Even though these kinds of incidents for Uber and AirBnB are exceedingly rare, and much lower statistically than the sorts of events that can happen with taxis, car services, hotels or motels..
...there's just something creepy about Uber and AirBnB and I would only use them in some sort of emergency when no other options were available.
There's a lack of monitoring and regulation that could turn an unpleasant situation into a difficult one.. and a difficult situation into disaster.
...there's just something creepy about Uber and AirBnB and I would only use them in some sort of emergency when no other options were available.
There's a lack of monitoring and regulation that could turn an unpleasant situation into a difficult one.. and a difficult situation into disaster.
92
People act like Air BnB is a new concept, but I remember traveling around Britain in the eighties staying at BnB's that were often little more than a spare room in someone's home.
The considerations then, are much the same as they are now: Is the BnB clean, safe and comfortable?
The considerations then, are much the same as they are now: Is the BnB clean, safe and comfortable?
28
For over twenty years, we've used VRBO ("vacation rentals by owner") when we've traveled. With VRBO's, you get the homey place to stay without another person there staying with you. We are not hotel-type people - we like having a living area, kitchen, yard, etc. I can honestly say that we have been 100% satisfied with the offerings and the value. For those of you who do not enjoy the hotel option, look into VRBO (or there may be businesses similar, but once we started with this one we just stayed with it).
50
Airbnb can be problematic--and how they handled this was awful--but what about the alternatives?
Hotels and motels are not problem free places, especially for women. Plenty of sexual assaults have taken place on the grounds of hotels, some by other guests, some by people who simply walk into the hotel, and some by employees of the hotel itself.
This is true, although I think to a less extent, for B & B's and for hostels and campsites.
All young men and women should be well-coached in basic safety protocol before setting out to travel. If at all possible, have a cell phone that works in the country one is in. Know how to use it. Review--before landing--that locale's police, fire, and emergency numbers. Know how to dial them.
If using a service like Airbnb, use its review function, and research where one is going, and with whom one is staying.
And, don't be afraid in ANY setting ANYWHERE to make a scene--a really big scene. Sexual assault can, and does, happen anywhere--to anyone. Airbnb sites are not immune to this.
Calling mom--when she's miles away--should be just one of a number of strategies used in an assault.
Hotels and motels are not problem free places, especially for women. Plenty of sexual assaults have taken place on the grounds of hotels, some by other guests, some by people who simply walk into the hotel, and some by employees of the hotel itself.
This is true, although I think to a less extent, for B & B's and for hostels and campsites.
All young men and women should be well-coached in basic safety protocol before setting out to travel. If at all possible, have a cell phone that works in the country one is in. Know how to use it. Review--before landing--that locale's police, fire, and emergency numbers. Know how to dial them.
If using a service like Airbnb, use its review function, and research where one is going, and with whom one is staying.
And, don't be afraid in ANY setting ANYWHERE to make a scene--a really big scene. Sexual assault can, and does, happen anywhere--to anyone. Airbnb sites are not immune to this.
Calling mom--when she's miles away--should be just one of a number of strategies used in an assault.
88
I don't think the take-away on this should be that something could happen in an Airbnb accommodation. As many have commented on something of this nature could have happened almost anywhere, even in someones own house if a perpetrator was able to get in. To me the biggest issue is that Airbnb didn't have someone answering the phone who could put some critical thinking skills to work. Was there even a policy on this sort of thing before it happened? Wouldn't a panic-stricken mother calling seem to indicate that you might want to get a higher level involved?
Also curious is the fact that HomeAway wouldn't comment about its policies in such a situation. Does this mean they are busy trying to cobble something together because they don't have one?
Also curious is the fact that HomeAway wouldn't comment about its policies in such a situation. Does this mean they are busy trying to cobble something together because they don't have one?
158
I know it's hip and trendy to use AirBnB or Uber, but I'd rather be square and stodgy.
200
If you accept logging or transportation from strangers not duly registered with a governmental agency, then beware and be forewarned.
77
Reminds me of an incident in San Francisco four years ago when Jeopardy host Alex Trebeck was staying in a Five Star hotel and awoke to a strange woman in his room stealing his wallet. He got out of bed, put on his underwear and chased her down the hall. Eventually, she was apprehended although his cash and a bracelet from his mother was not.
20
I stayed with a host who had a great reputation when I moved to New York. I ended up in a corner with a pit bull growling at me randomly one night.
I also used to rent my place on airbnb but the risk share can catch up. If your landlord catches you, you're toast. If someone burns down the building, you're wholly resonsible, your insurance doesn't cover renters.
On top of that, it's totally screwing uban areas. It needs to be done responsibly, not on an industrial scale.
I also used to rent my place on airbnb but the risk share can catch up. If your landlord catches you, you're toast. If someone burns down the building, you're wholly resonsible, your insurance doesn't cover renters.
On top of that, it's totally screwing uban areas. It needs to be done responsibly, not on an industrial scale.
102
People get sexually assaulted, even killed in hotels all the time. Why would an Airbnb be any different? Just went to an Airbnb outside of this country in a gentrified area but still woke up to a triple homicide that happened on the street early that morning. This stuff happens.
30
I have done airbnb twice and had a great experience both times. I would love to know more about this host - were there lots of positive reviews? I would not go to a place that did not have plenty of good reviews.
I feel terrible for the poor kid and his mother, but I don't think we should throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think airbnb is a godsend for many people, and I am glad they're reforming their policies on how to respond in a crisis like this.
I feel terrible for the poor kid and his mother, but I don't think we should throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think airbnb is a godsend for many people, and I am glad they're reforming their policies on how to respond in a crisis like this.
35
We haven't been sexually assaulted in airbnbs, but we have had terrifying and demoralizing experiences, including incredible filth, doors that would not lock, hosts we could not get to answer the phone, and a host who took our money and then refused a refund when the toilet/septic somehow back up into the bathtub. We've had Internet hook-ups that didn't hook up, and rude hosts whose listing didn't indicate they actually lived on the premises and the charming cottage was actually their attic or basement (this happened twice). We've also had two amazing experiences, the kind so many rave about. But the bad ones far outweighed the two positive, and meanwhile, who's making the money for the bad experiences for which one has no recourse for refund? The norm on airbnb is to write rave reviews because otherwise the guest gets labeled as a troublemaker, so we haven't found the reviews or star system useful at all. I know hotels aren't entirely safe either, but I've never had such face-to-face awful experiences in a hotel. If something isn't up to par, the hotel is almost always responsive to a complaint or request. Not so in a far-flung airbnb rental.
252
This stuff is hilarious. Anyone with a brain stays away from the "sharing economy" for precisely reasons like this. You have no idea who you're bedding down with, who's giving you a ride, etc. But the "sharing economy" is the latest fad, the latest "cool" thing so that must mean we can trust them :-))
181
We stayed in an air bob in Capitola, Ca where the host said we smoked. We didn't. He refused to give our deposit back. Buyer beware.
103
We used to hitchhike.
But we don't do it any more.
For similar reasons.
But we don't do it any more.
For similar reasons.
190
This is why I will only stay at Airbnb locations when the host is away.
37
You get what you pay for. If I can't afford a good hotel I stay home. Who would even want to share another's personal space? I don't get it.
184
Just a little advice to help people along in this world today. Remember, if you have anything that someone else values, or desires, there's someone out there looking for a way to take it from you. Don't trust strangers until you've verified their intentions. Develop a healthy degree of skepticism about the motives and intentions of others. Trust nothing at face value. Things are not always what they appear. When something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Learn to trust your gut instincts and act. Develop a sense of situational awareness. Be prepared to assert yourself and walk away from a situation. Don't put your (primary) trust in the laws and government to protect you...you are the first line of defense when it comes to your safety. The world is a beautiful place, but it can also be brutal, ugly and violent. Like the Boy Scout Motto: Be Prepared.
112
Not just Airbnb -- but also sites like Apartable where people can rent short-term.
For those who walk into strangers' homes: Can you stand the smell of cigarette smoke, is the place clean, is there recourse if you're grossed out? Where's the host? Is it better or worse if he's living there? Who's living next door? Are there emergency exits? Fire alarms?
Is your host insured the way a bona fide B&B is insured?
Is the rental even legal?
For those who entrust their apartments or houses to strangers -- assuming you've stowed away your valuables: Do you really know how many people are in your home or what they're doing?
And if it's no longer your home, are you following codes and paying taxes the way a hotel would?
Back in the 1970s and 1980s, it was customary for those traveling to islands in the Mediterranean to get off a boat, hear the words "Room! Room!" and follow a black-clad widow to a small, sparse, usually clean room she rented out in her home. It was what one did.
But nowadays, in major cities? And via the internet, where identities are fluid and scams abound?
For those who walk into strangers' homes: Can you stand the smell of cigarette smoke, is the place clean, is there recourse if you're grossed out? Where's the host? Is it better or worse if he's living there? Who's living next door? Are there emergency exits? Fire alarms?
Is your host insured the way a bona fide B&B is insured?
Is the rental even legal?
For those who entrust their apartments or houses to strangers -- assuming you've stowed away your valuables: Do you really know how many people are in your home or what they're doing?
And if it's no longer your home, are you following codes and paying taxes the way a hotel would?
Back in the 1970s and 1980s, it was customary for those traveling to islands in the Mediterranean to get off a boat, hear the words "Room! Room!" and follow a black-clad widow to a small, sparse, usually clean room she rented out in her home. It was what one did.
But nowadays, in major cities? And via the internet, where identities are fluid and scams abound?
63
Horrible story, but this points to a fundamental problem with the Airbnb, uber, sharing business model. It lack any regulation. Buyer's beware
123
I have trouble with "advice" given by Cindy Southworth in the article and commenter Steven Kopstein. Southworth suggests we literally ask hosts if they have the ability to lock us in??!? Kopstein says common sense should be followed. That advice is totally useless with a host who intends to victimize a guest--of course they won't be truthful! A hotel may be "sterile" and "cost more" but there is transparency around the ways hotels try to keep you safe, and often those safety measures are mandated by law. And if a guest IS victimized, we have a legal system in place to compensate the victim. Such a thing doesn't exist with AirBnB, and that's what you actually pay for. You may be paying less cash out of pocket, but you are paying with your well-being for the odds.
118
The flip side of the 'unregulated' sharing economy where everyone's an unlicensed free agent and results are based on internet postings.
