AirBNB people are crap

[OldSchoolBoats]

We have been super fortunate to have a great base of repeat renters at our house. Most have rented from us for years now and a lot from RDP.

I just happened to get a request for 44 nights starting 1/15/25 - 2/28/25.

Today I tried to cancel the reservation on AirBNB, as we have decided to use OUR HOUSE during the dates and it's a $279 fee to me on next payout. Here is my text thread with him.

Society is literally going to shit. No one has any compassion to a fellow man anymore. Sad world we live in.

 

[evantwheeler]

TLDR

 

[was thatguy]

$279 WHOLE dollars?

 

[counterpart7]

Wait until your 15 days out and then cancel on him

 

[oldman]

Seem's like you went on way to long, You've done well renting, the time going back and forth would have been way more than $300, Eat it and move on,

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Wait until your 15 days out and then cancel on him

Yeah that would cost us a lot more and I am not that cold.

 

[was thatguy]

Try living next door to these “Airbnb people”.

It’s one reason I left Havasu.
Granted, the clientele next to me was typically NOT retired quiet people.
3 days of insanity, rinse repeat…non stop.

 

[counterpart7]

Yeah that would cost us a lot more and I am not that cold.

Didn’t know if it goes up the closer to the agreed time or not.

To play devils advocate, it is kinda fucked for you to change your mind on wanting to rent it out for those dates and eating the $279 fee seems like part of being a ”landlord”. I get asking him to cancel but I would have just ate the fee right off the bat. You’re not doing him a favor by renting your house to him, you’re getting payment in return to offset the costs of your vacation home.

 

[WYRD]

IDK I can think of 100 other reasons for society going to shit. This conversation isn't one of them. I'm not sure I would have reacted much differently than he did. You seem to be the aggressor in my opinion. I would have canceled it after the first time he neglected to and paid the fee, but that's just me.

 

[oldman]

Buy a place you can afford, and use whenever you want, and don't impact your neighbors with renters.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

IDK I can think of 100 other reasons for society going to shit. This conversation isn't one of them. I'm not sure I would have reacted much differently than he did. You seem to be the aggressor in my opinion. I would have canceled it after the first time he neglected to and paid the fee, but that's just me.

I don't know man, just another example. I deal with so many people everyday and it just seems like nobody wants to be flexible with anything anymore and the older "retired" crowd are literally some of the worst to deal with right now.

 

[EarpRider]

Have you ever looked at the fees people have to pay to rent your place? Do you cut them a break?

 

[FROGMAN524]

I’ve come to find out and expect that my “family” is of no concern to anyone else besides close relatives.

I should add, most people, work colleagues and so-called friends don’t give a shit if you’re alive or dead, much less paying cancellation fees.

 

[oldman]

I don't know man, just another example. I deal with so many people everyday and it just seems like nobody wants to be flexible with anything anymore and the older "retired" crowd are literally some of the worst to deal with right now.

Maybe because they have paid their dues and want what they want.

They made an arrangement, and want it honored.

But this is coming from a guy with a 700 Sq ft trailer on the river.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Have you ever looked at the fees people have to pay to rent your place? Do you cut them a break?
View attachment 1410022 View attachment 1410023

If they don't know me and choose to rent on AirBNB, that's on them. The fees are ridiculous and we don't see any of that. On top, they charge us fees too, so the owner payout is not all it seems.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I’ve come to find out and expect that my “family” is of no concern to anyone else besides close relatives.

I should add, most people, work colleagues and so-called friends don’t give a shit if you’re alive or dead, much less paying cancellation fees.

Yeah man, that pretty much sums it up. Sad.

 

[CammdSS]

Ive rented over 50 AirBnBs, heres my take on this -

I would be disappointed if a host cancelled on me too BUT 6 months out I would not cause a problem and find another place and not look back. I probably wouldnt rent from you again because Im old school and your name is your word... If the dates were open, theyre open for service. Im also one to understand circumstances and everyone has things come up in life, so I get your side and would probably eat the fee if I was in your position. When I have kids, theyre #1 priority, F*ck all else I dont care

1) AirBnB will always back the customer and can kick you off the platform or ding you for certain situations if theres multiple violations
2) Even after a trip the customer can write to AirBnB requesting a refund and/or chargeback their card (Ive done this on one severe circumstance) AirBnB backed me
3) The internet is so widespread, theres a chance you can get reviews on reddit, X, or other sites that deter future visitors.The rental business is a chess game

This is a tough one... In your shoes, I would eat the fee and end on good terms. They may book again or give a good word to a friend. In the visitors shoes, I would book something else and move on. Im sure a snowbird will fill in the dates.

You cant win them all. In todays world, even some old folks are F'd up just like the Gen Alphas.

