Airbnb Review Removed

[Anonymous]

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.

The safety of the location might be, but if the location is misleading that's on the host - e.g. if the town listed is actually a little.bit over and it's technically located in the higher crime town down the road. This happened to me once with a hotel, not Airbnb though.

Again, you have to look at the circle that Airbnb provides before you book. If after you get the exact address you feel that the circle misrepresents where the property is, then definitely bring that to Airbnb's attention. But it sounds like in this case that OP did not even look at that map. If that circle is too big for your liking and you would not be comfortable staying in portions of it, then you should probably book a hotel or lodging where you know the exact location before you book.

I did look at the circle and it encompassed several different neighborhoods. However, I am not an expert on South Philly and made the mistake of relying on the reviews.

Are their good neighborhoods in South Philly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

I’m the PP you are apparently disagreeing with.

What specific statement are you disagreeing with?

the idea that if you feel unsafe, then you feel unsafe?

Or that some individuals, eg single female travellers, may indeed want reviews that describe the surrounding area and not just the fluffiness of pillows?

Or that we should be alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews?

These were the main points. Not sure why you begin with an apology - there is nothing apologetic in your reply. You even admit your wife said she would not feel safe walking alone at night there!

Well, I'm sorry now that I misphrased that. What I disagree with is that OPs review about the neighborhood was appropriate for the airBnB rental listing. The things that OP objected to were information about the neighborhood and not about the specific unit. Moreover, these were items for which the rental owner had no control over. The rental owner cannot change the crime statistics or the relative feeling of previous renters that the area was unsafe. The OP would need to search for the crime statistics or information about the Point Breeze neighborhood and get that information for herself.

Rental owners should not be required to either provide or justify information about the neighborhood in their rental listings. That's just outside of the scope of a rental. If you have such concerns, you need to investigate the neighborhood and zone yourself. AirBnB provides the location map on each rental that shows you the neighborhood. With the zoom feature, you can find the location within a one block radius so you can definitely do research on the neighborhood if this is relevant to your rental. The fact that she didn't do that research and then blamed the rental owner for not providing that information and blames airBnB from blocking such reviews regarding subjects outside of the owner's control is wholly OP's problem.

Ok...you must be an Airbnb owner.

It’s just my opinion, as a single female traveller, that Airbnb should allow reviewers to comment on safety of the location of the rental. Owners should be allowed to provide rebuttal if they want.

If Airbnb is deleting reviews, a very obvious disclaimer that reviews cannot comment on safety of location, and are removed, would be helpful.

I agree with this and I pointed it out earlier. But, I don't think OP's story lines up because I literally have seen (and shared!) reviews on airbnb that describe safety of an area in relative terms. And I shared one! AND you have airbnb hosts saying they CAN'T delete reviews. And I've *seen* 1 star reviews with my own eyes. All the time.

So it's not a matter of defending airbnb's policy of commenting on safety or not, because I don't believe OP saying they said that she wasn't allowed to do so. I don't believe that airbnb HAS a policy like that. I 100% think there's more to the story here and we're getting a sliver of what actually happened.

Well, we'll let everyone judge for themselves, this is the response I got from airbnb customer service:

Thank you for patiently waiting for my response.
In regard to this matter, please be advised that the review left was more on outside the listing and more on about the neighborhood which the Host doesn't have any control of it.
Thus, the review is removed.
|hope I was able to answer your questions and concerns. While I understand this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, I hope that you have many positive experiences with Airbnb moving forward.
Please let us know whether we can still be of help; otherwise, we'll close out this issue for the time being. I would be just right here for you! want you to know that you're not alone and I'm always here to help.

This is such a truly ridiculous and absurd rule. I have heard this used as a reason why reviews that mention loud construction are also deleted. So basically, considering these reviews will inevitably be taken down, a prospective guest has no way of knowing whether they are renting a unit in a horrifically loud building right off 495, or in a super dangerous neighborhood, or with the next door neighbor having cement trucks and jackhammers arrive at 7am. Who on earth would feel comfortable booking with such a company?!!! It's actually absurd!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ It was in Pittsburgh?

Philadelphia

[Anonymous]

I continue to not buy OP's story.

It's not hard to find airbnbs in South Philly with negative reviews of the area:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/53562440?location=Philadelphia%2C%20Pennsylvania%2C%20United%20States&check_in=2023-09-18&check_out=2023-09-22&federated_search_id=26e6b7d8-832d-45f4-94ab-af2f5da14f16&source_impression_id=p3_1684941397_%2BsN67dnevg0cxBrM

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/632708074678269648?location=Philadelphia%2C%20Pennsylvania%2C%20United%20States&check_in=2023-09-18&check_out=2023-09-22&federated_search_id=093fcd6c-631d-446a-b765-aa23bc22c588&source_impression_id=p3_1684941562_JJuK0nrOFnW38M8y

I think there's more going on than what OP is saying.