One night last winter I was standing in the freezing rain outside a grocery store in Chelsea, trying and failing to get a taxi. A guy pulled over in a car that had a piece of paper with "UBER" written on it taped to his window and offered me a ride. I hadn't called anyone. I declined. He then began shouting, berating me because - he rightly assumed - I didn't trust him enough to get in his car. I apparently made a good choice with that.
Airbnb/Uber - only a good idea if you are more driven to save money than to watch out for yourself.
One night last winter I was standing in the freezing rain outside a grocery store in Chelsea, trying and failing to get a taxi. A guy pulled over in a car that had a piece of paper with "UBER" written on it taped to his window and offered me a ride. I hadn't called anyone. I declined. He then began shouting, berating me because - he rightly assumed - I didn't trust him enough to get in his car. I apparently made a good choice with that.
Airbnb/Uber - only a good idea if you are more driven to save money than to watch out for yourself.
127
I have rented places via Air BnB in Spain, Catalunya, France, and Oakland, and had very mixed results. It seems people lie, i mean, misrepresent, what they have on offer. One, in Catalunya, billed as a medieval farm house, was, for sure, once a farm house. But they left out that the 2,000 pigs a quarter of a mile away making the most horrific sounds in the a.m., and the stench fouler than the steel mills of Gary, Indiana. Very nice couple though, even if the apt was beneath their kitchen and their and their 4 guests stomping around at 7 a.m. was like a herd of cattle on your head. The woman I rented an upstairs on an organic farm with near Tortosa was basically mentally ill, and had a breakdown my second day after getting totally drunk the first night; the place in Oakland had body hair and fluid stains in the sheets, which i discovered the following morning, having arrived at night. The house in France had a great view, but was on a hill above the main road, after the owner had reassured how quiet it was. Lots of car noise. The sole overwhelmingly positive experience was renting a room in a lovely woman's flat in Barcelona. Sure you can give these folks bad reviews, but in the meanwhile...Score: 1 terrible, 3 not so good, 1 great.
77
I'm on the fence about Air BNB. I haven't had any terrible experiences but sometimes you can tell that the people don't really want to be doing this and find you to be an inconvenient money-machine.
33
Ask about locks? If someone is thinking of assaulting their guest, wouldn't they lie?
112
I am quite certain that there are hundreds of untold stories out there to justify the point made in this article. I, along with 3 others stayed at an Airbnb guest house in Belize City this past year. The location was deemed very secure and well monitored making it very appealing to Airbnbers. This facade came to a screaching halt when we had our place broken in (a complete set-up by the host's teenage son). Gone forever were 3 Macbook Pros, phones, camera, wallets, credit cards, and iPads.... not as much as even a "oh so sorry, how can we help?" from the hosts! No compensation, no justification, no offer to pay for a hotel stay somewhere else. Here's the kicker too, the son came down to the suite where we were sorting through a terrible mess and emotionally distraught and starting singing "Don't worry, be happy"!!! Do I have any doubt it was the son who orchestrated the crime? Absolutely not. What looked secure and promising in the beginning, turned into a very sour experience. I will think twice before ever considering an Airbnb recommendation again. If you do consider Airbnb vacation spots, please cover all the bases interms of locks, alarms, extra keys, window locks, etc with the hosts. Find out if anyone else has keys and access to the suite; if the hosts dissuade you from securing things tightly (as ours did)...run from the place! That is a big red flag.
176
Airbnb, like Uber, uses technology to eviscerate all of the essential underpinnings in well established service models, and then tries to hold itself up as a comparable service at a lower price.
But it is not.
Of course, this could also have ended up like the Bates motel.
Buyer beware-- really!!!
But it is not.
Of course, this could also have ended up like the Bates motel.
Buyer beware-- really!!!
129
What's the number of sexual assaults per guest per year at hotels, motels, and hostels? Is it lower than the rate for AirBnB?
This column promotes faulty risk perception.
This column promotes faulty risk perception.
54
I've used Airbnb, but Jacob's experience and the company's response caused me not to use it again. One can go through all the steps of checking on host, but there is no reason to trust that Airbnb would come to our assistance if a serious problem occurs. I'm surprises by the commentators that supported the company. There is no excuse for its lack of help -- no excuse for its lack of responsibilty -- and they gave several. Shame on Airbnb!
195
So sorry this happened to this young man. Unfortunately, we must be vigilant even with those who we think are trustworthy.
If a person hikes alone, they must tell someone where they are going before they leave. The same applies here. Make sure your family or friends know how to reach you if you are traveling in a foreign place.
If a person hikes alone, they must tell someone where they are going before they leave. The same applies here. Make sure your family or friends know how to reach you if you are traveling in a foreign place.
41
Both Uber and AirBnB are founded on parallel paradigm to the NRA's advocacy of concealed handgun carry as a solution to crime prevention: both substitute essentially unregulated, untrained, unsupervised amateurs for professional services.
Decades of public safety and hospitality professionalism are recklessly discarded to line the pockets of Uber and AirBnB investors and providers. Would-be clients of either service would do well to recall the observation of Alfred E. Newman: "The problem with learning from experience is that you always get the test before the lesson.”
The inexorable grind of probabilities will produce more horror stories like this one -- and worse.
Decades of public safety and hospitality professionalism are recklessly discarded to line the pockets of Uber and AirBnB investors and providers. Would-be clients of either service would do well to recall the observation of Alfred E. Newman: "The problem with learning from experience is that you always get the test before the lesson.”
The inexorable grind of probabilities will produce more horror stories like this one -- and worse.
182
Life is not without risk and doing anything on the cheap increases that risk. While it's certainly true that the nature of Airbnb accommodations increases the chances of these situations arisiing for travelers, it's well worth noting that no lodging is going to be as safe (subjectively, if not objectively) as home.
All that said, if you want to be as safe as possible and KNOW precisely who you are dealing with, there's nothing better than a chain hotel with a nice boring policy manual and a front desk number.
All that said, if you want to be as safe as possible and KNOW precisely who you are dealing with, there's nothing better than a chain hotel with a nice boring policy manual and a front desk number.
74
The "sharing economy." Sharing everything except basic human decency.
109
This is an awful story. Mine isn't nearly as horrifying. My host misrepresented his apartment in his listing. The photos depicted a large two-bedroom place with a fully equipped kitchen and the listing stated that it could accommodate four. In fact, it had one bedroom and a small sofa in the living area. Airbnb couldn't have cared less when I complained - in fact, they defended the host (who uses them a lot), saying, "well, one person could sleep on the floor". Thanks for nothing, Airbnb.
177
It is critical to be able to communicate these days, especially in emergencies. Most people don't know that their cell phones won't work overseas. Most of the world, including Europe, uses the GSM frequency bands for cell voice traffic while most carriers in the US do not. Only T-Mobile and AT&T use GSM while the others use CDMA. Some of the smaller, no contract carriers use the national networks of T-Mobile and AT&T, so those phones have the capacity to work outside of the US, but the carriers might not have international roaming.
If the young man in question had a working cell phone, chances are he could have found a way to get help much more quickly. If you are traveling alone, or even in a pair going to a country you've never been to before, getting local emergency contact numbers ahead of time would seem to be an obvious idea, but not something that everyone would think of before leaving home.
As for the specifics of cell phone use overseas, too many options to mention all here. You can get an unlocked GSM phone and use it through an American carrier or buy a local European SIM card (an ID module that fits inside the phone) either before you leave here or on arrival. There are rentals and other deals on Euro phones, but a basic phone can be purchased cheaply, too.
Last week, we were staying in a HomeAway apartment that did not have a deadbolt lock inside and which had a code for opening the doors, something previous visitors could easily have access to. Not good.
If the young man in question had a working cell phone, chances are he could have found a way to get help much more quickly. If you are traveling alone, or even in a pair going to a country you've never been to before, getting local emergency contact numbers ahead of time would seem to be an obvious idea, but not something that everyone would think of before leaving home.
As for the specifics of cell phone use overseas, too many options to mention all here. You can get an unlocked GSM phone and use it through an American carrier or buy a local European SIM card (an ID module that fits inside the phone) either before you leave here or on arrival. There are rentals and other deals on Euro phones, but a basic phone can be purchased cheaply, too.
Last week, we were staying in a HomeAway apartment that did not have a deadbolt lock inside and which had a code for opening the doors, something previous visitors could easily have access to. Not good.
37
My wife has used Airbnb in the past. I have always refused to do so. Sorry, I will pay more for a hotel room, but at least I know who I can sue in case something goes wrong. Plus, I have never heard of somebody being held hostage or being kidnapped by hotel personnel.
80
I've used AirBnb a few times, but I will no longer use the service. The last time a family member of the host entered while I was asleep. He had escaped from rehab and was off his medication. He also had a key to the rental. I left immediately. I called the host, who said that he wasn't supposed to be there. 3 police cars had to be called him to get him out. I did not return to the rental. AirBnb refused to give me a full refund because I had stayed a few nights without someone breaking and entering in the middle of the night.
184
(Part 2 of 3)
In the morning, the front desk people didn't even say anything as we were checkig out. When I asked "so, what happened last night was normal?", they realized we were "that room" and then (no joke) gave us a hard time as though it was our fault for not locking the door properly (that's what was in their manager's log). We weren't seeking a free night or a discount or anything. We just wanted to get out of there, but at least with an apology. But it was "our fault" according to them. We all went to bed sober, btw. And we locked the door.
I wrote a letter to hilton and they gave us each a comp room... As if, perhaps someday, I would have a reason to go back to St. Louis. Thanks guys. I never used that gift certificate because I never went back, and if I did I wouldn't stay in that HOTEL. Ever. What if it had been a naked drunk guy walking into a room with three women. Regardless of if security let him in or not, what happens then? Was he too lazy to try and confirm his exact room number with the front desk? Was it because he was naked it was easier to just let him into whatever room he thought he was in (turned out his actual room was next to ours). What if someone had been raped? What if something had been stolen? How many other people have had ridiculous but TRUE stories of crazy stuff like this happening in HOTELS?!? How many people have had stuff stolen from their HOTEL room? I would love to see other people post them here.
