Comments on: Why Airbnb Needs Some Serious Renovations

By: HenryR

HenryR — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 14:07:15 +0000

Great review!
Took awhile to read but, well worth the effort. I had a similar occurrence with my recent stay in Aptos, California. Stayed for a week with my family and was not entirely satisfied with the property. Nothing major, but not quite what was expected. My review mirrored our experience for that week. What was published in the review was only about 1/3 of the original text. Contacting AirBnB to find out why led to a three ring circus of roundabouts, no call backs, excuses that they couldn’t locate files etc….
People need to voice their displeasure with hosts (ghosts) and AirBnB need to react in a positive manner if they want to stay in business

By: BFP

BFP — Wed, 15 May 2019 17:41:12 +0000

I had some of the same experiences as you but mostly positive. I’m on my 9th Air BnB rental now, in Sofia, Bulgaria. This was preceded by Setubal in Portugal (just south of Lisbon), Algarve, Jerez -Spain, Arcos De la Frontera – Spain, Seville, Rome, Athens. One thing I have found is that it is much better to rent a place from the owner who has just one or two units then a company that has multiple properties (like where I am now). All previous rentals have been great! I found that everything that was promised was delivered. Two of the hosts even picked me up at the bus or train station free of charge which was a real treat. The apartment I rented in Sophia is not so great – cobwebs on the ceiling, dirty dishes, pots and pans, 50% of the light bulbs were burned out (fixed) and heater doesn’t work. I didn’t make a deal out of the heater because the weather has been so mild. The floorboards are so poorly laid that there are 2 – 3 cm gaps between many. I asked Air BnB to move me; they talked to the landlord and said they couldn’t. They did promise a 1 day refund (which I still haven’t gotten!). It really wasn’t worth it to me to argue about it.
This last apartment is owned by a company. Here’s an assumption: I think companies have much less interest in maintaining many apartments they manage or own. One way to find this out is if the ad says (even from the invisible Sophia) : “Please read the reviews from my other properties.”
I HOPE when you said you communicated by email, you meant the Air BnB message board. It’s way too large an operation for someone sending snapshots of multiple emails. Your case manager will most likely communicate with you that way, also, after the initial email. I have experienced nothing but great customer service from Air BnB.
Finally, it’s difficult to find sympathy with someone who doesn’t read the T & C of a service you are using. It’s there for a reason and if it is there, it’s upfront whether on page one or page fifty. Good luck on future rentals!

By: Naomi

Naomi — Wed, 15 May 2019 17:12:19 +0000

You nailed it!! And you might want to give a heads up to the professional reviewers who know the rating system is over inflated but don’t have a clue as to why.

I’m a professional rental owner and manager, take my business seriously but for reasons of MY safety registered as a host using my cats facebook page and a burner phone…..that alone should tell yousomething.