Category: Guest Communication
By: Prayas Choudhary
Reply by Prayas Choudhary:
I used to negotiate but stopped after I realized the guests who haggle on price are also the ones who complain about everything and leave 4-star reviews. Not always, but the correlation was strong enough. Now I just say "Thanks for reaching out! My prices reflect the quality and amenities I provide. I hope it works for your budget!" and leave it at that. No need to over-explain. If the calendar is empty and it's last-minute (within 3 days), I sometimes offer 10% off. But only on my terms — I send a "Special Offer" through Airbnb, I never let them name the price.
Reply by Prayas Choudhary:
Here's my go-to template that works great: > "Thanks for your interest in my place! My pricing is set using market data and adjusts based on demand, so unfortunately I'm not able to offer discounts on individual stays. That said, I do offer a weekly discount of 10% if you're able to extend your trip — that might help with the budget. Let me know if you have any other questions!" Polite, explains WHY (it's data-driven, not arbitrary), and pivots to a longer stay which is actually better for you. I'd say about 30% of people who ask for a discount end up booking a longer stay when I mention the weekly rate. Never negotiate on price for short stays. It attracts problematic guests in my experience.