In the morning, the front desk people didn't even say anything as we were checkig out. When I asked "so, what happened last night was normal?", they realized we were "that room" and then (no joke) gave us a hard time as though it was our fault for not locking the door properly (that's what was in their manager's log). We weren't seeking a free night or a discount or anything. We just wanted to get out of there, but at least with an apology. But it was "our fault" according to them. We all went to bed sober, btw. And we locked the door.
I wrote a letter to hilton and they gave us each a comp room... As if, perhaps someday, I would have a reason to go back to St. Louis. Thanks guys. I never used that gift certificate because I never went back, and if I did I wouldn't stay in that HOTEL. Ever. What if it had been a naked drunk guy walking into a room with three women. Regardless of if security let him in or not, what happens then? Was he too lazy to try and confirm his exact room number with the front desk? Was it because he was naked it was easier to just let him into whatever room he thought he was in (turned out his actual room was next to ours). What if someone had been raped? What if something had been stolen? How many other people have had ridiculous but TRUE stories of crazy stuff like this happening in HOTELS?!? How many people have had stuff stolen from their HOTEL room? I would love to see other people post them here.
12
I am surprised that the writer did not include a description of what airbnb is. I have not heard of it prior to this and its user base and size hardly suggests that it is so commonplace that readers would know about it.
29
Disturbing, to say the least, and downright frightening at worst!
Whatever your stance on Airbnb --and I would not use them myself-- the fact still remains that they essentially hung one of their patrons out to dry. At the very least, they should have called the police just to be on the safe side and make the requisite apologies later.
I find it equally disturbing, and more than a little unsettling, that so many commenters choose the blame the victim and issue a de facto remark that says that they got what they deserved; no deserves to be terrorized like that, regardless of the circumstances. It's easy to be cruel and snarky while hiding behind a pseudonym (certainly a topic for a later discussion), but this is a real human being we're talking about.
This should be a wakeup call to the powers that be that tighter regulation is necessary for services such as this one, before something even worse occurs. What's Airbnb going to say the next time? Oops?
Whatever your stance on Airbnb --and I would not use them myself-- the fact still remains that they essentially hung one of their patrons out to dry. At the very least, they should have called the police just to be on the safe side and make the requisite apologies later.
I find it equally disturbing, and more than a little unsettling, that so many commenters choose the blame the victim and issue a de facto remark that says that they got what they deserved; no deserves to be terrorized like that, regardless of the circumstances. It's easy to be cruel and snarky while hiding behind a pseudonym (certainly a topic for a later discussion), but this is a real human being we're talking about.
This should be a wakeup call to the powers that be that tighter regulation is necessary for services such as this one, before something even worse occurs. What's Airbnb going to say the next time? Oops?
289
Nick Papas, a company spokesman: "Safety is our No. 1 priority ..."
Apparently not.
Apparently not.
130
I have used AirBNB many times with only the most pleasant of experiences. My hosts have been courteous and professional across the United States and in Canada. I have shared a common space with some hosts, but I have also traveled with my family and used the option to only search for spaces that are private and separate or spaces the host is actually out of town. Is there potential for a bad situation? Absolutely. I hope the gentleman in this story can recover from being victimized and sexually abused. Will I keep using AirBNB? Yes I will. My experience is that my stay is much more comfortable and organic. I feel much more at home because, well, I am staying in someone else's home. The cost is usually significantly lower than a comparable hotel in the area and my experiences with hosts have been positive and memorable. There is a reason that despite having a business model built on little more than maintaining a basic website, Uber and AirBNB are flourishing. I have had extremely negative experiences with "professional" taxi drivers and "safe" hotels and their mediocre employees. I will continue to take the chance that other human beings just might be decent people at the core and continue to use AirBNB and Uber when I travel. If you would rather pay too much to stay in a generic cubicle or to drive in a yellow car by a driver with a fancy medallion, then have at it.
107
If I have to ask “Is there a deadbolt that only I can turn" when planning a stay or vacation... I think I'd rather pay the extra few bucks for a hotel.
120
My daughter had very bad experience too and Airbnb did not help , she had to leave and stay in a hotel , she filed a police report , but unfortunately it is all ,he said and she said , so nothing really changed
86
Maybe somehow 911 could become universal ... so you can call wherever you are and get the closest police.. is that a dumb thing to ask ???
30
The poster boys of the new world, Uber and AirBnB, both have safety issues to be iron out. if they don't address this issues, then regulatory environment will take over. AirBNB has dual challenge, not just the hosts but the guests also need to be verified. Why would I let anyone stay in my home?
Uber has its own share of safety issues in India. Its license was taken away. Now they are putting multiple checks to verify the drivers history. Now its trying to mend relations with the regulator, media and public.
Am sure same would happen to AirBnB, then they will improve.
Uber has its own share of safety issues in India. Its license was taken away. Now they are putting multiple checks to verify the drivers history. Now its trying to mend relations with the regulator, media and public.
Am sure same would happen to AirBnB, then they will improve.
28
I booked an apartment with Airbnb in Paris last year. I had to pay $1800 up front. When I arrived, the apartment was nothing like what was pictured. It was tiny and had no furniture. The owner wasn't there, he had arranged for the neighbors to let us in. I called the owner and Airbnb repeatedly, neither would pick up the phone. It was already early evening. We were forced to find another hotel, carry our bags four blocks to get a taxi. Luckily I had paid with Amex, who immediately challenged the charge and removed it from my account. Over the next few weeks, I gradually worked it out, but Airbnb never once answered the phone or gave me a number to call to speak to someone. The apartment had 13 reviews, all good reviews.
249
Why is an official policy required for someone to call the police for a frantic mother whose son is thousands of miles away and in need of help? The man claimed he was being assaulted. His mother believed him, and the only one with the information to help was the Aitbnb employee on the other end of the line. Since when does being an employee mean you stop being human? How could any decent person ignore a call like that as a matter of "policy?"
177
The 'sharing economy' is all about skirting labor, safety, tax, zoning and other regulations, as well as palming off liability (and thus scrimping on insurance costs) that their traditional competitors face. Its competitive advantage is based on the fact that legislation always lags behind innovation. When legislation catches up so that the sharing economy is forced to compete on an equal footing against the old line competition, their competitive advantage disappears.
215
The "sharing economy" is my currenty favorite euphemism. Operating under several guises (rooms, "taxis") this is what unregulated capitalism looks like on a personal level. The "share" goes to the App makers, while the consumer is the potential prey in any transaction.
Why people condone what is invariably an illegal neighborhood nuisance, is beyond me, where for example, I can get a nice room in a family run pensione anywhere in Latin America, with cable and wifi, often breakfast for $20-$25, Instead of worrying about "unpleasant" surprises, I can lock the door after a long day and relax.
Why people condone what is invariably an illegal neighborhood nuisance, is beyond me, where for example, I can get a nice room in a family run pensione anywhere in Latin America, with cable and wifi, often breakfast for $20-$25, Instead of worrying about "unpleasant" surprises, I can lock the door after a long day and relax.
86
i won't use Uber or Airbnb. I find their very existence depressing as it is another sign of the desperation of so many people. Watching what seems to be one half of my city driving the other half around in their personal vehicles in order to make ends meet is a sad commentary on our current state of affairs.
227
Maybe the younger generation should open its ears and listen to how it was "in the old days," i.e. 20 years ago. We did not have all those electronic gadgets, we did not race around the place clutching our mobiles for dear life. Things were occasionally more expensive (but we had fewer electronic costs), and aftersales service was a lot better.
Don't bother asking for electronic companies to take responsibility. They are started by carpetbaggers who don't care. The system has been set up by Microsoft, you try to get a Skype refund for an error in THEIR system.
Personally, I don't use Booking anymore either . They rip off hotel owners (15% fee!!). The old system is best, though the Internet helps find them.
Pay a bit more, get better service. Period.
Don't bother asking for electronic companies to take responsibility. They are started by carpetbaggers who don't care. The system has been set up by Microsoft, you try to get a Skype refund for an error in THEIR system.
Personally, I don't use Booking anymore either . They rip off hotel owners (15% fee!!). The old system is best, though the Internet helps find them.
Pay a bit more, get better service. Period.
51
I've done Airbnb many times. No real complaints; it's been fun to meet new people and explore new neighborhoods. I assure you there's no other way to afford spending a week or two in Park Slope!
The people who would assault you are quite limited in number, as in the real world. What really disappoints me is the people who use it as an underground hostel, renting out bunks and making huge profits, perhaps even off rent-controlled properties. The city needs to crack down even further and charge these people tens of thousands of dollars as a warning.
The people who would assault you are quite limited in number, as in the real world. What really disappoints me is the people who use it as an underground hostel, renting out bunks and making huge profits, perhaps even off rent-controlled properties. The city needs to crack down even further and charge these people tens of thousands of dollars as a warning.
28
Sue them! The only way corporations will learn to do the right thing, is if it costs them money - a lot of money.
132
My problem here is the handling of the problem by Airbnb. When the mother could not reach her Airbnb contact after failing to reach the Madrid police. They refused to answer and she was put on voicemail despite the emergency! If company policy is not to give out the address of the host, ok, but to disconnect and not make sure the mother connected with the police or through any venue to check on her son is unthinkable. Who are the staff working for Airbnb? 20 year old kids with no sense of judgement of what may constitute an emergency? I'm passing the word around about this. No way I would use this service even though I've been tempted. Thanks for sharing this story.
172
Had I read this story one year ago I would not have believed this. I used to be a loyal airbnb guest that swore by airbnb everytime I travelled. But during my last trip to Paris the host ferociously yelled at me and was almost ready to hit me when I addressed some cleanliness issue in the apartment. He kicked us out before our check in day and later accused of us stealing from the apartment. Airbnb acted sort of clueless and unapologetic when I reported what happened. It seems like they do zero background check on hosts. It's all about money, they would let anyone host through their site. Travellers are always vulnerable in a foreign country and foreign language. It's so sad that some hosts take advantage of that situation. My respect goes to this guy who bravely shared his story. It must have been very hard to admit sexual assault as a male victim.
181
I've stayed in vacation homes rented through something like Airbnb -- years ago, in another country -- but I did so with another person, and I rented empty houses. I have even stayed in "B&B" arrangements that were really just rooms in private homes, but again I did so with a companion. There is no way I would rent a room in an occupied home as a single traveler. Even if there were an interior deadbolt available to the "guest," that guest still needs to get to the front door. It's crazy to simply trust that all will be well because Airbnb is supposedly part of some cool-vibe space sharing trend. It's naive and, I feel, foolishly risky.
