Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner • Hacker News Board

Re: Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner

#11

Post by bArray » Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 2:44 AM UTC

mc32 wrote: post #3

So apparently it had A/C in bedrooms but not other areas. Host suggested leaving doors open and having a fan redirect air from bedroom(s) to living area. Looks like guests were looking to work while on a trip, so wanted and expected A/C throughout. I can see both sides. On the one hand it did have A/C —just not central A/C. On the other hand it was (they claim 100F) and were trying to “work from home.” On the other h…

> So apparently it had A/C in bedrooms but not other areas.

> Host suggested leaving doors open and having a fan

> redirect air from bedroom to living area. Looks like

> guests were looking to work while on a trip, so wanted and

> expected A/C throughout.

To be fair to the host, it's not their fault that the app didn't have the ability to track which rooms did or didn't have air conditioning. On hearing their problem the host also offered a reasonable solution to help them work in their apartment (something the apartment is not supposed to be used for).

> I can see both sides. On the one hand it did have A/C just

> not central A/C. On the other hand it was (they claim

> 100F) and we’re trying to “work from home.”

It wasn't the host's fault that they wanted to work in the apartment, neither was it their fault it was so hot. I've stayed in many places all over the world and half the time you're lucky if the AC works at all.

> It’s kinda borderline. What would judge Judy decide? Split

> the diff?

It would probably go through remediation, but if it went further it would just get kicked out. The most questionable part is their cancellation policy, not the AC description.

Re: Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner

#12

Post by jfaat » Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 2:46 AM UTC

RcouF1uZ4gsC wrote: post #6

There is a saying that goes something like: when you play with snakes, don't be surprised if you get bitten. When you book AirBnb vs a hotel you are signalling that you value cost over predictability and oversight. Those hotel fees and regulations are there for a reason. With AirBnb, one of the reasons they can offer stuff cheaply is that they are arbitraging regulation and oversight. If you really need to work, book…

The version I've heard is: you mess with the bull, you get the horns

Re: Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner

#13

Post by mc32 » Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 2:46 AM UTC

dontbenebby wrote: post #10

mc32 wrote: post #3

So apparently it had A/C in bedrooms but not other areas. Host suggested leaving doors open and having a fan redirect air from bedroom(s) to living area. Looks like guests were looking to work while on a trip, so wanted and expected A/C throughout. I can see both sides. On the one hand it did have A/C —just not central A/C. On the other hand it was (they claim 100F) and were trying to “work from home.” On the other h…

>So apparently it had A/C in bedrooms but not other areas. Host suggested leaving doors open and having a fan redirect air from bedroom to living area. Looks like guests were looking to work while on a trip, so wanted and expected A/C throughout. But was the listing for the whole house, or a bedroom?

Like I said, split the diff. It wasn’t outright deception but it also wasn’t up front about the totality. It didn’t explicitly say either it only had AC in bedrooms nor did it claim to have Central AC.

Plus it was $60/night. Don’t expect Hilton class accommodations for 60/night.

Re: Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner

#14

Post by not_a_moth » Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 2:50 AM UTC

mc32 wrote: post #3

So apparently it had A/C in bedrooms but not other areas. Host suggested leaving doors open and having a fan redirect air from bedroom(s) to living area. Looks like guests were looking to work while on a trip, so wanted and expected A/C throughout. I can see both sides. On the one hand it did have A/C —just not central A/C. On the other hand it was (they claim 100F) and were trying to “work from home.” On the other h…

I'm kind of leaning towards AirBnB, because it sounds like the travelers didn't bother with any diligence, which is puzzling when having AC was so critical to their trip.

I think it's reasonable to expect AirBnB hosts, like any seller, to try to bend the truth or hide inconveniences in their listing, and it's up to you, the buyer, to exercise caution, read reviews, or ask the host.

That said, if hotels try that kind of BS, I complain until they refund me or upgrade my room, which has worked 10/10 times. This is one area where hotels have a clear advantage over AirBnB.