[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:

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.

I’m the PP you are apparently disagreeing with.

What specific statement are you disagreeing with?

the idea that if you feel unsafe, then you feel unsafe?

Or that some individuals, eg single female travellers, may indeed want reviews that describe the surrounding area and not just the fluffiness of pillows?

Or that we should be alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews?

These were the main points. Not sure why you begin with an apology - there is nothing apologetic in your reply. You even admit your wife said she would not feel safe walking alone at night there!

Well, I'm sorry now that I misphrased that. What I disagree with is that OPs review about the neighborhood was appropriate for the airBnB rental listing. The things that OP objected to were information about the neighborhood and not about the specific unit. Moreover, these were items for which the rental owner had no control over. The rental owner cannot change the crime statistics or the relative feeling of previous renters that the area was unsafe. The OP would need to search for the crime statistics or information about the Point Breeze neighborhood and get that information for herself.

Rental owners should not be required to either provide or justify information about the neighborhood in their rental listings. That's just outside of the scope of a rental. If you have such concerns, you need to investigate the neighborhood and zone yourself. AirBnB provides the location map on each rental that shows you the neighborhood. With the zoom feature, you can find the location within a one block radius so you can definitely do research on the neighborhood if this is relevant to your rental. The fact that she didn't do that research and then blamed the rental owner for not providing that information and blames airBnB from blocking such reviews regarding subjects outside of the owner's control is wholly OP's problem.

Ok...you must be an Airbnb owner.

It’s just my opinion, as a single female traveller, that Airbnb should allow reviewers to comment on safety of the location of the rental. Owners should be allowed to provide rebuttal if they want.

If Airbnb is deleting reviews, a very obvious disclaimer that reviews cannot comment on safety of location, and are removed, would be helpful.

I agree with this and I pointed it out earlier. But, I don't think OP's story lines up because I literally have seen (and shared!) reviews on airbnb that describe safety of an area in relative terms. And I shared one! AND you have airbnb hosts saying they CAN'T delete reviews. And I've *seen* 1 star reviews with my own eyes. All the time.

So it's not a matter of defending airbnb's policy of commenting on safety or not, because I don't believe OP saying they said that she wasn't allowed to do so. I don't believe that airbnb HAS a policy like that. I 100% think there's more to the story here and we're getting a sliver of what actually happened.

Well, we'll let everyone judge for themselves, this is the response I got from airbnb customer service:

Thank you for patiently waiting for my response.
In regard to this matter, please be advised that the review left was more on outside the listing and more on about the neighborhood which the Host doesn't have any control of it.
Thus, the review is removed.
|hope I was able to answer your questions and concerns. While I understand this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, I hope that you have many positive experiences with Airbnb moving forward.
Please let us know whether we can still be of help; otherwise, we'll close out this issue for the time being. I would be just right here for you! want you to know that you're not alone and I'm always here to help.

This is such a truly ridiculous and absurd rule. I have heard this used as a reason why reviews that mention loud construction are also deleted. So basically, considering these reviews will inevitably be taken down, a prospective guest has no way of knowing whether they are renting a unit in a horrifically loud building right off 495, or in a super dangerous neighborhood, or with the next door neighbor having cement trucks and jackhammers arrive at 7am. Who on earth would feel comfortable booking with such a company?!!! It's actually absurd!

That’s in the eye of the beholder. I grew up right next to operational freight train tracks.

[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:

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.

I’m the PP you are apparently disagreeing with.

What specific statement are you disagreeing with?

the idea that if you feel unsafe, then you feel unsafe?

Or that some individuals, eg single female travellers, may indeed want reviews that describe the surrounding area and not just the fluffiness of pillows?

Or that we should be alarmed that Airbnb removes reviews?

These were the main points. Not sure why you begin with an apology - there is nothing apologetic in your reply. You even admit your wife said she would not feel safe walking alone at night there!

Well, I'm sorry now that I misphrased that. What I disagree with is that OPs review about the neighborhood was appropriate for the airBnB rental listing. The things that OP objected to were information about the neighborhood and not about the specific unit. Moreover, these were items for which the rental owner had no control over. The rental owner cannot change the crime statistics or the relative feeling of previous renters that the area was unsafe. The OP would need to search for the crime statistics or information about the Point Breeze neighborhood and get that information for herself.

Rental owners should not be required to either provide or justify information about the neighborhood in their rental listings. That's just outside of the scope of a rental. If you have such concerns, you need to investigate the neighborhood and zone yourself. AirBnB provides the location map on each rental that shows you the neighborhood. With the zoom feature, you can find the location within a one block radius so you can definitely do research on the neighborhood if this is relevant to your rental. The fact that she didn't do that research and then blamed the rental owner for not providing that information and blames airBnB from blocking such reviews regarding subjects outside of the owner's control is wholly OP's problem.

