The concept of Airbnb was started in 2008. Where individuals could get a chance to earn extra income while introducing visitors to their city or their neighbourhood, which was great and, to an extent, still is.
Eleven years later, I visited my first Airbnb, and I’ve used it worldwide since then. For a time, the experiences were excellent. But, based on my travels for the last 14 months, I’m not so excited anymore.
I would like to know when the change happened or if it was always like that.
The concept has been hijacked from individuals to Corporations. They are management companies, not individuals. That’s where I believe things start getting murky.
It is no longer; here is a chance to see my city or neighbourhood. But instead, let me see how much I could get from you. And not even offer all that I had promised.
THE CASE OF MISLEADING AIRBNB LISTINGS
Let’s start with Porto in Portugal. It was the first Airbnb I used after the Pandemic. Okay. With my must-haves in focus, I researched the listings, doing my due diligence. After a considerable amount of time, reaching out to several Hosts with questions. I made my choice, and it met all of my requirements. I was pleased with myself.
Those feelings lasted until I reached the apartment.
exaggerate Apartment Size/ Closet or Not.
Everything looked fine; I sensed something off when I walked through the door. Some pillows were thrown all over; no extra care was taken to prepare the room or space.
According to the Listing, the accommodation was for 12 people. This place could only hold up to 3 people.
The pictures online were of a bright sunny apartment. Instead, there were only two small windows. There was a vague resemblance between the apartment and the photos in the listing.
Then when I went to the bathroom, a clothes closet was stated in the listing. Yes, there is a closet where you are supposed to hang your clothing – a bar and hangers. But that closet contains cleaning supplies, a bucket and mops. So even when I took the things out, there was a strong smell of chemicals.
As I entered the kitchen, the coffee cups were in horrible condition. On the third day, the stovetop stops working. When I called the ‘owner’, she said we hadn’t been to the apartment for a long time. Then it dawned on me that these people manage these properties but don’t necessarily own them.
I spent about 15 or 20 minutes on WhatsApp demonstrating to her how the stovetop was not working. My show and tell were unconvincing because she promised to get back to me in 30 minutes. Or was it 36hrs? That was when she sent someone to fix the stove.
I also went to second place in Portugal, Estoril, which was beautiful. Everything was great until I chose to take a shower.
The bathroom was recently renovated, according to the listing on Airbnb. But, there was a problem with the drainage in the shower. The water was backing up.
I want to avoid dealing with a backup shower stall and the Host pretending to fix it. He knows there’s a problem. The gel is not working, but you’re trying to pacify me until I leave for whoever the next sucker to come in and will have to deal with it.
A problem that was never resolved before my checkout date.
This particular problem was never mentioned in all of the reviews.
Further, the owner knew and greeted me with a profound shock that was happening. Some of the materials in the backup water were the drainage gel. How could that be when he was hearing about the problem for the first time?
You cannot depend on the Reviews.
It’s horrible that these things are not disclosed throughout the process.
This is one way in which the Airbnb system is broken. The questions a Host has to answer for the description of the listing are open for dishonesty.
Case in point the Listing in Turkey with the stairs. The question was, ‘ Is there any stairs in the building’? The Host rightfully answered, No. If any thought was put into the questions. It should have been, ‘ Is there any stairs the Guest will have to use to enter the home?
We choose an Airbnb based on where we want to go, near the beach, city centre, or country area. What kind of activity is of interest? It is our way of planning.
We choose based on the reviews, pictures, cost and location.
But there’s something very faulty with that, especially the reviews. We know that reviews are subject to the individual’s taste and preference.
Specific amenities would be expected if you were from the USA or Canada. On the other hand, if it’s someone from Asia or Latin America, their concerns would be different.
As such, the problems I encountered should have been mentioned in all the reviews.
As I looked closely, a ‘Review’ is a faulty measuring tool since there isn’t a fixed standard. The error is built into Airbnb’s business model. Interestingly, Airbnb asks for your review on a stay within minutes of checking out. But, I wonder if anything is done with our input.
