also, I feel that the best decision would have been to get a master bedroom for $500.. You and your co-founder would work together anyway. What is so bad with sleeping in the same room together? Might as well since you're spending so many hours with him anyway. Become ramen-profitable then move in somewhere else!

Still, a great article that serves value to the community since many of us will use AirBnB sooner or later.

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