For the odd stay maybe OK as long as you know exactly where it is and you have time, lots of time to waste searching.
You can not contact the host.
You cannot ring the host.
You cannot get the host toting you.
The reason being that Air BnB want to protect their excessive commission.
The commission that it seems by using an Irish Company is structured to avoid tax.
Classic American model. But apart from the feeling of being involved with an immoral entity the system itself is flawed.
If you know exactly where you will be on a precise date and you are prepared to stay at an unintended location far from where you wanted to be then go for it.
Half of the hosts do not respond then those that do say "oh I am do sorry I had blanked that out" it's Air BnB's fault.
So when you find a site that fails to say where it is exactly or even where the nearest bus or train is do not be surprised. I was wanting to walk the South Downs way and the logistical nightmare that caused is unbelievable.
Near the SDW it says but no mention of how after walking 15 miles how do you get back to the accommodation ? No idea and most of the hosts have no idea either.
In reality it is a shambles.
The down side is that Google accommodation is half baked as well.
The seeming problem is that the Uk is not as internet savvy as one would expect. It is hillage life and the next village is a foreign place so staying here and wanting to go there is a huge issue.
Oh and should your think you will tell the Air BnB financial gnomes that there are some things that would help improve the system, well don't call us we are counting money.
WOULD SOME ENTERPRISJNG TECH SAVVY ENTERPRISE REBUILD THEIR MODEL !
This is a great concept but like many other great ideas the people that thought of it believed they could build it. They tried and it does not work as it might have with some better thought for the user. It is a sales model NOT a consumer model and that's the problem it was made to sell beds anyway they could, not to provide an acvommodation service to the modern traveller.
1 comment:
Dare I say it, I found most of your grumblings in the few blogs I read amusing and interesting. However, as one of your Airbnb hosts, can I suggest your pack your courtesy bag a bit fuller when you next visit the UK. Your complaints about Airbnbers are unjust. We work hard to give our visitors a good experience and a bit of luxury. A one-night stay in an en-suite bedroom creates a lot of work. I was the one who you contacted on a Sunday afternoon wanting accommodation for that night. I did not respond immediately as I was out and about and by the time I saw the request there was a second message saying that if I was not able to help you would be sleeping under a hedge. Not liking the idea of anyone without a roof over their head I responded via Airbnb saying I was full but would find a bed for you, even if it might be a bit of a camping arrangement. A bit later I had a call from a local pub to see if I had a vacancy, to which I responded not. About an hour later it suddenly dawned on me that it might be the same person and so I rang the pub back and you were still there. The bed I was offering was in fact in my dear lodgers annexe and I was asking them a huge favour to clear the space and create a sleeping area - telling them that they could keep any money given. When you arrived and saw the sleeping area you were disgruntled and took offence when I said that S&M had gone to a lot of trouble to get it ready for you. I personally received no Thank You - as it was in reality my hospitality you were enjoying for the six+ days you were here - despite cooking you breakfasts and securing Glyndebourne ticket for you. I notice Siim did get a mention in a previous blog - which is the least he deserved for helping you in with the bike (which you could not manage on your own) every night, cleaning you up after your fall and cooking you evening BBQ.
Also, your complaints about the SDW seem odd. I asked a friend who does Airbnb in Eastbourne and where she has two or three people a week doing some or part of the walk - and she said she had hardly ever heard negative comments about the conditions. What do you expect on an English country walk? Would you prefer a concrete path?
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