[jressey]

When using Airbnb, the consumer should approach it as if they are taking on risk that some number of reservations will fail, and you'll have to pay a premium to find lodging. If your perceived expected value is greater when taking that risk, Airbnb is for you. If you're not willing to entertain that possibility, you should avoid it altogether.

I don't think Airbnb service handled this appropriately, but I find companies' service centers to be less than helpful most of the time.

[munchbunny]

> the consumer should approach it as if they are taking on risk that some number of reservations will fail, and you'll have to pay a premium to find lodging.

While that may be true now, that's a pretty shitty deal to actually have to take as the norm. Having to always have a backup plan makes travel budgeting unpredictable for a lot of people.

I'd be curious to see what the rates are on reservations falling through, also compared to the same rates for the hotel industry.

[slammer123]

Yeah, but that's not how they market themselves- it's only learned through a poor experience

[johansch]

I agree, but I also think Airbnb should have a very visible promipt, in your face that they really don't guarantee that you will get what you paid for.

To my knowledge they don't do this at the moment.

(Referring to the TOC is just lame when talking about such a primary risk.)