Comments on: AirBed and Breakfast

AirBed and Breakfast

scottreynen — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:40:13 -0800

AirBed and Breakfast connects people who have a spare bed (or couch, or whatever) with people who need one. Hosts can set the price (or a charity donation), throw in breakfast (or not), and refuse any guests they want. Guests can find available options by date range, location and any other criteria (e.g. WiFi), pay by credit card, and leave reviews. Not quite enough locations yet, but otherwise looks pretty useful.

By: brundlefly

brundlefly — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:44:02 -0800

Neat idea, but I'm too anal about my privacy to ever do either side of this transaction.

By: TheOnlyCoolTim

TheOnlyCoolTim — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:54:05 -0800

So it's like CouchSurfing plus greed?

By: DU

DU — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:05:36 -0800

Our Guarantee¹: You will never meet anyone even remotely skeezy via this service. ¹notaguarantee

By: proj

proj — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:17:25 -0800

I wonder if by doing this you are effectively doing business as a hotel and thus require the various licenses that go along with that.

By: HotPatatta

HotPatatta — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:26:15 -0800

I've been hosting CouchSurfers for free this summer, but I must admit this is tempting. Just washing their sheets and towels is setting me back almost $5 per person. Not a lot, but when you have 15 people stay with you in a month it adds up quickly. Nevertheless, I like the idea of allowing people to stay with me for free. CouchSurfing is very much a community and that's what appeals to me. People aren't guests when they stay here--they're friends. We eat together, drink together, pal around together. I'm not their maid (well, a few visitors may have thought so) and I'm not their concierge.

By: ornate insect

ornate insect — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:33:01 -0800

This will go over great in the niche serial killer and kleptomaniac markets.

By: jeffburdges

jeffburdges — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:55:00 -0800

I find U.S. ho(s)tel rates ridiculous, so why not. CouchSurfing is a community for people looking to host & attend low-key hostel-style parties, i.e. a niche market. But this might have wider appeal.

By: ColdChef

ColdChef — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:01:55 -0800

MurderedInYourOwnHome.com

By: stbalbach

stbalbach — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:03:44 -0800

I've been hosting CouchSurfers for free .. 15 people a month Sheesh. That's a lifestyle. CouchSurfing plus greed? If (AirBed = CouchSurfing + greed), then (Couchsurfing = AirBed - (thrift + prudence + common sense)). I found it interesting that most of the AirBed pictures show pictures of the host, and not the accommodations. In one picture there is a middle-aged woman (and a dog) in a darkly lit room (can't see her face) standing next to a bed with her hand resting on it while dressed in a nightgown. No doubt her last name is Robinson.

By: pompomtom

pompomtom — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:08:26 -0800

Wait, so (thrift + prudence + common sense) = Greed. Is it the 80s again?

By: mannequito

mannequito — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:21:20 -0800

CouchSurfing is very much a community and that's what appeals to me. People aren't guests when they stay here--they're friends. We eat together, drink together, pal around together. I'm not their maid (well, a few visitors may have thought so) and I'm not their concierge. heh, hate to say it but you are maiding for them if you're spending money to clean up after them. Actually, if you're paying its worse than maiding. I love couchsurfing too and don't throw down that many rules when hosting but I do make sure any incoming guests show up with their own blanket/sleeping bag/pillow should they need them. A guy I stayed with in Germany even went so far as to set up a shower fund for all the hot water his guests consumed. It was by donation and could either be done in person or after via paypal. Thought that was a little extreme but then I don't pay for utilities ... then again he was hosting like 24/7 and since he hosted me I'm certainly not complaining. Definitely still the best way to travel - cheaper than the cheapest hostel and you instantly make new friends and get tipped off on the cooler, more out-of-the-way places to see. I wonder if Airbed & Breakfast will prove useful on the friendship side of things or if the paying part will set up a natural divide between host & guest...

By: lekvar

lekvar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:23:02 -0800

I'm seeing listings in my area for $100 and up. Sure, they're in San Francisco, but I can get a motel room for that much, plus privacy, parking, unlimited cable TV, and free continental breakfast. I'm really not seeing the appeal here. Marginally related, one of my favorite things about Maximumrockandroll used to have listings for bands looking for floorspace and punks looking to host. I always thought that was the perfect way to build the community that MMR always strove for.

By: stbalbach

stbalbach — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:41:04 -0800

Wait, so (thrift + prudence + common sense) = Greed no no, one formula had a "+" the other a "-" IOW, thrift and prudence is the opposite of greed.

By: Eideteker

Eideteker — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:42:34 -0800

Awesome! I can't wait to see what my girlfriend says when she finds out I've signed us up.

By: humannaire

humannaire — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:48:36 -0800

why.com

By: katinka-katinka

katinka-katinka — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:05:45 -0800

I just tried to sign up for this listing my awesome room futon for 2 million a night and it wouldn't let me. I really think that room is worth much more than $3000 a night, which is the limit, and I also am a little squeamish about taking payments through paypal.

By: TheOnlyCoolTim

TheOnlyCoolTim — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:06:15 -0800

no no, one formula had a "+" the other a "-" IOW, thrift and prudence is the opposite of greed. ... (AirBed = CouchSurfing + greed) (Couchsurfing = AirBed - (thrift + prudence + common sense)) Couchsurfing = Couchsurfing + greed - (thrift + prudence + common sense) by subtracting Couchsurfing from both sides: 0 = 0 + greed - (thrift + prudence + common sense) and by adding (thrift + prudence + common sense) to both sides: (thrift + prudence + common sense) = greed Math: don't fail at it. Also, don't be the guy who tries to rent out his futon for $90 a night.

