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Introducing Airbnb Plus

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Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#161

Post by BugsJustFindMe »

prepend wrote: post #143
BugsJustFindMe wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> but the biggest problem is that the reviews are always so artificial you honestly have zero idea of what you're getting into. > I just add the problem by leaving positive reviews even when I'm unhappy with the place So stop actively making the problem worse. Retaliatory reviews aren't a thing, because the host can't see your review until after they post theirs, and the only outcome from a potential host tracking do…

Future hosts will see your reviews and refuse to host. Since the reservation has to be confirmed by host, it can be a pain to go through a few hosts.

> Future hosts will see your reviews and refuse to host.

People keep saying this like it's a universal truth, but it's not actually true for any host worth renting from, and I say it as an honest reviewer who has spent years not being in the same city for more than a few weeks at a time and never has trouble getting a place. How? Because I leave honest feedback _and_ I'm an excellent guest.

You're basically saying that you think it's a good idea to get scammed so that you don't miss the next opportunity to be scammed. It's insane. There are so many good hosts out there. You don't need to be afraid of the bad ones.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#162

Post by BugsJustFindMe »

splintercell wrote: post #153
zephyrnh wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Airbnb switched to a "double blind" review system several years go, so you only see the other person's review after you've written your own. If you don't leave a review within two weeks, the other review becomes public and you no longer have the option to leave a review. I did a search to see if there was any press about this, couldn't find much but there's a bit about it here: https://medium.com/airbnb-engineering/b…

My reason for not writing a negative review is because before staying at their place we exchanged phone numbers and other things, and now I don't feel comfortable writing a negative review and possibly having a confrontation. YMMV but I avoid writing negative reviews despite the 'double blind' review system.

Always contact them through AirBnB. You should be treating it just like contacting random strangers for sex on Craigslist, potentially dangerous. There's no reason to give a random stranger your personal contact details.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#163

Post by romaster »

This seems like a smart and natural step for AirBnB.

Step 1) enable existing hosts who are great hosts to 'step up' to a prestige status which creates visibility and pushes more hosts towards wanting to get there too, thereby improving the overall quality on AirBnB.

Step 2) (I'm skipping a few steps) - eventually fill the void with AirBnB property/amenity management as a service for hosts.

Hosts who don't want to manage or deal with the pain of trying to get to Plus status will simply pay AirBnB for the cleaning, the linens, the supplies etc, no worries, no problems, and let AirBnB manage it all for you. Also gets more people wanting to host who are aloof to finding or trusting a manager they don't know.

It will take time but it's well worth it, even if it is only partially successful.

Good job.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#164

Post by prepend »

BugsJustFindMe wrote: post #161
prepend wrote: post #143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Future hosts will see your reviews and refuse to host. Since the reservation has to be confirmed by host, it can be a pain to go through a few hosts.

> Future hosts will see your reviews and refuse to host. People keep saying this like it's a universal truth, but it's not actually true for any host worth renting from, and I say it as an honest reviewer who has spent years not being in the same city for more than a few weeks at a time and never has trouble getting a place. How? Because I leave honest feedback _and_ I'm an excellent guest. You're basically saying th…

For me. I don’t report minor things. If there’s a big problem I call it out in my review and rating. But I really round up for minor to mid stuff.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#165

Post by prepend »

mrgordon wrote: post #157
prepend wrote: post #156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They really need to fix the cleaning fee. It’s outrageous. At least they let you compare prices including fees. But it reflects poorly on Airbnb when an apt is $200 with a $200 cleaning fee. It’s like back when EBay let you charge $1 with $20 shipping.

Obviously you need to be able to compare fees, but I don’t see the issue with a large cleaning fee if that is what it costs. One friend has an Airbnb in a ski village and he pays the building cleaners $150 to clean his rather small unit because that’s what the resort mandates unless he gets an outside cleaner. Most people won’t want to pay that cleaning fee for a night or two but for a longer trip it doesn’t change t…

I’m sure there are many situations where there are high cleaning fees.

I have my entire house deep cleaned for $200 for 3 people over two hours. There’s no way that takes place for a two bedroom condo.