 

[zhandfull]

Seems like a dick move to ask them to cancel their own reservation.

Yeah, you were nice about it and even offered to help find a replacement. Put yourself on the other side and I think you’d agree.

 

[Dannyo]

Pretty simple. You cancelled so you pay the fee according to terms.

 

[Dog]

I understand your plight however you signed to the terms of ABNB. You tried to "game" their system. You are part of the problem.

 

[Bajastu]

44 night stay, this seems like a good revenue stream that you just missed out on. I’d be pissed too if I booked a place and then was forced to cancel. Sounds like if you sidestepped the system to save a few bucks. I’d say you’re the problem.

 

[Nordie]

44 night stay, this seems like a good revenue stream that you just missed out on. I’d be pissed too if I booked a place and then was forced to cancel. Sounds like if you sidestepped the system to save a few bucks. I’d say you’re the problem.

Then have the balls to ask them to cancel so you can save $280

 

[pixrthis]

I’d pay the $279 or stay somewhere else.

 

[Romans9]

This thread is definitely an eye opener.

We book houses for rent in Moab twice a year, Branson and Eureka Springs once a year and invite all my kids and foster son as well as my mother.
We do this well in advance to be sure everyone can be accommodated.

You were completely out of line and gaming the system. You are the problem in this exchange my man. Sorry but thats the way it is.
That guy was way too nice to you.
For you to suggest he didn’t care about your family is the most convoluted thing I have read in a while especially since you obviously aren’t considering his family……

One Moab house I repaired the toilet (new fluidmaster) and fixed the garage door opener.
You insulted and mistreated a potentially great renter.
That guy has some incredible patience.
Damn near everyone on RDP would have told you to piss off after the first time.

 

[Your ad here]

The way I'm reading it you are cancelling their reservation and making your fee for cancelling their problem by asking them to voluntary cancel when they don't want to. That's fucked up man. You're also asking them to do something against policy that makes them look bad when they've done nothing wrong.
This doesnt look good for you as someone that rents their house. Hey we got a guy over here that will change his mind on renting his house then ask you to cancel so he doesn't have to pay the $280 fee because he change his mind. The thread title is looking like its describing the home owner.

 

[WYRD]

44 night stay, this seems like a good revenue stream that you just missed out on. I’d be pissed too if I booked a place and then was forced to cancel. Sounds like if you sidestepped the system to save a few bucks. I’d say you’re the problem.

Exactly. If a $279 fee puts a dent in his 5 kid families budget then the smarter move might have been to not pass up a chance to make $4k and rent another place for the time he wants to be in town.

 

[Singleton]

Not a good look Joe.
I get asking once, but if you were the renter you would of been pissed.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I can count the amount of times I have rented the house through AirBNB, over the last 12 months, on one hand. I never bought this to be an AirBNB, but yes we do list it on there and yes I agreed to terms, etc. We have never cancelled a reservation on anyone in 6 years.

The reservation was going to be cancelled either way, the dates are no longer available. This is something that can potentially happen with any rental when you book a year in advance.

I was simply asking for a favor from the guy but I guess, according to RDP, that is wrong. I will remember to never ask for a favor ever again because in today's society we all play by the rules and that's AirBNB's policy so we better follow it to the T......

I mean who really gives AF about some billion dollar company and "their system?"......yeah I was trying to work it to avoid a pretty ridiculously high fee and most of you would have tried to do the same, so let's not all sit on our high horse here and pretend like you wouldn't.

A few said that I am part of the problem?? Haha, that's a good one. Problem of what? Being a property owner that rents his house out as a courtesy, on a short term basis, to vetted individuals?? Cancelled a reservation 6 months in advance, asked another person to do us a favor and then offered to help find another place. How is that being "the problem"......

 

[FROGMAN524]

Would it have been more economical to have let them keep the reservation and you keep your revenue while renting a hotel or an RV for the baseball tournament?

 

[Nordie]

Doubling down on the douchery....you said he's the problem for not saving you $279. Clearly you need to look in a mirror. All you had to do is cancel it .

Seems like a lot of your call out threads usually don't go your way, but it's never your fault.

 

[Your ad here]

I can count the amount of times I have rented the house through AirBNB, over the last 12 months, on one hand. I never bought this to be an AirBNB, but yes we do list it on there and yes I agreed to terms, etc. We have never cancelled a reservation on anyone in 6 years.

The reservation was going to be cancelled either way, the dates are no longer available. This is something that can potentially happen with any rental when you book a year in advance.

I was simply asking for a favor from the guy but I guess, according to RDP, that is wrong. I will remember to never ask for a favor ever again because in today's society we all play by the rules and that's AirBNB's policy so we better follow it to the T......

