A green calendar does not mean automatic approval - Testimonial

English Forum Community 🤔 Q&As: Ask the community
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Thank you so much to Cheryl, HomeExchange member, for sharing these words :

“I’m seeing so many complaints and judgements [in the group] about requests and replies.

We have to remember that home exchanging is based on courtesy. It is based and built on trust, hope, and loving kindnesss. The people that post about themselves, about their homes and communities, are allowing you into their circle of acquaintances and many become friends. Unlike a rental such as a hotel, airbnb, or vrbo, they want to know you and even like you. Your tone and attitude can turn a yes into a no, or a no into a yes! The fact that someone shows availability and says no could be that circumstances changed or they’re negotiating another exchange, or the tone of the requestor just turned them off. Nobody is entitled to stay in your home. Additionally, some requests, when you specifically said you don’t want or no to x,y or z, can be an oversight, desperation, or just taking a chance or shot in the dark that circumstances have changed. A simple 'no, but we wish you the best" is a great and quick response. We’ve accepted some really different exchanges, that were not on our list or horizon, but piqued our interest. I think we can all benefit from the practice opening or minds, of letting go. Practice being the person you want to have coffee, tea or a glass of wine with in the backyard on a summer night, sharing stories of your experiences, travels, and families. If that is not you, if that is not what you’re looking for, maybe exchanging is not for you? JMO, with 25 years experience and more than 50 successful exchanges, and the foundation of so many friendships”

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Our view is similar. “Available” on our calendar does not mean an automatic approval of an exchange request. It simply means that we will consider an exchange, but accepting/approving it depends on several factors…

  • Do we want to visit the requestor’s location?
  • Is the requestor’s home suitable for us?
  • If it is a Guest Point request, do we have another place where we wish to go and is it available and practical and affordable for us to travel there?
  • Do we trust the requestor based on their profile, reviews, and our direct communication?

We only have one home, so all of these factors are under consideration when we receive an exchange request.

For a secondary home, I would think that only the last point would be applicable (trustworthiness of the requestor). However, it is possible that the secondary home is already occupied by guests, so the other factors may also be applicable.

This is one of the many reasons why members should always keep their calendar as up-to-date as possible. It’s surprising to me how many members have no entries whatsoever in their calendars. A complete and up-to-date calendar is a great tool for attracting potential guests, avoiding unwanted inquiries, and locating potential destinations. Why join the community if you have no interest in attracting exchangers or searching for places to stay?

Whenever we are speaking with people who are thinking about joining the community, we always inform them of the value of keeping their calendar up to date.