Why is it that everyone omits the actual Dollar cost of anything on this forum. Statements like: Great Prices; Costs less than I expected; Fabulous prices; inexpensive, etc. But, never the actual cost? Myself, I would certainly appreciate when someone states: Cost $115.00 per night or dinner averaged less than $25.00per person. Did I miss something or am I expecting to much? Comments please. Thanks

Brad, <BR>The probable reasons that no one quotes actual costs and the definite reason that guidebooks use symbols like $, $$, $$$ to indicate the range of costs is due to the inability to predict fluctuations in the international money markets, changes in management or ownership of hotels and restaurants, inflation and any number of factors that impact on expense. A lovely hotel I stayed in in Bruges two years ago cost $115 a night; today it costs $135. Any one reading my posting of a couple of years ago and anticipating a $115 rate had I quoted it, would now be irate to find the price so much higher and my recommendations and suggestions would lose any value they might have.

Wes I do take your point but I personally agree with Brad. <BR> <BR>All posts are dated so if I read a post of yours that is two years old I will assume the price is likely to have changed. <BR> <BR>For that matter if I read a post only a week old I still wont assume the price is what I might pay, as most hoteliers will change prices according to demand... and seasons and special events are different everywhere. <BR> <BR>And as for meals, my choices on the menu will be different to yours. <BR> <BR>BUT I would still find prices a more useful indicator than words such as "budget", "medium", "affordable". <BR> <BR>The reason is that my idea of budget has often been even 100% out compared with some one else's idea. Likewise my idea of affordable. <BR> <BR>I think perhaps another reason, Brad, is just that finance and spending is a highly personal thing. Some people just dont like broadcasting their exact spending publicly. <BR> <BR>My solution is when I see a post where I would like a more solid idea, to either email the poster privately, or post a reply asking for more info. <BR> <BR>Kavey

Brad, <BR> <BR>I suppose you may label it as laziness on the part of those who post answers to questions, but I often feel that what I "owe" a questioner is an "impression" - - not the responsibility to do your research for you. So we say things like it was "a bargain", "more expensive than I expected", "expensive but worth it", "crappy but cheap", et cetera. <BR> <BR>In many cases, those posting answers no longer remember exactly where to find precise pricing; perhaps it was years ago that we remember the place, or we simply expect you to follow up on your own. <BR> <BR>I often offer web site information which you can pursue on your own, and there are plenty of regulars here who will play detective or "reference librarian" if you post a question like: "I have heard of such and such place as a good bargain, but I cannot locate any specific information about it - - do you know a website, address or telephone number?" <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Brad, <BR> <BR>Some people do post prices. I've posted two trip reports (Disney and Iceland/Benelux) and included all prices in local currency and translated to (then) US equivalent. I also listed the URLs to websites where I found good deals. <BR> <BR>Kevin

Also, what currency should we use when quoting prices? <BR> <BR>I'm from the UK, so I could usually tell you what something costs in pounds, or in the local currency, but I don't know much about dollars (other than there are so many different kinds of them - US, Canadian Australian - that I wonder how anyone ever knows what they're talking about!) <BR> <BR>I would happily tell you what I paid for somthing - but I don't expect everyone to understand the value of the pound, any more than I understand the value of the dollar!

Re the last post - If someone is going to offer specific hotel rates, average restaurant prices, etc., my personal preference would be to have them in the local currency of the country being discussed. That at least avoids the issue of exchange rates, which obviously vary significantly.