People who shouldn't use Airbnb: Craig

Every now and then I browse through the other Airbnb listings in my area.  It helps me make decisions about what to charge and is just a good way to see what guests like (or not) in other places.  Occasionally, you read a review that seems completely out of line.  Here's an example.

Meet Craig, who's description reads "My wife and I divide our time between Kent, CT and Greenwich, CT. We are semi-retired investors with a great love of travel. We are devoted parents of a 12 year old girl and 15 year old boy."

Okay, good.

Now here's his review of Affordable, Cosy and Private Escape.

"I was not going to leave a review at all because I didn't want to mess up Alicia's business, but then the requests for money for broken items started arriving. That was odd since we decided not stay in the apartment at all.

As we approached Alicia's townhouse, my son noticed signs in bodega windows notifying customers that the police would be called immediately if anyone entered the store while wearing a hood or mask. The R.I.P. gangster wall murals also created quite an impression.

Those impressions were more or less confirmed when we got to Alicia's street. It was closed by police activity. Since I could not drive down the street, I asked an officer if he would mind if backed up the street so I could park in front of the apartment. He was cool with my backing up the street but he thought parking my somewhat expensive SUV on the street overnight would be stupid. He laughed when we asked about secure parking in the neighborhood. We left and got a hotel room.

I asked Alicia if she could at least refund the cleaning fee since we did not stay there. Instead, she billed me $15 for broken fan.
Say what?

Consider yourself warned."

So, here's a semi-retired investor, owner of a "somewhat expensive SUV."  Where does he choose for his family to stay in Philly?  One of the least expensive Philly listings on Airbnb. And then he complains.

Police activity happens in the best of neighborhoods.  Even banks these days don't allow customers to enter wearing masks or hoodies.

I won't comment on the billing issues since I can't know what happened.  The other reviews are mostly positive and create the impression that the place is a decent place to stay for the price. It's target guests are students and others needing a place in the University area.

Craig was clearly expecting a centrally-located hotel experience and got smacked upside the head by a real world he doesn't seem too familiar with. And he's also just a damn cheapskate.

Stick to the hotels, Craig.