AirBnB will lose control of the narrative if they frame this on narrow legal liability grounds: they are too large and well established and will be judged by a very different standard than is this had happened a few years ago. This will be a part of someone's advertising and PR campaign, either AirBnB, a plaintiff's attorney, or a hotel lobbying group. AirBnB looks like they are mindful of the legal liability and oblivious of the public goodwill risks.
The Moment Of Truth For Airbnb As User’s Home Is Utterly Trashed
11–20 of 243 posts
Re: The Moment Of Truth For Airbnb As User’s Home Is Utterly Trashed
#12[deleted]
Re: The Moment Of Truth For Airbnb As User’s Home Is Utterly Trashed
#13I found it ironic that the renter's 'name' is Dj Pattrson when I read this in a related article:
"This week, New York Governor, David Paterson, signed a bill outlawing the use of private dwellings as makeshift hotels."
Re: The Moment Of Truth For Airbnb As User’s Home Is Utterly Trashed
#14Earlier quoted context omitted.
Will someone steal my grand piano? Highly unlikely. Grand pianos weigh thousands of pounds and do not fit through doors. That's just unacceptable. Regardless of whether this ever happened to EJ or not.
I'm all about startups having a sense of humor and personality. I think that their mistake is not following their answer up with something like this: "But seriously, you rent at your own risk. Make sure to lockup or move all valuables to a friends place. If there are any problems, contact us 24 hours a day at XXX-XXX-XXXX"
Agreed, but having a sense of humor is fine until it becomes reality.
Re: The Moment Of Truth For Airbnb As User’s Home Is Utterly Trashed
#15It's horrible but inevitable that something like this would happen. I can imagine it'd be useful for a third party service that provides identity checks and insurance or escrow for AirBnb customers. Why play with fire (without hazard insurance)?
Airbnb should partner with both and turn it into a business opportunity.
Re: The Moment Of Truth For Airbnb As User’s Home Is Utterly Trashed
#16Am I the only one that would have presumed that AirBnB would not be financially responsible? They're a forum for helping people find short term tenants. They can't possibly vet everyone who's going through the system.
I feel the same way.
That said, unlike Craigslist (and other forums), they do take a percentage of the cut.
Re: The Moment Of Truth For Airbnb As User’s Home Is Utterly Trashed
#17Big discussion on this tragic situation here:
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2811080
Re: The Moment Of Truth For Airbnb As User’s Home Is Utterly Trashed
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
Will someone steal my grand piano? Highly unlikely. Grand pianos weigh thousands of pounds and do not fit through doors. That's just unacceptable. Regardless of whether this ever happened to EJ or not.
I'm all about startups having a sense of humor and personality. I think that their mistake is not following their answer up with something like this: "But seriously, you rent at your own risk. Make sure to lockup or move all valuables to a friends place. If there are any problems, contact us 24 hours a day at XXX-XXX-XXXX"
I think certain parts of FAQs can breathe a bit more and inject humor. Others can't. Payments, renter sec., etc are sacred ground. Funny is a disarming quality; you want these sections to reiterate strength, confidence and professionalism.
Re: The Moment Of Truth For Airbnb As User’s Home Is Utterly Trashed
#19AirBnB is one rape case away from disaster.
Re: The Moment Of Truth For Airbnb As User’s Home Is Utterly Trashed
#20"I spoke to Airbnb about EJ’s situation. They won’t reimburse her for damages, they say, and they do not insure against losses. They are helping police track down the person who did this, but their help ends there."
...
Fuck. That.
I don't care what the long-term implications are, I don't care about precedent, I don't care about policy, I don't care about cost.
If my business does this to someone I make it right. Even if that means going into my own goddamn pocket. Anything less is simple villainy.
If you are going to enjoy the rewards of your business, you have a moral obligation to ensure that you make things right when that business harms someone else. And let us be clear: this is harm. This isn't "oh dear, my careless guest spilled wine on my TV. Buy me a new one guys."
This is "the guest you sent me destroyed my home and sense of safety." This is completely beyond the pale, an incredible stretch no one, clearly, bothered to imagine. Crucially: it's completely documented by law enforcement.
If it's true these guys aren't going to make this right, Airbnb is dead to me. Fuck Obama O's, to hell with their Cap'n McCains, and all the struggle that earned my admiration. I'd say that to their faces, I'd say that if I worked there, and I'd quit if I worked there and this wasn't made right. This is a test of human decency. I hope they don't fail it.