Will a host be acquitted for atrocious ghetto? Airbnb
In the past one decade, the transition of technology and services for the people has changed enormously. The major step taken by the present generation is digitization. They have made life a lot easier, stay at home and click away. Things will be delivered to you at your doorstep, a hassle free life. Everything is fine and good, but what if things go wrong and we are stuck in between.
We go on a holiday, just to relax ourselves and spend some quality time. The traditional way of booking hotel rooms and enjoying our vacation has been replaced by “Airbnb”. Every traveler, tourist or a vacationer is opting for this service, as it gives more comfort rather than a normal hotel room would do for us. But, when it doesn’t happen the way we expected it to be, it gives us an unhappy feeling.
It has gained a great name and reputation for itself amongst all the competition from its rivals. A few customers are really disappointed and disturbed with this service. A pile of complaints is being pitched by the guests especially. An indication shows that the guests who are using this utility are facing safety issues. The website states it has created certain standards to keep its consumers safe and hearty.
The pictures set up on the website, looks beautiful and enthralling, we make our reservation. We start out on our trip on a happy note; we pick up our keys from the host and reach the respective location. Unfortunately, it so happens that the neighborhood of your stay is in utter chaos. All kinds of illegal happenings are constantly going around the place and you start to feel unsafe.
In many cities and states, short-term rentals are illegal according to the law. Few communities are not happy about this, as its curbing the long-term rentals of the landlords. There has been a huge loss to the people who use to rent out their houses for lease or contract basis. People lease out their houses for a long time, period and get fixed income every month, they were happy about that. But, it has been replaced by these short term rentals.
People are faced with a different set of threats from all the corners, the intensity matters. A house rented out on a lease for a long term is more safe and secure as compared to a short term rental. The owner will be available on the location to the renter in the house and can keep a close watch, which is safe. This is not the same, when it comes to people who are renting houses for their vacation, occasionally.
The citizens want to make more money, so they are opting for renting out their houses. They put up the best pictures of their homes with wonderful amenities in the location. We get what we see is what they are trying to convey to us, but that is not true. The actual picture unfolds when the guest reaches the place and finds out that it is completely opposite of what they saw.
It brings a great disappointment to the guest and makes them feel unwelcome. The main factor about all the listings on the website is not having a clear picture of the neighborhood. There are many factors which make us feel insecure and opt for a hotel reservation, instead of Airbnb. At least we will be safe, secure and enjoy our vacation peacefully.
Reviews are available on the website for the users to view and then accept the reservation. But, how potent are these reviews? Will it help us to have a great stay? Or will it give us the worst nightmare of our lives? These are certain factors which need to be considered by us, before we use this short term rental service. The neighborhood of the place has to be safe, without any thugs roaming around.
Travelers have been facing a lot of problems from people in the ghetto. The website just has the information about the house and what is available in it. We have to research about the ghetto and get to know whether it is safe or not. A few incidents took place, where the guest’s vehicles were broken into and stolen. It was a big time loss for them; thankfully they were able to claim a refund from the firm.
Only a few circumstances, the company acknowledge for the grievances caused by the neighbors but not all. The host may not be responsible; hence they cannot be subjected to this. These are the facts which the company would like to confess and make it clear. On the website, there are few descriptions which states that the neighborhood is in the process of transformation.
That gives way to any user to get suspicious about the location and start a research. Once their research is complete, all shocking updates about the venue is available. Most users book Airbnb accommodation at the last minute, later on they find out that the location is not safe. They decide on cancelling their reservation and request for a 100% refund.
Airbnb has strict cancellation rules set for its users, a refund is provided to the guest only under certain circumstances. People are frustrated when they are not receiving a 100% refund for their reservation. The customer care executives care less about the customers and end up giving a bad service. Customers are facing huge losses after their finding out that their stay would be dangerous and not safe.
The refundable policies of this organization are ranging from flexible to super strict. The service charges are non refundable on all the services, the refund depends upon the guests experience of the stay. Airbnb doesn’t give an assurance that, the place where you will be staying will be a danger free zone. That is one of the biggest drawbacks which they have and they need to work on it.
Meanwhile, it is not only the guests who are facing issues; it is the hosts as well who are facing issues. A few set of people use Airbnb service, throw parties with loud music and create havoc for the people who are living around the zone. A fact is that guests, who want to have a great time, do it at the cost of someone’s peace. We cannot predict about the people who are renting out their houses for an occasional stay for their vacation.
It is good that we take few precautionary steps before we book a house on Airbnb. The first thing to do is to check for reviews about the hosts and guests as well. A detailed research about the place and its neighborhood is essential. This will help us to choose the right place to stay, enjoy and be safe.
Before making a reservation for the house, it is better that we contact the respective person and get the detailed information. If we feel the price to be a bit expensive, we can see to that, whether it is negotiable or not. Finally, do have a quick chat with the people who have already spent their vacation. They will be able to give a complete in site about their stay or hosting.
Once, if we start following these steps, we will be less prone to any kind of issues. Meanwhile, Airbnb is improvising its terms and conditions on cancellation and refund policies. It has been providing a good service to a larger crowd, a few had disappointing experiences. It is in progress of changing all the negative aspects into positive ones.
Author Bio : Anand Rajendran is the Co-Founder and CEO of Jeato, one of the top most android app development companies in Chennai. He is also a digital marketing specialist who guides business companies to boost sales in internet marketing. Jeato, a Vacation Rental software product developed by this company called Homezu Script which is nothing but an Airbnb Clone Script which also comes with Android & iOS Apps .