Scammers on AirBNB

[s0me0nesmind1]

Thought this was a particularly useful piece of media reporting that we don't often see...

Apparently this person at Vice did some digging and found a network of scamming that occurs on AirBNB.

Personally this doesn't really affect me - I stick with my Marriott loyalty.... But figured some people here might take interest.


Bit of a long read - but well wroth it: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/43k7z3/nationwide-fake-host-scam-on-airbnb


Cliffs:
1) Supposed "couples" on AirBNB have rental properties in areas like Chicago, LA, etc...
2) After people book and on the day of their arrival they get called to say "The rental is having plumbing issues" or some other excuse. BUT! We have a bigger unit that is available.
3) Unit in question that they are directed to is a shithole - although might be "bigger" I guess
4) Tons of people not comfortable staying in the new shithole. They attempt to cancel, often times aren't successful or only receive partial refund.
5) Scam continues. If buyers leave negative feedback then the sellers will leave false negatives on the buyer.

 

[pete6032]

Something needs to be done about negative feedback retribution.

 

[highland145]

Something needs to be done about negative feedback retribution.

Would need for there to be a neutral party involved.

 

[ponyo]

Good read. I wasn't aware of the scam. I use AirBnB whenever I can but never used it in the US. Now I'm going to be more careful.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Something needs to be done about negative feedback retribution.

Honestly I think the whole buyer feedback thing is dumb. I get it, some people can trash your place, etc.... But if that's the case they just shouldn't be able to rent in general. Instead of "feedback", just have it to where the seller has to actually send in a report about the buyer.

Buyer gets... say... 1 warning... After the 2nd verified report (with obvious evidence from the seller - such as pics of damage) then just ban them? Of course you can always re-register I guess. At the same time as well, AirBNB doesn't want to ban their buyers which is basically their own demand so I get Highlands post as well.

 

[purbeast0]

I stopped using AirBnB once they made the buyers have to eat the 'service fee'. That is complete bullshit IMO so I will never be using their service again.

 

[clamum]

I like motels just fine so I haven't used the service, and don't plan to. But that's some shady shat.

 

[BudAshes]

I stopped using AirBnB once they made the buyers have to eat the 'service fee'. That is complete bullshit IMO so I will never be using their service again.

At this point AirBnB is so expensive I rarely use it. Cleaning and service fees jack the prices up to the point where it only makes sense if you have a large party staying, which then means the place is more likely to get wrecked.

 

[nakedfrog]

At this point AirBnB is so expensive I rarely use it. Cleaning and service fees jack the prices up to the point where it only makes sense if you have a large party staying, which then means the place is more likely to get wrecked.

Yeah, I have a short trip coming up, figured I'd check out AirBnB options, found one that seemed decent... and then ended up a good deal more expensive than a hotel after the cleaning and service fees.

 

[Midwayman]

AirBnB really needs to put these "emergencies" on the seller. They should just refund the buyer and take a fee out of the provider to discourage that behavior. Force everyone to go through the check out again with a new listing for the new property. At least you get to see pics then and any negative reviews would land on that listing. If the seller cancels they should be prohibited from leaving feedback as well. Maybe add a stat for last minute cancellations. Still can't stop them from just calling people up and trying to get them to switch.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

AirBnB really needs to put these "emergencies" on the seller. They should just refund the buyer and take a fee out of the provider to discourage that behavior. Force everyone to go through the check out again with a new listing for the new property. At least you get to see pics then and any negative reviews would land on that listing. If the seller cancels they should be prohibited from leaving feedback as well. Maybe add a stat for last minute cancellations. Still can't stop them from just calling people up and trying to get them to switch.

The problem is at that point the person is already fucked. You can't back-out because you need a place to sleep that night - so unless you enjoy moving your luggage again and hopefully finding a hotel that hasn't jacked up rates ridiculously, you're willing to go with whatever that person says practically.

Should be something more like if there are any issues with the property the day of it's an automatic full refund the customer and a fee to the seller for wasting the buyers time.

 

[shortylickens]

Old fashioned B&B's had their share of issues, especially unprofessionalism. I see no reason why modern "connected" B&B people would be any better. I mean, whats the motivation to do well or even be honest?

 

[Sgt. York]

Old fashioned B&B's had their share of issues, especially unprofessionalism. I see no reason why modern "connected" B&B people would be any better. I mean, whats the motivation to do well or even be honest?

How many old fashioned B&B's have you stayed at?

 

[ponyo]

At this point AirBnB is so expensive I rarely use it. Cleaning and service fees jack the prices up to the point where it only makes sense if you have a large party staying, which then means the place is more likely to get wrecked.

