The Great Debate - Open or Restricted Acces Home Exchange Web-sites

We occasionally receive emails from prospective members who query why the GTI Home Exchange web-site does not allow casual browsers on the site (ie non-members) to send exploratory enquiries to members, thereby broadening their home exchange possibilities. This could be done without revealing members' personal contact information. So why not? Where's the risk?

Our view has been that by opening all our listings to the public the whole database becomes casually 'surfed' and dilutes the overall success of our members in finding an exchange. We feel that our nominal membership fee helps to ensure a participant who is seriously committed to the concept of home exchange travel, and as a result our members enjoy a very high rate of successful swaps. Our high ratio of regularly subscribing members who renew their membership year on year is evidence of this. We understand that members of clubs which are open access often have a more difficult time arranging an exchange, with the need to weed out the many responses received which are just inquisitive and exploratory, and not necessarily genuine and motivated.

However, we are always keen to listen to members' points of view and would welcome discussion on this issue.

No Internet Access - Can I still list my home for exchange

Q:Dear GTI Home Exchange

I don’t have internet access at home as yet, although we hope to set this up shortly. Is there a way I can list my home for exchange now and see other people’s listings?

hello GTI home exchange,

We have a question, is it possible to take care of a house (for instant in Italy) without exchange with our own house? Is there a list for it? Must we be a member of your organisation for this. I hope, you will soon react,
M Weeber, The Netherlands

A: You do need to have access to the internet to view listings on the GTI Home Exchange website and to be a member to see the contact information for other members in your own member area once you join, but this does not necessarily mean that you have to have access from a home computer, as there are now a number of alternatives. Many libraries provide public internet access at very low rates, some employers allow some personal surfing time at work too,
and there are also numerous internet cafes, even in the most remote locations, so check out what is available in your area. Jo Chambers (HE14242) who wrote our weblog article "Have Scooter, Will Travel”, about her trip to Australia, says “I do this in the library “, and added “I hope more people get inspired to put their experiences on line”.

GTI Home Exchange business is occasionally carried out from more remote locations if the necessity arises. In fact we are currently operating from a computer in a small village in the Creuse department of France, where we are house-sitting and looking after two lovely standard French poodles, whilst there owners are away on holiday in Dubai. (Incidentally, house-sitting is another option included on the membership form, which can be offered using the GTI Home Exchange system).

So to answer M Weeber's query from The Netherlands:
House sitting is an optionn which can be offered alone or in conjunction with other alternatives when you fill in the membership registration form. But it is not requested or offered as frequently as home exchange, so it is more difficult to set up this arrangement, especially if you are seeking a very specific location.
It is necessary to be a member to participate whether it is for home exchange or
housesitting, as by becoming a member you have access to the contact details of all other members.

Joining Green Theme International Home Exchange

QUESTION: After partially filling in your membership registration form Join Now, I intentionally stopped the exercise since I had not got photos available.
Can I register now and have my listing released and add some photos later?
Eugene Flaherty.

ANSWER: Yes, of course. You can complete your registration
without the need to go through the whole process of completing the membership application form again by pasting this URL in the address line of your browser:

http://www.gti-home-exchange.com/ihea/memberlogin.cfm

Login with your email address and the password which you
created when previously filling out the membership application form.

This will take you to your own form. Click on 'Continue' at the bottom of the form to save the details you have entered to our database, and then proceed to the payment page to complete your subscription with a secure credit card transaction.

Love is in the Air

The ever-increasing size of the home exchange community provides evidence of the fact that there are many reasons why people decide to explore the possibility of finding a 'home-from-home' with home exchange. Many people wish to trace back their family tree and explore their roots, others to visit family or friends without imposing on them (especially if their trip involves long-haul travel, and they wish to stay a little longer to make their journey worthwhile). However, with spring just around the corner, we have noticed that there is more of a romantic angle to some of the exchange requests. Two of GTI's recent members (HE16500) and HE16433 are seeking exchange offers in specific locations to attend weddings.

In the past we were even inadvertently party to some match-making - though we had no intention of being a dating agency - an American lady member met up with an old flame from the past purely by chance when on an exchange to the UK, and with both their circumstances having changed, the flame was rekindled and they married. As far as we know, their only problem was in deciding in which country to live permanently, but as far as I know they sorted the problem out by testing out locations with further home exchanges!!

