Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

What happens when a host cancels with Airbnb?

paulsavage.eu

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 78 posts

Re: What happens when a host cancels with Airbnb?

#41

Post by msandford »

blackdogie wrote: post #3
msandford wrote: post #2

I can't tell; did this guy lose 50% of his $1200 or not? If he did and AirBnB is just keeping it, shame on them. That's gross incompetence and people should rightly boycott. If he didn't, he should fix the article to show that in fact AirBnB isn't grossly incompetent.

Hi, I didn't lose anything. I said if I cancel I'd lose 50%, if they cancel they lose 3%

Okay I totally get that. The way it was stated didn't read as clearly as the statement you just made. I saw in another comment that you said you're fixing it. Thanks!

I agree that it's not very kind to have the cancellation policy so asymmetric. According to this link (https://www.airbnb.com/help/question/63) AirBnB charges the host 3% to book, probably no matter what.

So it sounds like what they're doing is taking the money that they charged the host and giving it to you. That's nice of them, really. But as you've said it in no way deters a host from accepting a better offer.

I'd be interested to know how you would split the balance instead. Charge hosts a 15% cancellation fee? 50%? I get where you're coming from but I always understood AirBnB to be a part of the "surplus" economy; I can sell a bit of my surplus space for a bit of extra cash. Not a big serious hotel business.

I suppose one option might be to set the cancellation fee equal to what you'll end up having to pay in addition to find accommodations. Of course that'd quickly become a total eff-job trying to figure out what could reasonably be called "equivalent quality" so that people don't get cancelled on and stay at the Ritz.

Re: What happens when a host cancels with Airbnb?

#43

Post by ericd »

ashray wrote: post #28
inmygarage wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If there is a double bed, single bed, and a couch, that accommodates 4 people. Remember, Airbnb is a marketplace so it is your responsibility as the guest to clarify the exact sleeping arrangements. If you want a higher level of service, go to a hotel. You'll pay a lot more, but if you require great service then it's probably a better option.

Uhh no. AirBNB has a field on listings that clearly indicates "Bed Type". In this case "Bed Type" said Real Bed. Random example: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1229577?checkin=02%2F21%2F2014&... One isn't likely to clarify that with the host prior to arrival given that it's on the listing. AirBNB needs to take responsibility for this kind of thing given that you pay about 15% as AirBNB fees and 3% is also paid by the h…

No, that indicates that you're not renting just a couch in someone's apartment (a la couchsurfing). In the vacation rental world, that max accommodation figure almost always includes the couches (especially if it's a pullout couch).

Re: What happens when a host cancels with Airbnb?

#44

Post by webwright »

clamprecht wrote: post #21
webwright wrote: post #20

Airbnb should have a public % number for hosts for both acceptance rate for "open" dates on their calendar and for cancellations. I was traveling the world for the last 9 months and we fairly quickly stopped using AirBnB in favor of Booking.com and Agoda (which had hotels, guesthouses, and even hostels if you're so inclined). Host behavior was the problem. We'd contact a place that supposedly had an opening. Nope. Co…

What part(s) of the world did this happen to you? I've used it at least a dozen times and this hasn't happened to me. I've only used it in the US (SF & DC), a few countries in Western Europe, and in South America. Maybe hosts' behavior is different in different countries?

Most recently, 3 "nos" in New Orleans (non mardi-gras season). All had time in their calendars.

Also had some difficulties in Spain.

I always have had great experiences when I successfully book, but it was aggravating in places with slow internet to have to cycle through the "request" process rather than being able to predictably just book something (or at least 95% of the time).

I'd much rather just blast an "are you really available" note to a shortlist of 5-10 properties and then 1-click book something.

Re: What happens when a host cancels with Airbnb?

#45

Post by webwright »

doodilin wrote: post #32
webwright wrote: post #20

Airbnb should have a public % number for hosts for both acceptance rate for "open" dates on their calendar and for cancellations. I was traveling the world for the last 9 months and we fairly quickly stopped using AirBnB in favor of Booking.com and Agoda (which had hotels, guesthouses, and even hostels if you're so inclined). Host behavior was the problem. We'd contact a place that supposedly had an opening. Nope. Co…

I've been traveling for the past two years, and fortunately have only had positive experiences with Airbnb. I agree that some hosts can be less responsive others, so I've taken more time on my end to have a bit of back-and-forth with the right ones before booking. Paul does make a good point regarding host cancellations, and your suggestion to publicly display acceptance or cancellation rates might be helpful to pros…

Yeah, I've always loved it when it works, but the back-and-forth can be frustrating on near term bookings... Especially when you are traveling with semi-shakey internet connections.

