I was poking around the Airbnb host community forum recently for some unrelated research, and was surprised to discover a lot of unhappy hosts. I was previously unaware, but it seems that the company has quite a reputation for giving their hosts the short end of the stick with customer service (the hosts are customers too). Here are just a few quotes that show what I'm referring to
"....and that's exactly how Airbnb get away with their abusive and exploitative policies and practices - they've instilled a pervasive culture of fear and trepidation throughout the entire host community, and everyone is too scared to stand up for their rights, lest they be penalised/jettisoned from the platform. Always have a Plan B. Airbnb is not the only game in town anymore. Far from it."
"This is horrible @Sarah959. I've read quite a few stories like yours now and it makes me angry and sad. Are you listing on other platforms?"
"Even the supervisor was rude and abrupt. I don't know what is going on with Airbnb, at one time they had very good customer service, but as of late it has changed. I have been with Airbnb since they started, and it has certainly changed."
"I agree with you (I have been hosting for 6 years). The Superhost badge used to give me faster and better service. I had an issue last week. I had to wait 15 minutes each call and I had to follow up 4 times. Me and my guest ended up solving the issue without customer service!"
"Eighty per cent of Host’s are being exploited by Airbnb whether they realise it or not, you have awoken from the Airbnb BS and propaganda, unfortunately, this awakening was not as the consequence of a kiss on the lips from a Prince, but rather from a goblin that wants to steal our gold. Hopefully, more host will realise that Airbnb is undervaluing there homes and hospitality and take corrective action as I did. The only pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is for Airbnb’s top brass and Host need to wake up."
Now, it's entirely possible that this is a highly skewed sample of the overall host population, as it's more likely that people will take the time to rant about having negative experiences vs. positive ones, but, considering I'm in the middle of listening to TMF , and just yesterday was listening to the difference between customer service that SUCKS and customer service that SUCS, it made me wonder if the general unhappiness that many Airbnb hosts are feeling, would leave enough room for a brand new competitor to come in and do well. My feeling is that this would be very difficult with Airbnb's market share, but I don't generally like to rule anything out as impossible.
When searching Google for "Airbnb's competitors" I found this list
The only companies that I was familiar with here were VRBO and HomeAway, but it sounds like there are a few others doing ok, particularly in Europe.
So, I am wondering people's opinions on this... Specifically does anyone think that it could be done? Or that it would be a worthwhile endeavor?
"....and that's exactly how Airbnb get away with their abusive and exploitative policies and practices - they've instilled a pervasive culture of fear and trepidation throughout the entire host community, and everyone is too scared to stand up for their rights, lest they be penalised/jettisoned from the platform. Always have a Plan B. Airbnb is not the only game in town anymore. Far from it."
"This is horrible @Sarah959. I've read quite a few stories like yours now and it makes me angry and sad. Are you listing on other platforms?"
"Even the supervisor was rude and abrupt. I don't know what is going on with Airbnb, at one time they had very good customer service, but as of late it has changed. I have been with Airbnb since they started, and it has certainly changed."
"I agree with you (I have been hosting for 6 years). The Superhost badge used to give me faster and better service. I had an issue last week. I had to wait 15 minutes each call and I had to follow up 4 times. Me and my guest ended up solving the issue without customer service!"
"Eighty per cent of Host’s are being exploited by Airbnb whether they realise it or not, you have awoken from the Airbnb BS and propaganda, unfortunately, this awakening was not as the consequence of a kiss on the lips from a Prince, but rather from a goblin that wants to steal our gold. Hopefully, more host will realise that Airbnb is undervaluing there homes and hospitality and take corrective action as I did. The only pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is for Airbnb’s top brass and Host need to wake up."
Now, it's entirely possible that this is a highly skewed sample of the overall host population, as it's more likely that people will take the time to rant about having negative experiences vs. positive ones, but, considering I'm in the middle of listening to TMF , and just yesterday was listening to the difference between customer service that SUCKS and customer service that SUCS, it made me wonder if the general unhappiness that many Airbnb hosts are feeling, would leave enough room for a brand new competitor to come in and do well. My feeling is that this would be very difficult with Airbnb's market share, but I don't generally like to rule anything out as impossible.
When searching Google for "Airbnb's competitors" I found this list
10 Airbnb Competitors That You Should Know About | Tripping.com Rentals | Tripping.com
Many Airbnb competitors offer gorgeous vacation rentals and apartments at great prices.
www.tripping.com
So, I am wondering people's opinions on this... Specifically does anyone think that it could be done? Or that it would be a worthwhile endeavor?
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum:
Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.