AirBnB host wants a call before my stay

[Anonymous]

I can't handle people who think the worst of everything - maybe there are a couple quirks about the house that are easier to explain in person rather than in writing - like how to use the alarm system or AC or something. CALM DOWN OP. The level of anxiety that some people have over living their lives...I just don't know how you survive.

[Anonymous]

If you don’t want to risk losing the reservation last minute, I would schedule a call and record it. I’ve heard of one host calling someone before to tell them that there was some building emergency so they couldn’t stay at the original booking but they had another place available close by that was nicer - it wasn’t nicer and turned out to be a scam which the host played multiple times on tourists. It is odd so record or send notes afterwards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't handle people who think the worst of everything - maybe there are a couple quirks about the house that are easier to explain in person rather than in writing - like how to use the alarm system or AC or something. CALM DOWN OP. The level of anxiety that some people have over living their lives...I just don't know how you survive.

I’ve stayed at several Airbnbs and hosts always have a template email which describes all quirks. It is unusual to request a call with a vague reason. There have several scams on Airbnb so it’s fine to be skeptical and do your due diligence.

[Anonymous]

Wow, that’s weird!

I know racial screening happens on Airbnb, but I’ve never actually seen it.

So, I assume you don’t have your picture on your profile, OP?

I use AirBnB very regularly for travel all over the world, and I’ve never had this happen. Hosts can clearly see I’m Black, though, as I have my photo on my profile.

I’d be weary, too, OP.

[Anonymous]

You can always contact Airbnb customer support and say your host is trying to contact you off the app before your stay and wants to talk to you on the phone. That is against Airbnb policies and they may help you cancel the booking and get a full refund, giving you time to find new accommodations. Trust your gut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Wasn’t the intent of AirBnB to get to know strangers / meet new people???

[Anonymous]

In my relatively limited experience of booking AirBnBs, I've had to call for 2 properties recently, upon arrival, so the caretaker or host could either let us in, or walk us through how to input the code and get the box to release a key for the door.

I've never had calls just to talk, but I wouldn't whine about it if a host wanted that. I'm wondering if the host thought he or she was providing better service by establishing a personal relationship? Now they're clued in that some guests don't like that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my relatively limited experience of booking AirBnBs, I've had to call for 2 properties recently, upon arrival, so the caretaker or host could either let us in, or walk us through how to input the code and get the box to release a key for the door.

I've never had calls just to talk, but I wouldn't whine about it if a host wanted that. I'm wondering if the host thought he or she was providing better service by establishing a personal relationship? Now they're clued in that some guests don't like that!

Me again. And now I've read the other posts about profiling, and how you're supposed to stick to the app, I'm going to be paranoid! Maybe PPs are on to something...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t want to risk losing the reservation last minute, I would schedule a call and record it. I’ve heard of one host calling someone before to tell them that there was some building emergency so they couldn’t stay at the original booking but they had another place available close by that was nicer - it wasn’t nicer and turned out to be a scam which the host played multiple times on tourists. It is odd so record or send notes afterwards.

This happened to my parents overseas.

I wouldn’t accept the call. Reply via email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Wasn’t the intent of AirBnB to get to know strangers / meet new people???

perhaps originally, but now AirBnB has driven property speculation as investors buy properties to rent them out at high rates short-term to tourists, leading to a smaller, more expensive rental market for regular folks. Kudos to DC and Barcelona, among other cities, for banning Airbnb!

[Anonymous]

Airbnb host here -- I would never call a guest except in an emergency situation where I wanted to give them the opportunity to make other arrangements because of some situation at the property.

Since this is a relatively new host and apparently a very nice property, I'm guessing the host is nervous and just wants to make sure you're not planning to host some rave.

I would write back through the app and state your preference for keeping communication on the record. Assure the host somehow that you are just coming for a wedding and will respect the property. Ask if there is anything else he wanted to tell you and, if so, please send it through the system.

[Anonymous]

Creepy and weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Wasn’t the intent of AirBnB to get to know strangers / meet new people???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Wasn’t the intent of AirBnB to get to know strangers / meet new people???

perhaps originally, but now AirBnB has driven property speculation as investors buy properties to rent them out at high rates short-term to tourists, leading to a smaller, more expensive rental market for regular folks. Kudos to DC and Barcelona, among other cities, for banning Airbnb!

Bans on Airbnb are toothless. It's "banned" here in NYC as well, but is completely rampant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Airbnb host here -- I would never call a guest except in an emergency situation where I wanted to give them the opportunity to make other arrangements because of some situation at the property.

Since this is a relatively new host and apparently a very nice property, I'm guessing the host is nervous and just wants to make sure you're not planning to host some rave.

I would write back through the app and state your preference for keeping communication on the record. Assure the host somehow that you are just coming for a wedding and will respect the property. Ask if there is anything else he wanted to tell you and, if so, please send it through the system.

This makes sense to me as a frequent Airbnb guest who has stayed at over a dozen places over the past 5 years. I've never spoken to a host on the phone -- and only once met two hosts in person, when we stayed in properties near the host's home (both were lovely people, BTW). OP, I agree with the advice above -- keep communications through the app. But, that said, you seem a tad stressed about this and I'd advise you to try not to get into a swivet.