[ThomPete]

The thing is. right now I am looking at a 1BR appartment completely modern building, rooftop, open kitchen the works for 3600USD.

There are many places on AirBnB that have simply pumped up the prices to make a living and since there is not negative feedback mechanism everyone just charges more and more.

Craigslist yeah i tried that, i enden up with mostly scams and bait and switch guys.

[TylerE]

It's called capitalism. You're paying for the convenience of not having to wait to move in, not having to sign a long-term lease, etc. Of course you should expect to pay more than someone who puts up with those downsides.

[ThomPete]

It's inconsistent that is what it is.

[TylerE]

No, it's not. Do you really not understand how basic retail economics works? Are you expecting someone to buy high and sell low?

As you yourself proved, if people will pay it, that's what the market rate is. Think it's extortionate? Don't pay it and make other arrangements.

[ThomPete]

Whats up with the attitude?

This is not a guy who buy high and sell low. This is a guy who have a room in his own apartment where he cramped a kitchenette in and call it a studio (not mentioning that)

Since I couldn't go and see it before where does that leave me?

You are assuming that I had sufficient information before I moved in. I didn't.

[TylerE]

Housing in NYC is expensive. Frankly, it's like whining that Porsche won't sell you a 911 for Miata money, and that furthermore, the car rental agency charges the equivilant of a monthly payment for just one week! Stop the presses...

[ThomPete]

I have no problem with expensive apartments. I paid 12K a month years back. That was fair.

This is just not fair pricing and is taking advantage of the situation that once you are there it's too late.

That has nothing to do with capitalism or retailing.

[fr0sty]

> and since there is not negative feedback mechanism everyone just charges more and more.

There IS a negative feedback mechanism. Occupancy rates. Once people stop paying the asking rates for listings the prices will fall. It is called "what the market will bear".

[tomkarlo]

You can't compare AirBnB to an apartment rental, especially in NY where two months down is not uncommon. Seems like it's more appropriate to compare it to a hotel room... in which case $110 a night is a steal.

[ThomPete]

For 110, in a hotel, I get cleaned every day, breakfast and I don't pay until I leave and I don't pay a deposit.

With AirBnB i pay 500USD in deposit, pay on arrival, it gets cleaned when I move out. Everything else is on me.

And I can compare it because I stay there longer than just a few days also AirBnB now have a sublet section. Again go compare those prices with for instance the prices on streeteasy.