Timeline for Book one night on Airbnb, then make a deal with the host to book directly. Any downsides?
Current License: CC BY-SA 4.0
22 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Jun 18 at 6:52 | comment | added | Kyr | Booking directly used to be the only way before Airbnb and Booking. Any booking is protected by the law, at least in Greece, so these platforms charge 12% for a better search experience. | |
| Sep 15, 2022 at 18:39 | comment | added | njzk2 | just because you're dealing in cash doesn't mean you can't have a contract | |
| Jan 11, 2020 at 7:13 | comment | added | Acccumulation | @DanDascalescu The top level comment doesn't make any mention of a refund being due. If there is some post elsewhere, you should link to that post. I'm not going to read through an entire thread just on the off chance there's something relevant. Your comment has cost you a significant amount of credibility in my eyes, and I hope others'. Your behavior is social vandalism. | |
| Jan 10, 2020 at 19:42 | comment | added | WGroleau | I have been jerked around by hosts more than once. AirBNB reimbursed me every time except one. And the last time I checked, that garbage pile was still on their website as a rental. | |
| Jan 10, 2020 at 14:56 | comment | added | WBT | ...or by guests. I had a guest change travel plans and leave prior to the end of a long (>month) stay on good mutual terms; I was fine being flexible but AirBnB cancelled the whole stay with full refund/charge to host, instead of just canceling remaining nights, before the guest even left. After multiple levels of appeal, "that's just how the system works & we can't change it." No more hosting after that! | |
| Jan 9, 2020 at 22:45 | comment | added | JonathanReez♦ | @DanDascalescu see travel.stackexchange.com/questions/34902/…. I agree that their customer support is extremely inconsistent for last-minute cancellations by the hosts. | |
| Jan 9, 2020 at 17:38 | comment | added | Josef | @TimAndrews Nothing stops you from writing "I gave 12 Shillings to Mr. Landlord and he agreed to rent me the flat in Fancystreet 42 from 2.6. 2020 to 4. 6. 2020 in exchange" on a sheet of paper and have them sign it." And it will give you basically the same amount of evidence! | |
| Jan 9, 2020 at 15:34 | vote | accept | JonathanReez♦ | ||
| Jan 9, 2020 at 3:10 | comment | added | Azor Ahai -him- | @sir How many people have the resources to pursue such a suit far from home, possibly in another country? | |
| Jan 9, 2020 at 1:55 | comment | added | Tim Andrews | @DumbCoder I don't agree with your statement that it doesn't reduce any risk. Simply having the receipt as proof of purchase is a massive risk eliminated as it allows any contract breach to be be pursued much much easier. A cash payment with no record of stay means any evidence for a small claims attempt would just be hearsay. | |
| Jan 9, 2020 at 0:39 | comment | added | Dan Dascalescu | Those supporting the use of Airbnb as an intermediary, have you actually try to get Airbnb to compensate you for anything? More often than not, they don't do jack, or issue reimbursements for peanuts. | |
| Jan 9, 2020 at 0:30 | comment | added | Sir Adelaide | You would hardly be left 'high and dry'. The owner must fulfil their part of the private agreement/contract and could easily be sued in court for taking money otherwise. | |
| Jan 8, 2020 at 17:34 | comment | added | Seth R | @JosefsaysReinstateMonica, perhaps not, but that would require the host to come up with their own contract, probably get it vetted by a lawyer, and have the guest agree to it. It's a hassle and possibly expensive. With AirBnB, that is all already done for you. | |
| Jan 8, 2020 at 17:00 | comment | added | Martin Bonner supports Monica | @DumbCoder Using AirBnB doesn't eliminate risk, but it very much does seem to reduce it. | |
| Jan 8, 2020 at 16:38 | comment | added | Tomáš Zato | I don't think this answer is universally correct. Booking a hotel does not require aidbnb and is common practice. Many places afaik have their listing on airbnb and their own website. | |
| Jan 8, 2020 at 15:52 | comment | added | Luck | No, but suing for breach of the contract could be very onerous, especially if the parties reside in different states or countries. Contracting with Air BnB makes resolution, should anything go wrong, much easier in most cases. | |
| Jan 8, 2020 at 14:04 | comment | added | Josef | Nothing stops you from signing a different contract with the host for the remaining nights. | |
| Jan 8, 2020 at 12:06 | comment | added | Max | but it is easier to document an insurance or legal claim if you have proper paperwork. | |
| Jan 8, 2020 at 10:34 | comment | added | DumbCoder |
Letting Air BnB be the middle man eliminates much risk for both parties Not at all true. Doesn't reduce any risk, there are ample cases where Airbnb's behaviour left a lot to desire for.
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| Jan 8, 2020 at 8:27 | comment | added | jpa | +1, this applies to pretty much any selling platform (Uber, Freelancer etc.). Quite close to the classic en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner%27s_dilemma | |
| Jan 8, 2020 at 8:20 | review | First posts | |||
| Jan 8, 2020 at 9:54 | |||||
| Jan 8, 2020 at 8:16 | history | answered | Tim Andrews | CC BY-SA 4.0 |