Comparing Home Exchange Clubs Levels of Service

Anne — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:41:05 +0000

A problem I’m currently encountering with an Internet business has given me pause to think about the whole spectrum of home exchange agencies. The business I’m battling with is a “hobby” business, run by the wife of a recently retired sporting super-star. He has a web site and his wife has added a spin-off, selling autographed photographs and various mementos left hanging around the house from his days in the spotlight. She doesn’t accept credit cards, so back on October 24th I sent a check for $35 for a signed photograph and something random from his “grab-bag”. They were intended as a birthday gift for my daughter on November 28th.

The check was cashed almost immediately, then nothing. No acknowledgment and no photograph. After my daughter’s birthday had passed I began emailing the star’s web site. The webmaster replied to each of my emails explaining that she was in no way involved in the advertised sales, but she had passed on each of my complaints to the star’s wife.

On December 5th I found a forum / discussion board associated with the super star’s sport and posted there. That stirred some action from the wife who emailed me last Friday with a chipper little message informing that my photograph was going out in the mail that day. No apology for the hold up, no explanation for delay. One advantage she did provide me with however, was her own, personal email address. After the mail had arrived yesterday—sans the photograph—I emailed her again and this morning I received the following reply:

i am sorry you feel this way. you can send the order back to me when you receive it if you would like!
happy holidays!

The customer care and concern doesn’t exactly give you a warm fuzzy feeling does it?

So—how, you are no doubt wondering did I arrive at comparing this situation with home exchange agencies? Because there now exists two very different levels of home exchange clubs: the professional, bone fide businesses who charge a small fee and provide their clients with customer service, and the free “hobby” clubs, some of whom list an email address, but invariably take an unacceptable amount of time to respond to inquiries they may receive.

I had a phone conversation the other day with a lady who had emailed a question to one such hobby club on November 2nd. She had actually long forgotten even writing until a reply had arrived in her mail box on December 10th.

So, deal with professionals and generally you will be respected as an appreciated client and receive good value for money. On the other hand, deal with amateurs who are just playing at something and the level of service you receive will reflect this.

ExchangeHomesBlog.com » Comparing Home Exchange Clubs Levels of Service

Comparing Home Exchange Clubs Levels of Service