For a guest from Europe, Asia or Latin America, the size of a closet might be fine for them even if they’re there for three months with ten children.
In some cultures, low water pressure might be acceptable based on how they grew up and whether or not they had running water in their home.
The most obvious is whether it’s a male or female review. They have something a woman might take note of, a man might not, or he brushes it off.
I’m more concerned about the cutlery or a sharp kitchen knife. My male guest might be glad that there is a spoon.
When we choose a place and look at reviews, we have to note which region of the world the review came from, whether from a male or female. We cannot miss reading all the reviews. But do not be carried away with the 5-star rating or even someone being a Super Host.
The Listing questions asked by Airbnb allow omission by the Host.
This was the case in Turkey; the Host answered,’ Are there any stairs in the Building?’ He said no. He responded to the question correctly.
But leaving out the 22 steps a visitor must climb before entering the lobby to access the elevator.
The stairs were never mentioned in any of the reviews. Again, it might not have been a problem for previous visitors further if an elevator is very important to you.
This will be a problem. Imagine dealing with TSA, baggage claims and all the fun stuff that is part of the journey after travelling. The stress is heightened because the address is not easy to find
Here you are, thinking it’s the end when the Host finally meets you at a corner. There are stairs for you to climb before the elevator. Something you did not plan for because it was never disclosed.
ANOTHER PROBLEM – CHECKING IN
This is a listing and checking problem. The case of ‘what is the actual address’. I encountered this problem in Turkey, which is ten times worst in Albania.
It is deliberately omitted from the listing information.
This irritation is heightened in Albania. This could make a difference with the time you fly into a country. Please note not even the taxi drivers know where you are going.
For the Airbnb in Porto, I had to log in on a website to get into the Building; that’s extra work you give to the guests to ensure that. Also, you need Wi-Fi to access the login App.
That would have been a headache in Albania, where the Wi-Fi is very iffy and not even my Wi-Fi was not working.
Further, this information was sent 24 hrs before my check-in time. It was not mentioned in the listing; an App is needed to enter the building. Also too late for me to cancel because of the time difference.
I was in transit when the instructions were sent. I needed Wi-Fi to access the App. This was additional work.
THE FEES, ESPECIALLY – CLEANING FEES.
This is something that gets me about Airbnb. The ambiguous request in Turkey and Portugal, where the Hosts are asking you to ‘Clean Up‘ the place. Exactly, what do you mean?
They were also asking for you to put out the garbage; in both instances, the disposal bins were easy to find in the daylight. Not at 6 am on the morning of my departure.
I understand not to trash the place or break things in the home; I have paid between $35 to $55 for a service; that I have to do. Does this make sense? There should not be a requirement for ‘Clean Up’, a subjective request.
A form of explanation would be required from the Host. That is too much extra work when I have to pay.
Remember, when you leave an Airbnb, they give a report on you, and you give a review on them. They could say you’re untidy. So if you’re asking me to pay cleaning fees, I should not have to deal with trying to figure out what you meant by cleaning up.
Recently, I’m choosing an Airbnb because I wanted to get laundry done, and there’s one of the things when you’re travelling for a long time is very much needed.
The hotel offers laundry service, but I’m not a big fan of group washing -this community washing. I want to wash my clothes. That is one and, of late, the only reason I choose Airbnb.
I don’t want to be aggravated with things that could be avoided. If they had looked into it would not be a problem. If something broke, if the lights went out, they don’t control it.
I understand that, like how the stovetop stopped working, I could understand. What is irritating is the time the Host took to respond.
I was an advocate; I always had a balance on my Airbnb account and would keep adding money. This was in case of an emergency while travelling.
They have places where Airbnb might work out better than a hotel. Also, they are areas where finding a Hotel brand you are familiar with could be challenging.
I heard from friends how everything about their visit as perfect. I must say, that is golden. But my experiences tell me differently.
But for me, I’m hesitant. I am biting my tongue and going in with not much expectation. Hoping everything is as listed. I concluded my research is as valid as the honesty of the Host.
I’m even watching the reviews with a side-eye.