Safety issues aside, Airbnb is is nothing more than a way for people to get around rental controls and occupancy taxes. It has ruined neighborhoods (I suspect my neighbor rents her house through Airbnb). I can only imagine how awful it is for apartment dwellers to have tourists constantly trudging through the hallways, trailing luggage, but I do know what it's like for homeowners to live next to rapid-turnover rentals. It's not fair to the neighbors. But of course those who rent out their homes don't care about that. Because it's all cool, dude. It's, like, sharing. For tax-free cash.
Safety issues aside, Airbnb is is nothing more than a way for people to get around rental controls and occupancy taxes. It has ruined neighborhoods (I suspect my neighbor rents her house through Airbnb). I can only imagine how awful it is for apartment dwellers to have tourists constantly trudging through the hallways, trailing luggage, but I do know what it's like for homeowners to live next to rapid-turnover rentals. It's not fair to the neighbors. But of course those who rent out their homes don't care about that. Because it's all cool, dude. It's, like, sharing. For tax-free cash.
133
How much "research" can a person do? And what value is it anyway? The fact is, most of the reviews are colored by the fact that the guest also is being reviewed and there is an unwritten albeit explicit understanding that good reviews are rewarded with good reviews. All this means the reviews are worthless.
So, this comes down to a personal safety and comfort issue. Is the discount worth it -- you get a cut rate (presumably) by staying (perhaps illegally or without permission) at the house/apartment of someone, possibly with them, possibly without reasonable security.
For me, no. I want to know I am in a safe place and will not be bothered or possibly subject to unreasonable situations or worse, as in this case. Just as there are unsafe hotels to avoid, so we have essentially an entirely unsafe system (to avoid).
Once proper precautions are erected, then it's something to consider. Until then, be smart and avoid situations that are obviously iffy at best.
So, this comes down to a personal safety and comfort issue. Is the discount worth it -- you get a cut rate (presumably) by staying (perhaps illegally or without permission) at the house/apartment of someone, possibly with them, possibly without reasonable security.
For me, no. I want to know I am in a safe place and will not be bothered or possibly subject to unreasonable situations or worse, as in this case. Just as there are unsafe hotels to avoid, so we have essentially an entirely unsafe system (to avoid).
Once proper precautions are erected, then it's something to consider. Until then, be smart and avoid situations that are obviously iffy at best.
36
"On the other, the company wants to report crimes in progress when customers are in danger and will turn over information quickly if the police request it."
Based on this incident, assuming it is true, the above quote seems to be exactly the opposite of what the company wants.
I hope they are sued mightily for this demonstration of irresponsibility (assuming that it is true).
Based on this incident, assuming it is true, the above quote seems to be exactly the opposite of what the company wants.
I hope they are sued mightily for this demonstration of irresponsibility (assuming that it is true).
45
While wary at first, I never felt scared using AirBnB, having visited with apartments and communities that matched their online energy - until I visited a home in Chicago, alone. The host was wonderful. But it was the first time I felt vulnerable as I realized how easy it would be to be taken.
This story makes me reconsider the use of AirBnB, or to limit use to hostel-like environments where I have actually felt safe in the past.
AirBnB supports and enables a larger community to offer unused living space. I would not want this to end. But that they clearly paid poor attention to training of employees in this awful emergency situation makes me wish there were more competitors to offer safer services in this space.
This story makes me reconsider the use of AirBnB, or to limit use to hostel-like environments where I have actually felt safe in the past.
AirBnB supports and enables a larger community to offer unused living space. I would not want this to end. But that they clearly paid poor attention to training of employees in this awful emergency situation makes me wish there were more competitors to offer safer services in this space.
65
What's the saying....you get what you pay for!
14
Do you honestly believe no guest has ever been assaulted by hotel staff?
4
You get what you pay for. More conventional lodging, more protection. Caveat emptor!
26
This is a terrible story and one hopes Mr. Lopez will be OK. In New York, where so many people live in apartment buildings, one also worries that a thief, rapist or murderer won't be roaming the halls after renting an Airbnb apartment. Hotels are equipped to deal with strangers who offer little more than a credit card number and an e-mail address. Apartment buildings are not. I hate that Airbnb makes us all feel less secure in our own homes. They are not the new "Sharing" economy, they are the old "greedy" economy.
331
The 1st whiff of a neighbor rrunning an AirBnB enterprise out of my condo complex, I will be bringing the wrath of every govedrnment agency down on said neighbor, starting with planning & zoning aznd a lawsuitt to enjoin illegal acticity in a residential area not to mention a claim for common law maintenance of a nuisance,
This whole concept is an assault on one's neighbors and should not be tolerated,
This whole concept is an assault on one's neighbors and should not be tolerated,
29
AirBnB is like Uber; they each pretend to be a company providing a service but seek to avoid regulation and expense and liability by later explaining that they are mere clearinghouses with little responsibility for anything other than keeping the books. In each case they are claimed by governments worldwide to violate and ignore numerous laws; that alone would be reason enough for a prospective customer to think twice. As noted in the article, the phrase "sharing economy" is mere sophistry; ask the venture capitalists and founders who are counting their stock market billions as others rent out rooms or the back seat of autos.
245
I don't have a smartphone. I have to rely on companies like the city-regulated taxis, car services that have storefronts on Brooklyn streets and national-brand motels and hotels. Lucky me!
62
In the sharing economy, a big factor in lower price is lack of liability for the Company, and thus no insurance costs.
I think the bottom line is we need more regulation as a whole, no matter what the business model. Individual citizens taking legal actions against independent contractors will be inefficient in collecting damages in far flung jurisdictions. In addition, since everybody is so independent, punitive judgments will have virtually no deterrent effect against bad actors and negligent goofballs.
I've used Uber and Airbnb with mixed results. I hate to sound like a fuddy duddy, but I don't think millennials have thought the gig economy through. They said, "Hey, youtube.com entertains billions with an ocean of copyrighted material, and pays next to nothing for reproductions rights. Therefore, let's just blow off the liability issue, or do the old independent contractor sleight of hand."
It's time the adults in the room came to their senses.
I think the bottom line is we need more regulation as a whole, no matter what the business model. Individual citizens taking legal actions against independent contractors will be inefficient in collecting damages in far flung jurisdictions. In addition, since everybody is so independent, punitive judgments will have virtually no deterrent effect against bad actors and negligent goofballs.
I've used Uber and Airbnb with mixed results. I hate to sound like a fuddy duddy, but I don't think millennials have thought the gig economy through. They said, "Hey, youtube.com entertains billions with an ocean of copyrighted material, and pays next to nothing for reproductions rights. Therefore, let's just blow off the liability issue, or do the old independent contractor sleight of hand."
It's time the adults in the room came to their senses.
177
No. Keep the insurance companies and regulators out of it. Especially the insurance racket. Both have ruined things enough as it is.
Look, you walk across the street, you could get killed.
You stay in someone's apartment, you could get assaulted.
Next thing you know you won't be allowed to walk across the street.
Let people live with risk. It's called real life. It's what the adults in the room take to live an interesting, rich life.
Look, you walk across the street, you could get killed.
You stay in someone's apartment, you could get assaulted.
Next thing you know you won't be allowed to walk across the street.
Let people live with risk. It's called real life. It's what the adults in the room take to live an interesting, rich life.
2
This is a really bizarre story, and one that is definitely not a standard case.
I've been hosting for about 4 years, and the only times that I have felt unease is when I accept people that are not verified, and that have no reviews. A person with both those requirements are usually ok, I should say most times.
If you do your due diligence, and share your contact information with your friends or family, you should be fine. As safe as any hotel out there.
Then again, I"m always amazed at how careless kids are, I often get kids here with total trust, and I always ask for emergency contact info.
I've been hosting for about 4 years, and the only times that I have felt unease is when I accept people that are not verified, and that have no reviews. A person with both those requirements are usually ok, I should say most times.
If you do your due diligence, and share your contact information with your friends or family, you should be fine. As safe as any hotel out there.
Then again, I"m always amazed at how careless kids are, I often get kids here with total trust, and I always ask for emergency contact info.
12
Your rationale is flawed, however, as at one point you were without reviews and everyone who boards with AirBNB have to start somewhere as well. Also, the verification process is a joke, as I've been through it and have known of others. All you need is an ID and payment method. They don't run criminal checks. Most serial killers have been described as "normal, pillars of their communities" so I'm sure a verification check will not protect you.
12
Your response offers me no comfort. Only increased reason for caution. "Usually ok"? Thanks, but no thanks.
10
"Safety is our No. 1 priority, and we want to get our hosts and guests as much help as possible".
Uh, on the night of 4/4/15, that hardly seems to have been the case. Sounds more like, 'We'll deal with it in minimal fashion. If we must."
Uh, on the night of 4/4/15, that hardly seems to have been the case. Sounds more like, 'We'll deal with it in minimal fashion. If we must."
118
I don't want to lodge in a stranger's home.
I don't want strangers lodging in my home.
If I can't afford a hotel, I stay home.
I don't want strangers lodging in my home.
If I can't afford a hotel, I stay home.
499
Airbnb seems to be clueless about this issue. I booked a room with a female host who informed me 2 weeks prior to my arrival that she was renting out her own room to a man during my stay. I protested to Airbnb that I had booked a room with a female host because of concerns about unwanted sexual advances and did not feel comfortable about sharing an apartment in a foreign city with a male stranger. Airbnb responded that they couldn't deny her the right to rent out her room to a man, because "sex is a protected class!" Luckily the host had a flexible cancellation policy and I was able to find other accommodations. Now whenever I book I make sure that the host I am booking with will be the one with whom I stay.
85
I too have used Airbnb and had good experiences. However, last week my daughter found out that her roommate had been renting out my daughter's UES room on Airbnb, without her knowledge or permission. (My daughter had returned home to recover from surgery. She learned this when she returned back to her apartment to find someone's things spread out throughout her room!) Airbnb was of little assistance saying as she was neither the host nor the guest, they could not act on her complaint. Yet the potential consequences are daunting. To begin with it is unclear how many strangers had access to her most personal belongings and private information. My daughter packed her things and left for good--a huge disruption during a challenging time. Both Airbnb and the roommate have profited, but at considerable expense to my daughter. In the future i'll opt for for formal lodgings as I'm no longer willing to support a company so eager to profit from this sharing economy, but unwilling to react or institute sufficient safeguards to prevent bad outcomes.
