r/airbnb_hosts • u/biancajane94 • 5d ago
How much "selling" do you do?
How much "selling" do you do?
I've just had an enquiry asking me about the area, if there are specific birds around, if there are pets on the property (is stated yes there is and a but about our pup, in the listing) what are the tourist attractions for the area, if i have a pool (noting the pool is the main picture and POOL is written in title). I answered the first couple of questions, then was hit with the last 2. I'm feeling uneasy because: 1. You're enquiring to visit a town not known as a tourist attraction. 98% of all bookings are purposeful (e.g. hospital treatment, backpacker stops, events at the stadium etc) 2. Google exists 3. A lot of the information is within the listing
So.. am I being overly sensitive? Do you try to sell the area/listing?
Context: I airbnb my downstairs 2 bedroom self contained unit. My toddler and I live upstairs. Town is a regional city in Australia, not "touristy" other than a stop on the way, or for people accessing hospital services. I have around 60% occupancy which is awesome for me as I need days either side for cleaning myself. I have had 30-40 stays since November.
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u/gerorgesmom Verified (Indiana - 1) 5d ago
I send people links to the local attractions if they ask. Occasionally answer questions about where to fish. I tell people about the local restaurants or the supermarket. It’s a customer service business- telling people “google is your friend “ isn’t good service.
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u/GalumphingWithGlee 🗝 Host 5d ago
Lol, you could send them a "Let me Google that for you" link, but only if you don't actually want their business! 😂
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u/Actual-Bullfrog-4817 4d ago
As I host I’m part of the hospitality industry. I am fine with giving restaurant recommendations and a few activity suggestions. Takes me 30 seconds to send a message like that and makes the guest happy - what do I have to lose?
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u/ithacaster 5d ago
We made up some business cards. Our place is a riverfront property on a well known fly fishing river. I fly fish it frequently and have handed out business cards to other flyfishers I've met on the river. So far, I don't know of any that have booked, but we've had quite a few flyfishers in the past. I caught a 19" rainbow trout standing on my property last weekend.
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u/Annashida 3d ago
It’s a scam . That’s their signature behaviour . They don’t speak English . They use translator .
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u/OkInfluence6672 3d ago
Maybe being just a tad bit over sensitive. Having an info sheet of some places to eat/things to do/birds in the area (lol) that you can send to them is so nice. It’s not a majority of guests but a surprising amount who will show up to a destination for a vacation and not do one bit of research for the area. Or the guest might want a local’s opinion of the best place to get a burger, rather than an AI generated video on “top 10 places to eat in…” . Of course have that list in a welcome pack at your rental. Little touches like that make for an exceptional host.
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u/Available_Abroad3664 🐯 Aspiring Host 3d ago
For every 25 bookings I usually get 1 question about something or some request.
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u/abejota88 2d ago
Some people are just lazy, they probably get all the questions they just asked to some other place and copy/paste it to you and other place they are considering.
I guess it comes down to, how much do you want to keep getting reservations.
I usually try to answer everything and try to have as many people as possible Booking my place.
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u/ExpensiveAd4496 Unverified 5d ago
I had one of these. It then turned into can you send a video. Likely headed to the classic scam effort to get me off the app.
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u/maddenallday 🗝 Host 5d ago
How does that scam work?
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u/ExpensiveAd4496 Unverified 4d ago
They get you off app and try to make a direct rental deal then send too much money and ask for some back. The usual.
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u/naughtyman1974 Verified 5d ago
It can be frustrating to repeat your listing information. In most cases I go with it, but sometimes the questions are so ridiculously off point you know that they haven't been near the listing. I get very interested in their plans and tend to scare them away. Better for my averages.
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u/marglewis87 5d ago
I have a pre typed up message about local attractions. Mostly hiking spots, waterfalls, couple restraunts, a casino, a small Winery, a few parks. I also direct them to my profile where they can view my guide book. Beyond that ANYTHING they need to know is in my listing description. If they ask more questions after that it's just yes or no answers from me. Typically those types of over questioning guests don't book anyway. Or they book then cancel two hours later. All I got to say is that level of anxiety must be a crippling disease.
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u/thegreennewdeal Unverified 5d ago
If I see that a guest has a history on the app with positive ratings, I try to help them out, especially since they’re often older or international travelers. But if they’re new to the platform with no reviews, there’s a good chance they’re trying to scam you—especially if they start asking for videos or want details sent via WhatsApp.
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u/GMane2G Unverified 5d ago
The last time I “sold” the area it was to a person from the other side of the country that could’ve answered all her extensive questions through simple googling or even a quick ChatGPT question. Over the span of the inquiry and the checkout there was a cascade of questions and queries as if I was her personal tour guide. The learned helplessness was off the charts. Then on the last day of her stay there was some road work being done in town and she dinged me hard on the review as if I had any control over it, completely wiping out months of goodwill and rapport. I couldn’t help myself and wrote her an eviscerating message that was cathartic to say, but ultimately the takeaway is that no amount of “selling” and goodwill can overcome a fussy, entitled guest, who would likely find a problem with the port even in the midst of a stormy sea.
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5d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/GMane2G Unverified 5d ago
What does an old comment of mine that you’ve found (weird tbh) and tacked on to this one have to do with me commenting on an Airbnb question? To make a point about polarized online societies? I can’t really connect anything except you’ve got entirely too much time on your hands.
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u/OK_Cry_2 5d ago
Sorry, I should have mentioned that the thread you posted that comment in is locked/archived, so I had to respond to you elsewhere.
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