All Forum Posts by: Diana Mulvihill

We do what @Lisa Graesser does and charge cost of shipping along with our cleaner's time (she quotes us). Once I have approval from the guest and payment, our cleaner texts me a photo of the tracking info which I pass along to the owner. One thing to be aware of is that if you do this on the same platform the guest booked on (e.g. VRBO), VRBO still charges both a VRBO commission fee and a payment processing fee. Those fees were irritating as even though I should have known better, our cleaner charged $50 for both postage and her time (heavier items) and while I still had to pay her $50, I actually only received $46 from VRBO as a result of those fees. Great question. I do recommend checking with the guest what their preference is as we've had guests pass on having things such as glasses (!) returned to them. (Someone should start a post here on the funny things guests leave behind, some deliberately because they don't want to cart home beer, mead, etc.!)

@Diana Mulvihill I would say use the authorities as the middlemen unless you know the owners and are comfortable meeting in person. If they agree and again if you are comfortable you can leave them in a ziplock on your porch for them to pick up (I assume they know where you live) If they are out of state get their permission to mail it out.
 save all communication, take a picture and advise them you won't be responsible should anything be lost or damaged. Keeping a record will be the most important.

Not sure how helpful all that was and I apologize if I've missed read the question again!

I send them via USPS with delivery confirmation.

I usually cover the costs, but you could ask to be reimbursed or send you money ahead of time to cover shipping.

Unless you have their contact info and are comfortable reaching out, Honestly handing them off to the local police station is probably your best bet.

take pictures, and record any communications with the authorities to cover your butt. Maybe send an email to the authorities first so you have a paper trail to refer back to.

I think this is really cool - I would definitely use this.  However, I do look at all pics and read full listing before I ever book a place.  Some or even most do not.  If you check hot tub and even with a bunch of pics and words some people will complain, and Airbnb likely would grant a refund because of "missing amenity"

Its a catch 22.  I think 95% of the time you will be fine, so I would probably check the box, do a good job with pics and descriptions accuracy and deal with the 1-2 problem people per year.

I'm not sure hot tub would be a good bracket to place a soaking tub, as pointed out hot tubs offer more than what you have pictured. I'm not sure what boxes you could check for an amenity like this, but you could at least have a photo within the first 5 listing pictures and mention it in the title.