Man Arrives In Amsterdam Only To Find Out His Airbnb Is Actually A Shipping Container
It seems that no matter how hard Airbnb’s staff tries to secure and guarantee a welcoming experience for their clients and hosts, the Internet still keeps on posting the most absurd and sometimes even scary Airbnb stories. In fact, there have been some really terrifying ones. Luckily, the one we have prepared for you today is more funny than bad and it does have a happy ending. But just like any other unsuccessful Airbnb story, this one does remind you to always read the reviews and check for the safest options on Airbnb because you never know when you might end up sleeping in a shipping container.
More info: Ben Speller
Recently, a man named Ben Speller was planning a trip to Amsterdam
While scrolling through the Airbnb website, he found an option that suited his needs and budget. Without hesitating much, he booked a clean apartment with a private bathroom which cost him £100.
To his surprise, when he arrived, this is what he found
In an interview with a Dutch news site, Ben said: “We had already driven past the container three times in the taxi trying to find the place. We thought, ‘This can’t be it.’ But when we got out, it turned out that it was true. We opened the door and looked inside, locked the door and left. Then we went to a hotel.”
Ben didn’t stay there for long. Moments after seeing his Airbnb, he went to a hotel which cost him an extra £230
News outlets, Airbnb representatives, even the district manager tried to find the owner of this shipping container but they appeared to be untraceable.
Luckily, Airbnb has given Ben a refund as well as compensated the hotel fee
Image credits: AT5
An Airbnb spokesperson said: “We have removed the host and listings from our platform. Misrepresented or fraudulent listings have no place on our platform, and our team works hard to constantly strengthen our defenses and stay ahead of bad actors.”
Since then, the shipping container has been removed
Image credits: AT5
People couldn’t help but laugh at this absurd situation
159Kviews
Share on FacebookBetter than the girl and her friend that showed up at her airbnb only to find out the guy that owned the apartment had done multiple rentals for the same day. 14 people crammed into one apartment..no private bath..and the guy that owned it was found the next morning making out with his girlfriend on one of the guest's beds (I say bed, but it was actually a rolled out mat on the floor with dirty bed linens.)
Best part is, for sure if they leave it online long enough, there would have been some "centrally located, no frills but does what it has to" type of reviews. I have arrived to absolutely horrendous Airbnb like this once because I was convinced based on the comments, and to my amusement there were other people staying there too who didn't seem to mind the state of the place. Like the thick black rim of dirt in the bathtub or the sank-in thousand year old bed in a tiny unlockable room, or the falling plaster... So yeah as ridiculous this is, Im also 100% sure there would have been people who prefer to avoid confrontation so much, they would have stayed and written a nice review too 😂
Exactly what I was thinking, it's the first thing i'd do, look at what kind of a place i'd be staying in.
Load More Replies...If the dude were honest about it I'm sure he'd get people who would take him up on it and give him decent reviews. I hate spending money on hotels when I travel and want the most basic, cheapest accommodations possible. I don't hang out in hotels to enjoy the amenities. I just need a place to sleep and take care of hygiene.
I agree! I once stayed in a movable hotel in Scotland that was build of large shipping containers - the ones you find on cargo ships. The rooms were tiny, but there was a bed and a toilet and a shower (barely wide enough to fit in, but for one night I was OK with that.) They would move that hotel around and set it up it in different areas if there's a festival or a big event going on. Very smart!
Load More Replies...A friend of mine had a lot of money stolen from him (like 2,500) while on holiday in NY because he thought he'd rented someplace and it turned out to be a scam. When renting from someone, a person needs a guarantee that it is authentic. Some sites don't cover certain cases like this. There should be more guarantees for renters. (Thanks @Carol Emory for invaluable support.)
@ Max L. I understand what you are saying, but I'm going to re-write this for you because it's a valid point of this situation that needs to be said. Feel free to copy and paste this. "A friend of mine had a lot of money stolen from him (like 2,500) while on holiday in NY because he thought he'd rented someplace and it turned out to be a scam. When renting from someone, a person needs a guarantee that it is authentic. Some sites don't cover certain cases like this. There should be more guarantees for renters."
Load More Replies...The whole airbnb system just gives me the creeps. Maybe I don't trust people enough... wait, I definitely don't trust people! I want to do business with a business that is still going to be there in 10 days. Airbnb, like Lyft and Uber have not made any profits yet! That's just crazy, how long are these services going to stick around not making any money? I know it's more of an adventure but there are sooooo many horror stories.
Isn't the saying that if you've not turned a profit in 2 years, your business is not going to last? Uber hasn't made a profit? That's crazy as big as the company is.
