The Great Airbnb/VRBO VS. Hotel Debate...

 

Yes, I'm aware it's 9/11, and I have written plenty on the subject before - feel free to check prior posts.

It's not that I don't care, I certainly do - it's just I'm just currently in a state where I really need to focus on moving forward. When current situations are frustrating or stressful, it's often helpful to me to focus on future plans - at least it is for me. 

Thus, today's subject is a potential getaway in a few months, and thus to Airbnb or not Airbnb - that is the question. 

TBH, I've used both Airbnb and VRBO several times and never had a single issue; but then again, I ask questions before renting, as well as check reviews carefully - and I mean several reviews, not 2 or 3, who are actually like 3 of their buddies they enlisted to talk it up 😂

I look for transparency upfront, and if not listed, I ask questions about what we can and cannot use use, what is and is not included, and what we will be additionally charged for using. 

Additionally, I always take pictures upon entry and exit, so that I can prove that I left it exactly as I found it, if not even better. Thus far, I've never needed to use them (knock on wood).

That doesn't mean I won't run into trouble with some crazy host in the future, that could still happen, but I guess up until now I've just been lucky?

Vacation rentals used to be a cheaper alternative to hotels, depending on what was provided, but the added fees are making this no longer a reality.

And humans, being humans, have found a way to cheat the system going both ways, both hosts and guests - and lack of accountability and security is also a problem.

So IMO, it is reasonable - and expected - for hosts to provide, at a minimum, clear instructions on what to do with trash, dishes, and linens, just as a hotel would. There should also be clear instruction on what items/services are included and not included, and what might incur a fee for usage. Lastly, there should be a clear and reasonable check-out time, none of this 9 a.m. stuff, giving no one time to pack up after likely a night out the night before, as well as what the consequences are for lateness.

All of this should be settled/agreed upon in advance. 

And if anything isn't listed upfront, then it's fair game for guest interpretation and they are thus not responsible.

Also IMO, it is reasonable - and expected - for guests to follow these rules and instructions and then report and/or pay for any excessive filth, damage, theft, or community disruption.

And if you as a guest don't follow these reasonable rules, then it's fair game for the hosts to charge fees and/or legally push for compensation.

However, you do get entitled people going both ways at times.

Now, on the side of the guests, we've all heard Airbnb horror stories about creepy hosts and hidden cameras, etc., but what are actually the most common issues guest encounter?

Top 10 complaints From the GUEST side:

1. Misleading photos/scams.

2. Lack of cleanliness upon arrival.

3. Hidden fees/charging extra cleaning fees later, including items advertised as being included or appeared complimentary (and this is why I always take pictures upon entry and ask before I use anything).

4. Unresponsive hosts. 

5. Problems with check-in, particularly lockboxes or digital entry. 

6. Maintenance issues such as appliances not working that the guest was not informed of in advance or are not immediately fixed. 

7.  Cameras in every room, sometimes hidden - including in the bathroom and bedrooms.

8. Unannounced host visits/creepy hosts.

9. Lack of privacy or security issues in the environment - either in the neighborhood or by the hosts themselves.

10.  The platforms themselves do not protect either the host or guests properly or refund accordingly when things do go wrong.

You can find plenty of videos on the above, but on the note of both numbers 8 and 9, here is the most hilariously absurd Airbnb clip I've seen.

Edited - I just checked, because though I've seen and heard way worse, something about this rung staged alarm bells - as in how did he know to film it? 

FYI, this one IS fake -  it was revealed later to be a comedy sketch - and yet I've actually seen/heard worse and creepier that were NOT funny (see below personal stories from hosts and guests that I personally know)  ... 

The funniest is the guest's giggle and response to the situation ...

"Where are your trousers, Mate?" 😂

There are also many more recent videos of guests fighting back against the charges, to including owners filming themselves trying to publicly shame guests, clearly looking for anything they can charge for, which actually backfires on them.

Like charging for an unmade bed, though you are washing their sheets (hopefully) after they leave? 

Or a water bottle left on the counter while in a hurry to leave?

Or a stool moved to gain access to the closet?

Or for actually eating and drinking in the home?

I mean, that's just absurd. 

Again, this is why I take pictures upon entry and before I leave, ensuring I leave the house exactly as it was and even more immaculate than I found it - including making the bed - because  I never underestimate the power of human greed, and some of these hosts are gonna squeeze every penny they can, especially in this troubled economy.

Conversely, here are the Top 10 complaints from the HOST side ... 

1. Excessive filth, damage, theft and/or sale of home items on online - and denial of it.

2. Extra guests. 

3. Unauthorized pets.            

4.  Smoking.  

5.  Noise disturbances.

6.  Lack of responsiveness/hostility from guests.

7. Late checkout.

8. Extortion for refunds. 

9.  Squatters.

10.  The platforms themselves do not protect either the host or guests properly or refund accordingly when things do go wrong.

Though there are a plethora of trashed Airbnb videos, this one had me scratching my head?

@the_alex_j Rented my house on Airbnb and got trashed #airbnb #airbnbhost #fyp #viralvideo ♬ original sound - The_Alex_J

So ... they left blood on the carpet, punched holes in the wall, and stole stuff - but they replaced the dining room table with a new set with tags still on it - whaaa? 😂

So you run out and buy a cheap dining room table and chairs to replace the other one, but do nothing about the smashed TVs or holes in the walls? 😂

Alllllllrighty.

But I mean, what in the holy hell went on, in there?

Ya know what? 

Never mind - seriously, I don't wanna know.

So I've made 2 friends through renting on Airbnb or VRBO actually, 2 hosts - or at least we chat and give life updates because we just hit it off. Not like my BFFS or anything, but if I visit there again we will hang out.

So the first one is our favorite cabin in North Carolina, who has stopped using both platforms and just rents to known, trusted guests - both because of bad experiences since AND because of VRBO adding extra fees to their own.

The second moved to France, but just before doing so, stopped renting her place out because one guest apparently had some sort of drug-induced mental health crisis.

After doing meth, this guy literally sat up all night and cut all of the  illustrations and pictures out of all her books!?!

Did I mention she's a book editor for a living and had a rare book collection?

Regardless, she had a tough time going back and forth with Airbnb over the damage and finally hung it all up.

Yeah, it's enough to make you rethink the whole Airbnb thing going both ways, right?

It can still be done, but I think there should be more accountability, and there ought to be a feature that you can reject the listing upon arrival for misrepresentation, home condition and/or unlisted charges, like giving you 2 hours to fully inspect the home and read all rules before agreements are finalized - and on if there's any problem with either guest or host at any time afterwards, there needs to be immediate investigation by Airbnb or VRBO.

VRBO's reputation as a company and situation handling is still slightly better, and yet there are issues there as well.

Thus, I think either we'll stay with already-known trusted hosts or hotels, or stay places we rent from actual real estate management companies? 

There's also the option of renting these places from Expedia or Booking.com, now, but not sure about how they handle issues either.

Be careful and safe out there!