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Just got a call from my son. He and his wife had plans to stay at a b&b this weekend - three nights - and they got a phone message that the place had mistakenly overbooked, their deposit is being refunded. (Paid by credit card and it's going to take however long to be credited back.) oops, sorry. He is off the chart angry and getting voicemail at the b&b when he calls ... I'm sure they don't want to talk to him. They made their reservation back in March and arranged a pet sitter for three dogs.
I'm scrambling helping looking for a place in that area they can stay that's comparable. I told him to stop calling the b&b as it's not going to help. This is a time they are nervously going to try air because they've got plans in that area to coincide with their stay and not finding a full service place they can afford so late.
I understand that mistakes happen but no alternatives were suggested by the b&b ... no mention that they tried. They might have, I don't know. As an innkeeper, I'd take one call, listen to the rant, be refunding and then some ... offer a complimentary stay next time or something like that. He is in the generation that takes to social media to air their grievances and I'm afraid he's going to.
 
Wait, you mean they were going to check in TOMORROW? That's horrible! You bet I would take to social media about that. The fact that the innkeepers made no alternative arrangements is appalling.
Double booking has only happened once to me. It was awful and mistakes can and do happen. I chose to keep the reservation from the couple that booked it first. It was only fair. I made arrangements at another place with some extras on me. No, they were too angry to with me to even take what I had arranged. But at least I tried.
Oh, and I did get slammed on reviews for that one.
 
I would be finding them somewhere and paying any difference and or more depending situation - in the uk that's technically the law - they have a contract with you and its required that you fulfill it.
 
Jcam said:
I would be finding them somewhere and paying any difference and or more depending situation - in the uk that's technically the law - they have a contract with you and its required that you fulfill it..
Click to expand...
When I worked at a hotel, if they had a guaranteed rez (deposit is definitely a guaranteed) and no room, we had to find one, pay for it, plus one phone call to notify someone of the change of hotel. Yes, this was in the dark ages before cell phones.
 
We've had that happen to us and we are on the phone to every inn in the area until we find a room. And we would pay the difference if there is one.
I once offered a guy our storage room that had a bed in it for $50. He took us up on it. (We were moving at the time. The room is lovely now.)
Inexcusable. Unless there is a Holiday Inn next door, they should help.
 
I'm sorry, but the B&B owner is 100% in the wrong. And if he puts the review, he's right.
I would have apologized profusely and no matter what the cost would have found him an equivalent, even if I was out of pocket. That's just the WRONG way to handle things.
I would leave a phone message that said simply... "We booked in March and we understand your predicament, but we have out of pocket expenses related to your unilaterally cancelling the contract. We are looking for alternatives, but please be aware that we will leave public feedback so that others know of your poor choices and that you don't abide by your own reservations."
 
Generic I passed along your suggestion to them. Cooler heads prevailed and my son didn't go off on anyone but they are crafting their complaint.
They have reservations at a new place and are heading out tomorrow morning (Friday) ... I loaned them a little money so they can do this - the place they reserved didn't want cash so they went and bought a preloaded credit card with funds I transferred to them.
I have to tell you, I looked at air and it was eye opening - I should probably put this in a post about air.
1. I didn't realize I had to register via facebook or email to get any real info about rooms. I used my 'buying stuff' email address to get access but haven't confirmed any of the three emails received to do so.
2. Some rates look amazing and then I found things like 'taxes will be added, additional fees may apply' etc. Taxes I get but additional fees add up - For example Service fee of $67 for three nights. Who gets that fee? Air? The rate shown is just for the lowest priced room ... the one available (after much digging) is $150 more per night than the room advertised. Strict cancellation policy. Cleaning fees. Breakfast fees. Beach Towel fees. (they might help some folks here!) And one place requires a $200 security deposit.
3. One place I really liked I couldn't figure out exactly what room is available without going quite far in the booking process - is this a flaw with air or with the listings?
4. Some of the places I looked at appear to be b&b's or actually say they are but don't have websites that I can find. They list their rooms on regional room rental sites and air.
After adding up all the fees for a couple air places (not including the tax to be charged) guests are paying much more than the bargain price it appears.
 