Please keep your email addresses updated

If you wish to make the most of your membership of GTI Home Exchange I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your email address and other contact details updated on your listing, so that other members may send you their exchange offers, and so that any enquiries automatically sent from the site using the Enquiry Form provided are delivered.

Adding Temporary Insurance cover to your Car Insurance

Dear Kath
Thankyou for your response - a few updates/bits of new information

- the insurer that I was having problems with is Morethan (part of Royal/Sun Alliance I think) and they told me that they have the same underwriting condition of 'Confirming that any additional driver has had more than 6 months driving in the UK in the last 5 years' (whether or not they were being asked to add a named UK driver and UK resident, a UK resident living overseas, or an EU resident, or a non EU resident).

I went to a brokers(Swinton) to ask them to see what other insurers would do. According to them, some insurers adopt a much more reasonable approach by allowing 'up to 28 days a year cover for any additional driver' (or drivers), however, as adding a driver consitutes a change of contract with the insurer, they would have to consider each driver circumstances individually before adding them, and work out the additional premium cost accordingly. I asked to see these policy terms in writing before making a move to this alternative insurer but they (& they suggested, any company) did not have this in writing as it was 'a temporary and negotiated contract change', nor could this company 'Broker Direct' guarantee whether or not at the time of the exchange (in our case July) that their underwriters would still adopt the same approach. The expected annual additional cost compared to my existing insurance was about another £40-£50 a year (on top of which would be the additional fee for adding a driver at the time (to be confirmed). Therefore I was recommended to stay with my cheaper insurer for the time being, and seek to reinsure at the end of June to find someone who was at that time willing to add named driver(s) as above!!

It is a catch 22 therefore. It may be that some swappers have company cars which may allow more comprehensive cover, but I don't know. As I imagine that most people like us are planning swaps Jan/March (or even before) for a summer swap, I am intrigued that anybody can make a hard & fast assurance that a car swap will be acceptable because their insurer may not until only a few weeks before, be able to confirm that they will do this.

Phew!

Anyway I will be telling my swappers that we should still go ahead with a planned car swap as part of our exchange but that I will ensure that I arrange this in the month prior to the swap as I do not think that I can do anything else.

The worst case scenario is of course that both or one party has to hire a car and book this a few weeks before and it may be that I am trying to confirm all possible arrangements too early....

Anyway. I hope that this helps. If there are any other more friendly (and cheap!!) insurers out there who are more in tune with house swapping, I would be pleased to hear from them!!
Neil

Destination Singapore

Whilst carrying out administration on GTI Home Exchange this morning, I was surprised to come across a rare unique exchange offer HE15123 from Singapore, which appears to be still available. If this suits anyone's requirements, perhaps even as a stopover en route for an exchange of longer duration in Australia, it would be a shame to miss it.

Our home is a tasteful 3 bedroomed, ground floor, apartment within a small 'boutique' complex which includes a pool/gym, manicured gardens and a small children's play area. You can view our residence by going to www.lotus-sanctuary.com.sg. Situated within 5 minutes of beautiful beach and park, 10 minutes from downtown Singapore, 10 minutes from the airport.....an ideal base for touring Malaysia (30 minutes by car). A chalet on one of the neighbouring Indonesian Islands (45 mins by ferry) is also available)..... The apartment is equipped to a high standard and fully air-conditioned. Main bedroom with ensuite and one more bathroom . Maid included if required. Apartment has own private and secluded deck and views of the beautiful quiet gardens.

Our party consists of two adults and two young (well behaved) children. Originally from the UK we have lived and worked in Asia for some 8 years now.

Home Exchange Favourites List

Q: Can you please tell me once I have put a listing in my favourites, how I can delete it if it becomes unavailable or proves unsuitable?
Margaret & Doug

A: Thank you for your query regarding using the Your Favourites list in your own Member Admin Area. When you click on the Your Favourites/Recently Contacted hyperlink to view the list, you will see that there is a Red Cross beside each item in the list, and just above the complete list a red cross which says X=delete. You just need to carefully click on the red cross beside the listing you wish to delete. This will leave the others intact, but will remove the one you wish to discard.