494
I stayed once at airbnb. I had a decent experience but unlike vrbo, my review was held until the owner read my review and wrote a review on me as a tenant. Because of that I suspect reviews are more positively written than the actual experience. One can study pictures carefully, look at "streetview", even public records and still not be able to gather accurate information. I prefer a system that operates independently and has a chance to reflect a more honest experience.
116
As an Airbnb host, I can tell you that the review process has changed. It used to be the way you describe, but now the first review (whether it be the host's or the guest's) is withheld until the other party writes his/her review. Then both reviews are revealed at the same time, precisely to avoid retaliatory remarks.
6
Not true. Both reviews (by host and guest) are blind. Neither party can wait to see if they like their review to adjust theirs accordingly.
3
After many attempts, (12), I will no longer use AirBnB. Unfortunately, I've experienced one too many flakey hosts and too many rules. When I am on the road, especially after a long air or car trip, I want to check in, get my key, find my room and just crash.
If I feel like walking around naked or entirely unpacking my baggage or eating potato chips in bed while watching HBO, I can. No cat hair, lack of privacy, weird comings and goings (Oh that's so and so, my friend), etc. I can get up, take a long, hot bath or lounge around reading w/o any interference, at 2 am. I've found the forced interaction part to be a bit uncomfortable at times. We all need AirBnB for whatever reason but I've discovered I enjoy no surprises. The weird review or comment part is dreadful too. So nice or this or that.
Can you imagine if all of your hotel room stays were reviewed by the manager?
I simply just want a bed to sleep in, alone thank you. I don't want a date, a dining partner or an overzealous new friend who is trying too hard to make me feel comfortable. Then again, I never much enjoyed regular Bed and Breakfast type of establishments, long before AirBnB came along.
Ever experience nosy hosts or ones who are constantly jabbering or have truly awful beds or breakfasts? At least a hotel chain will discount or comp my stay if it was really bad. And I can call the front desk for room service or security.
If I feel like walking around naked or entirely unpacking my baggage or eating potato chips in bed while watching HBO, I can. No cat hair, lack of privacy, weird comings and goings (Oh that's so and so, my friend), etc. I can get up, take a long, hot bath or lounge around reading w/o any interference, at 2 am. I've found the forced interaction part to be a bit uncomfortable at times. We all need AirBnB for whatever reason but I've discovered I enjoy no surprises. The weird review or comment part is dreadful too. So nice or this or that.
Can you imagine if all of your hotel room stays were reviewed by the manager?
I simply just want a bed to sleep in, alone thank you. I don't want a date, a dining partner or an overzealous new friend who is trying too hard to make me feel comfortable. Then again, I never much enjoyed regular Bed and Breakfast type of establishments, long before AirBnB came along.
Ever experience nosy hosts or ones who are constantly jabbering or have truly awful beds or breakfasts? At least a hotel chain will discount or comp my stay if it was really bad. And I can call the front desk for room service or security.
320
I don't think you are the demographic that Airbnb is targeting. Meaning you see to be the hotel traveller. Nothing wrong with that :)
I'm travel a lone all the time and stay at hostels and Airbnb rentals. I have not felt unsafe in any of the places I've stayed. In fact my experiences have all been great. Interactions with hosts are not mandatory. But when it happens it has always been great.
I've also hosted in my apt. Same as when I travel interactions are not mandatory. I leave people to do as they please. And when we do connect I love to hear more about that person.
I'm travel a lone all the time and stay at hostels and Airbnb rentals. I have not felt unsafe in any of the places I've stayed. In fact my experiences have all been great. Interactions with hosts are not mandatory. But when it happens it has always been great.
I've also hosted in my apt. Same as when I travel interactions are not mandatory. I leave people to do as they please. And when we do connect I love to hear more about that person.
5
I was involved with a guy for a couple of years who was an AirBnB host to a long string of international guests, and I was pretty uneasy about it from my end as well—even though I didn't live at his place, nor was I a guest. It was like, "Who is this person using your kitchen?"
And I get the impression the majority of AirBnB hosts don't provide breakfast at all.
And I get the impression the majority of AirBnB hosts don't provide breakfast at all.
2
A male acquaintance recently suggested I check AirBnB for accommodations for a conference. No, thanks. Traveling as a woman alone, no way would I feel comfortable going to the home of someone I have never met and sleeping there. Mr. Lopez's experience is nightmarish, but there are plenty of lower-level bad experiences I can think of that I would like to avoid.
120
Airbnb offers a range of options.
1. Entire Place ( alone no share)
2. Shared with private space.
3. Shared common space.
So your friend made a good suggestion. You should check it out.
1. Entire Place ( alone no share)
2. Shared with private space.
3. Shared common space.
So your friend made a good suggestion. You should check it out.
2
My husband and I are fond of road trips here in America and abroad. Our accommodation of choice is the licenced Bed and Breakfast, which offers us the best of all possible worlds: an intimate experience in the towns we visit; hosts who meet their country's standards; a small number of guests occupying neighboring rooms; and a price that is typically more affordable than a hotel. As a Top Contributor to Trip Advisor, I read all of the B&B reviews before booking. It's true that dangerous situations can occur anywhere -- and like other readers, I'm terribly sorry for Mr. Lopez's traumatizing experience -- but the licensed B&B is, for us, a logical and satisfying middle ground between a hotel and AirB&B. We recommend it.
108
This is a totally believable story. It echoes my own, distinctly less terrifying experience. I had a good stay with Airbnb recently as a guest followed shortly thereafter with a reservation that was baffling. I booked a stay and the host would not give the address of the rented unit, even though a substantial charge had been made against my credit card. Called Airbnb and the host repeatedly, emailed them, as well as the host. No response from the host. Airbnb allowed me to cancel the reservation weeks ahead of the stay but charged over $200 for its fees and for the "hosts" share. Unreal.
Airbnb's customer relations team seems disconnected, and unable to respond other than saying, "that's too bad." No sense of responsibility to the customer. They are truly the middleman, with equal loyalty to hosts and guests.
Although I would not totally write off the company, I'd be extremely careful about dealing with them as a guest in the future. I think their business model not to mention their stock price will suffer a major hit once these kinds of experiences are widely communicated in the media and among the traveling public.
Airbnb's customer relations team seems disconnected, and unable to respond other than saying, "that's too bad." No sense of responsibility to the customer. They are truly the middleman, with equal loyalty to hosts and guests.
Although I would not totally write off the company, I'd be extremely careful about dealing with them as a guest in the future. I think their business model not to mention their stock price will suffer a major hit once these kinds of experiences are widely communicated in the media and among the traveling public.
121
My family once hosted, for free, two Spanish students, who were in "New York" (actually we lived almost 100 miles away from NYC, but marketing is marketing) to "learn English" for 1 month (although the tour company that organized it was charging them money).
These were 17, 18 year olds, not much younger than the gentleman in this story. Before the hosting, the tour company hired a local teacher as coordinator who was charged with doing a reasonable level of background checking. They visited the host houses, did interviews, asked for forms to be filled, checked references. The entire group of about 20 kids was also accompanied by an adult chaperon who was staying nearby and spoke to them daily. I am sure before the people on the other side let go of their kids, they would have asked questions and been given detailed information on how things work, precautions etc. Does all this mean nothing could go wrong? No, but you see all involved taking sensible steps (On our own side as hosts, our additional precaution was there had to be two if them, of the same sex, just to guard against any potential liability of a lone teenager).
You see how this is a world of difference between the profit maximizing,(on the service provider side, where they don't invest in all these precautions), and the blithe "I own the world" attitude on the consumer side of the Airbnb arrangement, where the traveler does nothing to anticipate any trouble.
Use your head. Take precautions. How hard is that?
These were 17, 18 year olds, not much younger than the gentleman in this story. Before the hosting, the tour company hired a local teacher as coordinator who was charged with doing a reasonable level of background checking. They visited the host houses, did interviews, asked for forms to be filled, checked references. The entire group of about 20 kids was also accompanied by an adult chaperon who was staying nearby and spoke to them daily. I am sure before the people on the other side let go of their kids, they would have asked questions and been given detailed information on how things work, precautions etc. Does all this mean nothing could go wrong? No, but you see all involved taking sensible steps (On our own side as hosts, our additional precaution was there had to be two if them, of the same sex, just to guard against any potential liability of a lone teenager).
You see how this is a world of difference between the profit maximizing,(on the service provider side, where they don't invest in all these precautions), and the blithe "I own the world" attitude on the consumer side of the Airbnb arrangement, where the traveler does nothing to anticipate any trouble.
Use your head. Take precautions. How hard is that?
104
WHile this was a horrible situation, I think it in order to put it into context it is worth considering that there is some risk for any traveler finding short term accomodations, whether they be in a home or hotel or campground. Airbnb does allow both hosts and guests to screen each other and decide what accomodations and/or guests to accept.
As others have mentioned, there are a huge number of guests staying in hosts homes every day, and very few seriously problematic incidents. It seems though that the media is far more interested in writing about horror stories related to Airbnb, than those related to hotels, or inns, campgrounds, or other types of accomodations.
Additionally, if a guest arrives at a host's home and feels uncomfortable, there is always the possibility of leaving right away. Usually people who fumble with knives in the kitchen prior to perpetrating sexual assault, are people in whom one can sense on meeting them, that something isn't quite right. All of us should learn strategies for how to be safe in the world, and how to develop our intuitive sense to notice when something is "off" (women tend to be better at this than men, since women are for the most part more vulnerable to predation than men) rather than depending on a nanny state, and/or nanny corporations to keep us perfectly safe.
As others have mentioned, there are a huge number of guests staying in hosts homes every day, and very few seriously problematic incidents. It seems though that the media is far more interested in writing about horror stories related to Airbnb, than those related to hotels, or inns, campgrounds, or other types of accomodations.
Additionally, if a guest arrives at a host's home and feels uncomfortable, there is always the possibility of leaving right away. Usually people who fumble with knives in the kitchen prior to perpetrating sexual assault, are people in whom one can sense on meeting them, that something isn't quite right. All of us should learn strategies for how to be safe in the world, and how to develop our intuitive sense to notice when something is "off" (women tend to be better at this than men, since women are for the most part more vulnerable to predation than men) rather than depending on a nanny state, and/or nanny corporations to keep us perfectly safe.
