Airbnb Review Removed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really seems like this is on you OP. And it seems like AirBNB made a call that is within the scope of their policy.

You can disagree. You can be uncomfortable in the setting. You can take your business elsewhere. And you can feel outraged at the injustice.

My experiences (many, across a decade and a couple of continents) have all ranged from fine to fantastic. When it was only fine I generally knew what I was getting into and calibrated my expectations accordingly. I do my research before I book, I ask questions of the host, I try to only stay in places that have lots of reviews and a high rating, etc...

I think the host of the property you chose not to stay in is probably feeling like they dodged a bullet.

Agree. Clearly, unless they actually witnessed a crime being committed this was a person who went to an African American area, stereotyped that poor black people commit crimes, and decided that she could not subject her daughter and female charges to an "unsafe area" without any actual experience to confirm a racist perception. Given that we are talking about Philly, I'm almost 100% sure that is what happened.

All of this when it was eminently possible to do any research necessary to confirm that the area was appropriate beforehand.

On a weekend when it was impossible to get a reasonably priced room, much less AirBNB in Philly. Believe me. I know. I tried. I went to the concert too and stayed almost an hour away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really seems like this is on you OP. And it seems like AirBNB made a call that is within the scope of their policy.

You can disagree. You can be uncomfortable in the setting. You can take your business elsewhere. And you can feel outraged at the injustice.

My experiences (many, across a decade and a couple of continents) have all ranged from fine to fantastic. When it was only fine I generally knew what I was getting into and calibrated my expectations accordingly. I do my research before I book, I ask questions of the host, I try to only stay in places that have lots of reviews and a high rating, etc...

I think the host of the property you chose not to stay in is probably feeling like they dodged a bullet.

Agree. Clearly, unless they actually witnessed a crime being committed this was a person who went to an African American area, stereotyped that poor black people commit crimes, and decided that she could not subject her daughter and female charges to an "unsafe area" without any actual experience to confirm a racist perception. Given that we are talking about Philly, I'm almost 100% sure that is what happened.

All of this when it was eminently possible to do any research necessary to confirm that the area was appropriate beforehand.

On a weekend when it was impossible to get a reasonably priced room, much less AirBNB in Philly. Believe me. I know. I tried. I went to the concert too and stayed almost an hour away.

You know what would make it easy to the research necessary? Airbnb not reviewing negative reviews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.

Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

As a single woman , I would definitely want to read this poster’s review (perception or not)!

NP who has been following thread. Same, I would want to read the OP’s review.

Sometimes feeling unsafe is just that - a feeling, that you shouldn’t dismiss, and that should not be invalidated by trolls or anyone else with insults and name calling.

If you feel unsafe, you feel unsafe. It doesn’t mean you are histrionic or a Karen or racist or classist.

People should be more alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews.
Of course we want to know what the surrounding area is like, and not just how fluffy the pillows are.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. In March, we went to Philadelphia for spring break for my kids. We stayed about 5-8 blocks from where OP said she booked in Center City and we drove through the South Philly area where OP was scared. I agree that the area might be unsafe for single females after dark, my wife said she would not feel safe walking alone. That said, it did not feel any less safe than many other city locales in virtually every major city in America. I think OP's comments in the original thread and her comments to airBnB were overly exaggerated and suggested that this shoudl be listed as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in urban America. It was a very common inner city neighborhood where it is not recommended to walk at night. I also think that area was pretty typical of the entire South Philly area. I don't think it was particularly more or less dangerous than other parts of that neighborhood and region. If OP was a single female or a small group of females going to a concert, she should have done better research and not rented anywhere in that neighborhood.

So, I think that airBnB did the right thing. Her comment was about the neighborhood and not the individual listing. The neighborhood is what it is. Patrons like OP should not be renting in that area/neighborhood, but that's up to those customers to research the area and realize that South Philly and Center City were not appropriate places for one or a few females who were not comfortable with inner city living to rent. But it isn't about the individual listing and shouldn't be on the individual listing. Renters need to do a better job vetting the neighborhoods they want to rent in.

