> But i didn't want to cave in and called AirBnB. Thankfully, airbnb fully refunded the payment and i was able to find another accomodation in the last minute. I don't recommend this host unless you want a stressful start for your vacation.
I'm pretty sure your review got removed because you didn't actually check in. I'm actually surprised the system even let you write a review given the circumstances you've outlined.
That seems like the most reasonable explanation. Yes, asking for cash upon arrival is super sketchy, the review was probably fair, but in my experience, getting a negative review removed from a completed Airbnb transaction requires both parties to consent.
My experience, for reference: A couple stayed on our second floor, and left dozens of snotty tissues all around the apartment, put recylables in the trash, and just kind of left the place a mess. No permanent damage, and otherwise, were perfectly fine guests. I gave them five stars for everything but cleanliness, and this man LOST HIS MIND about this new stain on his ratings. Claimed he didn't do anything, reacted poorly when I added pictures to the thread, made excuses, begged for me to change the review (I couldn't!), and eventually accused me of being homophobic (?!?!). Thing is, he lived an Amtrak ride away, and was acting irrational enough that I was worried about further escalation, so eventually I contacted Airbnb and asked them to take my review down.
> but in my experience, getting a negative review removed from a completed Airbnb transaction requires both parties to consent.
This is not accurate. AirBnB has a requirement that reviews be relevant, and they liberally apply this to remove reviews upon one party's request, often complaints about how the host acts are deemed not relevant to the room/house, which is of course absurd.
I assure you, I have relayed my experience accurately. Airbnb would not remove my review on behalf of the guest. I had to call them and ask them to remove the review I wrote. I will add, however, that this was over two years ago, and pre-IPO. It would not surprise me if policies have changed to be less consumer-friendly now that they're publicly traded.
It's complicated. It seems Airbnb was forced by some customer protection agency (UK iirc), to always offer the possibility to submit a review in the case of last minute cancellations. It's standard practice though that Airbnb considers reviews from guests who did not stay as irrelevant and removable when requested. OP should appeal the removal in their particular case. It's not impossible to reanimate removed reviews. However, generally, what Airbnb did here makes sense (else e.g. host's would suffer from retaliatory reviews when guests show up beyond check-in time and feel entitled). What people forget: by participating in reviews customers are more likely to engage with the product/plattform again (source: influence or pre-suasion by Robert Cialdini).
> But i didn't want to cave in and called AirBnB. Thankfully, airbnb fully refunded the payment and i was able to find another accomodation in the last minute. I don't recommend this host unless you want a stressful start for your vacation.
I'm pretty sure your review got removed because you didn't actually check in. I'm actually surprised the system even let you write a review given the circumstances you've outlined.