12
Wow, way to blame the victim. He should have had known ahead of time by using his spidey senses? And someone who just traveled across the world is supposed to leave right away if they "sense" something. I'm sure no refunds are given for "getting a weird feeling" about someone. In this case the guy in the story would be persecuted for being transgender phobic if he would have done that. But alas he didn't sense the impending rape and wouldn't you know it the host is accusing him of being a biggot anyway.
6
I stayed with Airbnb for the fourth time this past July and had a problem with the apartment and host. I would tend to say that people usually don't call out when something is wrong either with host, with Airbnb and even in the comments section. Airbnb is not only about offering clean & comfy apartments, there is a hosting side to the business, which makes it "unique". Unfortunately not everyone is cut to be a host, let alone a good or great one - and that is Airbnb's biggest challenge. It's easy to visit an apartment and agree it is well located, cute and clean - but you also have to evaluate the host and make sure they are fit to be a host and can represent your brand.
36
You think Airbnb visits every apartment and host? You can not be serious.
9
I'm sure this is an isolated incident, but Im also sure I'd rather stay in a hotel.
101
I have always been skeptical about Airbnb precisely because there are no real protections or regulation of it, and even though many friends and acquaintances swear by it and have had wonderful experiences. This may be an isolated experience, but one isolated experience is enough, and I suspect that as the business grows, there will be more and more cases of this kind. It reminded me of another unregulated business--Uber--and the story of the tourist being raped by an Uber driver in India last year. Yes, I would rather stay in a hotel, which also provides employment.
60
Isolated incident, probably. But no one wants to be the lucky winner of that one-in-a-million chance, as this guy did.
Truth be told, I don't understand why anyone wouldn't leave contact and itinerary details of their foreign travel to families and friends.
And, I'm totally with you, I'd rather pay a bit more for a regular hotel. Or maybe I'm way too old to enjoy too much social niceties of having to play nice with the host. When I go, I want to do my own thing. I don't want to tip-toe around someone's apartment. Too much hassle.
Truth be told, I don't understand why anyone wouldn't leave contact and itinerary details of their foreign travel to families and friends.
And, I'm totally with you, I'd rather pay a bit more for a regular hotel. Or maybe I'm way too old to enjoy too much social niceties of having to play nice with the host. When I go, I want to do my own thing. I don't want to tip-toe around someone's apartment. Too much hassle.
16
Well done for Jacob Lopez coming forward. By doing so he puts a face on what is often just a news list of places, times and violent recollections. Stepping up and out takes unmitigated gumption and daring. But it's also a powerful act of vulnerability and reclamation, maybe the most brave act that will serve him in the long run. But his willingness not only starts his own healing, his brave act ruptures the ignorance of other men who falsely believe they are culpable, or that this kind of crime is something unique to something in them. It's not.
Lopez's voice also reminds those of us who have been sexually assaulted, men at all ages, of something he doesn't know yet—that the prospect we dared to put faith in would come true—that we could heal, life would slowly break into a gallop, we would find love in ourselves, and our lives would once again run deep. So, well done Mr. Lopez. I'm grateful my son has a valiant man he can witness engaging life as it really is, but also as it can be again.
Lopez's voice also reminds those of us who have been sexually assaulted, men at all ages, of something he doesn't know yet—that the prospect we dared to put faith in would come true—that we could heal, life would slowly break into a gallop, we would find love in ourselves, and our lives would once again run deep. So, well done Mr. Lopez. I'm grateful my son has a valiant man he can witness engaging life as it really is, but also as it can be again.
169
One insurance policy you can give yourself is to stay in one of the places that hosts several people at once and skip the ones with a single bedroom. I have stayed in awesome places in Jakarta, Thailand, Korea, NYC, Jerusalem, etc and I always choose a place with several guest rooms. O would never stay in a place renting a spare bedroom--no way.
22
So glad this young man got out safely. I can only imagine what his mother was going through.
But safety issues aside, there are those of us who actually prefer the anonymity of a hotel. I love to be on my own in another city, yet to know that my needs will be attended to by people whose job it is to so.
But safety issues aside, there are those of us who actually prefer the anonymity of a hotel. I love to be on my own in another city, yet to know that my needs will be attended to by people whose job it is to so.
135
I can't agree with you more on the anonymity of being a hotel guest. There's certain level of expectation that one can come to expect, and that says a lot about "quality control" which is totally lacking in these modern-day "sharing economy" where one can get by for much less but you should expect crap at times.
11
He didn't GET out safely, at all.
27
Safely? I think you mean alive.
16
As a frequent AirBnB user, I have to say it's not always easy to give an honest review of the host. Because you see the host as a person rather than a business, it is easy to convince oneself that issues that arise during one's stay should not be mentioned in full honesty. If I stay at a hotel, I would not give a review as glowing as I normally do on AirBnB. But in reality many places that have four or four and a half stars on the site are mostly 'charming' but not amazing, and at times come with problems that do render my stay a very unpleasant one. But the fact of the matter is that all the hosts on AirBnB are running individual businesses and should be reviewed as such. I for one will be much more honest and critical in the future when I review a host than I have been until now. More importantly I think I will choose a hotel over AirBnB should the prices work out to be about the same.
72
Future guests rely on an honest review and as an Airbnb host I hope reviews of guests are honest so I can choose people who are a good fit for my place. Airbnb has a system that makes it easy to be honest so I've mostly given great reviews but on rare occasions, I've given criticisms that I hope will make guests reconsider some of their actions and give fair warning to future hosts.
12
My one bad AirBnB experience was at a place where others, it seemed, had not been able to leave an honest review so I made a decision based on inaccurate information and somewhat misleading photographs. While they might have kept quiet out of compassion for the host, I felt misled and ended up leaving the next morning as the place was seriously not clean. Turned out the host was about to move away and simply did not care anymore.
12
It's very interesting how we perceive and manage and quanitfy risk. I am a lawyer who has defended hotel security cases. The way I see it, the risk to travelers is far less from hosts (who generally have a revenue stream and reputation to maintain) than it is from third parties who are drawn to an area where they will find vulnerable travelers with valuables. When I stay in neighborhoods I feel far less likely to encounter those people and thus at a lower risk (with the caveat that of course you need to check out neighborhoods). As between homeowners and hotel staff, I think there too that the owner presents less of a risk than employees (many of whom haven't been screened for anything). I am very sorry for Jacob, angry at the way Air B&B handled this, and think he deserves compensation. But my calculus remains the same.
33
Sophie, I think your calculus is WAY off. Hotels may not have screened all employees? What makes you think Airbnb has screened even a fraction of the millions of hosts worldwide?
And hotels, particularly in major worldwide chains, come well underwritten with liability insurance. The insurance underwriters, even abroad, put a major limitation on hotel carelessness. Airbnb looks at you and tells you you're on your own. There is ZERO warranty from Airbnb that the host awaiting you isn't the next Jeffrey Dahmer. In fact, what better side work for a serial killer than an Airbnb host?
And hotels, particularly in major worldwide chains, come well underwritten with liability insurance. The insurance underwriters, even abroad, put a major limitation on hotel carelessness. Airbnb looks at you and tells you you're on your own. There is ZERO warranty from Airbnb that the host awaiting you isn't the next Jeffrey Dahmer. In fact, what better side work for a serial killer than an Airbnb host?
60
I have no experience with AirBnB -- as a guest or as a host. However, I had the impression hosts could -- and in fact should -- state, e.g., whether pets were permitted as guest or would be on premises, whether only female guest were permitted (at least in the case of a female host), whether or not smoking was permitted and whether the host smokes.
So, in a case like this where there has been an accusation of a sexual assault and the person accused claims her accuser was "transphobic," wasn't there perhaps an obligation to disclose a bit more or to at least say "transphobic guests not welcome." Or would that in some way be considered politically incorrect?
So, in a case like this where there has been an accusation of a sexual assault and the person accused claims her accuser was "transphobic," wasn't there perhaps an obligation to disclose a bit more or to at least say "transphobic guests not welcome." Or would that in some way be considered politically incorrect?
21
If the host presented an honest personal bio, then the issue of a "transphobic" guest presumably would not arise. And, in the absence of full disclosure, the host could conceivably found herself at the wrong end of a kitchen knife if the guest turned out to be rabidly "transphobic."
4
You seem to have missed the main problem stated in the article. The host imprisoned and tried to attack the guest. That has nothing to do with transgender anything or political correctness. Perhaps the host should have made it clear that guests might be attacked and assaulted. I doubt if that would have been politically incorrect; it would have been a fact.
33
I don't think in the case of a rapist as alleged happened here, it would make any difference if the host was transgender or an alien from planet Claire..I think you are missing the point here...This attacker did not attack because they were "transgender" they attacked because they were a sick criminal..How about "guests who do not want to be sexually attacked not welcome"?
22
The responses to this story demonstrate how our fear center can take control and completely overwhelm our capacity for rational thought.
800,000 people were using AirBnB that weekend. If an incident of this seriousness occurs every day (which is unlikely), the odds of being involved in such an incident are one in 800,000. If you stayed at a different AirBnB every day for your entire life (365 x 70 visits, or 25,550), the lifetime odds of being involved in such an incident are about 3%, or less than the chance of drawing a black ace from a deck.
Irrational fear is a destabilizing force in society, and we have a moral responsibility as human beings to use that distinctive feature of homo sapiens, the forebrain, to over-ride our fears and not act on them, rather than quaking in fear at improbable occurrences such as this.
800,000 people were using AirBnB that weekend. If an incident of this seriousness occurs every day (which is unlikely), the odds of being involved in such an incident are one in 800,000. If you stayed at a different AirBnB every day for your entire life (365 x 70 visits, or 25,550), the lifetime odds of being involved in such an incident are about 3%, or less than the chance of drawing a black ace from a deck.
Irrational fear is a destabilizing force in society, and we have a moral responsibility as human beings to use that distinctive feature of homo sapiens, the forebrain, to over-ride our fears and not act on them, rather than quaking in fear at improbable occurrences such as this.
38
There's nothing irrational about being concerned for one's safety. You mention the low risk of being assaulted so why not take that chance? What about the other side of the equation, i.e., the benefit? Is it worth saving a few bucks on a hotel room if there is a chance of being assaulted? In my mind, no, that trade-off isn't worth it. Nothing irrational about that.
