Airbnb
Jun 21st, 2011, 11:09 AM
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Jun 21st, 2011, 11:30 AM
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Jun 21st, 2011, 12:57 PM
#4
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I have read both of these threads, because I started them.
After all that, and our crappy experience in Amsterdam, I still am going to use the service. It's not perfect, and you have to check things out thoroughly, but it works for us. In fact, I tried to book an overnight about half way between Anacortes, WA, and San Francisco. We are going to drive down to join family in scattering the ashes of my Brother in late July. It is a 16 hour drive, and I want to break the journey with an overnight stay, so I looked to Airbnb first. We found some really nice places around Medford, and Ashland. Then I did my due diligence. Found out all the nice places with great reviews have cats, to which my wife is allergic.
Used Priceline and ended up in cheapo motels going and coming for $55. They both get crummy reviews on TripAdvisor, but they will only be for one night. (And will not have cats, hopefully.)
And they are cheap!
After all that, and our crappy experience in Amsterdam, I still am going to use the service. It's not perfect, and you have to check things out thoroughly, but it works for us. In fact, I tried to book an overnight about half way between Anacortes, WA, and San Francisco. We are going to drive down to join family in scattering the ashes of my Brother in late July. It is a 16 hour drive, and I want to break the journey with an overnight stay, so I looked to Airbnb first. We found some really nice places around Medford, and Ashland. Then I did my due diligence. Found out all the nice places with great reviews have cats, to which my wife is allergic.
Used Priceline and ended up in cheapo motels going and coming for $55. They both get crummy reviews on TripAdvisor, but they will only be for one night. (And will not have cats, hopefully.)
And they are cheap!
Jun 23rd, 2011, 09:01 PM
#6
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I read through many past threads you suggested ron, and it floored me! I read all of nukesafe's experiences and it shocked me! I am booked in Paris and in London and will let you all know how it goes... mostly, my disappointment up to now has been told by many... the wait time to get a response
the waiting allows you to find other accommodations as I did in Newquay.. and airbnb jacks up the prices from one hour to the next.... they are not reliable... so by the time you decide to book... it is a much much higher rate..
so ...
it seems more of a waste of time...
I will stick with good service, small hotels in the U.S. and you all wish me the best with these two Airbnb accommodations!
the waiting allows you to find other accommodations as I did in Newquay.. and airbnb jacks up the prices from one hour to the next.... they are not reliable... so by the time you decide to book... it is a much much higher rate..
so ...
it seems more of a waste of time...
I will stick with good service, small hotels in the U.S. and you all wish me the best with these two Airbnb accommodations!
Jul 10th, 2011, 02:29 PM
#7
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my first airbnb experience was a bust...total disaster..
our second one was a complete success ... in paris...
our third [due to extra travel days] in paris was not good...
We are now at a nice hotel on a nice price due to hotelscombined.com.
our second one was a complete success ... in paris...
our third [due to extra travel days] in paris was not good...
We are now at a nice hotel on a nice price due to hotelscombined.com.
Jul 11th, 2011, 08:47 AM
#8
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Sils, I wish you would detail why your first and third Airbnb experiences were not good. It could help the rest of us in doing our due diligence.
Along those lines, perhaps I should give details of how our Amsterdam experience played out, so we can see how the Airbnb organization could improve itself. One of the advantages of Airbnb that is touted is that the money the renter pays to Airbnb is not released to the landlord until the day after the rental starts, in case the property is not as advertised. In our case, we emailed Airbnb before we walked out of the place, telling them the room was not as advertised and not to give the money to the landlord.
Unfortunately, that was late on a Friday evening in Amsterdam, and presumably nobody was in the Airbnb office over the weekend. The result was our money apparently was automatically transferred the next morning.
Once we established communication the next week, Airbnb was helpful in giving us a partial voucher or future travel, and refunded our booking fee. No refund of our payment was possible, however, they said. Our suggestion that they simply deduct our money from the next payment(s) received in the landlords Paypal account for future rentals was met with silence.
