Why I won't be using airbnb again

This is one example. Airbnb isn't actually renting the place out to you (the landlord is).

They discourage 2-way communication because what will end up happening is that the user will try to make a deal outside of Airbnb, get screwed, and then come crying to Airbnb for recourse (and it will make them look bad and discourage future customers).

They also want to keep their clients.

'paulhauggis' is dead-on re: why the policy is set the way it is. However, I think the key takeaway is the lack of customer service, not the service itself. Nobody likes being told their stupid, and nobody likes being ripped off.

Sounds almost exactly like finding apartments in New York. I especially love the 2 bedroom part. In NYC, they love to make 1 bedrooms into 2 by putting up a bookshelf or a temporary wall. I've been going through the apartment hunting nonsense, including using Airbnb and it's been a nightmare. On Airbnb, you can't just "book," it seems like it requires an exchange of messages before you can get a "yes."