It depends on location. I haven't found good use for AirBnB domestically because of the high cleaning and service fees, but I find it super useful for international stays. But I always check both hotels and AirBnB for international and most of the time, AirBnB wins out. But for my upcoming international trip, AirBnB couldn't compete with hotels on price.

 

[ponyo]

The problem is at that point the person is already fucked. You can't back-out because you need a place to sleep that night - so unless you enjoy moving your luggage again and hopefully finding a hotel that hasn't jacked up rates ridiculously, you're willing to go with whatever that person says practically.

Should be something more like if there are any issues with the property the day of it's an automatic full refund the customer and a fee to the seller for wasting the buyers time.

I got screwed by late cancellation from AirBnB host. I had to rebook at the last minute and all the good options were fully booked. I ended up paying 3x higher price on different accommodation. I agree hosts should pay stiff penalty for late cancellation.

 

[BudAshes]

It depends on location. I haven't found good use for AirBnB domestically because of the high cleaning and service fees, but I find it super useful for international stays. But I always check both hotels and AirBnB for international and most of the time, AirBnB wins out. But for my upcoming international trip, AirBnB couldn't compete with hotels on price.

The last time I actually used it was in Canada and it was a good experience and a reasonable price, so maybe you are correct in it being better out of the US at this point.

 

[Midwayman]

The problem is at that point the person is already fucked. You can't back-out because you need a place to sleep that night - so unless you enjoy moving your luggage again and hopefully finding a hotel that hasn't jacked up rates ridiculously, you're willing to go with whatever that person says practically.

Should be something more like if there are any issues with the property the day of it's an automatic full refund the customer and a fee to the seller for wasting the buyers time.

That's pretty much exactly what I said.... they should always refund the buyer. That way they can walk away and goto a normal hotel if they choose. Allowing hosts to transfer their booking make airbnb complicit in the scam imho. Its one thing to be in a unfamiliar city and have to find a place on short notice and another to have your money being held hostage. Many people can't walk away from that and tell the person to f-themselves. If the system required hosts to cancel and a full rebooking people would be held hostage at least. Hosts would probably still pressure people to cancel on their end though. I've dealt with that from scammy ebayers, etc.

 

[zinfamous]

Something needs to be done about negative feedback retribution.

Shut down AirBnB. it's a leech on public municipalities, and is extremely anti-competitive.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Shut down AirBnB. it's a leech on public municipalities, and is extremely anti-competitive.

If you own a home, do you think it should be difficult to rent it out on a short-term basis? Or do you think you need a SPECIAL SUPER-DUPER framed "hotel" license" on the wall?

 

[ponyo]

Shut down AirBnB. it's a leech on public municipalities, and is extremely anti-competitive.

AirBnB is not going anywhere. They're going to IPO next year and I plan to buy the IPO.

 

[zinfamous]

If you own a home, do you think it should be difficult to rent it out on a short-term basis? Or do you think you need a SPECIAL SUPER-DUPER framed "hotel" license" on the wall?

I think you need to pay taxes and license fees like any hotelier. They also wreck neighborhoods. These companies are scum leeches. I don't like any of them.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I think you need to pay taxes and license fees like any hotelier. They also wreck neighborhoods. These companies are scum leeches. I don't like any of them.

Agree on paying any applicable taxes.

But I mean, just to do a devil's advocate.... what if you are want to vacation somewhere and actually live in a place where "locals" reside? What's wrong with a demand for that?

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

AirBnB is not going anywhere. They're going to IPO next year and I plan to buy the IPO.

I'm honestly still wondering how it's going to affect the hotel industry... Will it hurt it and drive down prices? Or just work alongside it as a side-market?

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I think you need to pay taxes and license fees like any hotelier. They also wreck neighborhoods. These companies are scum leeches. I don't like any of them.

I think STRs serve a need but a platform like AirBnB lets things get completely out of hand. There's so little oversight and the real estate speculation it drives in areas where there's already housing problems is not helpful. I think my city has found a decent balance in requiring licensing and limiting the number per area. But I'm not sure they're aggressive enough about pulling licenses for bad owners that fascilitate party houses. I also think in general there should be much more leeway for owners who live on premise, although I realize that can be easily abused.

 

[zinfamous]

Agree on paying any applicable taxes.

But I mean, just to do a devil's advocate.... what if you are want to vacation somewhere and actually live in a place where "locals" reside? What's wrong with a demand for that?

Oh I don't really have a problem with that, I just think their business model for representing that is absolute trash and a blight on any neighborhood that hosts them, that's all.