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Can you explain to me how the airbnb support was useful because my experience is that they are really useless and will do nothing of substance. They’ll contact

by csomar 2y ago

Can you explain to me how the airbnb support was useful because my experience is that they are really useless and will do nothing of substance. They’ll contact the host which might scare him a bit but aside from that they almost never refund and they also do not vet their hosts. For the ratings, I’ve found that particularly for Airbnb they are meaningless. The system is heavily biased toward both parties rating each other favorably. I’ve stayed in countless 5 stars rated places that are completely disappointing. Again, I do find value in what Airbnb is supposed to offer. I’d gladly pay more if I found this same place through Airbnb. I’d also pay more if there were serious and strong refund guarantees (ie: book for one month but decide within the first day to cancel for the price of the first day)

bpev 2y ago
There was one time that I found bed bugs on arrival and took a picture (thank goodness I was able to escape without carrying any); they gave me a full refund + some extra inconvenience money (in cash, not airbnbucks). Probably would have been much more complicated if I had stayed a night or if I hadn't been able to get a picture / easy proof. But it was nice to have Airbnb as a 3rd party in that instance.
doix 2y ago
I booked a place that said it has a washing machine, it did not have a washing machine, Airbnb let me cancel that month and gave me some extra credit to book another place. Another host tried to get me to pay a deposit in cash, I complained to Airbnb, he eventually agreed to drop it. I got Airbnb to let me cancel anyway because he was pissed off and I just didn't want to deal with it for a month. One place had loads of mold and absolutely stank, Airbnb let me cancel. From what I remember, they refunded with credits, not real money, but for me it's basically the same thing. I do find it really annoying, because then I'm looking for a place last minute and all the cheap & good places are gone, so I end up paying more than I'd like. But it still happens infrequently enough, and I find the alternatives less appealing. > I’ve stayed in countless 5 stars rated places that are completely disappointing. As in a 5.0, all 5 stars? I don't think I've ever even seen one, let alone stayed in one. Everything is usually between 4-4.8. But yeah, I agree, the ratings are completely useless. Also the "dedicated workspace" filter option is useless as well, every host seems to put even when when the only usable surface for a laptop is 50cm near the kitchen sink. Don't get me wrong, I wish Airbnb was better, and I have read/heard some horror stories. I might be one nightmare experience away from ditching them, but for now, I just wanted to provide my experience as someone that still uses Airbnb and find it's good enough.
- csomar 2y ago
  Thanks for this. I definitely didn’t get a similar treatment but will complain harder next time.

by csomar 2y ago

bpev 2y ago

There was one time that I found bed bugs on arrival and took a picture (thank goodness I was able to escape without carrying any); they gave me a full refund + some extra inconvenience money (in cash, not airbnbucks). Probably would have been much more complicated if I had stayed a night or if I hadn't been able to get a picture / easy proof. But it was nice to have Airbnb as a 3rd party in that instance.

doix 2y ago

I booked a place that said it has a washing machine, it did not have a washing machine, Airbnb let me cancel that month and gave me some extra credit to book another place. Another host tried to get me to pay a deposit in cash, I complained to Airbnb, he eventually agreed to drop it. I got Airbnb to let me cancel anyway because he was pissed off and I just didn't want to deal with it for a month. One place had loads of mold and absolutely stank, Airbnb let me cancel. From what I remember, they refunded with credits, not real money, but for me it's basically the same thing. I do find it really annoying, because then I'm looking for a place last minute and all the cheap & good places are gone, so I end up paying more than I'd like. But it still happens infrequently enough, and I find the alternatives less appealing. > I’ve stayed in countless 5 stars rated places that are completely disappointing. As in a 5.0, all 5 stars? I don't think I've ever even seen one, let alone stayed in one. Everything is usually between 4-4.8. But yeah, I agree, the ratings are completely useless. Also the "dedicated workspace" filter option is useless as well, every host seems to put even when when the only usable surface for a laptop is 50cm near the kitchen sink. Don't get me wrong, I wish Airbnb was better, and I have read/heard some horror stories. I might be one nightmare experience away from ditching them, but for now, I just wanted to provide my experience as someone that still uses Airbnb and find it's good enough.

csomar 2y ago
Thanks for this. I definitely didn’t get a similar treatment but will complain harder next time.