[kbos87]

100% agree with you that the fees are really substantial when you start to pay attention to them. I guess when you are invested in a particular property and already dropping $2,000, it's easy for them to tack on another $400 without a lot of people questioning it.

On your second point, I think a lot of this has to do with the price point you are renting at.

My experience - I'm usually staying with a group of people at a relatively expensive property as a vacation/splurge, and I've never had anything less than a 5 star stay. I'm pretty choosy in reading reviews (but don't expect someones' home to be as spotless or perfect as I expect a hotel to be) - nonetheless my expectations are always met on Airbnb.

On the flip side, I've seen comments like this one from guests who have been deceived or disappointed, and also chatter among Airbnb hosts renting less expensive properties complaining about the constant stream of problem guests they have. There's a particular host on TikTok I occasionally get served who talks about her hosting experience and she's constantly dealing with issues (and as a result, micromanaging her guests.) Downward spiral.