Any more queries, don't hesitate to ask. When sending your queries, don't forget to send us your Member ID No, so that we can make reference to your listing in the Weblog item. It's all additional publicity for your listing and may attract someone to join from exactly where you want to go.

Home Exchange Arranged

Q: I would like to tick the option "Exchange arranged", but I can't find the box. I've tried "View/Alter your details". Where else could it be?Thanks for answering.
J-M ARAGNOUET
HE 13440

A: Thank you for your message. The Exchange Arranged box is found by clicking on "View/Alter your details" in your own Member Administration Area. Clicking on this link brings up your Member Registration Form and the tick box for "Exchange Arranged" is at the top left just above the pictures.

Le Site du Guide Routard

C'était par hazard que j'ai trouvé ce site du Guide Routard quand il était recommandé par une nouvelle abonnée d'Échange de Maison Green Theme International. Voici vous trouverez "Toutes les informations pour préparer votre voyage". L'essayez vous!
« Rien de mieux qu’un détour par le site du Guide du Routard, qui donne de bonnes idées d’itinéraires ainsi que tous les liens utiles et même superflus pour l’organisation d’un séjour réussi loin du béton. » Tribune de Genève - Juin 2002

« Notre ami nomade reste une mine de renseignements incontournables sur le voyage, les visas et les pays à découvrir. Chaque mois, il vous propose un dossier sur une destination de choix. » Home PC - juillet-août 2001

« Un site qui propose un panorama complet pour s'élancer vers toutes les destinations : bons plans, achats en ligne, échanges d'expériences… Une rédaction de dix personnes enrichit au quotidien ce portail constitué de 5 rubriques. » Newcom - Juillet 2001

Car Insurance for Members from Another Country

Question: Hi there, we are in the process of completing two exchanges (hurrah!) and have come across a query with our car insurance which we had not expected. They are asking that any temporary driver has to confirm that they have had at least 6 months driving experience in the UK in the last 5 years.

Clearly many UK members offer car swaps in their details but I would expect few from other countries could meet this criteria that my insurer is asking for.
Ironically our new friends in France are telling me that it is no problem to have me set up as a driver with their car over the holiday.

I do not expect you at GTI to be insurance experts of course and every insurance company clearly has their own policy & underwriting criteria - I just wondered if any other members had flagged this as an issue to you?? Or is there a part of the GTI website where I can ask this question to find the names of other insurance companies who are more amenable to car swap arrangements??

Many Thanks Neil Rogers HE16210

Answer: It's great to hear that you have two exchanges lined up. Unfortunately I have never heard of the car insurance query that you mention either. As you say, each insurance company does have their own policy & underwriting criteria. Maybe an insurance company or broker reading the query which I have posted here on our GTI Home Exchange weblog will offer you an answer. I will also post a query on the Travel Forum at Insurance for Car Swap arrangements

French Leave / Filer à l'anglaise

Just a quick note to offer my apologies to GTI Home Exchange members and readers of the GTI Home Exchange weblog for the fact that there have been no additions to the weblog over the past 10 days. I have had a short spell in hospital experiencing at first hand the quality of the French Health System. The care I was given in the Neurological Unit of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Limoges by a young Professeur Neurosurgeon and his young Japanese Doctor assistant was second to none and the nursing and other staff of the hospital were excellent and very kind. The French should be justifiably proud of their 'Services Medicales' and anyone coming to visit for a holiday or live in the country may have no qualms about what care and attention they would receive in the event of need.

Alternative Holidays – Exchange Conversation for Accommodation in Spain’s Englishtown Project

How about a different type of exchange this year? The Exchange of Conversation. Be a volunteer at Englishtown and get to know Spanish culture firsthand.

Madrid, Spain -- For the last three years, over 3,000 people have participated in the unique English language immersion program known as Englishtown. Two venues, a 16th century abandoned village and a plush country-style hotel, play host to a non-stop eight-day intensive conversation program. English native speakers from all over the world come as volunteers to learn about Spaniards and their culture in return for their board and lodging while the Spaniards seek to improve their fluency in the quickest, most intensive manner possible on earth. The participants, both English-speakers and Spaniards, exchange culture, conversation, knowledge and friendship.

