We have just traveled through Brittany and the Atlantic coast of France. We contacted 4 hosts by email and did not get any replies. Even though these were at short notice we would have expected some responses..
One conclusion we have come to is that hosts are not redirecting requests to their inbox. And not checking warmshowers site for requests. This means we have missed the opportunity to stay with local people and learning more about touring in the region..
If we are right in this assumption could WS redirect requests to hosts nominated emails? And ask hosts to update their status. Mobile phones numbers would also be useful.
Warmshowers in France
Wed, 2016-07-27 14:58
#1
WS Member
Warmshowers in France
This is.a constant topic and problem. However, warmshomers.org does not want to wipe out.inactive.hosts.
Warmshowers continues to sign up thousands of inactive hosts every year for reasons unknown.
Same for me
I send 5 request and only 1 response
People forget to désactive : available
15 days later I receive réponses from host ( they were touring by bike without internet )
It is most difficult during holidays as people are away
I think WS could have stars or anything ranking host
A lot off people subscribe one day use for one travel and never host : that is life �
One does not become unavailable just because one is not at home for a short vacation. Some guests ask for a stay weeks in advance. I try to reply also when I travel, but then it may take a day or two longer.
People complaining about no response, how long do they wait?
@Rolf: Warmshowers does deactivate members that have not been active for more than 12 months. I think this is done once a year (New Year's day?)
I totally agree
Warmshowers does deactivate members that have not been active for more than 12 months
As far as I can ascertain it has not been done this year though WS are yet to confirm this.
As was asked in the parallel thread [ https://www.warmshowers.org/node/155797 ] what were the response rates of the hosts you contacted? I ask because I have seen a number of times members requesting accommodation from hosts with response rates well under 50% and then expressing their surprise or annoyance at not getting a reply.
the reponse rates is not always the "real thrue " as the requests by phone or texto are not recongnized
on my profil I have 1 response to 1 request (100 %) but I receive much more request
Ignoring the fact that most members do not have their phone numbers on their profiles, if you find a host with a low response rate and more than half a dozen requests you should have a fair idea of what will happen (or, to be more precise, what won't happen) when you send them a request. It seems we have a lot of punters among us in the WS community, and whilst backing a long odds winner brings it own satisfaction, playing that game for any length of time is going to be counterproductive.