Comments on: Airbnb Condones Lying and Scamming Hosts

By: Jonah S

Jonah S — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 22:58:21 +0000

Why don’t you cancel the charge with your credit card? You have enough evidence, but your story lacks teeth. I am a host, and sometimes a guest, and I never, ever, ever give up trying to get what I need from Airbnb.

By: Londongal

Londongal — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 07:53:48 +0000

For goodness sake, go to a hotel, bed and breakfast. Clearly you have money so why not use it to book a safe place in the future? Airbnb ain’t safe! I had to cal the police once because a crazy host refused to return my luggage after I canceled my stay and airbnb tried to blame me! Since then I’ve been boycotting Airbnb.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 05:37:33 +0000

Very interesting. The story has a few discrepancies. First the pillowcases are in the dryer and then you say the pillowcases were dirty and on the beds. Then how does a host take pics to prove a door locks or that there is wifi?

By: John Fox

John Fox — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 18:37:23 +0000

I am sorry this happened, but given the zillion stories I have read just like this one, this guest is one of many, many people in the same situation.

Imagine the money that Airbnb and their so called “hosts” make from cheating people like this? It has to be a fortune.

The biggest problem with these services in my opinion is that you pay IN FULL before you ever see the place. I was in hospitality for decades and I charged guests at the END of their stay. ALWAYS. If someone had a problem (which hardly ever happened) they were not charged one cent especially if they DID NOT stay. (I did not care what the reason was-I wanted happy guests) That is the ethical way to handle the situation. It just amazes me that you let these billionaire companies into your Paypal account and banking details freely when stories like this abound. Nearly $2,200 is a LOT of money to most people ( not to mention a ruined vacation.) Hosts are more apt to want to EARN your money when it comes at the end of a stay. When they have the money up front, what is the incentive to work to make you happy?

Lastly, I wonder if this property is even legal in LA? Perhaps that is why the “back door” was for “nightly” guests? Look up rental arbitrage (all the rage these days on Airbnb) I would be curious how many listings your “hosts” have and do the own the properties they rent? Perhaps the owner or management company was unaware that the unit was being used as a short term rental?

I guess Airbnb relies heavily on the old adage: “There is a sucker born every minute.”

By: Janice Gillies

Janice Gillies — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 17:52:16 +0000

I am so sorry for you because I had a similar experience. It was a nightmare also. The Airbnb customer service was useless and frustrating because they hope you’ll give up while dealing with all the run around. I followed protocol hoping that my 10 night stay in Florence could be fixed ASAP which it was not until 2 weeks after I returned home. The unscrupulous host sounds like mine; fully aware of the deficiencies and condition of her place but put on a good act because her deceptively inaccurate reviews put in super host category. But the worst part is that I am also a solo traveler who felt Airbnb should have been more attentive to possible danger. Absolutely destroyed an expensive vacation. I wish there is something more we can do to help people with refunds. Best of luck.