Englishtown was the brainchild of Richard Vaughan, a business student from Texas who came to Spain to teach English in the 70’s. “After a quarter-century of language training and experience, I realized no matter how many times a person is drilled on irregular verbs, the only way to truly understand a language is to actively practice it,” says Richard.

This led to the creation of Englishtown – eight-day immersion programs which include a cast of 20 Spaniards, 20 English-speakers from all over the world, a Master of Ceremonies to provide entertainment and a Program Director to enforce the only rule: No Spanish Allowed. All this for 15 hours a day, eight days and no stopping except for your daily siesta. Throw in a mix of activities such as conversations, scenic walks, games, meals and Spanish music and dancing, and somewhere in between the Spaniards find themselves blabbing away in English without having to stop, think and translate.

The idea was so innovative that it won the “Best Awards 2003” prize in Spain and has been featured on dozens of message boards that buzz about a deal almost “too good to be true”, travel guides, major publications and TV stations – CNN, Irish Times and Chicago Tribune to name a few. The lure is easy – English-speakers chat, play, walk, dine and wine with Spaniards with the beautiful backdrop of the Spanish countryside while Vaughan picks up the tab. Multinational clients such as Microsoft, Vodafone, Deloitte and Accenture send scores of executives to Englishtown finding it to be the ideal solution to their problem – a rapid, intense way to get their top directors speaking English.

Over the years, Englishtown has attracted volunteers from all walks of life: concert pianists, writers, CEO’s, social workers, backpackers, geologists, wandering musicians and students from a wide range of ages from 18 to 80 that coin it as having been one of the best, most enriching experiences of their lives. For more information visit www.vaughanvillage.com.

CONTACT: Nicole Escario Vaughan Systems +34-91-5914840 http://www.vaughanvillage.com Email: nescario@vausys.com

Ad#1 Advertise on our Rental by Owner Web Site

Is your Home Exchange home also a vacation rental property or holiday home? Are you aware that we also have a great "Rental by Owner" website, Holiday Homes Direct where you can advertise your property on a commercial basis for only GB£21.00 per year or Euro/US$ equivalent?

Even though the properties here are offered for rental and not home exchange, you can still have a very economical holiday by booking direct with the owner. Here are a couple of examples:

APARTMENT IN DALYAN, TURKEY from GB£217.00 per week 2 persons

Sedir is very quiet, fresh, natural location and has perfect mountain, forest views, next to Sedir there is unique worldwide known Liquidamber Orientale trees forest... For more information please visit Holiday Homes Direct Property ID 1260 or
Sedir Apart Hotel

or an apartment in SPAIN'S BENIDORM from GB£135.00 wk

10th floor in one of Benidorm's most sought after complexes at the quiet end of Poniente Beach. c500 meters from the sea, with a very large pool, our 1 bedroom apartment sleeps 4 in a gated, secure complex, ideal for families.Bedroom, with air-conditioning,lounge, with air-conditioning,dining area, fitted kitchen and bathroom.Stunning views from the balcony. Tennis Courts, gardens, poolside bar with food( summer months) make this an ideal base for all that Benidorm has to offer.NOW WITH 30 CHANNEL SATELLITE TV.Also a DVD player.Christine and I look forward to welcoming you as one of our guests. Collection service available from Alicante airport. For more information please visit Holiday Homes Direct Property ID 1263

GTI Home Exchange - using the Members recently contacted Feature

Question: I am a brand new member & have notified another member just 12 hours ago using the Email Form provided at the foot of the listing. I now see a red "check" saying "delete from List" next to that members ID# (HEXXXXX) in the Members Recently Contacted list in my Member Area. Does this mean they are no longer available?

Answer: The red "check" simply allows YOU to delete that Members ID# from your Members Recently Contacted list in your Member Area when it is no longer useful to you - for example if you have received a reply from them and they are unable to accept your exchange offer.

