> It initially feels like this glorious free market, but ...
Based on the number of posts of former AirBnB users, sounds like the free market is working.
Maybe the failure here is in Airbnb's marketing of their services to the wrong crowd.
I felt like I was the ideal AirBnB user. I have low standards for where I sleep and can usually be flexible schedule-wise, and I also value low prices over most other factors. But I just can't afford last minute cancellations and people not living up to the expectations they set themselves. I'm pretty sure you won't find many people who are more open to what AirBnB could be than that...
I still use it though because it is much more reliable than a cab most places and usually cheaper and I don't have to worry about payment.
This is why I've stopped using AirBnB. I had used it for multiple business trips and personal stays, and in only 2 of the places I've stayed has the host had any sense of professionalism. One slept in and wasn't up at the time they said breakfast was served. I eventually left before they woke up. Another canceled at the last minute because they were traveling. Too late for me to alter my other travel plans, so my only option was to take an expensive hotel room I wouldn't have booked otherwise, or miss that part of my planned vacation. Another had family staying and they clearly weren't equipped for all the guests.
The problem with AirBnB is it's usually additional, passive income. It initially feels like this glorious free market, but there's not enough skin in the game for them. If they want to blow you off at the last minute you just have to with an expensive, last-minute back up plan. And they just forfeit some income they weren't really counting on anyway. I've been jerked around by hotels too, but not nearly as often.