Direct Access Link/Communication

LL_Moderators & LL_Editorson your Auction descriptions pages, why not consider creating a link or tab (currently you have tabs entitled DISTINATION, PHOTOS, ACCOLADES, PROPERTY, GUEST REVIEWSthese reviews are nice but just staticno interaction capabilities) directly to VIP Blogs on the same properties or to active Threads in the VIP Community regarding the specific property?


The comments in the Blogs and Threads would givea prospectivebidder the opportunity to communicate directly with prior visitors and ask questions. Any way you slice, the copy your editors have produced (and they do an excellent job of writing), is still perceived as advertising or at least solicitous. The VIP Blogs and CommunityThreads are real people (maybe a ringer now and then)expressing their views and opinions and actual experiences andmost importantly, not compensated by the LuxuryLink.

TripAdvisor instituted the ability for anyone reading a review to write directly to the Reviewer, with questions or comments. We have written to and received detailed responses from several of the individuals. Their information was invaluable and not readily available in tour books or other sources.

Some thing of this nature would enable interested parties to cutto the chase and get answers that might increase their willingness to make a buying decision. This is a page out of "Marketing-101" and should benefit LL and potential buyers.

Any one have any thoughts on this subject?



Message Edited by omegaet on 08-17-2007 09:15 AM

Dear Omegaet:




We like this idea a lot and are already in development to try and make this work.
As you know, we highly value suggestions from our Community - especially from our VIP contributors.




We will keep you posted on the progress.




Cheers,

LL Editor

LL_Editor....we look forward to seeing and using this innovation when instituted by LuxuryLink.

OK, I'm totally confused. What are the two of you talking about? I really can't follow this one at all. Anyone understand? Thank you.

Hi O,
I too noticed that sometimes there are review comments on the auction pages for some properties, but I have never found one by community members that I could tell. How would you handle getting in touch with these people? I know on TripAdvisor they give their e-mail address. It's fine if someone wanted more detailed information on a property we have visited, if they follow the the channels of this forum. And I think we have this capability now within the forum. However, I am not sure I want my e-mail address on the net for anybody to contact me. I would be concerned about security on this matter.

LL_Travelfan....security would undoubtedly be a component, if and when LL decides to add the feature. Additionally, LL would likely make it "optional" if a member wanted to participate. All of the email communications I have had with TripAdvisor membersinitially wentthrough their intermediary contact system. Our member name on TripAdvisor does not devulge our email address.

I just received a reply from a trip advisor reviewer--they had purchased LL pgk I am interested in and just had a few q's for them. It was quite inofrmative.
I emailed them thru TA and got request to ck there for the reply. I am surprised that more LL contributors don't thoroughly review trips they've taken. "We had a great time at blank blank hotel" is not my idea of a review. Maybe some people just don't want to share? I may be verbose, but I hope that people actually get information about a property. (Please, if I'm just too too very very wordy--say so--NOT!Just kiddding--that's what private messages are for!)
The "interactive" aspect of TA communications is beneficial and I hope to see somehting simila here if it's easily do-able! I have always considered this forum to be informative, but the activity is limited by only community members themselves.

On a related side note--I was just perusing the boards, and I think having category boards PLUS destination boards (other than cruise category) is a waste--comment/questions in "beach" or "country" categories, etc besides destination boards means unnecssary searching and lacks conhesion. Just my 2 cents...

I think this is a great idea. Definitely don't want to post email addresses! I see this an an "opt in" feature. If you see a property listed that you've visited, you could add a comment and opt to receive messages from someone considering that property. Why couldn't we use the Private Message feature for these communication?

I agree with Kyshel - the category boards may have sounded like a good idea, but in practice are not working. The destination section is not widely used either, so I think the whole organization of topics needs a little rethinking. My previous suggestion was to add a date of the last post next to each board name, so you can quickly see where recent posts have been added.

I would have to say I agree with both of your posts it would mean a lot of time saved navigating through all the categories

Editor, I am guilty of needless"banter" in some of my postings from time to time. Shame on me! I guess this is part of what is allowed and perhaps encouragedinour community.



However, I very muchfavor an option to directly communicate, both initiating as well as receiving, with individuals wishing to discuss a special topic. I use the controlled email option on TA frequently and I am certain luxury link can institute a similar secure option.



Obviously, there are many visitors to the main luxury link web site, who may have questions or possess information they are willing to share, but for whatever reason have not joined this community.