Question: For that matter, when I review listings am I to assume that they ALL are still available?
Many Thanks

Answer:When you review the listings they are all still available unless (a) the listing carries the heading "Exchange Request Fulfilled" which has been placed on the listing by the Member because they have an exchange arranged and do not wish to be contacted regarding another exchange for the time being: or (b) if the Dates shown in the Dates available field are already in the past. When reviewing the exchange listings you should pay attention to the "Dates available" field. Whilst some may be very wide, for example "Open to Offers", or "From January 2005 until October 2005", some members will have been much more specific about their preferred dates and this could mean that dates may already be in the past by the time you view their listing. This is because a Member joins for a 12 month membership and therefore has the right for their listing to remain on-line for the duration of that 12 month period. Some members may wish to use the remainder of that time to seek further exchanges and amend the dates sought, but others may not do so, and it is these members not seeking to arrange a further exchange in the current year whose listings may carry dates which are past.

Preparing for a successful Home Exchange

Feedback from a successful home exchange between Ireland and Switzerland pointed out not just how nice the area was, but what a difference it makes if the exchange home is well prepared for its visitors. “We just want to let you know that this one (HE11260) is such a wonderful exchange – Everything about this home exchange is wonderful, The House, The Area, The Country. They go to such trouble to leave such organized details. We had a wonderful holiday”.

Below is a list of recommendations for preparing your house for your exchange partner. Think of it as a “What I would like when I get there” list.

Neighbours to welcome if possible

Basic food stock – milk, bread, coffee etc. and other necessary items such as toilet tissue, bath soap and cleaning supplies.

Note as to where main items are stored, and what storage space has been provided for your exchanger. Make space in dresser drawers and cupboards, and leave empty hangers.

Provide plenty of clean towels and bedlinen for your guests.

Directions to local shops and restaurants (with personal recommendations if you wish).

Emergency Telephone numbers: plumber, electrician, doctor – hope never to need them.

Notes on how to use appliances, and their idiosyncracies ie if washing machine door sticks (don’t kick it). If your exchanger does not speak your own language well, simple diagrams can help clarify instructions.

Store any valuables or lock them away somewhere safe.

Prepay your bills before you leave.

Do basic regular maintenance such as mow lawn, clean pool before departure.

If a car is part of the exchange agreement, leave copies of your car insurance and registration.

Leave clear instructions for pet and plant care.

Ask post office to hold your mail for you until you return.

The list could be endless, but use your own judgement. It could make all the difference.

For home exchange advice in your own language: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, or Dutch, click on the appropriate link below.

Tips zum Haustausch
Exchange Advice and Forms
Consejos & Formularios
Conseils et Formulaires
Consigli e suggerimenti
Exchange advies en formulieren
The Oberserver Pick of the Season - 20 journeys to change your life

Member Problems identifying Exchange Offers

Question:

When you get a response from someone you have sent a request to, is there any way of identifying their listing? The system doesn't seem to carry an ID...not mine or theirs. Is there a way of fixing this?

Mostly I use the email link and most people who approach me seem to also. That way, it comes and goes ID-less.

Hello people!

When I email someone on the site, and they hit reply, i have no way of knowing which listing they hail from. There should be an automatic system that includes the listing ID# in the email.

thanks Anne HE16226

Reply:

Thank you for your email and for the feedback concerning the web-site.

As I'm sure you know, there are two methods provided on the web-page for contacting the member by email. One is to use the Email this Member hyperlink, and the other is to use the Email Form provided at the bottom of the listing. Referring to the first question, it would seem that the Member is referring to the Email this Member link and not the Email Form.

If you are using the email link, you are actually opening up a new message in your own email programme and sending it from your computer, not from the website, and we obviously have no control over this. In the subject line a should Member indicate that their message is an exchange offer; otherwise, if it is left blank, many people won't open it when they don't know the source of the message. Just make sure that you include in the subject line something like, Exchange offer from memberHEXXXXX for member HE00000 (filling in the member's User ID). Then, as most people will reply to a message leaving the subject line as it is, you shouldhave no trouble in identifying the listing - you can log on to your member area and search on the member's User ID to view the full listing again.

It is also a good idea to repeat both yours and the member's User IDs within the body of your message too as, again, most will leave your message intact when replying so that, even if they don't include their User ID within their reply, you will be able to see it in the message you had sent to them. Also,as some members may delete your original message, ask, within your exchange offer message that they include their User ID when replying to help you quickly locate their listing again.