66
It is irrational. Because you are not materially safer in a hotel than you are staying with AirBnb. Actually I'd bet a nickel that police are called to hotels for disturbances and crimes more often than Airbnb host locations.
5
Phil Mayes:
What is rational behavior in this kind of situation depends on one's appetite for risk. You can't just declare what is correct for other people.
The figures you cite imply that the chance of being assaulted during your lifetime is more than 1 in 32.
On the one hand you have gone overboard to assume a great deal more AirBnB stays than anyone is likely to ever have. But on the other hand, it's very unlikely that the average number of extremely upsetting incidents is anywhere near as low as once out of 800,000 nights stayed.
Without reliable figures, it's not possible to estimate the actual risk.
What is rational behavior in this kind of situation depends on one's appetite for risk. You can't just declare what is correct for other people.
The figures you cite imply that the chance of being assaulted during your lifetime is more than 1 in 32.
On the one hand you have gone overboard to assume a great deal more AirBnB stays than anyone is likely to ever have. But on the other hand, it's very unlikely that the average number of extremely upsetting incidents is anywhere near as low as once out of 800,000 nights stayed.
Without reliable figures, it's not possible to estimate the actual risk.
16
The company's lack of judgment is appalling to me. Balancing whatever privacy issues might be involved against risk of the sort of thing that actually happened happening, who wouldn't take effective action and notify the police immediately. And not to take the mother's calls subsequently -- Airbnb made a terrible situation much worse, it seems to me. Regardless of the other issues pertaining to who is responsible for a dangerous host being part of their network.
232
I wonder if that host whom the Madrid police said would probably be " exonerated" is still hosting on Airbnb.
3
This could happen in many types of accommodations. Make sure your host has a good reputation. I always check out places on multiple platforms including Trip Advisor, before I rent a place that is not a major hotel chain.
15
If everyone has to make sure that the host has a good reputation, who is left to take the plunge with a new host?
1
As a single woman who travels on her own, I would never use Airbnb.
I expect a flood of comments saying I am overly cautious and missing wonderful experiences. But what's the price of safety and security? I'll take a reputable hotel with a front desk and a phone in my room that I can use to call it.
I expect a flood of comments saying I am overly cautious and missing wonderful experiences. But what's the price of safety and security? I'll take a reputable hotel with a front desk and a phone in my room that I can use to call it.
715
Do you think you hear about 1% of incidents at hotels?? I work at one......your sense of security is a a false one funded by those hotels. When I travel I airbnb.
10
No, you are right to do so and should feel safe anywhere you go.
7
Plenty of assaults take place in hotels, motels, etc. Don't get lulled into thinking that just because you are in a "reputable hotel" that you are safe.
5
I stayed once with an Airbnb host and will not do so again, unless I am accompanied by at least two people. I was staying with my daughter and the first day a piece of furniture broke. We notified the host, who lived upstairs. The way he managed the situation made me feel very vulnerable. I was glad I was not there alone but even so we were very uncomfortable staying in that place for the next few days. That experience soured our whole vacation. To me it is very clear: staying in a hotel is no guarantee that nothing bad will happen but at least you are not there alone with a person that makes you feel threatened.
280
Weather it's Uber employees who are called "independent contractors" or the wholesale hoteling of entire neighborhoods the sharing economy wants all of the profits from established businesses without taking any responsibility for its employees - drivers and inn keepers or quality of life impacts.
The sharing economy must be regulated but right now both political parties are to busy accepting lobbying positions and campaign cash to take the steps necessary to protect consumers and citizens.
The sharing economy must be regulated but right now both political parties are to busy accepting lobbying positions and campaign cash to take the steps necessary to protect consumers and citizens.
301
I have hosted 6 years for airbnb. At the beginning, it was an adventure -- a company that had a sharing concept that was helpful for many of us. But, as the company has grown exponentially, it has become an icon of the sharing economy -- marketing empathy, marketing a 'mantra', "Belong Anywhere" that I have written to them, opens up hosts and guests to the paradox of the internet -- people misrepresenting themselves and potentially, ending up in potential danger. After having hundreds of people passing through, I have asked them about their experiences. Most are positive and certainly for someone like myself in the has been an income source when I was caught after an unfortunate accident, in a financial crisis.
But the company, a victim of what I call Silicon Valley's, 'brash-flash-cash' culture, is now run by people who have become 1%er's -- removed from the reality of the work involved. A 5-star rating system, based on a 'professional' business model for the hotel industry, is now applied to home stays, the original concept of the company, conflating professional settings and local homes. People do not 'belong anywhere' as I have found as a host; it is a slippery slope when one sees a company working internationally to position itself to 'cash-out.' While Chesky & Gang respond to these crises quickly, as I have written to them, they are setting themselves up for the possibility of a tragedy. We are their brick and mortar; safety should be their 'mantra', not false emotion.
But the company, a victim of what I call Silicon Valley's, 'brash-flash-cash' culture, is now run by people who have become 1%er's -- removed from the reality of the work involved. A 5-star rating system, based on a 'professional' business model for the hotel industry, is now applied to home stays, the original concept of the company, conflating professional settings and local homes. People do not 'belong anywhere' as I have found as a host; it is a slippery slope when one sees a company working internationally to position itself to 'cash-out.' While Chesky & Gang respond to these crises quickly, as I have written to them, they are setting themselves up for the possibility of a tragedy. We are their brick and mortar; safety should be their 'mantra', not false emotion.
195
But it is not 'sharing', it is running a rooming house.
Money is exchanged, it is a business, like any other, so best not to be taken in by New Age nonsense.
Money is exchanged, it is a business, like any other, so best not to be taken in by New Age nonsense.
19
“We realize we can learn a lot from this incident and we can do better,” Mr. Papas said by email. “We are clarifying our policies so that our team will always contact law enforcement if we are made aware of an emergency situation in progress. Safety is our No. 1 priority, and we want to get our hosts and guests as much help as possible.”
"We can do better" so "we are clarifying our policies". What a bunch of Silicon Valley smooth talking nonsense. How long is it going to take?
Try this in the interim. 1. Sit down at your computer; 2. open your email; 3. put "All employees worldwide" in the To line and "READ NOW" in the Subject line; 4. clarify your policy: "if someone calls and tells you one of our customers is in danger, call the police immediately"; 5. press Send.
"We can do better" so "we are clarifying our policies". What a bunch of Silicon Valley smooth talking nonsense. How long is it going to take?
Try this in the interim. 1. Sit down at your computer; 2. open your email; 3. put "All employees worldwide" in the To line and "READ NOW" in the Subject line; 4. clarify your policy: "if someone calls and tells you one of our customers is in danger, call the police immediately"; 5. press Send.
790
What a scary story. Airbnb has to provide a higher quality service before I will use them.
121
I am with you. The potential for dangerous encounters while using Airbnb is very real. It's totally and utterly unregulated.
Convicted felons are not banned from offering services on the site, as far as I know.
Convicted felons are not banned from offering services on the site, as far as I know.
13
Airbnb isn't really providing the service.
That's the point.
That's the point.
4
These early days of Airbnb and Uber remind me of all the "community of trust" early days of eBay and Craigslist. Remember them?
It will take only a few thieves/assaulters/wackos/ax murderers to cast a pall on this new "sharing economy."
It will take only a few thieves/assaulters/wackos/ax murderers to cast a pall on this new "sharing economy."
314
With eBay you have buyer protection and you can get your money refunded. I know because it has happened to me. With Craigslist you sometimes get killed and end up on the evening news and they turn your story into a movie. So someday we will have the Uber killer or the Airbnb killer and there will be a couple of movies. I don't want to be in either one. I will use a regulated taxi and a nice hotel. And a nice lawyer in case anything goes wrong.
212
Yes because Craigslist and Ebay aren't still around doing great. Bad things can happen anywhere. Tens of thousands of people use Air BnB everyday. Anytime you have mass amounts of people doing something you can usually find a horror story.
11
In fact, last year a little girl was killed in SF by an unvetted Uber driver, with a previous license suspension.http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Former-Uber-driver-charged-in-girl-s...
Uber's legal position was the company had no responsibility, because it claimed the driver was an independent contractor and not on an Uber trip (although his Uber app was open for calls), therefore not it's agent, when he hit the child. There was no driver insurance coverage, because driver had no commercial coverage.
Uber's legal position was the company had no responsibility, because it claimed the driver was an independent contractor and not on an Uber trip (although his Uber app was open for calls), therefore not it's agent, when he hit the child. There was no driver insurance coverage, because driver had no commercial coverage.
27
It's about the same risk as staying in a 5-star hotel.
17
Actually not; call reception; security would come at once to their own room.
106
Weird--there are several comments like this. I don't think you got the point of the story. If the same situation happened in a hotel, the staff (or the police) would have been there in minutes. In this case no one but AirBnB even knew where the victim was, and they were unwilling to intervene.
372
Really? Please cite an instance of a guest at a five-star hotel reporting a sexual assault in progress to hotel staff and being given a number for the local police.
104
Travelers are often assaulted --- and push-ins happen in hotels .. This really is not the worst case scenario.. but every traveler should know how to call the police in whatever country he is in. (That's my take away lesson.)
57
Not the worst case scenario? Really? Rape is rape is rape. It is a worst case scenario. A should destroying experience and a crime.
Even more appalling was Air BnB's response to an emergency. Their entire business model is based on trust. Trusting that the stranger inviting you into their home (and inviting you not their home) will provide what was advertised and a civilized transaction. Unless they can ensure that experience - well there are other places to stay.
On one of my infrequent trips back to the States, I thought i'd try out some air bob accommodation. i was very uncomfortable with what I saw offered and the responses of the "hosts" to my questions. let's just say neither trust or civility were there.
I am a very experienced traveller visiting and living in many places where many would fear to go. And many places in the so called civilized world as well. I'm sure air bnb has many wonderful hosts. But what I saw -- no thanks.
Even more appalling was Air BnB's response to an emergency. Their entire business model is based on trust. Trusting that the stranger inviting you into their home (and inviting you not their home) will provide what was advertised and a civilized transaction. Unless they can ensure that experience - well there are other places to stay.
