Lond Distance Host's reviews of Guests
Lond Distance Host's reviews of Guests
How does a host review a guest when they've had limited contact with them?
We're in our first year as an Airbnb host and so far reviewing guests has been no problem because we've driven a return trip of 150 miles for each changeover and, although we've met comparatively few of our 25 guests to date, we've seen with our own eyes how they've left the place and been able to review accordingly (generally very highly I have to say). However, we're about to search for and appoint a cleaner so, unless we can expect a cleaner to tell us their thoughts (unlikely they'd want to?), the only experience we will have of guests is their pre-stay emails and any communication they may have had with us during their stay (comparatively little on the basis of our first 25 guests). So do we base our review on this alone and nothing else? What do other 'long distance' hosts do?
We're in our first year as an Airbnb host and so far reviewing guests has been no problem because we've driven a return trip of 150 miles for each changeover and, although we've met comparatively few of our 25 guests to date, we've seen with our own eyes how they've left the place and been able to review accordingly (generally very highly I have to say). However, we're about to search for and appoint a cleaner so, unless we can expect a cleaner to tell us their thoughts (unlikely they'd want to?), the only experience we will have of guests is their pre-stay emails and any communication they may have had with us during their stay (comparatively little on the basis of our first 25 guests). So do we base our review on this alone and nothing else? What do other 'long distance' hosts do?
I came, I saw, I bought it.
So how does one rate the ones who ask if they can bring anything from UK for you (never having met), repair a faulty electrical socket (after discussion), invite you down to the cottage for supper and book for next year before they leave?Dusty wrote:I would suggest that, unless there is something negative to say, then the review of the guest should be wholly positive, they paid, they turned up, they left without leaving a problem behind = perfect guest.
This makes a lot of sense to me, i.e. I only need to get comments from a cleaner when there is a problem. Makes life a lot simpler too. Thanks Dusty!Dusty wrote:I would suggest that, unless there is something negative to say, then the review of the guest should be wholly positive, they paid, they turned up, they left without leaving a problem behind = perfect guest.
I came, I saw, I bought it.
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- Location: Chester, North West England & Sidmouth, East Devon
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Most of the ABB reviews I leave for guests run like this: "We're off-site so never meet our guests in person, however, the cleaner reported that they left the house clean and tidy and we'd be happy to host them again". That way any future owners will know that our review has its limitations.
Jo
Joint owner of Baker's Cottage in Chester & Chandler's Cottage in Sidmouth
Joint owner of Baker's Cottage in Chester & Chandler's Cottage in Sidmouth
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- Location: Villa in Gale, Algarve, Portugal. At home in Fetcham, Surrey, UK
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I do the same as Joanna and fleur
TA lurkers walk among us; the LMH Walking Dead
dont mess in the affairs of cats for they are subtle and will p on your computer.
www.algarvevillatrinity.co.uk
www.facebook.com/villatrinity
www.gardenerscottage.promotemyplace.com
dont mess in the affairs of cats for they are subtle and will p on your computer.
www.algarvevillatrinity.co.uk
www.facebook.com/villatrinity
www.gardenerscottage.promotemyplace.com
Advice from Joanna and Fleur above makes a lot of sense, but if you're not quite so creative, then just LIE.
I think the whole idea of reviewing guests stinks anyway.
Most of my working life has been in services industries and the whole concept of publically reviewing my valuable customers makes me want to puke.
I think the whole idea of reviewing guests stinks anyway.
Most of my working life has been in services industries and the whole concept of publically reviewing my valuable customers makes me want to puke.
** Richard
PIMS: Holiday Rental Management system
They say we learn from our mistakes. That makes me a genius !
PIMS: Holiday Rental Management system
They say we learn from our mistakes. That makes me a genius !
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- Posts: 1091
- Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:12 pm
- Location: Chester, North West England & Sidmouth, East Devon
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If I've got any doubts about a guest then I just don't review them. We've been doing this for long enough to get a gut feeling about people. However, since we're off-site we usually have no cold hard facts to base a negative review on.
Jo
Joint owner of Baker's Cottage in Chester & Chandler's Cottage in Sidmouth
Joint owner of Baker's Cottage in Chester & Chandler's Cottage in Sidmouth
Thanks to everyone who replied. The problem has since evaporated as our housekeeper has been brilliant at texting me a one line report on the guests, and most guests have really looked after the place anyway. And I have taken the point on board about, rather then issue a bad review, not reviewing at all.
I came, I saw, I bought it.