You drove through South Philly and that makes you an expert on a listing you know nothing about? There are many neighborhoods in South Philly that are substantially safer then the street where this listing was located.

Location is one of the primary factors guiding choice of accommodation which is why Airbnb does not exclude it as a review topic in its guidelines. The customer service rep made up a rationale for removing a negative review not supported by the company”s own guidelines. How about owners are honest and above board with respect to their listings.

Unlike you, we actually stayed 4 nights in that neighborhood. I was a few blocks from where you purported to be. I drove through the area where you felt threated and I walked several blocks in the neighborhood in the evenings, unlike you who walked in in the middle of the afternoon and felt threatened. I am not purporting to be an expert, but saying that you didn't do nearly enough research on the neighborhood where you would be staying and are trying to blame the rental owner for your own lapse.

This rental and the surrounding area are about normal for a city neighborhood and your review about not feeling safe was not relevent to that particular unit. Your review did not fit the guidelines for airBnB despite your protests and so they took it down. You should not rent when you travel, but should stay in hotels. Everyone would be much happier if you just made better choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.

Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

As a single woman , I would definitely want to read this poster’s review (perception or not)!

NP who has been following thread. Same, I would want to read the OP’s review.

Sometimes feeling unsafe is just that - a feeling, that you shouldn’t dismiss, and that should not be invalidated by trolls or anyone else with insults and name calling.

If you feel unsafe, you feel unsafe. It doesn’t mean you are histrionic or a Karen or racist or classist.

People should be more alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews.
Of course we want to know what the surrounding area is like, and not just how fluffy the pillows are.

As a Black woman, I frequently dismiss white women's opinions on the relative safeness of a particular place/area/neighborhood. In my experience over the years, "unsafe" from a white woman is very often a code for "many non white people" or "poor people live here" or "the neighborhood is dirty and unpleasant looking" or some other thing they either cannot say out loud or can't even understand that their biases are leading them to feel more unsafe in particular places.

Well, you can't assess or dismiss anything in this case because Air BNB manipulates reviews. That's the crux of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.

Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

As a single woman , I would definitely want to read this poster’s review (perception or not)!

NP who has been following thread. Same, I would want to read the OP’s review.

Sometimes feeling unsafe is just that - a feeling, that you shouldn’t dismiss, and that should not be invalidated by trolls or anyone else with insults and name calling.

If you feel unsafe, you feel unsafe. It doesn’t mean you are histrionic or a Karen or racist or classist.

People should be more alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews.
Of course we want to know what the surrounding area is like, and not just how fluffy the pillows are.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. In March, we went to Philadelphia for spring break for my kids. We stayed about 5-8 blocks from where OP said she booked in Center City and we drove through the South Philly area where OP was scared. I agree that the area might be unsafe for single females after dark, my wife said she would not feel safe walking alone. That said, it did not feel any less safe than many other city locales in virtually every major city in America. I think OP's comments in the original thread and her comments to airBnB were overly exaggerated and suggested that this shoudl be listed as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in urban America. It was a very common inner city neighborhood where it is not recommended to walk at night. I also think that area was pretty typical of the entire South Philly area. I don't think it was particularly more or less dangerous than other parts of that neighborhood and region. If OP was a single female or a small group of females going to a concert, she should have done better research and not rented anywhere in that neighborhood.

So, I think that airBnB did the right thing. Her comment was about the neighborhood and not the individual listing. The neighborhood is what it is. Patrons like OP should not be renting in that area/neighborhood, but that's up to those customers to research the area and realize that South Philly and Center City were not appropriate places for one or a few females who were not comfortable with inner city living to rent. But it isn't about the individual listing and shouldn't be on the individual listing. Renters need to do a better job vetting the neighborhoods they want to rent in.

You drove through South Philly and that makes you an expert on a listing you know nothing about? There are many neighborhoods in South Philly that are substantially safer then the street where this listing was located.

