Yes, if you dig back into some older threads there is info on the forum, use the google search button, or were you just wanting to share your write up?
I agree with your comments, as PAII is spearheading the "grassroots" Better Way to Stay campaign, aimed at GenYX, it seems odd that Jay is opposed to it. Heck they have some of the funkiest inns/rentals on the planet, I for one, am interested in some of those!
This is what AirBnB is about as well, BWTS although not bed and breakfast style, they are still attempting to garner GenYX guests and support. They may have liability issues on their end, esp with this latest newsworthy fiasco, but we HAVE insurance as a licensed, inspected and approved B&B, don't we? Yes. So for inns to be on AirBnB, which is totally free to list, and actually brings some great guests, I would say GO FOR IT, and I HAVE.
Payment was immediate. Guests were educated, well behaved, fun going. Leaving a review is fast and easy, responding to inquiries is fast and easy.
But you see, I am a voice in the wilderness many times on the forum. So you will have to see if anyone else here has listed with them and the results, although me thinks none have at this point. I wish I had more from that "directory."
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Ahh, usually when I see those google search bars on websites they actually search google, rather than the website I'm on (I'll never understand that). I assumed that's what it was, thanks for the heads up.
As for Airbnb I'm glad you had a good experience, and yes I agree many people will be against it. I think it could be a really valuable tool though, especially as it grows and becomes mainstream. Anyone who looks past it is likely missing out on some quality bookings. Do you still actively list your rooms on it?
The recent fiasco wasn't pretty for them but it did result in a $50k insurance policy for hosts, which is great. Although like you said your property should be insured anyways so those types of situations shouldn't be an issue for innkeepers.
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Hello,
I am new hear so I apologize if I am not following any rules of the forum correctly.
What I can't figure out is why the AirBnB issue isn't the #1 issue of the year!
I read on here where people say that their customer is different than than standard B&B's. That may be correct, but in this day and age of people trying to save money, they offer a very viable alternative. And it should concern us greatly.
Folks, if you did a Google search for bed and breakfast + portland, the very first listing is for AirBnB! It is really quite shocking.
The customer base is seeing it as a reliable B&B source. If you were to advertise in it, you would be undercut in price by a half from all their other listings!
The fact is, in my city, and in most cities, this site is chock full of listings that violate our local zoning law, a low that is very similar all over the country. To heck with the transient tax law... since they shouldn't be offering their places up for rent at all in the first place due to the zoning law.
I have worked on this for a long time, and what it boils down to is: Is AirBnb an agent or not? If they are an agent, then their whole site is a scam. They claim on their site, in fine print section 7.6, which is a tax section, that they are not agents. I am not skilled enough at agency law, but it seems to me that if they are taking in the money, holding it, and then paying it out to the owners, that they seem to be agents.
What are your thoughts on this agency thing?
If they ARE an agent, even if they claim they are not, it would make a huge story. If not, then I can guarantee you that they will grow to such proportions that it will boggle you. They are growing at 1000 listings a day. They just got over 100 million bucks in venture capital, and are scheduled to go public in a year or so. They have almost 200,000 listings now. And there are at least 4 like-kind competitors, one of which just got 90 million bucks to expand.
The site is opaque, so you can't tell who the listings are. I turned in one of them, and ten more popped up. My city's zoning office, just like everywhere, are understaffed and complaint driven only. It is a never ending battle, and I have about 8 of them within a mile of me.
If you think they aren't taking business from hotels, motels and legal B&B's, you are very wrong.
They not only do rooms, but also whole places. I was talking with a friend on the street corner last weekend.... someone walked by and overheard us talking about AirBnB. She openly volunteered, out of the blue, that she rents out her condo every weekend to AirBnB people and then go stays with her parents!! When I told her about zoning law, transient tax law, insurance and her mortgage terms, she shrugged and said "I don't know anything about that stuff" and walked on.
AirBnB's pitch is simple...if you got a spare room or rooms, or a spare whole place, just put it on our site and make extra money!
I'm all for competition and new business models. But when almost every listing in my city is operating illegally, my head spins!!
Thank you all.
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