• Home
  • Contact
Subscribe: Posts | Comments | E-mail
  • Blog

The Laptop Traveler

Archive for May, 2011


Posted on May 8, 2011 - by Renae

Etiquette of Home Exchange

Greetings, friends!

It has been so long since I have posted that I am almost ashamed! But life has been busy; I have not had time to scan and share all of the lovely postcards I have collected since I last wrote–and there are a lot!

One of these days I will do it. I am just not sure when.

But I did want to write about a topic of interest right now, which is the etiquette of home exchanges. Actually, since I have not yet actually done a home exchange, I am thinking more of the etiquette of requesting a home exchange.

My husband and I recently joined www.homeforexchange.com. We want to travel but find the cost prohibitive for our family of five. For example, do you know that, right now, round trip airfare to Munich (a place I’d LOVE to vist) is running about USD $1,400 per person? That comes out to USD $7,000 for a family of five. I don’t know about you, but that’s way too much money to spend on airfare alone.

A family outside of Paris recently wrote to us asking for an exchange this summer. While we would have LOVED to do so–PARIS!–airfare would have been the same as if traveling to Munich–$7,000. So, unfortunately, we had to decline. In my email reply though, I did ask if they would be interested in considering an exchange during other times–perhaps in the winter months when fares are lower, or maybe even Summer 2012, as I understand that fares may be lower if you book far out in advance.

However, to that proposal, I received no reply.

Another exchanger in Florida also wrote, asking to exchange homes this summer. The area was not one where we’d like to visit, so I proposed a possible three-way exchange: perhaps I could find someone in an area where we’d like to visit who wanted to visit Florida? Then I would stay in the 3rd party’s home; the third party would stay in Florida; the Florida party would stay in my home, which is what they wanted all along.

However, to that proposal, I received no reply.

I have also written to two parties myself asking about possible domestic exchanges this summer–one more than a week ago, the other yesterday.

However, to both proposals, I have not yet received replies. (I’m not as concerned about the proposal sent yesterday; it takes even me at least one full day to ponder a request and to reply!)

And this leaves me wondering about the etiquette of requesting and responding to home exchanges.

  • Is it not hospitable to respond to every request, even if the response is negative?
  • Is it not hospitable to respond to requests promptly, within three days or so?

The people making requests are trying to plan–if the dates and details can be worked out, there are airfares to book, travel plans to make, lots of planning and dreaming and scheming to do! 🙂

I don’t know about others, but I will not be offended if you cannot or do not want to take me up on my proposal. If you do not want to come to my area, or if you are otherwise engaged, just say so. But please, don’t leave me hanging. I sent my request to you in full readiness to start acting–now! 🙂

I think this is a reasonable request. And I think that perhaps home exchange websites ought to publish information to members so that they know to respond courteously and promptly to all requests.

But–since I know I can’t change the world, I will simply continue to do what I do and hope that others will follow my lead: I will respond to all requests promptly!

So if you’re interested in an exchange, please review our listing online–and then write!

Even if it is negative, I promise a prompt reply…. 🙂

 

Did you like this? Share it:
Tweet


  • Welcome!

    Welcome to The Laptop Traveler, my way of sharing and connecting with others interested in postcards, travel, and the countries, cultures, and peoples of the world. Please take a moment to leave a comment on any of the blog posts here. It is good to know that people are visiting and reading. Hope you enjoy your stay!
  • Food for thought

    more Quotes
  • about.me

    Learn more about.me
  • Get new posts by email

    Subscribe to The Laptop Traveler by Email
  • Looking for something?

  • Who’s commenting?

    • Z. Brennan on Hot Air Balloons over Topeka, Kansas
    • Thinking about Iceland | The Laptop Traveler on Iceland
    • PAULO OLIVEIRA on Official card from Mauritius
    • WakeGrace on Official card from Mauritius
    • Mary on Photograph by Leon Supraner
    • betkap on Finland, Aurora Borealis
    • Jake Richter on Karel’s by Night, by Jake Richter
    • Sheila on Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic Map Card
    • Gerardo009 on Trujillo, Peru
    • Janet on Spirit of Life Fountain, City of Hope
  • Links

    • Find free penpals!
    • My business writing site. (Need a writer?)
    • My editing website! (Need an editor?)
    • Send something. Get something.
    • Swap Postcards Worldwide!
    • View My Postcards for Trade
    • What's happening where? Earth Calendar.
    • Worldwide Telescope
  • What’s happening here?

    advertising animals architecture art art card art cards asheville assisi books brazil Bulgaria cambridge cards China churches city view colorful culture England hot air balloons italy kansas kiev kittens landscape lithuania loch map missouri New York City north carolina postcards postcrossing prison russia salvador scotland snow stamps Texas travel ukraine university USA Uzbekistan
  • Visit me on Flickr!

    www.flickr.com
    This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from CarolinaRen. Make your own badge here.
  • I support Kiva

    Kiva - loans that change lives
  • Archives

    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • September 2011
    • July 2011
    • May 2011
    • October 2010
    • September 2010
    • August 2010
    • July 2010
    • December 2009
    • August 2009
    • July 2009
    • June 2009
    • May 2009
    • April 2009
    • March 2009
    • February 2009
    • January 2009
    • December 2008
    • March 2008
    • February 2008
    • January 2008
    • July 2007
    • June 2007
    • April 2007
    • March 2007
    • February 2007
    • January 2007
    • December 2006
    • November 2006
    • September 2006
    • August 2006
© 2008 The Laptop Traveler - My journey around the world through postcards. Join me, won't you?
The Papercut theme by WooThemes - Premium Wordpress Themes