I mean who really gives AF about some billion dollar company and "their system?"......yeah I was trying to work it to avoid a pretty ridiculously high fee and most of you would have tried to do the same, so let's not all sit on our high horse here and pretend like you wouldn't.

A few said that I am part of the problem?? Haha, that's a good one. Problem of what? Being a property owner that rents his house out as a courtesy, on a short term basis, to vetted individuals?? Cancelled a reservation 6 months in advance, asked another person to do us a favor and then offered to help find another place. How is that being "the problem"......

Because you are asking someone who is in the right, by paperwork, to do the wrong thing. It's okay to ask and sometimes it works but to argue after an answer is given that you don't like is unacceptable.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Would it have been more economical to have let them keep the reservation and you keep your revenue while renting a hotel or an RV for the baseball tournament?

Got my regular snowbirds coming back for 2/15-4/15 and they didn't confirm their return until a week and a half ago. We obviously didn't know if they would be returning so accepted this reservation as a hedge. They are coming back, we want to use it ourselves and that's it, random stranger on AirBNB unfortunately has to get cancelled. I never have cancelled so was blindsided by the fee so asked the guy for a favor, but I guess that is a terrible thing to do. I guess I just expected that with 6 months notice, he would have done us a favor on the fee by canceling on his side, but obviously that's too much to ask.

 

[CLdrinker]

I would be pretty excited about having my place rented out for 44 days.

Basically you put something up for sell and it sold. Then wanted customer to back out and change their plans.

You should have let them be or payed the $279 to inconvenience them and have them revise their vacation.

 

[WYRD]

well Joe I hope this has taught you a valuable lesson.

Don't fuck with old dudes

 

[paradise]

I can count the amount of times I have rented the house through AirBNB, over the last 12 months, on one hand. I never bought this to be an AirBNB, but yes we do list it on there and yes I agreed to terms, etc. We have never cancelled a reservation on anyone in 6 years.

The reservation was going to be cancelled either way, the dates are no longer available. This is something that can potentially happen with any rental when you book a year in advance.

I was simply asking for a favor from the guy but I guess, according to RDP, that is wrong. I will remember to never ask for a favor ever again because in today's society we all play by the rules and that's AirBNB's policy so we better follow it to the T......

I mean who really gives AF about some billion dollar company and "their system?"......yeah I was trying to work it to avoid a pretty ridiculously high fee and most of you would have tried to do the same, so let's not all sit on our high horse here and pretend like you wouldn't.

A few said that I am part of the problem?? Haha, that's a good one. Problem of what? Being a property owner that rents his house out as a courtesy, on a short term basis, to vetted individuals?? Cancelled a reservation 6 months in advance, asked another person to do us a favor and then offered to help find another place. How is that being "the problem"......

You didn’t just ask for a favor, you asked for a favor, then asked again, then asked again, then asked again. I’m on the side of that’s a dick move

 

[Singleton]

Got my regular snowbirds coming back for 2/15-4/15 and they didn't confirm their return until a week and a half ago. We obviously didn't know if they would be returning so accepted this reservation as a hedge. They are coming back, we want to use it ourselves and that's it, random stranger on AirBNB unfortunately has to get cancelled. I never have cancelled so was blindsided by the fee so asked the guy for a favor, but I guess that is a terrible thing to do. I guess I just expected that with 6 months notice, he would have done us a favor on the fee by canceling on his side, but obviously that's too much to ask.

Maybe he is renting another house within walking distance, etc.
You are making it ‘his issue’ when it is ’your issue’.

Instead of using the family of 5, economic impact reason. Your dealing with a retired individual, the economic reason will never win. You should have gone with; I would like to avoid the negative stat, since the rental is within 6 months and I need to cancel. Guest don’t get impacted when they cancel, but hosts do and I am trying to avoid that.

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

"So I reserved an AirBnB for 44 days a while ago because we've been planning this vacation for a long time and are really looking forward to it. Now, without any failure on my part, the host contacts me and is cancelling our reservation. So now I have to go through the hassle of finding another available place to rent if even possible.

On top of that, the host is now asking me to cancel the reservation so he can save the $279 cancelation fee! Then he has the audacity to get pissy with me when I declined and is now blasting me on the internet say I'm "crap"! The cancelation fee is there for a reason, so hosts don't screw over their customers by cancelling and causing them an inconvenience."

^This doesn't make the host sound too good does it?

 

[Jay Dub]

The back and forth with the potential renter is over the top. I would have eaten the $279 and called it a day. I also question why the OP says the Air BnB is listed as a "courtesy"? I see it as a business. The OP is the seller and the AirBnB client is the buyer.

 

[Activated]

If this retired couple were stranded on the lake in their boat, would you tow them in to a marina?