Re: Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner

#15

Post by jbverschoor » Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 2:56 AM UTC

RcouF1uZ4gsC wrote: post #6

There is a saying that goes something like: when you play with snakes, don't be surprised if you get bitten. When you book AirBnb vs a hotel you are signalling that you value cost over predictability and oversight. Those hotel fees and regulations are there for a reason. With AirBnb, one of the reasons they can offer stuff cheaply is that they are arbitraging regulation and oversight. If you really need to work, book…

I will only ever book an Airbnb again if: - very long stays - stays with a huge group

My experiences with Airbnb are 90% bad and it keeps getting worse. Also, hotels are usually cheaper, esoeyif you stay 4 or less days

Re: Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner

#16

Post by whatshisface » Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 2:59 AM UTC

not_a_moth wrote: post #14

mc32 wrote: post #3

So apparently it had A/C in bedrooms but not other areas. Host suggested leaving doors open and having a fan redirect air from bedroom(s) to living area. Looks like guests were looking to work while on a trip, so wanted and expected A/C throughout. I can see both sides. On the one hand it did have A/C —just not central A/C. On the other hand it was (they claim 100F) and were trying to “work from home.” On the other h…

I'm kind of leaning towards AirBnB, because it sounds like the travelers didn't bother with any diligence, which is puzzling when having AC was so critical to their trip. I think it's reasonable to expect AirBnB hosts, like any seller, to try to bend the truth or hide inconveniences in their listing, and it's up to you, the buyer, to exercise caution, read reviews, or ask the host. That said, if hotels try that kind…

>I think it's reasonable to expect AirBnB hosts, like any seller, to try to bend the truth or hide inconveniences in their listing

If we all pitched in and shamed dishonest sellers (to the point where there was a culture of honesty), we could all have the reliability of hotels without any of the costs of management. It's like how one of the reasons third world countries are so bad is that there is no social trust.

Re: Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner

#17

Post by privateSFacct » Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 3:02 AM UTC

Thorentis wrote: post #5

This is intentionally misleading. Sure, "legally" it might be accurate , but is that what a customer would be expecting if a listing says the accommodation has air conditioning? AirBnB should provide accurate representations of accommodation, regardless of the legal definition. The listings are not legal documents - they exist to inform customers what they will be getting for their money. And if AirBnB knowingly misl…

The accommodation had A/C, just not in every room. I've rented AirBnB's like this. You are out all day, come home, turn on AC in bedrooms and go to sleep. Not everyone puts AC into their kitchen, dining room, living room, bathrooms etc etc.

You are going to sue AirBnB over this?

Re: Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner

#18

Post by privateSFacct » Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 3:05 AM UTC

RcouF1uZ4gsC wrote: post #6

There is a saying that goes something like: when you play with snakes, don't be surprised if you get bitten. When you book AirBnb vs a hotel you are signalling that you value cost over predictability and oversight. Those hotel fees and regulations are there for a reason. With AirBnb, one of the reasons they can offer stuff cheaply is that they are arbitraging regulation and oversight. If you really need to work, book…

I've booked $1,000+/night AirBnB's. You almost always get a more neighborhood feel, more interesting experience.

However, when I am working, I ALWAYS book a hotel. I just want a place to work and sleep, etc. AirBnB's are less predictable, and when you are on the road and only in the room for the night and up early - no sense is even dealing with the various check in / out procedures etc. And yes, there are some hosts who don't get it, but most do.

Re: Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner

#19

Post by mhuck0625 » Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 3:07 AM UTC

mc32 wrote: post #3

So apparently it had A/C in bedrooms but not other areas. Host suggested leaving doors open and having a fan redirect air from bedroom(s) to living area. Looks like guests were looking to work while on a trip, so wanted and expected A/C throughout. I can see both sides. On the one hand it did have A/C —just not central A/C. On the other hand it was (they claim 100F) and were trying to “work from home.” On the other h…

Having lived in apartments and houses in my younger years, it IS possible to cool the place with in window air conditioners. In fact it is almost more convenient if they are working in the common area. Put a fan in the doorway of a room with an AC unit and aim it out into the main area, problem solved! Although I do understand how misleading that would be.

Re: Airbnb: A fan legally constitutes an air conditioner

#20

Post by mhuck0625 » Tue, Sep 10, 2019, 3:08 AM UTC

mc32 wrote: post #13

dontbenebby wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>So apparently it had A/C in bedrooms but not other areas. Host suggested leaving doors open and having a fan redirect air from bedroom to living area. Looks like guests were looking to work while on a trip, so wanted and expected A/C throughout. But was the listing for the whole house, or a bedroom?

Like I said, split the diff. It wasn’t outright deception but it also wasn’t up front about the totality. It didn’t explicitly say either it only had AC in bedrooms nor did it claim to have Central AC. Plus it was $60/night. Don’t expect Hilton class accommodations for 60/night.

agree 100 percent. Split it. keep the customers happy, but the owners need to make a little too. Fair is fair.