Written By: Felecia Causey
As I read and saw many people's awful experiences and videos about why they are no longer using Airbnb and instead returning to hotels, I was horrified, appalled, and apprehensive during my first stay at Airbnb. With reviews being untrustworthy because the website deletes many unfavorable ones. I become anxious when I don't see at least one negative review. When the evaluations appear to be flawless, I start to wonder if they are phony or bought ones. People are known to perform these kinds of activities.
There were numerous complaints, but the first was misleading advertising. The photographs on the website did not accurately reflect the property in person. I'm delighted since I recall a car yard we visited out of town after seeing these lovely vehicles on their website. We were fascinated, so we took the ride. When we arrived, the automobiles had rust on the bottom and under the hoods. We are talking about cars that cost $16,000 or more. So, I'm not surprised that the owners are using false photographs.
The second category included hidden fees, cleanup fees, and upcharges. One customer told how he chose Airbnb because of the heated pool and jacuzzi, but when they arrived, the owner informed them that they would have to pay an additional fee to heat them up. One thing that was frequently mentioned was the cleaning price. They believed that it should be included with the stay. I had one lady tell me that there was a hole in the wall of the house that was blamed on her, and she ended up having to pay twice as much for damages. Just a tip: visit the house, snap photos, and email them to yourself. If you believe it will cause complications once you leave.
Several others complained about not feeling safe. One lady described how they awoke to see the owner behind a bookshelf. You don't realize how crazy individuals are until you hear their creepy stories. One family leased an Airbnb cabin, and at 3 a.m., a man they didn't know rang the doorbell, yelling the owner's name and claiming it was his place. That was scary, because you never know what individuals are going through in their own lives. There were huge dates; was it safe to rent rooms inside people's homes?
Why would you want to spend your holiday among strangers? A young woman posted a video showing how the windows were screwed in. I thought that was a complete fire hazard. Everyone joked about having hidden cameras observing you. Although several responses amused me, this is a serious subject. After thinking about the numerous movies, crime shows, and true-life stories, you'll be trembling in your boots.
Despite thousands of separate complaints, the following remained in the top ten:
1. Owners arrive unannounced.
2. Bad neighborhood or area
3. dirty, dusty, and not ready when we arrived.
4. Bugs and Rodents
5. Dated appliances, tubs, and bathrooms
6. Rules and regulations are overbearing and unreasonable.
Let's be honest: staying anywhere is a toss-up. I can only advise you to do your study thoroughly. Read all reviews, not just the first ones. Although I am worried after reading of people's awful experiences and vowing never to use one again. Be prepared to hear every detail. Just know that I won't be biased. Happy Staying.