On one of my infrequent trips back to the States, I thought i'd try out some air bob accommodation. i was very uncomfortable with what I saw offered and the responses of the "hosts" to my questions. let's just say neither trust or civility were there.
I am a very experienced traveller visiting and living in many places where many would fear to go. And many places in the so called civilized world as well. I'm sure air bnb has many wonderful hosts. But what I saw -- no thanks.
62
Their entire business model is based on money, not trust. Their marketing schlock is based in making people think that the "sharing" economy is all about trust. It's nothing more than glorified hitchhiking, and we all know how that can turn out. Their slick website is part of the Web 2.0 (or is it 3.0 now?) aesthetic, which makes things look nicer than they are ... it's all part of the new world we live in, where you can "curate" your list of friends on Facebook, adding or deleting as if there were no one else behind the screen, just little avatars of people. The same with AirBnB and many other similar kinds of services. It's not a "sharing" economy ... AirBnB is just another dot.com business that has figured out how to take advantage of a generation of people brought up on images, rather than reality. Not saying it's always bad ... it can be a great way to find places to stay ... but it's not necessarily as sweet as the website makes it out to be.
12
I believe anything can happen whether it is AirBNB or an excellent quality hotel.
I have had two times with AirBNB and I read the comments of the sites I rented for one month "religiously!" I believe they are reporting the results correctly and if the landlord cancels AirBNB reports the cancellation. My concern has always been reliability when I make reservations several months in advance.
I rented an excellent apartment 2 1/2 years ago by another prominent firm in a particular city. We are going back there, looked at the last years at that same apartment, and it was clear they did NOT establish the quality and the reiliability which AirBNB strongly solicited from its users.
Individuals who are concerns should read these comments intently according to what they are most concerned about and interpret the comments made by former renters.
Through this you understand how reliable is in performing as you would expect.
Not all groups stimulate customers to respond so
I have had two times with AirBNB and I read the comments of the sites I rented for one month "religiously!" I believe they are reporting the results correctly and if the landlord cancels AirBNB reports the cancellation. My concern has always been reliability when I make reservations several months in advance.
I rented an excellent apartment 2 1/2 years ago by another prominent firm in a particular city. We are going back there, looked at the last years at that same apartment, and it was clear they did NOT establish the quality and the reiliability which AirBNB strongly solicited from its users.
Individuals who are concerns should read these comments intently according to what they are most concerned about and interpret the comments made by former renters.
Through this you understand how reliable is in performing as you would expect.
Not all groups stimulate customers to respond so
6
'...I believe anything can happen whether it is AirBNB or an excellent quality hotel...'
You believe that if you walked into your hotel room and a threatening person was there, the same thing would happen?
Has it ever?
You believe that if you walked into your hotel room and a threatening person was there, the same thing would happen?
Has it ever?
12
So sorry that this young man had to go through this. It sounds awful. Sympathies to you Jacob and to your family.
219
While not anything as scary as this incident, I recently stayed in an Airbnb place in the UK and had an incident where calling Airbnb was absolutely no help. In fact, I was on hold for so long that I ended up taking care of the situation myself.
I stayed at an Airbnb apartment in a town near Oxford, and locked myself inside the apartment because I turned the key the wrong way in a "peculiar" pre-WWII British deadbolt lock. The host was in London 90 minutes away and did not answer her phone, so I ended up calling a locksmith. I simply slid the key under the door and the locksmith unlocked me, but the craziest thing was that in the process of explaining how this crazy lock to me, the locksmith locked both of us inside the apartment, with his tool box outside. He ended up disassembling the lock with a kitchen knife and got both of us out.
I stayed at an Airbnb apartment in a town near Oxford, and locked myself inside the apartment because I turned the key the wrong way in a "peculiar" pre-WWII British deadbolt lock. The host was in London 90 minutes away and did not answer her phone, so I ended up calling a locksmith. I simply slid the key under the door and the locksmith unlocked me, but the craziest thing was that in the process of explaining how this crazy lock to me, the locksmith locked both of us inside the apartment, with his tool box outside. He ended up disassembling the lock with a kitchen knife and got both of us out.
478
Yeah but that could happen in a hotel too. Happens all the time just like the sexual assaults. I'll take my chances with those wacky hotels. If there's a problem you've got staff to call on the premises. AirBus. or whatever it's called, sounds like a roll of the dice, no matter what the fans here say. I'll pass.
16
And you got an hysterically funny story out of it. Fortunately, the locksmith wasn't nuts. Thanks for the laugh.
6
Glad AirBNB is changing its policies - but this horrible incident needs to be put in perspective. One crazy host on a night when 800,000 people slept fine in AirBNB places around the world does not make all of AirBNB bad o dangerous. Obviously - something went very wrong here. I've been a host and guest using AirBNB for many years and the system works. You can read people's ratings and get a good sense of what to expect. Common sense security should be followed whenever you are going someplace unknown Be careful, but don't let these fears and this crazy very rare incident color your views of AirBNB - it's an amazing system that lets you stay like a local around the world - for a lot less (usually) than a sterile hotel room.
You meet locals - can usually cook local food and get great tips without the hotel hassles of overpriced internet, outrageous taxes, rude (sometimes) staff, lobby and elevator lines and mini-bar robbery.
If we allow stories like this to scare us, we might never leave the house. Put it in perspective (there are crazy people everywhere - some strap bombs on themselves and blow up buildings for example - no way to really protect ourselves from them) and travel on.
You meet locals - can usually cook local food and get great tips without the hotel hassles of overpriced internet, outrageous taxes, rude (sometimes) staff, lobby and elevator lines and mini-bar robbery.
If we allow stories like this to scare us, we might never leave the house. Put it in perspective (there are crazy people everywhere - some strap bombs on themselves and blow up buildings for example - no way to really protect ourselves from them) and travel on.
129
"One crazy host on a night when 800,000 people slept fine in AirBNB" - I doubt that the other 800,000 had no incident. Even a simple hotel with a hundred guests has issues every night. This is a relatively unregulated type of market (AirBNB) and there are likely many annoyances as well as disputes that come up.
206
Amen, Steven! When taking a road trip with my daughter a few years ago, we were reluctant to get out of the car in some places because we didn't know what to expect. However, every time we did, we were delighted and we experienced something that we would not have experienced from inside the car. Sure, there is risk involved. We could have been in an unsafe neighborhood or happened upon a dangerous person. But the best adventures came from venturing out and we would have had regrets if we had stayed in the car all the time.
Same with AirBnb. When I travel, I don't feel a part of the place when I stay tucked away in a hotel. I experience a place from a whole new perspective in someone's home and I now prefer it. I guess there is a one in 800,000 or more chance something bad might happen to me, but if I don't want any risks when I travel, I guess I'd have to stay home. I'm writing this while my AirBnb guests are happily relaxing in my guest room.
Same with AirBnb. When I travel, I don't feel a part of the place when I stay tucked away in a hotel. I experience a place from a whole new perspective in someone's home and I now prefer it. I guess there is a one in 800,000 or more chance something bad might happen to me, but if I don't want any risks when I travel, I guess I'd have to stay home. I'm writing this while my AirBnb guests are happily relaxing in my guest room.
11
Problem is there is no sense of AirB&B solidarity with or responsibility for the guest who is implicitly regarded as nothing more than a revenue generating unit. The philosophical anthropology underlying the business model is deeply flawed.
75
What a horrifying experience for this young man and his mother! Can the Spanish authorities do nothing? It is clear from the multiple texts at the time that he feared for his life and had no consent for any sexual activity.
Sue Air B&B! And this should convince many that it is highly dangerous to trust that one's safety is assured when using such "services".
Thanks for the article. It certainly reinforces my own view that a hotel may be more expensive in the short run, but less in the long run.
Sue Air B&B! And this should convince many that it is highly dangerous to trust that one's safety is assured when using such "services".
Thanks for the article. It certainly reinforces my own view that a hotel may be more expensive in the short run, but less in the long run.
359
Really? Do you think you hear about every sexual assault or violent incident that happens in hotels??
25
He could/should file a lawsuit against her.
6
The lawsuit would have to be filed in the city where the incident took place -- i.e., Madrid. From the article, it doesn't look as though the local authorities have been very helpful or sympathetic. I can't imagine the courts would be more so.
11
Airbnb is a great concept. I am frankly surprised at how rarely this happens. Ive used it personally and feel its ok. But when I step back and ask myself: So I just paid a complete stranger money to live his house, that he has access to know (and maybe former guests) - thats a little scary. The rating might be 4.5 stars but still scary. I think some sort of advanced security system is needed indeed. Maybe they will invest in some home surveillance/ monitoring safety at additional cost
62
How would Airbnb cover security costs? It's a free service based on sharing, is it not?
No, it is not free. AirBnB takes the payment for the room, scrapes off its percentage, and forwards the rest to the owner of the abode. They're making plenty of money. The company is valued at $25 billion. Yes, that's BILLION. It's a glorified bulletin board for people to list their places for rent, and for renters to find them. Pretty website, but nothing much behind it besides a fancy code and credit card processing.
Kids traveling in Europe should stay in hostels. There are plenty -- my son traveled in Europe last summer and I was able to help him book places since we were connected via text messaging -- and they're very nice and reasonably priced. There are several hostel networking sites that you can access. They're run like hotels and are very reputable. One of the best places he stayed was called The Cat's Pajamas, in Berlin. It was also the least expensive, the cleanest, with very friendly staff.
Kids traveling in Europe should stay in hostels. There are plenty -- my son traveled in Europe last summer and I was able to help him book places since we were connected via text messaging -- and they're very nice and reasonably priced. There are several hostel networking sites that you can access. They're run like hotels and are very reputable. One of the best places he stayed was called The Cat's Pajamas, in Berlin. It was also the least expensive, the cleanest, with very friendly staff.
35
Uh NO! AirBnb makes 10% of every listing. So they are raking in 100's of thousands of dollars/week
14
Call it an aberration if you will. But we are going to see more and more of this, since there are NO security provisions that can cover the many troubling possibilities inherent in the AirBnB world. It was ALWAYS "an accident (or deliberate act of violence) waiting to happen."
It is time to completely re-think AirBnB, and I strongly urge people to take SERIOUS measure of the advantages (a little extra income) versus the disadvantages (damage to property, theft, injury to themselves or their guest). To my mind, there is no question: the latter outweighs the former by quite a lot.