Advertising Your Home Exchange on Classified Websites
Yet again this much debated point has been brought to my attention. A visitor to ExchangeHomes.com has contacted me, explaining that they have a home exchange listed on CraigsList and requesting contact privileges with one of our members. The lady was most indignant when I replied (very politely) explaining that our members join ExchangeHomes expecting, and receiving total security for their personal contact information. Her interpretation of the situation was that because she was listed on CraigsList offering a home exchange, we should accept her in good faith and put her in contact with our member.
Similar situations have arisen before over the years and of course we never provide non-members with the contact information of our paying members. But—when I am approached by people who blatantly inform me that that are listed on free sites or on classified advertising websites, I must admit I’m seriously worried for them.
By deciding to participate in a home exchange they are already saving hundreds, probably thousands of dollars, pounds, euros, whatever. Are they really being prudent to then save themselves the price of a legitimate home exchange organization membership by opting to advertise free?
Think about it rationally—a membership with ExchangeHomes.com costs a mere $39. This is the fee that all of our members pay, but the critical fact is, because they have paid, all the personal contact information they provide us with HAS BEEN IRREFUTABLY VERIFIED. They are who they claim to be and their address exactly matches the one they have listed. Credit card companies will not accept charges from anyone whose details differ even in the slightest way from what they have on record.
On the other hand, when you advertise on free sites or in classified ads, how do you know that people responding to you, are who they say they are, living where they claim to live? In my book it takes a big leap of faith to entrust your home and probably your car to someone who you “met” on a free site.
Of course I reference ExchangeHomes as an example because it’s my home exchange company, but the reality is, there are plenty of home exchange companies out there. Go with any of us rather than risk your home and peace of mind.
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