Location is one of the primary factors guiding choice of accommodation which is why Airbnb does not exclude it as a review topic in its guidelines. The customer service rep made up a rationale for removing a negative review not supported by the company”s own guidelines. How about owners are honest and above board with respect to their listings.

Unlike you, we actually stayed 4 nights in that neighborhood. I was a few blocks from where you purported to be. I drove through the area where you felt threated and I walked several blocks in the neighborhood in the evenings, unlike you who walked in in the middle of the afternoon and felt threatened. I am not purporting to be an expert, but saying that you didn't do nearly enough research on the neighborhood where you would be staying and are trying to blame the rental owner for your own lapse.

This rental and the surrounding area are about normal for a city neighborhood and your review about not feeling safe was not relevent to that particular unit. Your review did not fit the guidelines for airBnB despite your protests and so they took it down. You should not rent when you travel, but should stay in hotels. Everyone would be much happier if you just made better choices.

What drugs are you on? I never gave an address for where I stayed, or identified the rental, so your claims are complete bullshit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.

Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

As a single woman , I would definitely want to read this poster’s review (perception or not)!

NP who has been following thread. Same, I would want to read the OP’s review.

Sometimes feeling unsafe is just that - a feeling, that you shouldn’t dismiss, and that should not be invalidated by trolls or anyone else with insults and name calling.

If you feel unsafe, you feel unsafe. It doesn’t mean you are histrionic or a Karen or racist or classist.

People should be more alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews.
Of course we want to know what the surrounding area is like, and not just how fluffy the pillows are.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. In March, we went to Philadelphia for spring break for my kids. We stayed about 5-8 blocks from where OP said she booked in Center City and we drove through the South Philly area where OP was scared. I agree that the area might be unsafe for single females after dark, my wife said she would not feel safe walking alone. That said, it did not feel any less safe than many other city locales in virtually every major city in America. I think OP's comments in the original thread and her comments to airBnB were overly exaggerated and suggested that this shoudl be listed as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in urban America. It was a very common inner city neighborhood where it is not recommended to walk at night. I also think that area was pretty typical of the entire South Philly area. I don't think it was particularly more or less dangerous than other parts of that neighborhood and region. If OP was a single female or a small group of females going to a concert, she should have done better research and not rented anywhere in that neighborhood.

So, I think that airBnB did the right thing. Her comment was about the neighborhood and not the individual listing. The neighborhood is what it is. Patrons like OP should not be renting in that area/neighborhood, but that's up to those customers to research the area and realize that South Philly and Center City were not appropriate places for one or a few females who were not comfortable with inner city living to rent. But it isn't about the individual listing and shouldn't be on the individual listing. Renters need to do a better job vetting the neighborhoods they want to rent in.

You drove through South Philly and that makes you an expert on a listing you know nothing about? There are many neighborhoods in South Philly that are substantially safer then the street where this listing was located.

Location is one of the primary factors guiding choice of accommodation which is why Airbnb does not exclude it as a review topic in its guidelines. The customer service rep made up a rationale for removing a negative review not supported by the company”s own guidelines. How about owners are honest and above board with respect to their listings.

Why did you ask to have your first thread removed if you want to talk about this ad nauseam?

OP can't stop won't stop

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.

Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

As a single woman , I would definitely want to read this poster’s review (perception or not)!

NP who has been following thread. Same, I would want to read the OP’s review.

Sometimes feeling unsafe is just that - a feeling, that you shouldn’t dismiss, and that should not be invalidated by trolls or anyone else with insults and name calling.

If you feel unsafe, you feel unsafe. It doesn’t mean you are histrionic or a Karen or racist or classist.