My suggestion here is that Airbnb, since they are getting so big, cannot afford not to establish some sort of 24/7 hotline to take care of disputes as they arise. This would not only take care of problems that come from differences in time zones, but would go a long way toward building customer confidence.
I have hesitated until now to identify our deceitful property owner in Amsterdam, as there are other, presumably legitimate, hotels in Amsterdam with almost the same name, i.e., "Art Hotel". I would not want to tar those unfairly with the same brush. Our problem was with http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/42987 I have no knowledge of the other hotels in Amsterdam with this same name.
As you can see from the pictures, the room looks quite nice. If, however, you look at the stairway to the "private room" you cannot see that it ends in a common hallway, and has no door for privacy or security. It also does not mention that nine people would have been sharing the bathroom at the head of those stairs. The pictures and glowing reviews fooled us.
The fact that the landlord tried to gouge more money out of us in spite of us having the contract in hand, did not help establish trust either.
Anyway, caveat emptor folks --
Along those lines, perhaps I should give details of how our Amsterdam experience played out, so we can see how the Airbnb organization could improve itself. One of the advantages of Airbnb that is touted is that the money the renter pays to Airbnb is not released to the landlord until the day after the rental starts, in case the property is not as advertised. In our case, we emailed Airbnb before we walked out of the place, telling them the room was not as advertised and not to give the money to the landlord.
Unfortunately, that was late on a Friday evening in Amsterdam, and presumably nobody was in the Airbnb office over the weekend. The result was our money apparently was automatically transferred the next morning.
Once we established communication the next week, Airbnb was helpful in giving us a partial voucher or future travel, and refunded our booking fee. No refund of our payment was possible, however, they said. Our suggestion that they simply deduct our money from the next payment(s) received in the landlords Paypal account for future rentals was met with silence.
My suggestion here is that Airbnb, since they are getting so big, cannot afford not to establish some sort of 24/7 hotline to take care of disputes as they arise. This would not only take care of problems that come from differences in time zones, but would go a long way toward building customer confidence.
I have hesitated until now to identify our deceitful property owner in Amsterdam, as there are other, presumably legitimate, hotels in Amsterdam with almost the same name, i.e., "Art Hotel". I would not want to tar those unfairly with the same brush. Our problem was with http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/42987 I have no knowledge of the other hotels in Amsterdam with this same name.
As you can see from the pictures, the room looks quite nice. If, however, you look at the stairway to the "private room" you cannot see that it ends in a common hallway, and has no door for privacy or security. It also does not mention that nine people would have been sharing the bathroom at the head of those stairs. The pictures and glowing reviews fooled us.
The fact that the landlord tried to gouge more money out of us in spite of us having the contract in hand, did not help establish trust either.
Anyway, caveat emptor folks --
Aug 28th, 2011, 12:19 PM
#9
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I really like the concept of AirBnB and was really looking forward to the experience. I’m in the process of booking an apartment in Paris, but I haven’t been able to find a place to stay and I’m leaving in 11 days. This isn’t a case of me waiting until the last minute, but because the original place I booked over a month ago was just cancelled on me this week. Yep, a friendly little email from AirBnB that said sorry, your reservation has been cancelled. I’ve since learned the host had a flood and had to cancel all reservations in September. I guess I’m glad it didn’t happen while I was there, but it has taken me back to square one.
Starting over is really the crux of the problem. While the idea is for people to post their properties and availability, that’s not how it works. I have contacted 43 hosts and have received a pathetic response rate of 53%. Huh? You want to rent your place, but can’t take the time to actually RENT it. This takes me to my next complaint – the apartments aren’t available. Huh? That’s right, of the sad 53% who do respond, 42% of the places aren’t available. I’ve learned that you can’t just use the Book It option – you must try to contact the host because nearly half the time the place isn’t actually available. I booked a replacement earlier this week after communicating with the host several times and having AirBnB contact her about the security deposit (see Fees below), only to have her cancel it because someone else wanted to book a month.
Even though I haven’t had the opportunity to stay at an AirBnB place, I have 5 tips that may help you in your bookings.
