The 08/09/2014 at 1:16pm we(customer/guest) decided to book Sharon’s (host/vendor) place (https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/294657 cf copy of the ) through the mobile phone for the same night.
At 3:45pm we still hadn’t any news of the host and believed that she wouldn’t answer us as the check-in was supposed to be at 4pm (in 15min). We tried to cancel the booking request but couldn’t find any button on the mobile app.
She finally answered at 3:55pm saying that the place would not be ready before 7pm and asked for our approval for the booking since the conditions had changed (cf first mail of Sharon). Thus, as the contract conditions had changed the host or Airbnb should wait for the customer approval before charging the expense as specified by the FTC “charges for service you didn’t accept or that weren’t delivered as agreed”. (check in supposedly at 4pm being finally at 7pm)
We did not answer to Sharon’s mail and de facto did not approve the new contract (check-in at 7pm instead of 4pm). Meanwhile, at 4:47pm (47min after the normal check in), Sharon took the responsibility to accept the reservation, without our consent on the new conditions (check-in at 7pm instead of 4pm), which resulted on charging us the total amount of the night: $401.
As a matter of fact, I am requesting that the error be corrected, that any finance and other charges related to the disputed amount be credited as well, and that I receive a total refund of the $401.
Yes you’re being beyond unreasonable. Good work to the host for accommodating you at such short notice!
Airbnb is house sharing. It’s not a 5 star hotel and you certainly benefit with how cheap it can be. People’s homes don’t have 24 hour reception services! The fact that you put through a booking and the host was able to get you in the door in less than 6 hours is a real feat on their part.
In my experience, people are beginning to develop unrealistic expectations as to what hosts can and can’t achieve. You’re sharing someones home here. If you want the convieniences of a hotel, pay the extra for it.
I second Ken’s motion! Also, the host would not have been able to accept your reservation for $401 unless you had first agreed to paid the $401. When have you ever given your credit card information and not expected to be charged unless it explicitly says otherwise. Common sense would be helpful.
You don’t say if you stayed there or not. The story is not very clear.
It is also a bit much to expect to stay somewhere on the very day, and be there less than 3 hours after you send a request, without having to lower your expectations a bit.
You are talking about people with jobs and lives. Hosts have lives you know. Lives that don’t revolve about checking for airbnb requests. If you want to treat a person like hotel, then by all means, GO to a hotel!