People should be more alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews.
Of course we want to know what the surrounding area is like, and not just how fluffy the pillows are.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. In March, we went to Philadelphia for spring break for my kids. We stayed about 5-8 blocks from where OP said she booked in Center City and we drove through the South Philly area where OP was scared. I agree that the area might be unsafe for single females after dark, my wife said she would not feel safe walking alone. That said, it did not feel any less safe than many other city locales in virtually every major city in America. I think OP's comments in the original thread and her comments to airBnB were overly exaggerated and suggested that this shoudl be listed as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in urban America. It was a very common inner city neighborhood where it is not recommended to walk at night. I also think that area was pretty typical of the entire South Philly area. I don't think it was particularly more or less dangerous than other parts of that neighborhood and region. If OP was a single female or a small group of females going to a concert, she should have done better research and not rented anywhere in that neighborhood.

So, I think that airBnB did the right thing. Her comment was about the neighborhood and not the individual listing. The neighborhood is what it is. Patrons like OP should not be renting in that area/neighborhood, but that's up to those customers to research the area and realize that South Philly and Center City were not appropriate places for one or a few females who were not comfortable with inner city living to rent. But it isn't about the individual listing and shouldn't be on the individual listing. Renters need to do a better job vetting the neighborhoods they want to rent in.

You drove through South Philly and that makes you an expert on a listing you know nothing about? There are many neighborhoods in South Philly that are substantially safer then the street where this listing was located.

Location is one of the primary factors guiding choice of accommodation which is why Airbnb does not exclude it as a review topic in its guidelines. The customer service rep made up a rationale for removing a negative review not supported by the company”s own guidelines. How about owners are honest and above board with respect to their listings.

Unlike you, we actually stayed 4 nights in that neighborhood. I was a few blocks from where you purported to be. I drove through the area where you felt threated and I walked several blocks in the neighborhood in the evenings, unlike you who walked in in the middle of the afternoon and felt threatened. I am not purporting to be an expert, but saying that you didn't do nearly enough research on the neighborhood where you would be staying and are trying to blame the rental owner for your own lapse.

This rental and the surrounding area are about normal for a city neighborhood and your review about not feeling safe was not relevent to that particular unit. Your review did not fit the guidelines for airBnB despite your protests and so they took it down. You should not rent when you travel, but should stay in hotels. Everyone would be much happier if you just made better choices.

What drugs are you on? I never gave an address for where I stayed, or identified the rental, so your claims are complete bullshit.

You gave the area in your first thread, ma'am

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.



Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

Op here, the rental was $800 a night, $1100 including taxes and fees.

OP, take this as a good learning experience (sounds like you are an AirBNB newbie) and move on. If a feeling of "safety" is a top priority, do not rely on reviews alone, and better yet don't stay in an area you're not familiar with outside of a central tourist area. I'm sorry your review was removed but now you know how to be more savvy when writing in the future, right?

Nope, I’ve used Airbnb many times without issue. How exactly do you think being savvy would make any difference, nothing in Airbnb review guidelines posted on their site would call for removal in this case. Airbnb violates its own guidelines to remove negative reviews at a host’s request. Therefore, we should all be on notice that their reviews are curated and can’t be relied upon for accuracy.

Not “nope,” you should’ve researched the location. You didn’t. Too bad.

I made the mistake of believing Airbnb was an honest business and I could rely on the accuracy of the owner’s description and the reviews. Now that I know that’s not true, I’ll take my business elsewhere. Their business model has little value if hosts can manipulate reviews.

I just don’t understand why you used the reviews as a sole source for assessing the location, especially with kids in tow. I’m always looking at google maps/street view and googling info about the neighborhood if it’s a new location to me. Reviews are part of the equation, but not the only thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.

Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

As a single woman , I would definitely want to read this poster’s review (perception or not)!

NP who has been following thread. Same, I would want to read the OP’s review.

Sometimes feeling unsafe is just that - a feeling, that you shouldn’t dismiss, and that should not be invalidated by trolls or anyone else with insults and name calling.

If you feel unsafe, you feel unsafe. It doesn’t mean you are histrionic or a Karen or racist or classist.

