When I signed up for HomeExchange I thought that guestpoints were great, since it would be hard to coordinate and exact trip. I went to go find a place today and almost the whole city, where there are numerous home exchanges refuse to take Guestpoints.
Is there some economic or strategic reason where people wouldn’t do that? (Note, this is before any contact).
Hello Lance. A lot of members accept gp, cause 80% of exchanges are made with gp.
But in some places, you are right it’s not necessarly the case. It could have some reasons : restrictions of gp exchanges due to authorities, very touristic cities where they get reciprocal offers to where they want, very touristic place where members priorize renting before exchanging ( second homes for example) etc
Welcome to forum, @Lance-R !
I would normally not accept GP for several reasons:
It is my primary residence. Your times might not work for me leaving my home.
I prefer reciprocal exchanges. The part of building a relationship between exchange partners is important to me, for me the “community feel” of exchanges is important and GPs are too transactional in nature to measure up to that.
Although I am going on vacation, my household might not. I have grown kids that are often home from uni during the holidays, and they like to earn some money and stay in our home while I’m away.
Our dogsitter might stay in our home while we are away.
Just some things that might hinder me from accepting.
In addition - all members will often ask quite a few before finalizing an exchange. We are people with lives - family, work, obligations - it takes some effort to find a partner where everything - timing, location etc all align. I need my employer to confirm my holiday, I might have planned some days at another time of the year, my home needs to be vacant, tidy and clean (sometimes I will prefer a hotel because I don’t want that extra chores).
Not to discourage you, but to share some insights on what might be going on. This can help navigate. In general it helps to approach members that align with your criterias, and also members that are not flooded with requests. Members living in prime locations can afford to be picky, while members in more “oh, where’s that?” might be more forthcoming - AND offer more unique experiences that you wouldn’t find without HE.
Newbies might also need to lower expectations, as some members might be hesitant to unexperienced exchange partners. For a newbie, I think I would be more comfortable doing a reciprocal exchange than GP.
Just my thoughts, for whatever it is worth. Others might see things differently, for sure. I hope it can help so that you get nice exchanges. Best of luck!
My intention was when they had the calendar marked as being good, they just only accept the GP. I can understand not wanting to do HE at any particular time. We only have a few available times (though we have accepted one from a request and just made some plans for ourselves). Thanks.
I suggest you read this article. Contrary to rental booking system, the calendar is just an indication , it doesn’t mean it will give an exchange ( it’s a very common Newbies mistake). See : ✅ Did you know? A green calendar doesn't mean an automatic yes!
Welcome on the forum Lance-R
To help to increase your chances of exchanging, you may have a look to the reverse search.
It allows to know all the listing in the world that the host is interested in coming to your city / area.
Keep your favorite destinations updated (including destinations for a week-end ). It allows hosts wanting to come to your area to find your listing thanks to the reverse search.
To have a better chance of GP exchanges, you may use the filter GP only or opened to any type.
Be flexible when you contact someone.
Offer to do a simultaneous or non simultaneous reciprocical or GP exchange.
I always offer all the possibilities.
If you contact me for a GP exchange only, i would reply NO right away.
But if you suggest me a reciprocical, i may be interested.
Non simultaneous exchange work well.
Including with 1 year of difference.
My guest will come 1 year after me.
GP is a plus but i suggest to always find an exchange for you before lending your house because you may have no more dates available to offer all types of exchange.