We finalized an exchange with a HE member for October. Since they finalized, we cannot reach them. We have finalized a 2-week exchange in Italy with a member for October. Since they finalized the exchange, I have reached out numerous times to them via HE message and their personal email with a number of questions and a 1 day change that THEY requested - and I have not received ANY response from ANY of my messages. It’s as if they have disappeared.
We are getting VERY nervous as we have made our travel arrangements and invited friends to join us.
If you have finalised the exchange you should have their phone number, so you could call them. Its a long time until October, but if you’re really worried you could contact member service through the online form on the site and ask them to check the account and reach out to the menbers for you.
The other thing to consider is how long you have given them to respond. If it has been only days then it is perhaps possible they have a life event that is taking all their time. If it is weeks then give then try the phone.
Based on my own recent experience, HE can certainly help if an exchange falls through. We had someone cancel on us quite far ahead and they were very supportive and we were not caught short at all. So first thing to remember is that even if someone doesn’t seem responsive, at this point there is no reason to panic.
I’ve certainly had exchanges with people that were not very responsive, especially this far ahead. Often they were engaged with other more pressing concerns (e.g. on other exchanges or just dealing with day to day stuff and not checking their messages.) I’ve been guilty of slow responses too myself. Life gets in the way sometimes.
In a nutshell, there is no need to be concerned at this point. Just proceed as if everything is locked in. If you get closer to the date and still no joy, reach out to support for assistance, and if it falls through, they will help find a replacement at no extra cost to you.