People should be more alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews.
Of course we want to know what the surrounding area is like, and not just how fluffy the pillows are.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. In March, we went to Philadelphia for spring break for my kids. We stayed about 5-8 blocks from where OP said she booked in Center City and we drove through the South Philly area where OP was scared. I agree that the area might be unsafe for single females after dark, my wife said she would not feel safe walking alone. That said, it did not feel any less safe than many other city locales in virtually every major city in America. I think OP's comments in the original thread and her comments to airBnB were overly exaggerated and suggested that this shoudl be listed as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in urban America. It was a very common inner city neighborhood where it is not recommended to walk at night. I also think that area was pretty typical of the entire South Philly area. I don't think it was particularly more or less dangerous than other parts of that neighborhood and region. If OP was a single female or a small group of females going to a concert, she should have done better research and not rented anywhere in that neighborhood.

So, I think that airBnB did the right thing. Her comment was about the neighborhood and not the individual listing. The neighborhood is what it is. Patrons like OP should not be renting in that area/neighborhood, but that's up to those customers to research the area and realize that South Philly and Center City were not appropriate places for one or a few females who were not comfortable with inner city living to rent. But it isn't about the individual listing and shouldn't be on the individual listing. Renters need to do a better job vetting the neighborhoods they want to rent in.

You drove through South Philly and that makes you an expert on a listing you know nothing about? There are many neighborhoods in South Philly that are substantially safer then the street where this listing was located.

Location is one of the primary factors guiding choice of accommodation which is why Airbnb does not exclude it as a review topic in its guidelines. The customer service rep made up a rationale for removing a negative review not supported by the company”s own guidelines. How about owners are honest and above board with respect to their listings.

Unlike you, we actually stayed 4 nights in that neighborhood. I was a few blocks from where you purported to be. I drove through the area where you felt threated and I walked several blocks in the neighborhood in the evenings, unlike you who walked in in the middle of the afternoon and felt threatened. I am not purporting to be an expert, but saying that you didn't do nearly enough research on the neighborhood where you would be staying and are trying to blame the rental owner for your own lapse.

This rental and the surrounding area are about normal for a city neighborhood and your review about not feeling safe was not relevent to that particular unit. Your review did not fit the guidelines for airBnB despite your protests and so they took it down. You should not rent when you travel, but should stay in hotels. Everyone would be much happier if you just made better choices.

What drugs are you on? I never gave an address for where I stayed, or identified the rental, so your claims are complete bullshit.

You gave the area in your first thread, ma'am

I never gave any information that would be sufficient to identify the block the listing was on, let alone the listing address. You are just making shit up.

And don’t try to claim the neighborhood as a whole is safe, when some blocks are repeatedly the sites of gun violence.

[Anonymous]

Shaking my head at those of us who engaged in this thread, and continue to read it, when it's crystal clear now that OP is furious and not interested in discussion.

Now I'm annoyed I helped her grind her axe.

Pretty sure OP and I are cut from profoundly different cloth - thankfully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.

Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

As a single woman , I would definitely want to read this poster’s review (perception or not)!

NP who has been following thread. Same, I would want to read the OP’s review.

Sometimes feeling unsafe is just that - a feeling, that you shouldn’t dismiss, and that should not be invalidated by trolls or anyone else with insults and name calling.

If you feel unsafe, you feel unsafe. It doesn’t mean you are histrionic or a Karen or racist or classist.

People should be more alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews.
Of course we want to know what the surrounding area is like, and not just how fluffy the pillows are.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. In March, we went to Philadelphia for spring break for my kids. We stayed about 5-8 blocks from where OP said she booked in Center City and we drove through the South Philly area where OP was scared. I agree that the area might be unsafe for single females after dark, my wife said she would not feel safe walking alone. That said, it did not feel any less safe than many other city locales in virtually every major city in America. I think OP's comments in the original thread and her comments to airBnB were overly exaggerated and suggested that this shoudl be listed as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in urban America. It was a very common inner city neighborhood where it is not recommended to walk at night. I also think that area was pretty typical of the entire South Philly area. I don't think it was particularly more or less dangerous than other parts of that neighborhood and region. If OP was a single female or a small group of females going to a concert, she should have done better research and not rented anywhere in that neighborhood.