Re: What happens when a host cancels with Airbnb?

#47

Post by sitkack »

inmygarage wrote: post #23
ashray wrote: post #10

Well, this is some way similar to the experience I had when renting through AirBNB in Rio de Janeiro during carnival. We were 4 people and booked a place with two bedrooms which said it accommodates 4 people. Sounds right. When we showed up at the place, there were just 3 beds - a double bed in one room and a single bed in another. Mind you, this being carnival season and stuff, we were paying a handsome amount for o…

If there is a double bed, single bed, and a couch, that accommodates 4 people. Remember, Airbnb is a marketplace so it is your responsibility as the guest to clarify the exact sleeping arrangements. If you want a higher level of service, go to a hotel. You'll pay a lot more, but if you require great service then it's probably a better option.

Leading with "Remember" is a bit snarky. I've stayed in AirBNB about 10 times, and each one is a crap shoot.

Re: What happens when a host cancels with Airbnb?

#48

Post by 205guy »

arthurgibson wrote: post #8

I understand the sentiment, there should be some way to flag the listing on AirBNB or penalize the renter, but lets be fair to the renter and leave their address out of the post. I'm sure everyone is breaking leases and condo regulations to give out a discount to us.

"I'm sure everyone is breaking leases and condo regulations to give out a discount to us."

I'm not so sure that's a good argument. Are you saying AirBnB is a business that helps people break their leases and condo regulations to make money, and that we should keep this covered up?

Plus in this case, there was no discount: the low-paying customer was ditched as soon as the renter found a higher-paying one. In times of scarcity (big event in city), a leveraging tool such as AirBnB will be used to charge more, not less (AirBnB allows the renter to find more customers than the low-paying ones, right up until the last minute).

Re: What happens when a host cancels with Airbnb?

#49

Post by brianchesky »

hey everyone, I have looked into this and a few things are going on here.

(1) Turns out there was a bug in our system where a guest was actually allowed to double-book this host's listing, so this was our fault. The host did not cancel, we double-booked. We are fixing this bug now, and I haven't heard of any other guests being affected by this.

(2) I just want to note this is a statistically rare event (though by reading comments some of you have experienced this), which is why we probably haven't spent enough time trying to solve this, but we should.

(3) I agree with the author that our cancelation policy is not adequately balanced on both sides of the transaction. Our team has actually been developing a better system for some time, and we should have a more balance policy soon - unfortunate this happened though. Right now, when a host cancels a booking, there is an automated review left on their listing saying this happened, a penalization in their search rankings, and if they chronically cancel, they are removed from our platform; but I agree we could do more here. The changes we are making will hopefully lower the frequency of these instances occurring going forward. Open to feedback here, and if a host has canceled on you I would love to get your feedback on how we handled it.

(4) In the event that a host does cancel, I think we can do more to provide protection and peace of mind to the guest for their trip. We have a Guarantee for hosts, so we are looking at what an equivalent version would be for guests. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

Re: What happens when a host cancels with Airbnb?

#50

Post by sitkack »

kingnight wrote: post #18
ashray wrote: post #10

Well, this is some way similar to the experience I had when renting through AirBNB in Rio de Janeiro during carnival. We were 4 people and booked a place with two bedrooms which said it accommodates 4 people. Sounds right. When we showed up at the place, there were just 3 beds - a double bed in one room and a single bed in another. Mind you, this being carnival season and stuff, we were paying a handsome amount for o…

"3 beds - a double bed in one room and a single bed in another" ? At least you weren't stranded without a place all together, or... I once booked a house via vrbo and found spaghetti in the sheets of one of the beds!

I had a late checkin (1:30), showed up 2 and the host was already passed out drunk and wouldn't answer the door. I ended up sleeping on the stoop until 6:30 when he finally woke up and called in a totally freakout apologizing profusely. I mostly AirBNB like Hemmingway ran with the bulls, for the lulz.
Post reply on HN