We do, of course, have more control over the content of the form which is provided for Member Enquiries. We very much appreciate member suggestions and feedback, and will look into whether or not it is possible to incorporate an automatic system that includes the listing ID# in the Form email. We do, of course, have more control over the content of the form which is provided for Member Enquiries. We very much appreciate member suggestions, and will look into whether or not it is possible to incorporate an automatic system that includes the listing ID# in the email.

I hope that this helps.

Kath Botterill

Last Minute Home Exchange

Question:

Hi I have just renewed.

From 1998 to 2002 we had a number of really excellent exchanges. Since then the enquiry level has dried up. We have never enquired anywhere and always received enquiries which "pushed" us into taking time off from the business.

I wonder whether the Last Minute section has assisted in creating this - many are hardly last minute - or whether it is just that people are just seeking places further afield.

Not that we have missed anything as we can seek places to go ourselves obviously, it is just from 4/5 enquiries a month for 2/3 years to nothing which I find slightly strange.

Any views? Thanks.

Regards M Barber HE14691
Mr Barber's exchange offer is located in S'Algar, situated in the SE of the Balearic Island of Menorca, Spain

Answer:

Thank you for your email and the renewal of your membership.

I also am surprised that the enquiries have dried up, and do not
really have any explanation as to why this should be. With regard
to the Last Minute Exchanges, we do have to rely on members
to play the game with regard to the use of this facility, and
to only place themselves on the Last Minute Exchange list if
they are within 3 months of their desired exchange date, having
so far been unsuccessful in finding an exchange, but no-one
else has so far suggested that this may be creating a problem.
I will certainly keep it under review, and check with our
associate agencies whether they think that this could be the
case. As you have indicated in your email, you are aware
that we DO encourage ALL members to be proactive in seeking
their exchange partners in order to have the best chance of
finding the exchange that they want, rather than to just
waiting for enquiries to come to them.

Seeking Member Comments: Do other members have
any comment to make about the Last Minute Exchange
facility provided on the GTI Home Exchange web-site? Please
do so on the GTI Weblog Forum

L'échange de maison

Une autre façon de partir en vacances

Vous habitez en Dordogne et vous rêvez de
passer vos vacances à Nice ? Échangez votre
logement, c’est économique et dans l’air du
temps.

"Depuis quelques années nous avons trouvé
une autre façon de partir en vacances, à l’étranger
ou en France ou Suisse" écrit l’un de nos
membres français.

"Nous essayons d’échanger notre maison pendant
un mois. Cela nous laisse le temps de bien nous
installer, de nous acclimater et de nous sentir chez
nous. En même temps, cette solution est très
pratique car elle nous permet de disposer d’une
voiture sur place et aussi de confier nos deux
chats à nos partenaires d’échange sans avoir
recours aux voisins. C’est vrai que la première
année j’avais un peu peur de laisser ma maison ainsi
à des inconnus mais franchement, nous n’avons
jamais eu aucun problème, et depuis je conseille cette
formule à tous mes amis. Des vacances agréables et
économiques, nous ne les envisageons plus autrement".

Pour bénéficier du "Réseau d’Échanges Green Theme International" cette année, accéder au site web :
http://www.gti-home-exchange.com/francais.html
Travel

Posting a comment on the GTI Home Exchange Weblog

Members of GTI Home Exchange may be unfamiliar with the concept of blogging and how to post comments on articles which have been published on the GTI Home Exchange Blog.

The "Comment" hyperlink is found at the end of each article and clicking on it brings up the login page, where you are able to create an account. Click on the link "Login as a different User". This will provide your with a User Name and a password, which is all that is required in order to be able to log-in and add comments on the GTI Home Exchange Blog.

We hope that GTI members will appreciate the value of the GTI Home Exchange Web-log where you can share your home exchange experiences, offer information useful to others contemplating a home exchange, and bring up any other relevant topics. This is your forum for home exchange - make it a great one. Enjoy home exchange with Green Theme International, a Great Travel Idea for people with Good Travel Intentions.