4 ms·

AirBnB will eat nothing. AirBnB is thriving because of non-enforcement of existing laws, which were put in place by cities to protect the consumer, and because

AirBnB will eat nothing. AirBnB is thriving because of non-enforcement of existing laws, which were put in place by cities to protect the consumer, and because the IRS is not collecting taxes. Relevant: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/your-money/a-warning-for-airbnb-hosts-who-may-be-breaking-the-law.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/01/your-money/a-warning-for-a... http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-09-27/airbnb-to-tax-or-not-tax-a-rented-bed http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-09-27/airbnb-to-ta... As soon as the hotel industry perceives AirBnB as a legitimate threat --we're getting there in NYC-- it will take action/lobbying to the next level, and it won't be pretty. For starters, they could ask the IRS to demand a full DB dump of all hosts to tax their (mostly illegitimate) income, which I suspect is not reported as such. The pool of available inventory will dry up in no time. That said, I am wondering if he means that they can pivot and buy their own buildings to become full-fledged hoteliers.

27182818284 14y ago
AirBnB will push back and fans of AirBnB will push back too. In addition to that, there is always business outside the US. Half the people I know who have used AirBnB used it to stay outside the continent. They'll hard times, no doubt, but I wouldn't immediately dig their grave and put flowers on it.
- notlisted 14y ago
  No doubt they will push back, and their fans too, but... there are existing laws being flaunted. Enforcement is imminent. As the initial link indicated, current hosts already have a legal liability, which is really ignored (hidden) by AirBNB. Not putting flowers on their grave, but sincerely doubting their prospects in the (US) hospitality-space, especially in metro areas. Like I mentioned above, he may be referring to possible pivots based on fan-base, data collected etc., e.g. actually running their own unique hotels, a matching solution for people who are looking for buyers (stay before you buy), roommate finders (rentals over 30 days, which are mostly legal), lead generation (rentals and sales) etc. etc. etc. For the record: I think he's a smart guy, and I agree with most of his other points (1,4,5,6,8), question others (2,3 & 7). Also agree with another poster that he was a lucky guy (I've actually used Spyglass and Netscape 1.0, get off my lawn, haha)

27182818284 14y ago

AirBnB will push back and fans of AirBnB will push back too. In addition to that, there is always business outside the US. Half the people I know who have used AirBnB used it to stay outside the continent. They'll hard times, no doubt, but I wouldn't immediately dig their grave and put flowers on it.

notlisted 14y ago
No doubt they will push back, and their fans too, but... there are existing laws being flaunted. Enforcement is imminent. As the initial link indicated, current hosts already have a legal liability, which is really ignored (hidden) by AirBNB. Not putting flowers on their grave, but sincerely doubting their prospects in the (US) hospitality-space, especially in metro areas. Like I mentioned above, he may be referring to possible pivots based on fan-base, data collected etc., e.g. actually running their own unique hotels, a matching solution for people who are looking for buyers (stay before you buy), roommate finders (rentals over 30 days, which are mostly legal), lead generation (rentals and sales) etc. etc. etc. For the record: I think he's a smart guy, and I agree with most of his other points (1,4,5,6,8), question others (2,3 & 7). Also agree with another poster that he was a lucky guy (I've actually used Spyglass and Netscape 1.0, get off my lawn, haha)