Airbnb experience-San Francisco

customerunhap

Hi folks,
Just wondering has any else had negative experiences having booked, or attempted to via Air BnB?
At the end of July we had accommodation for San Francisco cancelled by the ‘host’, I got a text and email, automated from Air BnB.
I was none too pleased, and woke up this morning to get another message from Air BnB, and yes, you’ve guessed it the ‘host’ has again cancelled.
With less than three weeks to go until we are supposed to stay, we are in a right bind.
Is this typical with Air BnB?
Their customer service, when I called initially consisted of sending me links to accommodation that was not in the area of the city where we had booked.
The problem is there is virtually no hotel accommodation available in the city on the dates in question.
Also, despite asking the Air BnB representative could we place a review under the ‘hosts’ profile online, outlining their late cancellation etc, and how it has affected our holiday plans.
The Air BnB said this was not possible..All they have offered us is a slight ‘coupon’ which doesn’t cover anything in the area.
Have we just been unlucky?

JackieChan

Hi,
Sorry to hear about this.
Did the places you book have good feedback over a long period of time?

I'm heading to California the week after next and made three reservations back in June with AirBnb(one of which is in San Francisco). It's my first time to use them so I just made sure that all 3 places had a lengthy time of positive feedbacks.

But when all is said and done there is nothing to stop them cancelling on me except they don't get paid.

Good luck sorting out accommodation.

Gatica

We had US cancellations, 3 in a row, last one within 3 days of departure.
Because it's someone's home they can cancel someone staying with them at almost any time, just a chance you take booking with them

finbarrk

Thats the problem with airbnb. The host can cancel without a penalty. It has put me off them any more. The likes of booking.com seems to be a safer option although probably more expensive.
And getting the refund from airbnb isn't straightforward either.

ScottSF

I've heard this can be an issue but not sure how common. My general advice about Airbnb is to communicate with the owner by email before making a booking. Ask a question or two about the place to find out more about each other. Check out the availability calendar and read the description to try and guess if the person is renting out their place all the time or only when they want to go on vacation themselves. I also look for evidence of other upcoming bookings and recent reviews to make sure they are serious about renting out their home and not just waiting to bookings and then deciding later if they want to travel over your dates.

As for what to do now, if SF is that booked up and/or expensive, the next best option is to stay along the BART line at the airport or to the South or perhaps the East Bay. You can also try CalTrain which stops all down Silicon Valley. No as you probably know it is not the same as staying IN the city, but sometimes it is the best option.

spurious

You could try couchsurfing.com, though I think AirBnB has overtaken it. Still, there might be a few old souls who still do for free what Air BnB charge for.

customerunhap

Hi folks,
Thanks for the replies and advice, apologies for only replying now.
What happened after I had a second booking cancelled via Airbnb is that I got a bit suspicious. So I rang the 'host' in San Francisco, and queried his cancellation etc.
He claimed that Airbnb was 'illegal' in San Francisco, and in other US cities, and that he had been evicted from his home.
Now, to say I thought this was a good yarn was an understatement, but a quick google turned up this;google SF cracks down on Hi folks,
Thanks for the replies and advice, apologies for only replying now.
What happened after I had a second booking cancelled via Airbnb is that I got a bit suspicious. So I rang the 'host' in San Francisco, and queried his cancellation etc.
He claimed that Airbnb was 'illegal' in San Francisco, and in other US cities, and that he had been evicted from his home.
Now, to say I thought this was a good yarn was an understatement, but a quick google turned up this; just google. s.f cracks down on Airbnb rentals.
Funnily enough none of the Airbnb staff I spoke to a week back mentioned the above as a possible contributory factor etc.
Anyhow, they suggested a few places a few miles from where I had booked, which needless to say weren't ideal, so I have requested a refund etc.
A few days later they mailed about the possibility of reimbursement of taxi fares etc, but by that stage I had enough of dealing with numerous staff.
At least the host who I rang, and he sounded surprised to hear from me, was to the point and spelled out why the booking was cancelled etc.
Anyhow, we've booked a hotel, but I wouldn't recommend Airbnb to anyone after our experience.
Especially, in North America. It appears that local councils etc want their piece of the pie etc.

anne burnell

check out www.homeaway.com.... have used them on numerous occasions in the US.... So far never had a probem...

ScottSF

Of course Airbnb would be smart to monitor and respond personally, especially since their European HQ is located in Dublin.

Anyway I follow travel industry news and I have heard about their legal battles in both San Francisco and New York City. Are these owners and renters sub-letting their place or avoiding registering as a "hotel" and paying hotel taxes. I haven't heard about issues in other cities but they are probably all paying attention.

I've successfully used VRBO in the U.S. (twice in in Noe Valley, SF actually) and Airbnb, HomeAway, and HolidayLettings in Europe.

finbarrk

I had a booking cancelled by the host. It was for €1,300. It took a few weeks for airbnb to refund me. And that was after a few calls to the Dublin office.