1) Fees – You really need to pay attention not only to the ‘extra’ fees, but also to how you pay for them. In several properties I looked at, a separate security deposit was requested in local currency at check in. AirBnB does have a security deposit feature, but it’s not mandatory for hosts to use. This means that you may need to convert from your local currency to another and hopefully back to your local currency. That could mean a loss of several hundred dollars just in exchange fees.
2) Street View – The address posted in the listing is generic for the area – don’t be fooled by thinking that you’re looking at the actual property.
3) Time Differences – Contrary to AirBnB’s own claim that most hosts will confirm a reservation within 4 hours, this doesn’t appear to be accurate. I have an 8 hour time difference, so I need to plan to either send my request first thing in the morning or expect a response the next day. In both cases, neither of my booked and then cancelled reservations happened in less than 24 hours.
4) Reviews – The reviews are helpful, but there are still tons of places that don’t have any. Someone has to be first, so AirBnB tries to mitigate this by showing people are more trustworthy if they have a Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn accounts. The problem is that you can’t see any of these feeds, so all it means is that someone has an account. Additionally, if a host has several locations, all of their reviews will show, even if they don’t have a review of the place you’re trying to book. This helps speak to the host’s credibility, but not the property – don’t get caught reading a review for a different place.
5) Search Utility – It’s helpful, but I found that I had to go back and re-add the options I wanted several times. For example, ‘smoking’ is an option you can select – all properties should show up as non-smoking by default. In reality, I found the reverse to be true more often than not. I would find a great place, only to check the Amenities tab to find that it’s actually a smoking place.
On the positive, after my first listing was cancelled, AirBnB sent me an automated email saying they would give me $100 off my rental if I rebooked another place. I later received a semi-personalized email from AirBnB offering $150 off. When I booked my second place, the credit was only $100. A phone call to AirBnB resolved this without question, but certainly a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.
Perhaps I’m a glutton for punishment, but I’m giving AirBnB one last try before booking a hotel.
Starting over is really the crux of the problem. While the idea is for people to post their properties and availability, that’s not how it works. I have contacted 43 hosts and have received a pathetic response rate of 53%. Huh? You want to rent your place, but can’t take the time to actually RENT it. This takes me to my next complaint – the apartments aren’t available. Huh? That’s right, of the sad 53% who do respond, 42% of the places aren’t available. I’ve learned that you can’t just use the Book It option – you must try to contact the host because nearly half the time the place isn’t actually available. I booked a replacement earlier this week after communicating with the host several times and having AirBnB contact her about the security deposit (see Fees below), only to have her cancel it because someone else wanted to book a month.
Even though I haven’t had the opportunity to stay at an AirBnB place, I have 5 tips that may help you in your bookings.
1) Fees – You really need to pay attention not only to the ‘extra’ fees, but also to how you pay for them. In several properties I looked at, a separate security deposit was requested in local currency at check in. AirBnB does have a security deposit feature, but it’s not mandatory for hosts to use. This means that you may need to convert from your local currency to another and hopefully back to your local currency. That could mean a loss of several hundred dollars just in exchange fees.
2) Street View – The address posted in the listing is generic for the area – don’t be fooled by thinking that you’re looking at the actual property.
3) Time Differences – Contrary to AirBnB’s own claim that most hosts will confirm a reservation within 4 hours, this doesn’t appear to be accurate. I have an 8 hour time difference, so I need to plan to either send my request first thing in the morning or expect a response the next day. In both cases, neither of my booked and then cancelled reservations happened in less than 24 hours.
4) Reviews – The reviews are helpful, but there are still tons of places that don’t have any. Someone has to be first, so AirBnB tries to mitigate this by showing people are more trustworthy if they have a Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn accounts. The problem is that you can’t see any of these feeds, so all it means is that someone has an account. Additionally, if a host has several locations, all of their reviews will show, even if they don’t have a review of the place you’re trying to book. This helps speak to the host’s credibility, but not the property – don’t get caught reading a review for a different place.
5) Search Utility – It’s helpful, but I found that I had to go back and re-add the options I wanted several times. For example, ‘smoking’ is an option you can select – all properties should show up as non-smoking by default. In reality, I found the reverse to be true more often than not. I would find a great place, only to check the Amenities tab to find that it’s actually a smoking place.