By: TheClonusHorror

TheClonusHorror — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:12:58 -0800

St. Paul has several "only $500 a night during the Republican Convention!" listings.

By: Slap Factory

Slap Factory — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:14:25 -0800

This is a lawsuit waiting to happen under the anti-discrimination laws. Lotsa luck.

By: turgid dahlia

turgid dahlia — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:44:41 -0800

StayAtHomeAndEatMayonnaise.com

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:51:13 -0800

Brilliant. Thanks for this post scottreynen. And cool info about CouchSurfing too. Adding to the info: The Top 5 couchsurfing websites CouchSurfing Wiki

By: jayder

jayder — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:57:53 -0800

This is a lawsuit waiting to happen under the anti-discrimination laws. Lotsa luck. You're saying Joe Sixpack can't decide who does and doesn't sleep in his home? Yeah, right.

By: maxpower

maxpower — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:04:51 -0800

Having had to help family members with bed bug issues, I've taken a whole new view to this sort of thing. Bed bugs are f'ing scary!

By: bottlebrushtree

bottlebrushtree — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:35:18 -0800

I have relatives going into debt paying $150 (cheapest hotel) to be near a hospital while taking care of other sick relative. They found a summer dorm for $40/night but once the students come back, they might be out of luck. Craigslist and a cheap sublet is their next bet. This could be very handy if it caught on.

By: Happy Dave

Happy Dave — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:40:17 -0800

Nice, uh, homage to the Flickr colour scheme there.

By: Happy Dave

Happy Dave — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:48:24 -0800

And I wonder how this works with tax, landlords etc? Cos if you're taking payment, there will be a lot of laws that wuill suddenly apply, no?

By: Stewriffic

Stewriffic — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:16:09 -0800

Wow. The last 10 (at least) pages are entirely DNC and RNC related.

By: Mayor West

Mayor West — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:31:37 -0800

You're saying Joe Sixpack can't decide who does and doesn't sleep in his home? Yeah, right. Joe SixPack absolutely can. Until he puts out his shingle and advertises as a hotel, which is what this service makes him into--then he's bound by federal anti-discrimination statutes. Not that it really matters, since it'll never get to that point... it's probably just a matter of weeks before someone tries this and gets crucified by local zoning/hotelier/tax statutes.

By: scottreynen

scottreynen — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:01:40 -0800

advertises as a hotel, which is what this service makes him into In my (limited) experience, there's a surprising amount of commerce you can conduct in your own home without falling under the purview of business law, so I'm skeptical of this. Does anyone have any links to the relevant laws here?

By: MrMerlot

MrMerlot — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:38:25 -0800

If you don't want to wash people sheets but still want to make money from spare space there's always Park at My House

By: whatzit

whatzit — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:34:15 -0800

HotPatatta: I'm with you on the awesomeness of couchsurfing, and its being a community and way to stay with new friends. If you're ever getting stressed about the hosting and related costs, please please don't give up in total; instead, become one of the people who's more selective about who and when they host. On CS, also, you're welcome to say "sorry, can't do it," for whatever reason you want. Most people, but not all, realize that being a good guest is as important as being a good host. I've been hosting CouchSurfers for free .. 15 people a month ...Sheesh. That's a lifestyle. Heh. I know a guy here in Tokyo who has six to nine people staying in his apartment every night. Lemme tell you, this is not something typical to do in Japan! He did end up starting to ask for donations to cover utilities, and has a computer he bought just for guests that's also on a "please help support this" basis. He is a great host, and still dedicates a lot of time to his work and his own personal life.

By: Deathalicious

Deathalicious — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:50:02 -0800

This reminds me...whatever happened to the whole "renting out lodgings" thing that used to be so big...I don't hear about that much anymore; does it still even happen?

By: GilloD

GilloD — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:09:31 -0800

We're listed both on Couchsurfing and here. I figure the folks from AB&B are probably less, uh, "road worn" than CSers. My wife and I have CSed all over the planet and always had an awesome time. We love to host, too. But if someone who is slightly skeeved by the notion of a free couch wants to plunk down 20 bucks a night to sleep on our sofa bed and play Rock Band- Hey, man. When in Rome.

By: meta_eli

meta_eli — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:29:44 -0800

Joe SixPack absolutely can. Until he puts out his shingle and advertises as a hotel, I don't think the Fair Housing Act applies if you're renting out a room in a single family home that you also reside in. But IANAL and there could be stronger state or local laws.

By: applemeat

applemeat — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:29:04 -0800

The Fair Housing Act does not apply if you're renting out a room in a single family home that you also reside in.

By: Slap Factory

Slap Factory — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:59:58 -0800

I said this was a lawsuit waiting to happen, not that Joe Sixpack was going to get sued under the FHA. (Note that Joe Sixpack could get sued under state or local laws and would also find himself in headaches with local zoning or code enforcement.) When I wrote about the potential for a lawsuit, I had Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley v. Roommates.com, LLC in mind. Everybody who posts on the internet should read it. Disclaimer: I am not your lawyer. Seriously, you couldn't begin to afford my rates.

By: Deathalicious

Deathalicious — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:05:47 -0800

Thanks for posting this, Slap Factory. I always enjoy reading interesting legal cases...at some point I might actually make an AskMe about that...