seashanty said:
Generic I passed along your suggestion to them. Cooler heads prevailed and my son didn't go off on anyone but they are crafting their complaint.
They have reservations at a new place and are heading out tomorrow morning (Friday) ... I loaned them a little money so they can do this - the place they reserved didn't want cash so they went and bought a preloaded credit card with funds I transferred to them.
I have to tell you, I looked at air and it was eye opening - I should probably put this in a post about air.
1. I didn't realize I had to register via facebook or email to get any real info about rooms. I used my 'buying stuff' email address to get access but haven't confirmed any of the three emails received to do so.
2. Some rates look amazing and then I found things like 'taxes will be added, additional fees may apply' etc. Taxes I get but additional fees add up - For example Service fee of $67 for three nights. Who gets that fee? Air? The rate shown is just for the lowest priced room ... the one available (after much digging) is $150 more per night than the room advertised. Strict cancellation policy. Cleaning fees. Breakfast fees. Beach Towel fees. (they might help some folks here!) And one place requires a $200 security deposit.
3. One place I really liked I couldn't figure out exactly what room is available without going quite far in the booking process - is this a flaw with air or with the listings?
4. Some of the places I looked at appear to be b&b's or actually say they are but don't have websites that I can find. They list their rooms on regional room rental sites and air.
After adding up all the fees for a couple air places (not including the tax to be charged) guests are paying much more than the bargain price it appears..
Click to expand...
Quite right. We haven't tried booking through them but we questioned some friendly guests and they told all. Service fee goes to air and if you cancels you don't get it back. Cleaning fee and beach towel fees etc go to the lodging (if they put it up) The other problems are probably the lodging's fault. We have each room listed separate. Cancellation policy the lodging choose which one they want out of the selection.
 
Thanks Duff. Very confusing to me. I guess if you book this way you quickly learn how to navigate the terms. And can maybe select filters to narrow the field. But I never like having to register to look. Not for shoes. Not for a room!
 
seashanty said:
Generic I passed along your suggestion to them. Cooler heads prevailed and my son didn't go off on anyone but they are crafting their complaint.
They have reservations at a new place and are heading out tomorrow morning (Friday) ... I loaned them a little money so they can do this - the place they reserved didn't want cash so they went and bought a preloaded credit card with funds I transferred to them.
I have to tell you, I looked at air and it was eye opening - I should probably put this in a post about air.
1. I didn't realize I had to register via facebook or email to get any real info about rooms. I used my 'buying stuff' email address to get access but haven't confirmed any of the three emails received to do so.
2. Some rates look amazing and then I found things like 'taxes will be added, additional fees may apply' etc. Taxes I get but additional fees add up - For example Service fee of $67 for three nights. Who gets that fee? Air? The rate shown is just for the lowest priced room ... the one available (after much digging) is $150 more per night than the room advertised. Strict cancellation policy. Cleaning fees. Breakfast fees. Beach Towel fees. (they might help some folks here!) And one place requires a $200 security deposit.
3. One place I really liked I couldn't figure out exactly what room is available without going quite far in the booking process - is this a flaw with air or with the listings?
4. Some of the places I looked at appear to be b&b's or actually say they are but don't have websites that I can find. They list their rooms on regional room rental sites and air.
After adding up all the fees for a couple air places (not including the tax to be charged) guests are paying much more than the bargain price it appears..
Click to expand...
Yeah, hidden fees like cleaning fees can kill you on Air. I listed two rooms, don't get much action and all my taxes and fees are included... and I'm like one of the few that's actually legal.
I can't wait for my government to get more active. Legally now, they can just make a reservation and send you a fine for several thousand dollars on the spot.
 
