AirBnB host wants a call before my stay

[Anonymous]

I’ve used AirBnB about 12 times. I’ve never experienced this before. The host and I exchanged emails via the app and he approved our booking. Shortly after he asked me when a good time is for a call for introductions. I didn’t see that immediately (we went camping for Father’s Day!) and so the host actually texted me 2x during Father’s Day asking for a call to make sure we will be happy with the house. This is a pretty expensive AirBnB in a small city we are traveling or for a wedding. And we already paid, and he approved our booking. I’d rather all communications go through the app both so I have a record of our conversations. Additionally I’m pressed for time in a busy season for work, taking time away for this trip has pushed my schedule into the most packed it can possibly be. And I was annoyed to get two texts on Father’s Day. In fairness I can’t be the only person who really doesn’t want a call. I said I’d prefer communications take place through the app and happy to answer any questions. He just wrote back OK. now I have misgivings like I’ll get rated badly or have a bad experience. We can’t afford to eat the cost and get another place. Any thoughts? Is this phone call thing more typical for hosts than I realize? I always thought it was recommended not to - and to communicate thru app. But I’m seeing lots of guidance about guest wanting phone calls and none about the host. At this point I’m feeling like he pestered me a little bit when I didn’t immediately respond to his note. The trip is in 3 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Hey millennial, you can survive a 5 minute phone call with a stranger. Don’t pretend it’s about wanting a “record.” We know you are terrified to speak on the phone. It will be okay.

[Anonymous]

ignore the PP.

with all Airbnb dealings, it's really important to have a written record of everything. I was a host for 3 years (rented out a bedroom in my house) and I needed to rely on written communication in dealing with Airbnb quite a few times. I would stick to my guns and just say that you prefer to have a written record. if you get a bad review, you can speak with Airbnb directly - they always encouraged me to stay off the phone as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey millennial, you can survive a 5 minute phone call with a stranger. Don’t pretend it’s about wanting a “record.” We know you are terrified to speak on the phone. It will be okay.

Hey Dinosaur, if you want to have a phone call, arrange for a date and time. Do not assume that on ***Father’s Day weekend*** that someone will drop everything to take your call out of the blue. If they aren’t responding to your request for a call and it’s a weekend, especially Father’s Day weekend, calm your tits and follow up the next *business day.*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey millennial, you can survive a 5 minute phone call with a stranger. Don’t pretend it’s about wanting a “record.” We know you are terrified to speak on the phone. It will be okay.

Lol. Born in 1972, hardly a millennial, and I’m an executive in a large company. My EA has every moment of my time scheduled the next few days so I can leave for this trip. We will be gone a week before the stay in question as it’s part of a larger trip. So yeah I don’t want to give a half hour of my evening time (or Father’s Day) to a host who can’t use the app - which seems to be recommended. There may be more to it but your snap judgment is wrong and rude.

[Anonymous]

It sounds super weird to me. There are two possibilities that come to mind:

1. He wants to cancel the booking and have you pay him directly so he doesn't have to pay fees to Airbnb

2. He is super weird and picky about how people use the Airbnb and will be a general nightmare to deal with.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like he’s screening by voice to make sure you’re not Black.



Signed, a Black Person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ignore the PP.

with all Airbnb dealings, it's really important to have a written record of everything. I was a host for 3 years (rented out a bedroom in my house) and I needed to rely on written communication in dealing with Airbnb quite a few times. I would stick to my guns and just say that you prefer to have a written record. if you get a bad review, you can speak with Airbnb directly - they always encouraged me to stay off the phone as well.

Thanks PP. I just hope we don’t get there and find unannounced rules or limitations or that this is something sketchy. I got a weird vibe from the whole thing, he wants to make sure we will be happy with the house - he didn’t say what he wants to get from the call other than that. And it’s one thing to offer a call, but the follow ups makes it seem like he really wants that call. Further info is that he has a 5.0 rating but only 10 ratings so a newer listing it seems it’s not constantly rented out. It was an expensive listing - 700/night for two bedrooms. But downtown and nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like he’s screening by voice to make sure you’re not Black.



Signed, a Black Person.

This was my first thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like he’s screening by voice to make sure you’re not Black.



Signed, a Black Person.

This was my first thought.

Same. Let the host know that you’re happy to communicate through the app in writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds super weird to me. There are two possibilities that come to mind:

1. He wants to cancel the booking and have you pay him directly so he doesn't have to pay fees to Airbnb

2. He is super weird and picky about how people use the Airbnb and will be a general nightmare to deal with.

This is my worry. OP. I am kind of thinking I should call. Rather find out and handle in advance. If he did something weird I’d immediately respond thru the app with a recap. (?) booking is non refundable and I feel stuck. But also wonder if I’m overthinking.

[Anonymous]

You could agree to the call but inform him that you will be recording it so there is accountability on both sides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like he’s screening by voice to make sure you’re not Black.



Signed, a Black Person.

This was my first thought.

OP here. I definitely thought about this. I am white. I also would not want to rent from anyone who would do this. But if that were the case, would he book us THEN try to figure that out? I mean, if we’ve already booked? I guess he could cancel. It’s bad enough having to go thru this second guessing of strangeness. But what a worry it must be for Black People to get a request like this and additionally worry they will be screened for race. I know how common this is. I just feel like this is a warning sign that the host will be a nightmare one way or another. I was telling myself I was overthinking but I can see I would not be the only one. I wish Airbnb would make it much more clear that a host should not call you (if that’s actually the case. The guidance is a bit vague here).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like he’s screening by voice to make sure you’re not Black.



Signed, a Black Person.

Yes this was my first thought as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey millennial, you can survive a 5 minute phone call with a stranger. Don’t pretend it’s about wanting a “record.” We know you are terrified to speak on the phone. It will be okay.

Hey Dinosaur, if you want to have a phone call, arrange for a date and time. Do not assume that on ***Father’s Day weekend*** that someone will drop everything to take your call out of the blue. If they aren’t responding to your request for a call and it’s a weekend, especially Father’s Day weekend, calm your tits and follow up the next *business day.*

This is literally how phone calls are supposed to work, you moron.