There are times for many members when they aren't checking
email as often as usual. If using a work address to log on to Home Base
Holidays, many set auto responder messages when not in the office. The only
problem is that an out of office reply to an alert message will not be seen by
the member who sent the exchange offer message via our private messaging
system.
An example of an auto responder reply we've seen:
'Thanks for your email. I’m cycling round the Finnish archipelago from Aug 6-20th and schelping round Turkey Aug 24th-Sept 7th. The Features team are also having a well-earned rest. The program is off air till Sept 12th so best to cool your jets till just before then!'
The member waiting anxiously for a reply to their offer won’t know they should ‘cool their jets’ but is likely to think the recipient is just inconsiderate, not taking the time to read or reply, even with a simple ‘no thanks’ to the offer!
If possible, register a personal rather than use a work email address in your Home Base Holidays account. If you are going to be away and not checking or responding to email, log on and edit your listing to add details of when you won’t be available. If you aren’t currently looking for an exchange, tick the ‘Exchange request fulfilled’ box on your form (you can un-tick it when ready to consider exchange offers again). This should deter members from contacting you during this period or at least alert them to the fact that you are unlikely to respond to their home exchange offers immediately.
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