AirBnB host wants a call before my stay

[Anonymous]

I just rented two properties and both hosts wanted a bit of contact with me - one sent a few messages on platfom asking questions and the other asked for a quick call. I think they just wanted to make sure I wasn't someone who would trash their place (and that isn't code for "black"). Honestly, I spent less than 5 minutes total time and it was no big deal.

[Anonymous]

I stayed at a place last summer and the host requested a phone call. It was totally just chit-chat and I'm positive he only wanted to make sure I was a normal person.

[Anonymous]

I've rented dozens of times through VRBO and AirBNB and occasionally - I'd say fewer than 10 times - the landlord has wanted to talk to me on the phone. And each time they've been either older and more used to phone calls and/or the place is more expensive/upscale and they're just trying to make sure I'm not a jackass.

I've never thought anything of it.

[Anonymous]

You can’t have the space and price of a private rental and the impersonal nature of a hotel. Pick one.

[Anonymous]

How many of you who have no problem and think he just wants to find "a normal person" or "someone who wouldn't trash their place" or "you're not a jackass" are minorities?

It's rather condescending and arrogant to assume that when you are a "normal" white person, that someone who is a "normal" minority was not being singled out or discriminated against just because you were not. The number of white people who will disparage minorities for trying to protect themselves from racial discrimination is just mind boggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've rented dozens of times through VRBO and AirBNB and occasionally - I'd say fewer than 10 times - the landlord has wanted to talk to me on the phone. And each time they've been either older and more used to phone calls and/or the place is more expensive/upscale and they're just trying to make sure I'm not a jackass.

I've never thought anything of it.

I had this same experience a few times. No big deal. It’s his house. Humor him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to maintain a record, then if the host tries to push for a phone call, ask them if they consent to a recorded call so that you can maintain your record of communication in case you need to contact airBnB for any issues. Most cell phones will allow you to turn on voice recording of calls, so you can do this on your cell. Make sure that when you start the call, you start with "Hello. Just a reminder that this call is being recorded. Just verifying that you consent to have this call recorded." If the answer is not "yes", then hang up and reply via the app that you are disappointed that the host wants to have an undocumented call with you and that you will be reporting them to airBnB.

I have rented on airBnB about the same number of times and I have never been asked for a voice call before hand. For me, it's less likely that a voice call would be used for racial profiling as i have a very distinctive Chinese surname (think like Chen or Wang) that pretty much lets the host know my race.

In my experience, we both exchange cell phone numbers before check-in and the host usually says to contact them if there are any problems. If there are problems (rarely), we start by communicating via the app, but if there are extended problems (like one time the automatic door lock was not working correctly), I ended up calling the host. Fortunately, in that case, the host lived about 5 minutes away and he hopped into his car and was there in 10 minutes to help us sort out the issue. But most of the time, I've never spoken to the host outside of the app.

You must be a lawyer.

This is the stupidest suggestion on this thread. All it does is escalate things. OP did the right thing by just saying "no thanks, let's talk through the app." I've rented dozens of places all over the US and the world through Arbnb and never once has anyone asked me to call them on the phone. It's weird AF, and OP handled it appropriately.

[Anonymous]

Phone calls are old people way to calm down as they are nervous with technology. They shouldn't be using Airbnb if they need a phone

[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.

Really?

Google will pull up social media. Nobody is screening your voice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can’t have the space and price of a private rental and the impersonal nature of a hotel. Pick one.

Except you can, through AirBNB or Vrbo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This doesn't make sense, you can see the picture of the person moron

Airbnb host here --

Guests can (and do) use anything for their profile photo, and we don't see it until they have booked/paid. The profile pic doesn't have to be the same image they submit for ID verification. I've seen pictures of whole families, dogs, feet on the beach, random items and a whole lot of nostrils hovering over a steering wheel. Not sure why so many people take a selfie while driving and use it as their Airbnb profile pic, but it's a thing.

Most common image -- wedding photos. If I wanted to discriminate against newlyweds, believe me I could easily identify them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This doesn't make sense, you can see the picture of the person moron

Airbnb host here --

Guests can (and do) use anything for their profile photo, and we don't see it until they have booked/paid. The profile pic doesn't have to be the same image they submit for ID verification. I've seen pictures of whole families, dogs, feet on the beach, random items and a whole lot of nostrils hovering over a steering wheel. Not sure why so many people take a selfie while driving and use it as their Airbnb profile pic, but it's a thing.

Most common image -- wedding photos. If I wanted to discriminate against newlyweds, believe me I could easily identify them.

Report any profile picture that doesn't clearly identify the guest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can’t have the space and price of a private rental and the impersonal nature of a hotel. Pick one.

Except you can, through AirBNB or Vrbo

Nope, you have to directly communicate. Sorry it’s so hard.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Got an automated email about details for stay and it says contact host for check in details. I asked that we communicate through the app as recommended and he only said OK, after initial notes that said he wanted a call. I’m definitely getting bad vibes at this point. I worry about flagging him - is that going to get me a bad review? He hasn’t done anything wrong, except insist on this phone call. I also have 12 5 star reviews so if he wants to see that “I’m not a total jackass who will trash the house” then use the system he participates in. People saying “but it’s his house” - yes that’s exactly how Airbnb or any rental works. So if you want to engage in something then platform recommends against, and insist on a call when all this could and should be done on platform where there’s a record and where I don’t have to take notes as it’s all conveniently there in the app, maybe being a host is not for you!? I’ve never once had any issues with Airbnb. I’ve used that and VRBO. this is a first.

[Anonymous]

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



Signed, a Black Person.

Well, he'd be really disappointed to meet me after speaking to me.

Signed, another Black Person