I have been happy with AirBNB as well as VRBO thus far (about five or six stays). However, we are planning a three week trip to France in June, and this one guy we're dealing with in Brittany has me wondering about how problems are resolved. His place looks fantastic and gets nearly all five star reviews. His co-host is listed as a Super Host. Still, communication is slow, and I had to request a change from one guest (A mistake) to two guests, two days ago and have not heard back yet. I don't think it is too much of a cause for concern, but still, it does concern me. I'm going to message him again in a couple of days (I'm too nice, and no good deed ever goes unpunished!!)
I suppose maybe the fact that it is Easter in France may have something to do with it--possibly more days off for them than us here in Murica.
What would you do if you showed up for an AirBNB and the host could not be found and/or the lockbox code did not work? I would try for several hours, getting increasingly pissed of course. What would you do if nothing after several hours? Is contacting AirBNB even worthwhile? (I envision either no phone number, or a phone number with a Gordian knot phone menu, "unusually high call volume", and an estimated wait time of 868 hours and 36 minutes!). I did see a contact option, but no phone number.
I realize AirBNB has limited liability and the onus is really on teh host and guest to work things out. Still, what if you get screwed out of a place you reserved and end up having to pay a shite-ton of money for a hotel instead? Or you get stranded with nowhere to stay?
Any insights?