 

[RVR SWPR]

You would not have the keys to that house if not
For “ crap OLD PEOPLE”
One of whom quit posting here. This not like you Joe.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

You would not have the keys to that house if not
For “ crap OLD PEOPLE”
One of whom quit posting here. This not like you Joe.

Maybe I was already a little disgruntled by some customers not paying their invoices yesterday and then having to take another hit. I guess I have too much faith in people and when they prove me wrong, it gets me riled up. Didn't think it would be a big deal, since it was 6 months notice.

 

[outboard_256]

Got my regular snowbirds coming back for 2/15-4/15 and they didn't confirm their return until a week and a half ago. We obviously didn't know if they would be returning so accepted this reservation as a hedge. They are coming back, we want to use it ourselves and that's it, random stranger on AirBNB unfortunately has to get cancelled. I never have cancelled so was blindsided by the fee so asked the guy for a favor, but I guess that is a terrible thing to do. I guess I just expected that with 6 months notice, he would have done us a favor on the fee by canceling on his side, but obviously that's too much to ask.

wait, now the story is changing? I thought you wanted to cancel because you wanted to use it for your family. But now we are finding out it's because your regular customer didn't confirm 6 months in advance so you booked it out to someone else? Now that your regular person confirmed you want to cancel the new reservation telling them it's for personal reasons and you want them to cancel so you don't get a fee?

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

wait, now the story is changing? I thought you wanted to cancel because you wanted to use it for your family. But now we are finding out it's because your regular customer didn't confirm 6 months in advance so you booked it out to someone else? Now that your regular person confirmed you want to cancel the new reservation telling them it's for personal reasons and you want them to cancel so you don't get a fee?

We are using it 1/15 - 2/1. It doesn't even matter, the dates that were reserved 6 months ago are no longer available. I can't plan my life a year in advance for someone on AirBNB. Lesson learned. Probably just going to take the listing down, it isn't worth the hassle. We don't use it as a business venture like some others.

 

[coolchange]

You own a vacation home in Havasu and are feigning poverty over $300 and you screwed that guy? That guy was chill compared to how I would have been.

 

[Backlash]

"Society is literally going to shit. No one has any compassion to a fellow man anymore."

I don't know if I agree with this statement.

It seems like you weren't using the home, therefore you listed the rental on ABNB to earn a little extra cash. Renter pops up and says "We'll take it!" You respond and agree to rent it to them, only to later change your mind because as you stated, you want to use YOUR HOUSE. But then you asked them to cancel things in order to avoid paying a cancellation fee.

I'm OK with the part where you decided to cancel the reservation, but at least pay your cancellation fee. That's the cost of doing business. As stated earlier, the fees are in place to prevent homeowners from cancelling reservations for renters. Plain and simple.

I think the right thing to do would have been to rent the home like you initially agreed to do.

 

[Singleton]

"So I reserved an AirBnB for 44 days a while ago because we've been planning this vacation for a long time and are really looking forward to it. Now, without any failure on my part, the host contacts me and is cancelling our reservation. So now I have to go through the hassle of finding another available place to rent if even possible.

On top of that, the host is now asking me to cancel the reservation so he can save the $279 cancelation fee! Then he has the audacity to get pissy with me when I declined and is now blasting me on the internet say I'm "crap"! The cancelation fee is there for a reason, so hosts don't screw over their customers by cancelling and causing them an inconvenience."

^This doesn't make the host sound too good does it?

Sounds like a ‘Am I the asshole‘ question on Reddit

 

[was thatguy]

If this retired couple were stranded on the lake in their boat, would you tow them in to a marina?

Yes…for $279…

 

[27Daytona]

Wait until your 15 days out and then cancel on him

This is what I would do also if they’re being dillweeds about the whole cancellation. $279 to cancel more than 90 days out seems like
Extortion!

Joe I think part of the problem is your daily rental fee is less than a stay at Motel 6. Probably why the duecebag doesn’t wanna cancel??? IDK

 

[Badchoices03]

You have every right to cancel the reservation because its your house and you can do what you want....I think its even ok to ask the renter to cancel it on his end as a favor to you, but when he said no the first time, it should have ended there....I mean I can see him on website called Retired Steve's Place and posting the same story, "Can you believe this host canceled on me, and that begged me to cancel on my end so he didn't have to pay"....I think he would get a lot more sympathy on that site, than you are seeing here....

 

[Dan Lorenze]

44 days is a pretty good rental.. I would probably let the guy have it and not even bother trying to undo his reservation. You can always make other arrangements for your family. For him it's a bitter pill to swallow by you asking him to cancel his reservation to save you $279... Afterall he's kind of upset which I can understand. I know it's your home but when you put it on airbnb it changes things. Good luck, Joe..