My last rental charged $140 and we talked to the owner who said she comes and changes the sheets, sweeps up and washes the dishes. The owner of the cabin.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#166

Post by somberi »

ultraflux wrote: post #142
annexrichmond wrote: post #36

This is strange marketing as it almost sounds like the non-Plus listings aren't what people already expect to some degree from an airbnb. > With Airbnb Plus, you can always check in effortlessly. Every home is equipped with a lockbox, keypad, or a host who is on-call to greet you. This is so weird. How would you otherwise check in to a home if it doesn't have self check in or a host? > When you book an Airbnb Plus ho…

Agreed and as an Airbnb host myself, slightly confused. To add to what you said, why book and pay a premium for an Airbnb+ when there are thousands of standard listings that already crush plus listings. As it stands, I have hosted 273 stays and have 184 reviews with an average rating of 91% five star reviews between two rooms. The number one comment I get from guests is that my place is far better then a hotel and fa…

I feel the same way - I am not a host but have rented via AirBnB a few times and I think this differentiation does not seem fair to well-rated hosts who did not make it to "Plus" whatever the reason.

I understand AirBnb is under pressure to put up a product to counter Stay Alfred, Sonder and Parallel Travel, but this adds confusion.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#167

Post by Too »

prepend wrote: post #156
randycupertino wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My biggest issue is hating all the weird host rules. I don't want to tip toe around and abide by your curfew when I'm on vacation. I also don't want to pay an outrageous $250 cleaning fee. At least with a hotel I know what I am getting and don't get any surprises.

They really need to fix the cleaning fee. It’s outrageous. At least they let you compare prices including fees. But it reflects poorly on Airbnb when an apt is $200 with a $200 cleaning fee. It’s like back when EBay let you charge $1 with $20 shipping.

The only thing wrong with the cleaning fee is the name. As as host i prefer longer stays rather than having to exchange keys every day because that's what cost me time/money. It's not like i need $200 to clean but i might have to take half day of work, drive a long distance, wait for delayed guests etc. Much easier to just deal with long staying guests.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#168

Post by exclusiv »

prepend wrote: post #165
mrgordon wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Obviously you need to be able to compare fees, but I don’t see the issue with a large cleaning fee if that is what it costs. One friend has an Airbnb in a ski village and he pays the building cleaners $150 to clean his rather small unit because that’s what the resort mandates unless he gets an outside cleaner. Most people won’t want to pay that cleaning fee for a night or two but for a longer trip it doesn’t change t…

I’m sure there are many situations where there are high cleaning fees. I have my entire house deep cleaned for $200 for 3 people over two hours. There’s no way that takes place for a two bedroom condo. My last rental charged $140 and we talked to the owner who said she comes and changes the sheets, sweeps up and washes the dishes. The owner of the cabin.

I pay my turnover crew a living wage and it's $350. It's a 6 bedroom and takes nearly all day to do it right. Laundry is a big part of the fees. If it's bigger than an apt and you aren't paying much for cleaning they probably aren't doing it right. And you're likely sleeping in uncleaned sheets.

I don't think most hosts are gaming it to make money, it's just expensive in relation to the nightly. Usually when I explain the costs the guests understand.

Many see the actual cleaning fee, think it's ridiculous even though it's not and then decide to trash the place because they think they paid to do so. And then that causes you to have to go higher to cover the average turnover.

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#169

Post by mrgordon »

prepend wrote: post #165
mrgordon wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Obviously you need to be able to compare fees, but I don’t see the issue with a large cleaning fee if that is what it costs. One friend has an Airbnb in a ski village and he pays the building cleaners $150 to clean his rather small unit because that’s what the resort mandates unless he gets an outside cleaner. Most people won’t want to pay that cleaning fee for a night or two but for a longer trip it doesn’t change t…

I’m sure there are many situations where there are high cleaning fees. I have my entire house deep cleaned for $200 for 3 people over two hours. There’s no way that takes place for a two bedroom condo. My last rental charged $140 and we talked to the owner who said she comes and changes the sheets, sweeps up and washes the dishes. The owner of the cabin.

Yes sometimes the owner does it and they are free to value their time as they see fit. If it’s too much I simply won’t stay there especially for a short trip. I would be pissed if it wasn’t clean though.

If I had to do your dishes, I definitely wouldn’t charge a small cleaning fee either :)

Re: Introducing Airbnb Plus

#170

Post by apetresc »

ultraflux wrote: post #146
sf_rob wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This happened to me in Toronto (my local coworkers said it was a common thing) and the doorman threatened to not let me in and to not return my bags that the airline temporarily lost and delivered there.

This often only happens in Cities where Airbnb is either illegal or is fighting with local cities.

Exactly - in which case, I don't understand why AirBNB allows listings in those places, or at least warn you. It's a terrible user experience to find out you're an unwitting co-conspirator in someone else's crime.
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