On the positive, after my first listing was cancelled, AirBnB sent me an automated email saying they would give me $100 off my rental if I rebooked another place. I later received a semi-personalized email from AirBnB offering $150 off. When I booked my second place, the credit was only $100. A phone call to AirBnB resolved this without question, but certainly a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.
Perhaps I’m a glutton for punishment, but I’m giving AirBnB one last try before booking a hotel.
Aug 28th, 2011, 12:33 PM
#10
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Personally find better deals and prefer www.betterbidding.com
for awesome deals on real hotel rooms for lots less usually.
Airbnb lots of pod customers a lawsuit no bbb.org ranking
www.hospitalityclub.org has a far better model and best
of all it is FREE.
for awesome deals on real hotel rooms for lots less usually.
Airbnb lots of pod customers a lawsuit no bbb.org ranking
www.hospitalityclub.org has a far better model and best
of all it is FREE.
Aug 28th, 2011, 12:46 PM
#11
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further tips
If the reviewers are also signed up on Airbnb, contact them also. Sometimes you can find out more about the place.
I am surprised at the low response rate, esp as Airbnb does list the rate. I never contact a place w/ less than 80% rate. That said, for Paris, many Parisians are on vacation right now so that might be one small factor.
If I have a full name of the host, I google it. For Paris, that told me my host was a local architect and quite reputable. Similar for London
If you can get the hots's email directly, at least eatablish an email connection.
If the host doesn't answer innocent questions - is the bathroom down the hall or next to the bedroom? How many flights up? etc then give up. I want someone who will at least be in email contact w/ me.
All these things add up to , yes you can still be scammed. But take your time and due some due diligence.
If the reviewers are also signed up on Airbnb, contact them also. Sometimes you can find out more about the place.
I am surprised at the low response rate, esp as Airbnb does list the rate. I never contact a place w/ less than 80% rate. That said, for Paris, many Parisians are on vacation right now so that might be one small factor.
If I have a full name of the host, I google it. For Paris, that told me my host was a local architect and quite reputable. Similar for London
If you can get the hots's email directly, at least eatablish an email connection.
If the host doesn't answer innocent questions - is the bathroom down the hall or next to the bedroom? How many flights up? etc then give up. I want someone who will at least be in email contact w/ me.
All these things add up to , yes you can still be scammed. But take your time and due some due diligence.
Aug 28th, 2011, 12:50 PM
#12
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@bsford -the host I booked with in APris is here
http://www.airbnb.com/users/show/76355
she and her partner now own an agency that rents out lots of flats. She may have something. The Champs Elysees flat is booked *(and very small) but she may have something else
http://www.airbnb.com/users/show/76355
she and her partner now own an agency that rents out lots of flats. She may have something. The Champs Elysees flat is booked *(and very small) but she may have something else
Jan 3rd, 2012, 11:53 PM
#13
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Do you perhaps work for, or have stock in, the company for which you have posted the link?
Please excuse me for being a bit suspicious, but sometimes people join this Forum just to promote or advertise something, and advertising is not allowed on the Forum.
Please excuse me for being a bit suspicious, but sometimes people join this Forum just to promote or advertise something, and advertising is not allowed on the Forum.
Jan 4th, 2012, 02:19 AM
#14
I discovered it through a friend of my son's who rents out her Cambridge MA apartment through it when she's away on business. I booked a London apartment on it for a week in February. I did quite a bit of research and did see that a number of reviewers said their booking had been cancelled at the last minute (not our apartment).
I took the plunge and booked a nice-looking apartment which was reasonably priced and has two pages of outstanding reviews. The owner emailed me immediately and has been just as responsive to my few questions since then.
I plan to do a trip report and will of course review the apartment. Keeping my fingers crossed that we don't run into any last-minute issues!
Ellen
I took the plunge and booked a nice-looking apartment which was reasonably priced and has two pages of outstanding reviews. The owner emailed me immediately and has been just as responsive to my few questions since then.
I plan to do a trip report and will of course review the apartment. Keeping my fingers crossed that we don't run into any last-minute issues!
Ellen