seashanty said:
Generic I passed along your suggestion to them. Cooler heads prevailed and my son didn't go off on anyone but they are crafting their complaint.
They have reservations at a new place and are heading out tomorrow morning (Friday) ... I loaned them a little money so they can do this - the place they reserved didn't want cash so they went and bought a preloaded credit card with funds I transferred to them.
I have to tell you, I looked at air and it was eye opening - I should probably put this in a post about air.
1. I didn't realize I had to register via facebook or email to get any real info about rooms. I used my 'buying stuff' email address to get access but haven't confirmed any of the three emails received to do so.
2. Some rates look amazing and then I found things like 'taxes will be added, additional fees may apply' etc. Taxes I get but additional fees add up - For example Service fee of $67 for three nights. Who gets that fee? Air? The rate shown is just for the lowest priced room ... the one available (after much digging) is $150 more per night than the room advertised. Strict cancellation policy. Cleaning fees. Breakfast fees. Beach Towel fees. (they might help some folks here!) And one place requires a $200 security deposit.
3. One place I really liked I couldn't figure out exactly what room is available without going quite far in the booking process - is this a flaw with air or with the listings?
4. Some of the places I looked at appear to be b&b's or actually say they are but don't have websites that I can find. They list their rooms on regional room rental sites and air.
After adding up all the fees for a couple air places (not including the tax to be charged) guests are paying much more than the bargain price it appears..
Click to expand...
You have to be a bit cagey about how your list your rooms on Air so that people can check your own site. A few have figured ours out, and saved the air fees, but most don't or maybe don't care. You cant post links or obvious references to your place. Air will just obliterate that part of the description.
I find as a host that most potential guests use a dedicated email, many use made up names. For our rental in a nearby city we add a 'cleaning fee' (the host keeps this) in order to get the local tax, which in that city there is no other way to collect without lumping it into your room rate. I clearly state this in the description. In the state where our B&B is, Air collects the entire tax, state and local. It's up to you to check what is covered because Air will not itemize it for the host.
I want the local officials - who are watching air listings in the city - to see we are collecting the tax.
At least one email must be confirmed for the guest to be 'verified' and proceed with booking.
 
seashanty said:
Thanks Duff. Very confusing to me. I guess if you book this way you quickly learn how to navigate the terms. And can maybe select filters to narrow the field. But I never like having to register to look. Not for shoes. Not for a room!.
Click to expand...
I find it strange you had to register just to see rooms. I just type in airbnb.com and then surf it like I would booking etc. I just have done it for my area. You know, to know what the going prices are at for my area and what they are offering their guests. (Guility grin! I know I'm sneaky.) I have never enter information at all and this is my private computer that is not tied up with the business. Maybe they upped their security since I was on about a month ago. I'm going to check. Curious you know.
 
A whole new world for me! I saw references to different names of the same b&b in the reviews ... interesting. I didn't know you couldn't give your name.
 
I could see listings, but no detail ... a pop over window came up that said I had to register
Here's the screen grab
2016-06-16_2013.png
 
seashanty said:
I could see listings, but no detail ... a pop over window came up that said I had to register
Here's the screen grab
2016-06-16_2013.png
.
Click to expand...
Click on the back picture and go on your merry way of checking out the room without signing in! Some thing when the pink bars come up, etc.
wink_smile.gif
(Learned that on booking, etc. ) Still works, just checked it out on air.
 
seashanty said:
A whole new world for me! I saw references to different names of the same b&b in the reviews ... interesting. I didn't know you couldn't give your name..
Click to expand...
I don't know what you mean. Are you talking about the reviews from the different guests.
 
Yes, i'm talking about the reviews of guests within someone's listing
very tricky Duff ... I had to click the picture then the popup window came telling me to login, then clicked behind it again, got the listing, then the popup window reappered on top of the pictures, third time it let me look without logging in. So I assume most people are like me and would login to look. But ... Why make it hard?
 