So, I think that airBnB did the right thing. Her comment was about the neighborhood and not the individual listing. The neighborhood is what it is. Patrons like OP should not be renting in that area/neighborhood, but that's up to those customers to research the area and realize that South Philly and Center City were not appropriate places for one or a few females who were not comfortable with inner city living to rent. But it isn't about the individual listing and shouldn't be on the individual listing. Renters need to do a better job vetting the neighborhoods they want to rent in.

You drove through South Philly and that makes you an expert on a listing you know nothing about? There are many neighborhoods in South Philly that are substantially safer then the street where this listing was located.

Location is one of the primary factors guiding choice of accommodation which is why Airbnb does not exclude it as a review topic in its guidelines. The customer service rep made up a rationale for removing a negative review not supported by the company”s own guidelines. How about owners are honest and above board with respect to their listings.

Unlike you, we actually stayed 4 nights in that neighborhood. I was a few blocks from where you purported to be. I drove through the area where you felt threated and I walked several blocks in the neighborhood in the evenings, unlike you who walked in in the middle of the afternoon and felt threatened. I am not purporting to be an expert, but saying that you didn't do nearly enough research on the neighborhood where you would be staying and are trying to blame the rental owner for your own lapse.

This rental and the surrounding area are about normal for a city neighborhood and your review about not feeling safe was not relevent to that particular unit. Your review did not fit the guidelines for airBnB despite your protests and so they took it down. You should not rent when you travel, but should stay in hotels. Everyone would be much happier if you just made better choices.

What drugs are you on? I never gave an address for where I stayed, or identified the rental, so your claims are complete bullshit.

You described the area with some detail in the long thread you had deleted. South Philly, X blocks south of some landmark. When you posted that, I googled and found that we also stayed about 6 blocks south of that landmark, so I guessimated that we were within 5-8 blocks of where you described. You had several posts where you gave info about the neighborhood.

As I said you should just stick to hotels.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.

Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

As a single woman , I would definitely want to read this poster’s review (perception or not)!

NP who has been following thread. Same, I would want to read the OP’s review.

Sometimes feeling unsafe is just that - a feeling, that you shouldn’t dismiss, and that should not be invalidated by trolls or anyone else with insults and name calling.

If you feel unsafe, you feel unsafe. It doesn’t mean you are histrionic or a Karen or racist or classist.

People should be more alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews.
Of course we want to know what the surrounding area is like, and not just how fluffy the pillows are.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. In March, we went to Philadelphia for spring break for my kids. We stayed about 5-8 blocks from where OP said she booked in Center City and we drove through the South Philly area where OP was scared. I agree that the area might be unsafe for single females after dark, my wife said she would not feel safe walking alone. That said, it did not feel any less safe than many other city locales in virtually every major city in America. I think OP's comments in the original thread and her comments to airBnB were overly exaggerated and suggested that this shoudl be listed as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in urban America. It was a very common inner city neighborhood where it is not recommended to walk at night. I also think that area was pretty typical of the entire South Philly area. I don't think it was particularly more or less dangerous than other parts of that neighborhood and region. If OP was a single female or a small group of females going to a concert, she should have done better research and not rented anywhere in that neighborhood.

So, I think that airBnB did the right thing. Her comment was about the neighborhood and not the individual listing. The neighborhood is what it is. Patrons like OP should not be renting in that area/neighborhood, but that's up to those customers to research the area and realize that South Philly and Center City were not appropriate places for one or a few females who were not comfortable with inner city living to rent. But it isn't about the individual listing and shouldn't be on the individual listing. Renters need to do a better job vetting the neighborhoods they want to rent in.

You drove through South Philly and that makes you an expert on a listing you know nothing about? There are many neighborhoods in South Philly that are substantially safer then the street where this listing was located.

Location is one of the primary factors guiding choice of accommodation which is why Airbnb does not exclude it as a review topic in its guidelines. The customer service rep made up a rationale for removing a negative review not supported by the company”s own guidelines. How about owners are honest and above board with respect to their listings.

