I put notes in my phone on the date they called and what they did to annoy me. Then the next time they call I can say, “sorry John on 1st Jan you booked then cancelled then messed me around. So now booking is by £50 deposit only”
The shock they experience when they know your a force to be reckoned with is hillarious. I enjoy teaching them a lesson.

I received a very polite AW enquiry from a guy with only one piece of positive feedback . I think his profile said he was in his 50s. So I politely responded... we couldn't quite coordinate.. he messaged me again and after the 5th message we had booking. He did not confirm a time. I luckily had not extended my hotel booking. He disappeared  - radio silence.

I have now received a polite message from his 29 year old alias... asking if I am available tomorrow.

He has 3 aliases. Zero feedback for two.

The mind boggles.

I've got a few like this who say they are new aswell but I'm sure I've had them blocked off for a couple of years plus as one I definitely recognise by the gap in his teeth. It's like groundhog day when they do it. This one said he was "confused" by my automated replies on aw.    Hopeless cases.

It's mindless petty power games on the whole. Juvenile attention seeking at best. They are being ignored at home or whatever. I don't think they can remember what they are doing half the time. It's like they go into some delusional dimension in their brain that trips out rational thinking. Little drug like hit for them to send out the text or email & get a reply.

I think also if they don't get the exact response that massages their ego (power games again) they lose interest. They are defintiely doing it to a few at once. It's very narcissistic.  So many like this & it's becoming worse with the effects of social media etc.

I let my automated responses bombard them until something solid sounding comes through. Then it's "confirm 20 minutes before please". I will have someone else on reserve if I can.  Best to avoid any fluffiness as it just encourages their needy behaviour. It can be really hard not to call them out for their BS. I will slip in the odd facetious but polite comment if I'm in the mood. Usually in the hope they'll feck off. Generally too dumb to get it.