Load More Replies...i know he was deceived, which is bad but ..... how cheap was it, relatively ? the best vacations aren't spent in your room, this may actually work for some low-budget travelers
A hotel room was only a little over twice as much. So not that cheap.
Load More Replies...Behob - Ungrateful. Council houses used to be lovely places until certain people inhabited them.......
when i first saw the title, i thought "It's gotta be a make-over type deal" & was ready for a nice little set-up inside...color me disappointed! pretty crappy thing to do when it honestly probably wouldn't have cost too awful much to have it outfitted as a proper & decent airbnb. i would love to have a storage container for a guest house. Doesn't have to cost an arm & a leg to convert!
If the ad was worded correctly & honestly, I'm sure there would had been many renters who was seeking a simple place to lay their heads for sleeping. Many tourists would appreciate a simple & clean bed so they don't have to shell out extra for fancy hotel.
Did it have a bed? I would have stayed there! It's not every day you get to stay in a shipping container! It did have a private bathroom as advertised!
Better than the girl and her friend that showed up at her airbnb only to find out the guy that owned the apartment had done multiple rentals for the same day. 14 people crammed into one apartment..no private bath..and the guy that owned it was found the next morning making out with his girlfriend on one of the guest's beds (I say bed, but it was actually a rolled out mat on the floor with dirty bed linens.)
Best part is, for sure if they leave it online long enough, there would have been some "centrally located, no frills but does what it has to" type of reviews. I have arrived to absolutely horrendous Airbnb like this once because I was convinced based on the comments, and to my amusement there were other people staying there too who didn't seem to mind the state of the place. Like the thick black rim of dirt in the bathtub or the sank-in thousand year old bed in a tiny unlockable room, or the falling plaster... So yeah as ridiculous this is, Im also 100% sure there would have been people who prefer to avoid confrontation so much, they would have stayed and written a nice review too 😂
Exactly what I was thinking, it's the first thing i'd do, look at what kind of a place i'd be staying in.
Load More Replies...If the dude were honest about it I'm sure he'd get people who would take him up on it and give him decent reviews. I hate spending money on hotels when I travel and want the most basic, cheapest accommodations possible. I don't hang out in hotels to enjoy the amenities. I just need a place to sleep and take care of hygiene.
I agree! I once stayed in a movable hotel in Scotland that was build of large shipping containers - the ones you find on cargo ships. The rooms were tiny, but there was a bed and a toilet and a shower (barely wide enough to fit in, but for one night I was OK with that.) They would move that hotel around and set it up it in different areas if there's a festival or a big event going on. Very smart!
Load More Replies...A friend of mine had a lot of money stolen from him (like 2,500) while on holiday in NY because he thought he'd rented someplace and it turned out to be a scam. When renting from someone, a person needs a guarantee that it is authentic. Some sites don't cover certain cases like this. There should be more guarantees for renters. (Thanks @Carol Emory for invaluable support.)
@ Max L. I understand what you are saying, but I'm going to re-write this for you because it's a valid point of this situation that needs to be said. Feel free to copy and paste this. "A friend of mine had a lot of money stolen from him (like 2,500) while on holiday in NY because he thought he'd rented someplace and it turned out to be a scam. When renting from someone, a person needs a guarantee that it is authentic. Some sites don't cover certain cases like this. There should be more guarantees for renters."
Load More Replies...The whole airbnb system just gives me the creeps. Maybe I don't trust people enough... wait, I definitely don't trust people! I want to do business with a business that is still going to be there in 10 days. Airbnb, like Lyft and Uber have not made any profits yet! That's just crazy, how long are these services going to stick around not making any money? I know it's more of an adventure but there are sooooo many horror stories.
Isn't the saying that if you've not turned a profit in 2 years, your business is not going to last? Uber hasn't made a profit? That's crazy as big as the company is.
Load More Replies...i know he was deceived, which is bad but ..... how cheap was it, relatively ? the best vacations aren't spent in your room, this may actually work for some low-budget travelers
A hotel room was only a little over twice as much. So not that cheap.
Load More Replies...Behob - Ungrateful. Council houses used to be lovely places until certain people inhabited them.......
when i first saw the title, i thought "It's gotta be a make-over type deal" & was ready for a nice little set-up inside...color me disappointed! pretty crappy thing to do when it honestly probably wouldn't have cost too awful much to have it outfitted as a proper & decent airbnb. i would love to have a storage container for a guest house. Doesn't have to cost an arm & a leg to convert!
If the ad was worded correctly & honestly, I'm sure there would had been many renters who was seeking a simple place to lay their heads for sleeping. Many tourists would appreciate a simple & clean bed so they don't have to shell out extra for fancy hotel.
Did it have a bed? I would have stayed there! It's not every day you get to stay in a shipping container! It did have a private bathroom as advertised!
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