VRBO vs. AirBnB

[James R.]

Just wanting some feedback from others, in regard to these two platforms.  My properties are listed on both, but I keep spreadsheets on "issues" their resolution and how much it cost to resolve them.  VRBO guests have consistently higher rates of issues.  I was beginning to think that VRBO is where you go when you've been kicked off the Airbnb platform for mischief.  I absolutely do not like the fact that VRBO keeps information on its users hidden.  Airbnb is much more transparent.  For example, if I accept a VRBO booking, it's like going in blind.  I do not even know where they are coming from.  With Airbnb, I see right away that the request is coming from say Denver.  This is important to me, because, due to the layout of my property (it is a HUGE open concept), I get a lot of people wanting to book an event space or have a party and they are located in the same city.  I decline same-city requests on Airbnb, but it's impossible to do this on VRBO.  What are your experiences with VRBO guests?  Good?  Bad?  

[Bruce Woodruff]

Mine were the opposite of yours too. VRBO guests were older, more mature and had less issues. AirBnB guests were (generally) younger and more prone to having entitlement issues, leaving the places messier, etc.

Do you have your sceening parameters set the same for both? Meaning, age of guest/minimum stay/advance booking days......?

And I found Air's customer service to be pretty horrible. Whereas VRBOs was very good. On a scale of 1-10, I would give VRBO a 8.5 and Air a 2....