‘What a scammer’: Airbnb host demands guest cancel their reservation after claiming the room will not be ready in time, guest refuses when discovering they were already charged for it

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jan 23, 2025 6:00 PM EST

There is something about businesses that allow random people to provide service to other random people, that is simply a recipe for disaster. Airbnb, Uber, DoorDash, etc – In theory, they are all great business models that allow people to make money without needing to maintain a whole business. Interested in becoming a taxi driver on your days off? Sign up for Uber. Want to rent out a unit no one is using? You don't have to register it as a hotel, you can just sign up for Airbnb. Simple as that.

Except when it's not.

The fact that these people are doing these 'side gigs', means that some of them are not 100% committed to it, and are definitely not committed to satisfying their customers. Because of this lack of commitment, customer service has to work overtime to ensure that people do not take advantage of each other, especially those who attempt to scam others for money.

Take the Airbnb host as an example of someone who didn't really care about the business, and tried to scam people because of it.

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  • This host has a studio for rent on Airbnb, but they are not really committed to that job. How do we know? For starters, they allowed someone to make a reservation even though the room was not ready. Then they tried to scam the guest for their money after insisting the guest needed to cancel the reservation, thus paying for it in full.

    The fact that this is even allowed proves that a business that allows random people to give service to other random people is deeply flawed. But at least the guest in this story did not give in to the host's scam.

  • 147 Q New York Aug12-29 SPACIOUS PRIVATE ROOM in MANHATTAN wn Arconditioning hen $26/night X 504 Cory, Confortable and Nice place in Bay Ridge $30 Fright $30 543 Add a place or address to the X map for reference 143 $100 575 5644 527 $36/night New $37 ♡ Sunit Spacious Apartment in Brooklyn 136 9 2 4 8 A - NO 7 B 7 9 ° 1 2 W 3 MP 4 T 5 6 , ' O P T Y U 3 1x 1 b 2 La W E R Y K E H J ய W - L F G H P J K L . 3 E S D bl B A n P O n A 9 Z x C V B N M b 10 A 4 C M H ST 36 command
    via cottonbro studio

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "Airbnb host ask me to cancel so they don’t have to"

    I booked an Airbnb today and the host asked me to cancel because the room wasn't clean. Less than an hour before check in. Is it normal to have the guest
    via e_olds04
  • cancel instead of the host? | said no because it was too late for a full refund and I wasn't losing money for something that wasn't my fault.
    via e_olds04
  • ↑ 6:56 M Jan 15-16. My little studio .Ill 5G Today Your reservation is confirmed for 2 guests on Sorry Jan 15-16. Show reservation 3:56 PM Is not possible Please cancel the reservation The room is not ready M My wife is not there to clean Details
    via e_olds04
  • 3:58 PM When is the soonest it can be ready? M Not today 3:58 PM Typical response time: 40 minutes Write a message 3.50 DM
    via e_olds04
  • Jan 15 3:49 PM This reservation is non- refundable. 3:59 PM Cleaning fees are refunded if you cancel before check-in. Learn more about cancellation policies I cannot cancel
    via e_olds04
  • It says non-refundable and the money was already taken from my bank account I need you to cancel my reservation. That way I am eligible for a full refund Typical response time: 40 minutes Write a message
    via e_olds04
  • 6:55 Σ M ■ill 5G Details Jan 15-16. My little studio eligible for a full refund 4:06 PM Sorry but I can't cancel the reservation 4:06 PM Why I can't cancel the reservation
    via e_olds04
  • M 4:07 PM Talk with the costumer service They don't give me any options 4:08 PM Please cancel my reservation Read by 4:08 PM Y trying Typical response time: 40 minutes Write a message
    via e_olds04
  • -BASICS CLEANING CHECKLIST Dust All Surfa Dust Corsers Edg Vacuum Edges Vacuum All Floor Wash All Baseboards 00000 Wipe S Wipe Door K Clean Applianc -DEEP CLEANING EXT Clean Under App 0000 Wipe Ceiling Fans +Lights Dust Door Tops Wash Doors JOOD DITIONAL CLEANING TASKS kets +Throws Clean D D Organize ratory Free
    via MIND_AND_I
  • K 6:55 Σ .Ill 5G Details M Jan 15-16. My little studio Y trying 4:08 PM Let me see what can I do What time were you going to arrive? If you come after 6:00 pm it will be ready for you
    via e_olds04
  • 4:37 PM I'm sorry, I already found other arrangements. Please cancel my reservation and have a great day :) I contacted Airbnb customer service. They will be reaching out 5:47 PM I am not coming You canceled this reservation. Typical response time: 40 minutes Write a message
    via e_olds04
  • subsailor 1968 Host wanted to keep your money.
    via subsailor1968
  • ya_bebto Uber made the first cancellation option "driver told me to cancel" because Uber drivers would try to dupe riders into cancelling so they could pocket the cancellation fee. Sounds like airbnb needs a similar option
    via ya_bebto
  • tetrisphere His wife is the only person who can clean?
    via tetrisphere
  • AusGeno What a scammer, as if the room wasn't already cleaned meticulously by the last guests under threat of some exorbitant cleaning fee.
    via AusGeno
  • itsmattjamesb Send these screen shots to Airbnb support. Also, your credit card company that you paid with.
    via itsmattjamesb**h
  • e_olds04 OP Update: I called customer service. They canceled it for me and I got a full refund in less than 24 hours. Thanks for the help and support <3
    via e_olds04
  • Idellius Did you cancel it through customer support? It says at the bottom on the last page that you canceled it. I hope you kept your money.
    via Idellius
  • e_olds04 OP Yes, I did call customer service and got a full refund. They cancelled it for me
    via e_olds04
  • Idellius Very cool. That just wasn't clear in the last image.
    via Idellius
  • e_olds04 OP To be completely honest I just realized that after you pointed it out
    via e_olds04

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customer support customer service guests hotel refund hosting customers reservation room reddit story Airbnb cancel mildly infuriating scam Reddit money
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