Modify the messaging system to better support GP exchanges for hosts.

English Forum Community 🗳️ Suggestions box
1

Considering that 80% of all exchanges on the HE platform are Guest Point exchanges, it’s unfortunate that the messaging system is inadequate to support hosts wishing to message potential guests who have indicated a preference for the host’s location, and invite them for a GP stay.

Currently, all messages from one member to another are structured and formatted by the platform to assume that the conversation is about a reciprocal exchange or a guest requesting a stay in exchange for GPs at a host’s home. There is no provision for a host inviting a guest to stay in exchange for GPs.

An improved messaging system would ask the initiator of a message to check one of these boxes:

  1. I am requesting a reciprocal exchange.
  2. I am a guest requesting a GP stay at a host’s home.
  3. I am a host inviting a guest to stay at my home.

This would allow the HE platform’s messaging system to properly and clearly construct the message such that it is clear to the receiver what type of exchange is being referenced.

All members would have a set of three check boxes available in their home description which would say the following:

  1. Accept reciprocal exchange messages
  2. Accept GP guest request messages
  3. Accept GP host invitation messages

Members would have the option of checking all, some, or none of these boxes.

For those people who are insulted by receiving GP invitations from a host, it would be a simple matter to leave unchecked the box which indicates “Accept GP host invitation messages”.

1 Like
2

Hello canuck

To be precise messages from one member to another are structured and formatted by the calendar set up :

  1. If the calendar is opened with reciprocal exchange dates , then the message is structured with reciprocal exchange.
  2. If the calendar is opened with GP exchange dates , then the message is structured with GP exchange.
  3. f the calendar is opened with all types exchange dates , then the member must choose between reciprocical, GP or all type exchange as the '“Type of exchange” zone is empty and it is a mandatory zone to send the message.

Are you talking about another point?

3

Yes.

The messaging system assumes that each message is a guest requesting to stay at a host’s home, either for GPs or reciprocal exchange.

I am saying that the messaging system should support the case where a host wants to send a message to a guest inviting them to come to the host’s home in exchange for Guest Points.

4

I got the point. Thank you.

In this case, it should be only possible for people who opened their calendar for GPs only or ‘All types’.

I don’t think members who opened their calendar with reciprocical exchange only would be interested.

5

In this case, it should be only possible for people who opened their calendar for GPs only or ‘All types’.

Remember that a calendar is an indication of when a member’s home is available or unavailable for an exchange. The member themself may have a different availability than their home. For example, a member may have finalized a GP visit to their home by another member. The host member’s calendar would show that their home is unavailable, but the member themself may be available and open to invitations to do a GP visit to another member’s home. So, in my opinion, the ability of a member to receive GP invitations from potential hosts should not be restricted based on a home calendar. Instead it would be better controlled by members being able to check a box somewhere on their profile to say that they are not open to receive GP invitations from potential host members (as I described in my initial post of this topic).

6

Not on their profile.
On the listing.

As for as i am concerned, i exchange my main home and a studio (secondary home).
I don’t want GPs for my main home but opened to all types for my secondary home.
It is setup this way in the calendar.

If the box is on the profile, it does not work.

7

I think that I am still not making myself clear.

My post concerns the ability of a host to invite another member to be a guest in the host’s home in exchange for GPs. So the calendar of the guest’s home is irrelevant because the host who is initiating the message is not asking for a stay at the other member’s home. The only relevant information for the new type of message I am proposing (a host inviting a guest in exchange for GPs) is the availability and interest of the guest member to travel, which is not necessarily the same as the availability of their home.

Ideally, it would be a good feature to add a calendar to each member’s profile. The reason for this is that a member’s ability to travel may not be identical to the availability of their home. But for now, in my post, I am just suggesting to add “GP Invitation” functionality to the messaging system.

8

You are perfectly clear canuck

This option is missing.
Right now, members can only contact people who put your home in their travel project (ex-favorite destinations).