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I agree there’s room for a lower end competitor. I used to rent out a room on Airbnb, it was a great experience. Both renting and staying I met cool people, as

I agree there’s room for a lower end competitor. I used to rent out a room on Airbnb, it was a great experience. Both renting and staying I met cool people, as they were often keen to chat or hang out. And cheaper than a hotel, usually hostel prices. I never minded that staying in someone’s house would often mean a haphazardly tidied room with no available cupboard space. Fast forwards a few years and I rent out a spare room to a friend at below market price, well below Airbnb price. I can’t be bothered with the standard that people now expect, I hate the attitude of Airbnb (ie use instant book or get fcked), and I find myself feeling guilty at contributing to the short supply in housing. Nor have I stayed in an Airbnb for a couple of years, I’m back to hotels. It’s not cheaper (what are their fees even for?), and it’s usually a purposed Airbnb property, rather than someone’s home. It’s lost it’s magic.

ghaff 9y ago
The problem is that businesses initially built around genuinely amateur money-making on the side (Airbnb, eBay, Etsy, I'm sure many others) tend to attract professionals who often push many of the initial users out. And the higher volumes are more attractive for the businesses mediating the service so they don't have much incentive to really stop it. It does open up the opportunity for new entrants to come in that are like "X but in the old days." Though it's now harder with a big incumbent and the cycle will probably repeat again if they're successful.
- user5994461 9y ago
  I'll agree with the previous post that renting a room or a flat on airbnb is a terrible experience. People really have crazy expectations and you need to be a professional hotel to handle it. I'm a firm believer that most hosts will stop renting after a few guests. The turnover must be high, only covered by the new supply of hosts following the hype. It will dry up eventually and mostly professional hotels will remain.
  - ghaff 9y ago
    I felt the same way about eBay back in the day. I quickly came to the conclusion that there were very few items I wanted to get rid of that were worth the hassle. The last time I had some camera equipment to get rid of I just sold it to Amazon. I'm sure I could have gotten more $$ through other channels but it was so hassle-free that it was worth it to me.
    - gautamnarula 9y ago
      I actually have bad reasonably good experiences selling random stuff around the house on eBay. I also thought it had been overtaken by professional sellers, especially when bidding is basically no longer a thing on eBay anymore, but I set up 7 day auctions for a dozen items I wanted to get rid of (books, computer accessories, old games, etc) and all but one sold without much hassle.
      - ghaff 9y ago
        I'm guessing the dollar amounts involved for the sorts of things you mention would be less than I could be bothered with. I pretty much decided that less than $50-$100 was about my floor where I would consider eBay.
  - akhunt1002 9y ago
    What do you think would make this better for people who don't fit the profile of a semi-professional hotelier?
akhunt1002 9y ago
You're totally right and this use case is important — friends. Most people would never list publicly. How often do you host friends? Would love to see your place on Overnight. Our core focus is people who are open to hosting friends/members of their communities.
CaptainZapp 9y ago
what are their fees even for? If you're referring to the resort fee I've only ever heard that that's charged by hotels in the US and I think it's a scam. I've never ever encountered mandatory fees for (often shitty) WiFi and a daily paper, which I don't want. Some hotels (usually at the upper scale) may charge for WiFi if I chose to use it, but won't just tack it to the bill if I don't. Offering a low price to then switch to a higher price, which is not even visible when you book, but only when you're about to use the service and can't turn back without penalty is a bait and switch it's fraud; plain and simple. I don't get why the law doesn't hammer down hard on such practices.

ghaff 9y ago

The problem is that businesses initially built around genuinely amateur money-making on the side (Airbnb, eBay, Etsy, I'm sure many others) tend to attract professionals who often push many of the initial users out. And the higher volumes are more attractive for the businesses mediating the service so they don't have much incentive to really stop it. It does open up the opportunity for new entrants to come in that are like "X but in the old days." Though it's now harder with a big incumbent and the cycle will probably repeat again if they're successful.

user5994461 9y ago
I'll agree with the previous post that renting a room or a flat on airbnb is a terrible experience. People really have crazy expectations and you need to be a professional hotel to handle it. I'm a firm believer that most hosts will stop renting after a few guests. The turnover must be high, only covered by the new supply of hosts following the hype. It will dry up eventually and mostly professional hotels will remain.
- ghaff 9y ago
  I felt the same way about eBay back in the day. I quickly came to the conclusion that there were very few items I wanted to get rid of that were worth the hassle. The last time I had some camera equipment to get rid of I just sold it to Amazon. I'm sure I could have gotten more $$ through other channels but it was so hassle-free that it was worth it to me.
  - gautamnarula 9y ago
    I actually have bad reasonably good experiences selling random stuff around the house on eBay. I also thought it had been overtaken by professional sellers, especially when bidding is basically no longer a thing on eBay anymore, but I set up 7 day auctions for a dozen items I wanted to get rid of (books, computer accessories, old games, etc) and all but one sold without much hassle.
    - ghaff 9y ago
      I'm guessing the dollar amounts involved for the sorts of things you mention would be less than I could be bothered with. I pretty much decided that less than $50-$100 was about my floor where I would consider eBay.
- akhunt1002 9y ago
  What do you think would make this better for people who don't fit the profile of a semi-professional hotelier?

akhunt1002 9y ago

You're totally right and this use case is important — friends. Most people would never list publicly. How often do you host friends? Would love to see your place on Overnight. Our core focus is people who are open to hosting friends/members of their communities.

CaptainZapp 9y ago

what are their fees even for? If you're referring to the resort fee I've only ever heard that that's charged by hotels in the US and I think it's a scam. I've never ever encountered mandatory fees for (often shitty) WiFi and a daily paper, which I don't want. Some hotels (usually at the upper scale) may charge for WiFi if I chose to use it, but won't just tack it to the bill if I don't. Offering a low price to then switch to a higher price, which is not even visible when you book, but only when you're about to use the service and can't turn back without penalty is a bait and switch it's fraud; plain and simple. I don't get why the law doesn't hammer down hard on such practices.