AirBnB host wants a call before my stay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Contact him via app for check in details? If you're in VA, you can record your call without telling him if you do decide to call.

[Anonymous]

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

+1 well said!!

[Anonymous]

AirBNB host I also never call anyone except 1) chikd escaped the home and was outside for more than 30 minutes clawing and crying at the door. 2) Party past 3am.

Some hosts are aggressive with their communication. They expect replies and think it's a bad sign when someone doesn't reply. They are also crazy...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

If you are this uncomfortable, just cancel your booking.

[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.

#1. We lived in an area (country) where this was done all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

If you are this uncomfortable, just cancel your booking.

Is OP saying that the only reply to no phone calls is "OK" and there were no follow up messages pressuring for a phone call? I don't see a problem with that. OP probably just hurt his feelings. If the landlord continued to text and push for the phone call after the polite request to keep it on the app, then I would start reaching for flags.

But I agree with the PP that says if you are still this uncomfortable you should just cancel. OP, you say you're an executive at a big company, so I think you don't WANT to eat the cost, not "can't" eat the cost.

Also, this is part and parcel for the platform. People are weird, and they're weird about their property. There are scams, hidden cameras, and all kinds of shady business. You accept the risk because the benefit (a nice rental instead of a hotel) is worth it. If you don't like this risk, then I agree with the PP who says a hotel is a better option for you.

[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.

SUPER!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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



Signed, a Black Person.

Ugh. This wouldn't have occurred to me. Thanks for this bit of enlightenment.

--White Person

youre welcome

-white person married to a black person who had to learn that no, he cant try on coats next to the exit doors and that our kid cant drink/eat something even while in line for paying for it (something I did as a kid all the time with my slurpees at 7-11 and never thought twice about it)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New poster. Haven’t read all of the replies.

We rented an Airbnb in a small town last year for a weekend getaway.

The owner was older (generation gap) and lived in that same small town—everyone knows everyone and is super friendly.

After we booked he asked for a phone call. Seemed odd but I figured it was no big deal. We chatted and it was no big deal. He was just super friendly and outgoing and preferred to inform us of a couple of pieces of information by phone.

If the reviews are good and there are no other red flags, I’d chalk this up to any number of random factors and just have the call and not freak out about it.

I mean, you took the time to post on dcum, so, you’re not so impossibly pressed for time.

SUPER!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Are you white?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Are you white?

[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.

Are you white?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

These posts are the perfect example of white privilege and they lose their minds when you mention it to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Think about what you're saying. A five minute phone call will in no way indicate whether you'd trash the house, but it would be enough time to find out if you might be a POC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

OP, you have spent more time on here complaining about a phone call than probably the time it would have taken to have a simple phone call. Per your own account, he has agreed to communicate via the app--and you're still unhappy?!? You seem like the uptight one....