I see people complain that beds and occupancy numbers don’t match and the beds are what make points. I suggest a separate question on maximum allowable occupancy might be a way to address this and have it contribute to the points algorithm. (as long as all the listed beds can be used). If a bed can’t be used it should obviously not be listed.
1 Like
I agree completely. It makes no sense for the GP evaluation to automatically calculate the occupancy limit based only on the number of beds. There should be a box on the home description screen where each member is able to enter an occupancy limit which would over-ride the automatically calculated occupancy number.
I recently encountered a long-time member with many exchanges (who shall remain unidentified here) whose HE screen says that they have a 2-bedroom, 2-bed (1 double and 1 single) apartment in a desirable location, and they are open to both reciprocal and GP exchanges. I sent them a request for my wife and I (2 people) to stay at their home for a week in exchange for GPs during an available period on their calendar. The HE algorithm sees 2 bedrooms and a capacity of 3 people and automatically calculates the GP value accordingly. We began negotiating an exchange and they said that they have converted the 2nd bedroom into a “den” and there is only one bedroom and space for 2 people. Therefore, the algorithm is calculating a higher GP value than it actually deserves.
I politely informed them that they should update their home description to specify only 1 bedroom and 1 double-bed, and they abruptly ended negotiations and sent me a blunt response that “there is no availability for you”.
I realize that a host can reject another member for any reason, it is their home. But obviously, in this case, the member put incorrect “bed information” on their home description simply to boost the GP value of their home. Months later I checked their HE page again and it still says 2-bedrooms and capacity for 3 people.
So my opinion is that the HE algorithm should make it mandatory for each member to specify the maximum occupancy number of their home. It should not just be an automatic calculation based on number of bedrooms and beds.
2 Likes
Yes, that is a situation where they do not have the second bed and should not get credited for it and it should be reported they don’t have sleeping for the number stated. What I see happen is people say I have 5 double beds but I only want to 7 people not 10, that is fine but people should be able to say upfront so it doesn’t come up as a match. Now some requests having all beds filled is too much based on your own schedule 2 days 8 people right before I have guests I may not do, but the listed should be the number you will typically accommodate.