“If I had another choice, I would not use Airbnb again,” he told me. “I was very put off by getting scammed. But at this point, I feel like if I want to travel, there’s not really much else I can do.”...how about HomeAway, vebo ? There are other options.

Also of course airbnb is to blame for handling the support issue poorly, however my experience with airbnb has been nothing but amazing.

Same nonsense can happen at any 2-3 star hotels.

Never book airbnb without some research. If any issues come then file a complaint before your trip ends and ideally within first 24 hr.