Ok...you must be an Airbnb owner.

It’s just my opinion, as a single female traveller, that Airbnb should allow reviewers to comment on safety of the location of the rental. Owners should be allowed to provide rebuttal if they want.

If Airbnb is deleting reviews, a very obvious disclaimer that reviews cannot comment on safety of location, and are removed, would be helpful.

I agree with this and I pointed it out earlier. But, I don't think OP's story lines up because I literally have seen (and shared!) reviews on airbnb that describe safety of an area in relative terms. And I shared one! AND you have airbnb hosts saying they CAN'T delete reviews. And I've *seen* 1 star reviews with my own eyes. All the time.

So it's not a matter of defending airbnb's policy of commenting on safety or not, because I don't believe OP saying they said that she wasn't allowed to do so. I don't believe that airbnb HAS a policy like that. I 100% think there's more to the story here and we're getting a sliver of what actually happened.

Well, we'll let everyone judge for themselves, this is the response I got from airbnb customer service:

Thank you for patiently waiting for my response.
In regard to this matter, please be advised that the review left was more on outside the listing and more on about the neighborhood which the Host doesn't have any control of it.
Thus, the review is removed.
|hope I was able to answer your questions and concerns. While I understand this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, I hope that you have many positive experiences with Airbnb moving forward.
Please let us know whether we can still be of help; otherwise, we'll close out this issue for the time being. I would be just right here for you! want you to know that you're not alone and I'm always here to help.

This is such a truly ridiculous and absurd rule. I have heard this used as a reason why reviews that mention loud construction are also deleted. So basically, considering these reviews will inevitably be taken down, a prospective guest has no way of knowing whether they are renting a unit in a horrifically loud building right off 495, or in a super dangerous neighborhood, or with the next door neighbor having cement trucks and jackhammers arrive at 7am. Who on earth would feel comfortable booking with such a company?!!! It's actually absurd!

That’s in the eye of the beholder. I grew up right next to operational freight train tracks.

Correct, it is. Which is why review sites were invented- you can see what you like, and people can choose to listen or not based on their life experiences. That's why it's so crazy that they are suppressing this speech

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I continue to not buy OP's story.

It's not hard to find airbnbs in South Philly with negative reviews of the area:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/53562440?location=Philadelphia%2C%20Pennsylvania%2C%20United%20States&check_in=2023-09-18&check_out=2023-09-22&federated_search_id=26e6b7d8-832d-45f4-94ab-af2f5da14f16&source_impression_id=p3_1684941397_%2BsN67dnevg0cxBrM

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/632708074678269648?location=Philadelphia%2C%20Pennsylvania%2C%20United%20States&check_in=2023-09-18&check_out=2023-09-22&federated_search_id=093fcd6c-631d-446a-b765-aa23bc22c588&source_impression_id=p3_1684941562_JJuK0nrOFnW38M8y

I think there's more going on than what OP is saying.

Maybe the owners didn’t ask to take these down

[Anonymous]

Op again, I was told my host asked to have the review removed so yea, I do think it depends on the integrity of the host. Also Airbnb policy states that both parties are notified before a review is removed, that definitely did not happen in my case. I checked a week later because I suspected other reviews had been removed for this particular listing.

[Anonymous]

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.

The safety of the location might be, but if the location is misleading that's on the host - e.g. if the town listed is actually a little.bit over and it's technically located in the higher crime town down the road. This happened to me once with a hotel, not Airbnb though.

Again, you have to look at the circle that Airbnb provides before you book. If after you get the exact address you feel that the circle misrepresents where the property is, then definitely bring that to Airbnb's attention. But it sounds like in this case that OP did not even look at that map. If that circle is too big for your liking and you would not be comfortable staying in portions of it, then you should probably book a hotel or lodging where you know the exact location before you book.

I did look at the circle and it encompassed several different neighborhoods. However, I am not an expert on South Philly
and made the mistake of relying on the reviews.

Are there good neighborhoods in South Philly?

Op here, yes, I have stayed in another south Philly neighborhood and had no issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op again, I was told my host asked to have the review removed so yea, I do think it depends on the integrity of the host. Also Airbnb policy states that both parties are notified before a review is removed, that definitely did not happen in my case. I checked a week later because I suspected other reviews had been removed for this particular listing.

I think it also depends who at Airbnb fields the request. There’s certainly some human subjectivity involved in the decision to remove/not remove.

Honestly, I appreciate the PSA for that area of Philly as well as a broader reminder to vet unfamiliar areas well. But you’ve probably taken it as far as you can in this forum- since you have some time and energy to devote to this, why not elevate your complaint with Airbnb? Send it up the chain.

Also, I encourage you not to have this thread removed because then that warning is lost for future posters. The other one is already gone, no? Too bad.