Have you had a negative experience hosting couchsurfers?

[Desiree]

I recently came across this site: http://www.couchsurfing.org/

From the testimonials people leave for each other as references, everybody seems to be happy with being a guest or a host, but I was just wondering if you ever accepted a guest that you regretted later?

So anyone has any negative experience with hosting strangers/guests that wants to share?

 

[rootX]

Thanks, I was looking for something like http://www.couchsurfing.org/. I believe it let you interact with local people so you don't have to deal with the tourist guide companies?

 

[waht]

Do hosts charge for a stay?, and if so what is the advantage over staying at a motel?

 

[MotoH]

I will pay the extra 100 dollars to not get kidnapped and raped.

 

[Desiree]

Do hosts charge for a stay?, and if so what is the advantage over staying at a motel?

I don't think so.

 

[f95toli]

I know of a couple who have been doing this for a few years now. They have people from all over the world staying with them, and they themselves use this 'system' when traveling through Europe.
They are both in their 50s, but most to people who stay with them are in their early 20s.
So, it seems to work quite well for some people.

 

[waht]

I will pay the extra 100 dollars to not get kidnapped and raped.

That was my first thought. But if the host has a positive feedback, then it gives you confidence.

I don't think so.

So it's all free provided that you host some people right?

 

[Vasara]

I have no direct experience with the service, but I know some people that have surfed and hosted people, and they haven't had any negative experiences. You get a pretty good idea of people beforehand by reading their profiles and looking at other people's references, and you can reject requests for any reason. It's pretty effective at screening out people who you might have an awful experience with, though obviously you can't like everyone you meet.

It is free, and there's no obligation to host anyone. Another upside is that you get to meet local people and get their perspective on a foreign place.

 

[zoobyshoe]

From the testimonials people leave for each other as references, everybody seems to be happy with being a guest or a host, but I was just wondering if you ever accepted a guest that you regretted later?

I've been accepted as a guest, and they regretted it later.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I will pay the extra 100 dollars to not get kidnapped and raped.

I have many friends who have had nothing but amazing experiences. It appears quite safe.

 

[DanP]

I've been accepted as a guest, and they regretted it later.

What did you do ? Do tell us

 

[flatmaster]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Erdős

Mathematicians do it

 

[Pythagorean]

Not for cynics