Air BNB scam - what should I do?

About a month ago, my wife booked an air bnb. 2 nights costs us about $600. It was a nice place but a total disaster.

When we got there we couldn't open the door because the pin code didn't work. After being stuck outside for almost an hour in the snow, we got an actual key to get in. After finally getting in, we couldn't close the door. To top it all off, the living room and kitchen got flooded from a plumbing leak.

My wife was originally going to ask for a refund but the woman who owned the house asked if we would instead be happy with 2 free nights in the future.

Fast forward, as soon as we left a positive review, she blocked all communication with us. Air BnB said that after a review is left, it cannot be changed.

Feeling like we got scammed here. We have screenshots of all the communication. We're considering taking her to small claims out of spite though I'm not sure that would really work. More than anything, I want her to get the review she deserves.

Any advise?

 

Did you pay with a credit card? Do a chargeback. If not, small claims court in your city. Make it a pain for her.

 

Why would you leave a positive review? Now someone else may decide to stay based on your review. Air BNB and VRBO have pretty good methods in place to deal with this type of situation, but your false review may have screwed your avenue for recourse.

 

Make her famous on FB, Instagram and Twitter.

 

You could @stephan_ray her here

Word gets around, people get interested… who knows, maybe you’ll get satisfaction.

 

I would talk to AirBnb staff, they would be able to remove your review, see past communications you had, and block that person from listing on their site until you are refunded.

 

She bought you off. That’s on you. And your review will help her scam other people.

 

This.


But i wouldnt waste my time with court.

 

Already talked to them. They saw the communication and said "it's clearly a scam, but it's against our policy to change reviews after both parties complete them." They also acknowledged that she has been a host for many years and knows what the rules are but there is still nothing they can do.

 

See my previous post

 

My mother-in-law had a similar experience with an AirB&B. I told her to leave a negative review, but she told me that the host can retaliate and leave a negative review on you. ??? I guess she was worried about being able to book future visits elsewhere, but I can't imagine some of these hosts being able to turn down money in these times.

I stopped staying in them once I got divorced and now just camp or get a hotel for when I need a shower.

 

Leave another review? Can you do that? Like a completely new one.

 

What a joke of a company.

"It's clearly a scam and she's been around long enough to know the rules. Buy there's nothing we can do"

Umm.. whats the point of having rules if you aren't going to enforce them against people who break them?

 

https://youtu.be/lOTyUfOHgas

 

Jeepers sorry to hear it. Perhaps request to talk to someone higher up the food chain at AirBnb? Let them know this experience has soured your desire to use their app, and that they should change that policy in this instance to protect future customers, or at least allow you to get in contact with the host so you can take them to small claims court if thats your desired path.

 

Go the " 7 on your side " route

 

I called back, talked to someone who said, "I'll see what I can do". About 20min later, I got a message from the host asking I would like to book the free nights. So the first guy I talked to was full of shit.

 

This might be the time to refuse the free nights in her craphole and get your hard earned money back.