Unlike you, we actually stayed 4 nights in that neighborhood. I was a few blocks from where you purported to be. I drove through the area where you felt threated and I walked several blocks in the neighborhood in the evenings, unlike you who walked in in the middle of the afternoon and felt threatened. I am not purporting to be an expert, but saying that you didn't do nearly enough research on the neighborhood where you would be staying and are trying to blame the rental owner for your own lapse.

This rental and the surrounding area are about normal for a city neighborhood and your review about not feeling safe was not relevent to that particular unit. Your review did not fit the guidelines for airBnB despite your protests and so they took it down. You should not rent when you travel, but should stay in hotels. Everyone would be much happier if you just made better choices.

What drugs are you on? I never gave an address for where I stayed, or identified the rental, so your claims are complete bullshit.

You gave the area in your first thread, ma'am

I never gave any information that would be sufficient to identify the block the listing was on, let alone the listing address. You are just making shit up.

And don’t try to claim the neighborhood as a whole is safe, when some blocks are repeatedly the sites of gun violence.

OP, this all could have been avoided had you done your research before arriving rather than after....come on, take a little responsibility. It's not up to previous reviewers to look up the crime stats for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.

Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

As a single woman , I would definitely want to read this poster’s review (perception or not)!

NP who has been following thread. Same, I would want to read the OP’s review.

Sometimes feeling unsafe is just that - a feeling, that you shouldn’t dismiss, and that should not be invalidated by trolls or anyone else with insults and name calling.

If you feel unsafe, you feel unsafe. It doesn’t mean you are histrionic or a Karen or racist or classist.

People should be more alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews.
Of course we want to know what the surrounding area is like, and not just how fluffy the pillows are.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. In March, we went to Philadelphia for spring break for my kids. We stayed about 5-8 blocks from where OP said she booked in Center City and we drove through the South Philly area where OP was scared. I agree that the area might be unsafe for single females after dark, my wife said she would not feel safe walking alone. That said, it did not feel any less safe than many other city locales in virtually every major city in America. I think OP's comments in the original thread and her comments to airBnB were overly exaggerated and suggested that this shoudl be listed as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in urban America. It was a very common inner city neighborhood where it is not recommended to walk at night. I also think that area was pretty typical of the entire South Philly area. I don't think it was particularly more or less dangerous than other parts of that neighborhood and region. If OP was a single female or a small group of females going to a concert, she should have done better research and not rented anywhere in that neighborhood.

So, I think that airBnB did the right thing. Her comment was about the neighborhood and not the individual listing. The neighborhood is what it is. Patrons like OP should not be renting in that area/neighborhood, but that's up to those customers to research the area and realize that South Philly and Center City were not appropriate places for one or a few females who were not comfortable with inner city living to rent. But it isn't about the individual listing and shouldn't be on the individual listing. Renters need to do a better job vetting the neighborhoods they want to rent in.

You drove through South Philly and that makes you an expert on a listing you know nothing about? There are many neighborhoods in South Philly that are substantially safer then the street where this listing was located.

Location is one of the primary factors guiding choice of accommodation which is why Airbnb does not exclude it as a review topic in its guidelines. The customer service rep made up a rationale for removing a negative review not supported by the company”s own guidelines. How about owners are honest and above board with respect to their listings.

Unlike you, we actually stayed 4 nights in that neighborhood. I was a few blocks from where you purported to be. I drove through the area where you felt threated and I walked several blocks in the neighborhood in the evenings, unlike you who walked in in the middle of the afternoon and felt threatened. I am not purporting to be an expert, but saying that you didn't do nearly enough research on the neighborhood where you would be staying and are trying to blame the rental owner for your own lapse.

This rental and the surrounding area are about normal for a city neighborhood and your review about not feeling safe was not relevent to that particular unit. Your review did not fit the guidelines for airBnB despite your protests and so they took it down. You should not rent when you travel, but should stay in hotels. Everyone would be much happier if you just made better choices.

