Michael Arrington · Top Commenter · Founder at TechCrunch
"He said they would not reimburse her for damages, then talked about how they're just a service. Then we talked about something else for a bit. Then I read him what I wrote about what he said. then he said ok, but maybe we are doing something for her. I asked him if he wanted to me to write that they have no liability for damages at all, that they are just a service, that they are only helping her and the police find the suspect, and then say that the spokesperson changed his mind and said that maybe they were helping her but he wasn't sure and he had to check with customer service and get back to me? I suggested he figure it out and email me any corrections, which he did. It was one of the more amateurish moments I've seen, and if I had quoted the poor guy directly he would have looked like a fool."
Yet even "EJ" points out she was offered "emotional and financial" support from Airbnb, in her own words. Hm.
I'm not taking sides: As I see it, both sides have reframed the story as it has progressed, with "EJ" retracting her original statement regarding help and Airbnb seemingly saying first one thing then another.
Finally, it's enough already: Airbnb should take measures to prevent this in the future and on the other hand people should remember they are inviting a stranger into their home. In my view, with the available facts, both sides are at fault in various ways or said another way: neither side is at fault.
Now can we move on with our lives and get back to Hacker News sans-drama?
"He said they would not reimburse her for damages, then talked about how they're just a service. Then we talked about something else for a bit. Then I read him what I wrote about what he said. then he said ok, but maybe we are doing something for her. I asked him if he wanted to me to write that they have no liability for damages at all, that they are just a service, that they are only helping her and the police find the suspect, and then say that the spokesperson changed his mind and said that maybe they were helping her but he wasn't sure and he had to check with customer service and get back to me? I suggested he figure it out and email me any corrections, which he did. It was one of the more amateurish moments I've seen, and if I had quoted the poor guy directly he would have looked like a fool."