I’ve tried appealing my apparent lifetime blacklisted status with Airbnb. I’ve never actually rented from or hosted for anyone through Airbnb. However, in August 2016 I tried Airbnb out as a host in order to make some extra money like so many have. I set very specific dates so I probably wasn’t part of an automated automatic scheduling process. My first prospective client immediately and rudely inquired about a lock on the bedroom door before asking anything else about myself or the place. I told her there was no lock and ended up asking her why she’s so paranoid? I’m nearly 50, have owned this house for 17 years, and have rented a basement mother-in-law apartment here to mostly university students. Anyway, she responded, “So I don’t get raped, how dare you question my right to inquire about my personal safety.”

Honestly I was thrown, but politely suggested she might be a brainwashed victim of mass media propaganda, crony capitalism after all profits through greed and fear. Yes, I can be a bore and over intellectualize. The woman was pushy and manipulative and still wanted to rent the place. Eventually I decided not to rent to her and at the end of our interaction she claimed that I would fit right in where I live (Rockies) as “an ignorant asshole.” I looked up this woman’s history with Airbnb and noticed someone had given her free room and board due to some scheduling issue and gave her a poor tenant review. Her four other reviews were positive. She complained about the free place calling it “dank.” I also noticed the party that had given her the poor review and free rental had had their account removed. I know from hosting that tolerance of customers means more revenue for management and corporate anonymity can mask profit motives through boutique politics like political correctness (more customers due to less discrimination). I also believe in less tolerance to the intolerant and that parties should try and resolve disputes outside of the bureaucratic expensive legal system.

Anyway several months later I’ve tried restarting my account in case I ever try Airbnb as a renter. I have tried appealing through account.inquiry@airbnb.com and their customer service number. I apologized in an email similar to this story for having a personality conflict with someone and that I’d appreciate a chance to show that I’m fair, balanced, pleasant, and conscientious since Airbnb only gave me one circumstance to reveal my character. Through appealing for reconsideration I have also requested a corporate self-reflection without any expectations and have only been ignored. Since Airbnb has never responded to that one final decision the company seems to be cowardly, unjust, and bullying in their policies and tactics. I do know that being ignored is a horrible form of abuse and that corporations are allowed to hide behind anonymity and anonymous discrimination. I’ve felt the decision made against me was one sided and heavy handed. Currently I’m supporting competitors: tripping.com, Flipkey, Homeaway, VRBO, Housetrip, Vaystays, Vacayhero, Roomorama, and Couchsurfing. I’m also pursuing a legal resolution. Airbnb seems to be allowed to treat people any way they want while requiring their hosts to not discriminate and to behave to their mandates related seemingly only to profit wrapped in the marketing of community.