Hi,
The main thing that most new Members ask me is indeed this: I would like to try it before I make a payment.
Such a feature would help a lot to have more members.
Not to mention that if one wants to host need to pay the subscription, so this does not incentivize having more hosts.
hugs
Luca
Isnât is sufficient that we can list our homes and see all the membersâ homes without making a payment?
No, I donât think is sufficient. Because q new member would like to do an exchange first before committing to an important yearly payment.
Think about it this way, that payment at $220/yr is much less than that stay would cost them if they paid for it. Most people donât stay 1 night so for 2 nights that is $110/night. And if there are a larger group they get more value so less than a hotel stay for typically a house. Also many hosts would not accept guests like this with a free membership. An introductory hospitality visit with a host maybe but that is probably not what people want.
Well, nothing would change for hosts, they would get their GPs as normal.
The person with free membership would need of course to get GPs first.
So they need to host someone first.
The logic thing is that any new member thinks: âwhy should I pay 150⏠for a service which I donât know if it works, and why should I pay to host?â
However they donât need to pay for membership until they arrange an exchange and an exchange can be a host a guest or simultaneous. I hardly think that your blog readers are thinking that they should join to be a host and have more guests in their home without considering the travel aspect for themselves. Many hosts do not like to accept new exchangers and some complain that they do not like the people who just join to use their introductory points. This would be very similar to those type of members.
Simultaneous exchanges are only 20% of the total.
Most people go with GPs.
So the new member would need to host first, before being able to travel.
And indeed, they find it strange that they have to pay to host, without even knowing if a host will ever accept them.
It is not about my blog readers, is just a logic concern that someone has before joining a new platform and make a major payment.
I see what you are saying but I guess you donât get my logic that you wait until you find something that works and then check it out by paying membership. I think maybe you should poll your readers to see if they are not looking to host first or to be hosted. I expect to be hosted but see what the data shows. I will say I would not host someone on a free membership. They have no reviews, they have put nothing into the arrangement and I have no assurances aside from a $500 deposit they might agree to pay if they damage something and it isnât like they have references. I get what you are saying and it is a suggestion item but I wouldnât vote for it or participate if it was developed. Let us see what the HE members say in voting.
They could still register the credit card info to be liable of deposit.
However, members are not entitled to know others subscription situation, thatâs only seen by the staff.
That is only correct that HE staff would be the only one to know your status if your suggestion is implemented otherwise my understanding is you cannot make an exchange unless you are a paid subscriber to the site. Whether you are a paid subscriber will also be obvious to another member by the absence of previous exchanges and the lack of a number badge on your profile.
The $500 HE deposit is only valid if the exchanger agrees to pay for the damage and in my opinion someone who is unwilling to subscribe to get a stay is not going to pay for any damage they may do. I know it is not the same but I have rented for years and the worst situation is with no money upfront people. Please keep lobbying and if other members donât agree with me your suggestion will be voted for. I am just making clear what I see as the downside, have a good day.
The payment isnât for the exchange, exchanges are free. The payment covers access to the site, payment for salaried staff and the HE guarantees ( assistance when there is a last minute problem, accommodation if a replacement exchange isnt found etc). The welcome points are for âtryingâ exchanging before having to host. Members already complain that new members use their welcome points and then donât continue exchanging, imagine if they had to pay after their first exchange, especially if it wasnt perfect, even more would just stop. Indeed exchanging is a big commitment, if a fee which is less than 2 nights in a hotel puts future members off then they arenât likely to be committed members.
All new members, paying or not, have no reviews.
I donât think The fact that someone pays doesnât make them more trustworthy, just maybe more committed.
The members during trial would of course not be entitled in getting welcome GPs.
My point is that it doesnât sound appealing to new members to have to pay ti host someone.
If HomeExchange doesnât get enough members, the whole thing will not work anymore.
I understand that I was trying to point out that even with one exchange there is a value to the lodging they receive that more then compensates for the initial membership fee. And if someone isnât even willing to do that they have nothing to lose by damaging a property.
they would still give their apartment beore being able to travel somewhere and there would be the registration of the credit card for damages.
I don´t see how this influences the fact that they may damage something.
There are platform like Couchsurfing where there is almost no money involved and it is really rare that someone damages something.
If you are on couchsurfing and that works for you then fine but are you behind the scenes and see the stats and really know what happens? Also, in couchsurfing you are home, in home exchange you are mostly not home, that offers alot more opportunity for some random person you allow in your house to do damage or steal.
A story, when my son was a young adult he brought home some âfriendsâ. He knew them a couple weeks. These friends went in my bedroom while I was outside, took several bottles of wine, took the roku, and some other things, went through the other peoples wallets when they went to the beach. This is on top of me feeding them and treating them as guest. I was at the house. Do you know the feeling of someone robbing or damaging your home? I would not be in favor of this change you want and I do think you would see more damage because of the kind of people you would attract but again let people vote.
I am sorry to hear your story. It happened to me that close ´friends´ were stealing at my place. But if one starts with the mentality that he gets robbed, he should not do HomeExchange.
However, my main point is that one should not pay a subscription to a host, at least in the beginning. When you host, you are already offering a service for free.
Thanks so much for your suggestion - one that seems to have created a lot of debate which is always great to see on our Forum. Personally I feel that members can already try out the platform before paying - by listing their homes and searching for exchanges. This enables people to get to know how HE works, learn the values and chat to other likeminded travellers. People already do not have to pay a penny until they wish to confirm their first exchange. The fees are also very reasonable - comparable to just a night or two in a hotel. Also new members also receive up to 1300 guest points just for signing up, so they can use these to further get to grips with how HE works. It is however always great to hear new ideas and possible areas for change so I will certainly pass this on 