Anon Inn said:
seashanty said:
Generic I passed along your suggestion to them. Cooler heads prevailed and my son didn't go off on anyone but they are crafting their complaint.
They have reservations at a new place and are heading out tomorrow morning (Friday) ... I loaned them a little money so they can do this - the place they reserved didn't want cash so they went and bought a preloaded credit card with funds I transferred to them.
I have to tell you, I looked at air and it was eye opening - I should probably put this in a post about air.
1. I didn't realize I had to register via facebook or email to get any real info about rooms. I used my 'buying stuff' email address to get access but haven't confirmed any of the three emails received to do so.
2. Some rates look amazing and then I found things like 'taxes will be added, additional fees may apply' etc. Taxes I get but additional fees add up - For example Service fee of $67 for three nights. Who gets that fee? Air? The rate shown is just for the lowest priced room ... the one available (after much digging) is $150 more per night than the room advertised. Strict cancellation policy. Cleaning fees. Breakfast fees. Beach Towel fees. (they might help some folks here!) And one place requires a $200 security deposit.
3. One place I really liked I couldn't figure out exactly what room is available without going quite far in the booking process - is this a flaw with air or with the listings?
4. Some of the places I looked at appear to be b&b's or actually say they are but don't have websites that I can find. They list their rooms on regional room rental sites and air.
After adding up all the fees for a couple air places (not including the tax to be charged) guests are paying much more than the bargain price it appears..
Click to expand...
You have to be a bit cagey about how your list your rooms on Air so that people can check your own site. A few have figured ours out, and saved the air fees, but most don't or maybe don't care. You cant post links or obvious references to your place. Air will just obliterate that part of the description.
I find as a host that most potential guests use a dedicated email, many use made up names. For our rental in a nearby city we add a 'cleaning fee' (the host keeps this) in order to get the local tax, which in that city there is no other way to collect without lumping it into your room rate. I clearly state this in the description. In the state where our B&B is, Air collects the entire tax, state and local. It's up to you to check what is covered because Air will not itemize it for the host.
I want the local officials - who are watching air listings in the city - to see we are collecting the tax.
At least one email must be confirmed for the guest to be 'verified' and proceed with booking.
.
Click to expand...
Anon Inn said:
You have to be a bit cagey about how your list your rooms on Air so that people can check your own site. A few have figured ours out, and saved the air fees, but most don't or maybe don't care. You cant post links or obvious references to your place. Air will just obliterate that part of the description.
I find as a host that most potential guests use a dedicated email, many use made up names. For our rental in a nearby city we add a 'cleaning fee' (the host keeps this) in order to get the local tax, which in that city there is no other way to collect without lumping it into your room rate. I clearly state this in the description. In the state where our B&B is, Air collects the entire tax, state and local. It's up to you to check what is covered because Air will not itemize it for the host.
I want the local officials - who are watching air listings in the city - to see we are collecting the tax.
At least one email must be confirmed for the guest to be 'verified' and proceed with booking.
Click to expand...
I just messed with my listings a few days ago. I now have all rooms with separate listings, took down their price and added a cleaning fee. I've used my biz name all over my listings and Air hasn't done anything about it. Maybe because I don't the the terms b&b or bed and breakfast in my biz name.
This new way seems to be working better for me. I've gotten more action in the past few days than I have all year, which isn't much but better than nothing.
 
Duff2014 said:
seashanty said:
Thanks Duff. Very confusing to me. I guess if you book this way you quickly learn how to navigate the terms. And can maybe select filters to narrow the field. But I never like having to register to look. Not for shoes. Not for a room!.
Click to expand...
I find it strange you had to register just to see rooms. I just type in airbnb.com and then surf it like I would booking etc. I just have done it for my area. You know, to know what the going prices are at for my area and what they are offering their guests. (Guility grin! I know I'm sneaky.) I have never enter information at all and this is my private computer that is not tied up with the business. Maybe they upped their security since I was on about a month ago. I'm going to check. Curious you know.
.
Click to expand...
Duff2014 said:
I find it strange you had to register just to see rooms. I just type in airbnb.com and then surf it like I would booking etc. I just have done it for my area. You know, to know what the going prices are at for my area and what they are offering their guests. (Guility grin! I know I'm sneaky.) I have never enter information at all and this is my private computer that is not tied up with the business. Maybe they upped their security since I was on about a month ago. I'm going to check. Curious you know.
Click to expand...
I can see a little info without logging in but after looking at 2-3 rooms I also have to log in to see more. That's been awhile, not recently.
I take that partly back - on my computer I have to log in, on my tablet I don't.
And, my listing has a photo of the inn sign as well as text stating the inn name. So you can do that.
 
seashanty said:
Yes, i'm talking about the reviews of guests within someone's listing
very tricky Duff ... I had to click the picture then the popup window came telling me to login, then clicked behind it again, got the listing, then the popup window reappered on top of the pictures, third time it let me look without logging in. So I assume most people are like me and would login to look. But ... Why make it hard?.
Click to expand...
seashanty said:
Yes, i'm talking about the reviews of guests within someone's listing
very tricky Duff ... I had to click the picture then the popup window came telling me to login, then clicked behind it again, got the listing, then the popup window reappered on top of the pictures, third time it let me look without logging in. So I assume most people are like me and would login to look. But ... Why make it hard?
Click to expand...
They want your email.
TA was doing the same thing to read reviews. You had to keep clicking the little X to make the pop up go away.
 
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