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Kman198
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- Joined
- Oct 12, 2018
- Messages
- 458
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- Location
- Austin
- First Name
- Karl
- Last Name
- Haywood
With the recent Orinda shooting. AirBNB has plastered the new feeds. If you've followed this news story. You are aware the connection to AirBNB is simple. The location was booked through AirBNB as a family reunion for 12 people. The situation went south, more then 100 people were at the house when shots were fired.
I've used AirBNB for motorcycle rides and vacations, three times total. I have had both positive and negative experiences.
My first stay in Houston TX. was a single bedroom with a family of four. I met the husband on arrival and he was very accommodating and allowed parking the bike in the driveway, keeping it off the street. The room was clean, they left me alone, and the place was just as described. The price was very reasonable. If I had to complain about something? The host's coffee is little more then hot water. This spot fit my needs perfectly. It was a great stop for a hot shower and warm bed. I even washed a load of cloths.
My next experience was Corpus Christi. I selected the host based on the low price. I was on a budget and the price fit. I saw from the photos, it was an older house with few amenities, a bed with sheets, hot shower, kitchen, just the basics. I was alone on the ride, no wife, no kids, only myself worry about. The photos showed an attractive but simple backyard with chairs, an old wooden wire spool for a yard table. I looked forward to evening with a cold beer and cigar while sitting out back.
Reaching Corpus, I dropped off the highway as GPS directed me to the location. My Spider sense kicked in immediately. As I drew closer to the location, I began seeing more and larger groups of vagabonds and freeloaders. My mind raced with images of drug users stealing my bike. Run down houses with windows boarded up were on every block. Some homes had car fenders or doors attached to the house as if covering some hole.
Once I arrived at my hosts house. The front yard was a junk yard of busted up cars. There would be no place to leave my bike but in the street. A very uncomfortable feeling.
The host was polite, showed me to what would have been my room. Down the hall to the bathroom where the gecko's raced across the walls. This bathroom appeared to be an addition to the house that was never completed. All the plumbing was on the outside of the wall. My host took me to the back yard, the place I was hoping to sip cold beers and smoke cigars? The place hadn't been mowed in months. The plastic chairs were busted. I politely thanked the host for his time and quickly left.
My third experience was in Alpine TX. A quick weekend in Big Bend while my mother visited from Michigan. No "significant" issues. We had the whole house to ourselves. And the mouse that pooped on the bed. And what ever it was that fell on the arm of my while we slept.
I took time to review my "rights" as a guest? Could I expect a refund on my Corpus Christy stay? After all, it was nothing like the pictures. Short answer? No. As guest, you are bound by the cancelation rules of the host. There is no one to complain to.
AirBNB seems modeled more for the host, not the guest. The guest has no representation. If the hosts location doesn't match whats advertised, tough nuts to the guest.
I will us AirBNB as a last resort. Hotel 6 has more to offer then an Air BNB of the same price.
What have you experianced?
Shootings at Airbnb rentals happen regularly. In the past six months, at least 42 people have been shot at short-term rentals in the US and 17 people have died, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle.
I've used AirBNB for motorcycle rides and vacations, three times total. I have had both positive and negative experiences.
My first stay in Houston TX. was a single bedroom with a family of four. I met the husband on arrival and he was very accommodating and allowed parking the bike in the driveway, keeping it off the street. The room was clean, they left me alone, and the place was just as described. The price was very reasonable. If I had to complain about something? The host's coffee is little more then hot water. This spot fit my needs perfectly. It was a great stop for a hot shower and warm bed. I even washed a load of cloths.
My next experience was Corpus Christi. I selected the host based on the low price. I was on a budget and the price fit. I saw from the photos, it was an older house with few amenities, a bed with sheets, hot shower, kitchen, just the basics. I was alone on the ride, no wife, no kids, only myself worry about. The photos showed an attractive but simple backyard with chairs, an old wooden wire spool for a yard table. I looked forward to evening with a cold beer and cigar while sitting out back.
Reaching Corpus, I dropped off the highway as GPS directed me to the location. My Spider sense kicked in immediately. As I drew closer to the location, I began seeing more and larger groups of vagabonds and freeloaders. My mind raced with images of drug users stealing my bike. Run down houses with windows boarded up were on every block. Some homes had car fenders or doors attached to the house as if covering some hole.
Once I arrived at my hosts house. The front yard was a junk yard of busted up cars. There would be no place to leave my bike but in the street. A very uncomfortable feeling.
The host was polite, showed me to what would have been my room. Down the hall to the bathroom where the gecko's raced across the walls. This bathroom appeared to be an addition to the house that was never completed. All the plumbing was on the outside of the wall. My host took me to the back yard, the place I was hoping to sip cold beers and smoke cigars? The place hadn't been mowed in months. The plastic chairs were busted. I politely thanked the host for his time and quickly left.
My third experience was in Alpine TX. A quick weekend in Big Bend while my mother visited from Michigan. No "significant" issues. We had the whole house to ourselves. And the mouse that pooped on the bed. And what ever it was that fell on the arm of my while we slept.
I took time to review my "rights" as a guest? Could I expect a refund on my Corpus Christy stay? After all, it was nothing like the pictures. Short answer? No. As guest, you are bound by the cancelation rules of the host. There is no one to complain to.
AirBNB seems modeled more for the host, not the guest. The guest has no representation. If the hosts location doesn't match whats advertised, tough nuts to the guest.
I will us AirBNB as a last resort. Hotel 6 has more to offer then an Air BNB of the same price.
What have you experianced?