What drugs are you on? I never gave an address for where I stayed, or identified the rental, so your claims are complete bullshit.

You gave the area in your first thread, ma'am

I never gave any information that would be sufficient to identify the block the listing was on, let alone the listing address. You are just making shit up.

And don’t try to claim the neighborhood as a whole is safe, when some blocks are repeatedly the sites of gun violence.

np who silently followed both threads. You most certainly gave enough in the first that at least one poster was able to google map the area and respond back. I felt bad for you in that first thread but after reading your responses to some perfectly reasonable takes on this one, you sound more crazy and entitled with each one. Perhaps you're just on the defensive now, idk but you should certainly reflect on why so many people are siding with the host/airbnb in this instance especially when the trend on here lately has been to almost unanimously slam Airbnb.

[Anonymous]

I find this whole thing to be suspicious. OP posted something, not even really asking for advice but mostly ranting, about airbnb. Didn't get the reaction they were hoping for and had the thread deleted.

Now, OP claims that airbnb deleted their review because airbnb is a bad company that deletes reviews. Not saying that they are or aren't, but I have 100% seen negative airbnb reviews about location. Example:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/46200177?location=Chicago%2C%20Illinois%2C%20United%20States&check_in=2023-06-20&check_out=2023-06-24&federated_search_id=42e2d1e9-a22c-49d2-96ab-64276ac43e38&source_impression_id=p3_1684865930_eH5cV8Iqgt1D2t5o

"The neighborhood is beautiful but the people were a bit sketchy. I took a walk one of the mornings and was catcalled multiple times, saw a woman almost taze her I believe to be baby daddy, and three men yelling over one another. Most of the other neighbors outside seemed to just ignore it like it was an everyday occurrence."

It doesn't all add up. What is it they say? There's your story, their story, and the truth? I'm feeling we're not getting all the details here.

Airbnb is a corporation like any other. If you think Hilton or Marriott care deeply about your well-being, I've got a bridge to sell you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I finally heard back from Airbnb. My review was removed because safety of the neighborhood is beyond a host’s control. Yes they actually put that in writing.

Do you disagree? Obviously lots of other people have stayed there and don’t feel “unsafe”. Whatever feelings you had were not the Airbnb hosts’ fault.

Is this a joke? If they have a policy of removing reviews about safety, then one has no way of knowing whether others felt safe there from reading the reviews because those reviews are removed.

Your fear for your safety was only your perception — you were never threatened or actually unsafe. I agree with the removal of your review. Truthfully you sound histrionic.

Next time instead of saying it is unsafe, try describing the surroundings — graffiti on buildings, open air drug market across the street, whatever. Be specific.

Agree with this. OP, I'm sorry but you are coming off like a really annoying Karen who is mad that Airbnb is not willing to keep up your review that was probably filled with racist and classist dog whistles. Next time, stay in a more expensive place in a nicer neighborhood. It isn't the Airbnb host's fault that you were being cheap or have desires beyond your budget.

As a single woman , I would definitely want to read this poster’s review (perception or not)!

NP who has been following thread. Same, I would want to read the OP’s review.

Sometimes feeling unsafe is just that - a feeling, that you shouldn’t dismiss, and that should not be invalidated by trolls or anyone else with insults and name calling.

If you feel unsafe, you feel unsafe. It doesn’t mean you are histrionic or a Karen or racist or classist.

People should be more alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews.
Of course we want to know what the surrounding area is like, and not just how fluffy the pillows are.

As a Black woman, I frequently dismiss white women's opinions on the relative safeness of a particular place/area/neighborhood. In my experience over the years, "unsafe" from a white woman is very often a code for "many non white people" or "poor people live here" or "the neighborhood is dirty and unpleasant looking" or some other thing they either cannot say out loud or can't even understand that their biases are leading them to feel more unsafe in particular places.

Well, you can't assess or dismiss anything in this case because Air BNB manipulates reviews. That's the crux of it.

Are you a lobbyist for the hotel industry? Or other communications personnel? Because that's the only way this comment makes sense.