I wondered about this being a legitimate Fodors survey as well, especially when they offered a $100 gift cert to Amazon if we gave additional information that Fodors already has. The fact it wasn't posted in the Lounge is curious.

I've reported this to Fodor's admin hopefully it is legit.

I don't buy this as a legitimate Fodors survey for one minute.

I got the survey as when connecting.
Obviously I didn't go for the Amazon induced part.

StCirq (and others with doubts) >>I don't buy this as a legitimate Fodors survey for one minute.<<

Actually it is legit. I e-mailed the editors and asked.

But I do agree at first glance, it didn't look kosher.

I don't think they use the little logo on the screen names anymore. But more and better identification in the post or putting it at the top of the page like a 'sticky' would have helped.

Thanks janisj. It seems really odd because no employee logo, the fact that the poster is new as of August, etc.

>>It seems really odd because no employee logo, the fact that the poster is new as of August, etc.<<

IB took over the website last summer - kept a lot of the employees but there are several new people too.

They are actually working on fixing things but I think the technical issues are larger than they ever imagined.

I took the survey, hope I win the $100 certificate.

I thought it was pretty clear when it was referring to Fodors versus guidebooks in general as to what you want, use them for, etc.

I did think it was poorly written in many ways, though. In many questions, you could only choose one choice which doesn't make sense in many cases (such as where you get your guidebooks, I get mine in multiple ways).

I also found it odd that it asked you which guidebooks you have used but didn't ask you whether you like them or not (or why). I have used all those brands but really dislike DK Eyewitness ones, for example. It seems like it might be useful for them to know which ones you like and which ones you don't, and why, not just which ones you have ever read.

Are you an editor? Usually when Fodor's comes to us you have something official by your screen name. Yours just looks like any ole poster here?

suze: >>Are you an editor? Usually when Fodor's comes to us you have something official by your screen name. Yours just looks like any ole poster here?<<

Did you see my post?

>>Actually it is legit. I e-mailed the editors and asked.<<

I don't know if mkataoka is an 'editor' or not, but is definitely a Fodors employee.

The response I got said they are taking the voiced concerns into account and will try to make future communications clearer.

This poster isn't "new" as of August... August 2011 that is!

It's just odd, I've never seen an announcement from Fodor's that looks like this.

Well they need to make it clearer.

There is nothing here that indicates they legitimately work for Fodor's. Even their posting history is strange (3 brand new posts, 3 previous participation on threads... in the past 5 years. Really??)

You can see that I've "pinned" the survey in the Fodor's Help forum. If you have the time and haven't done so already, please take the survey! Thank you annd yes, I work for Fodor's.

Thanks mkataoka. Just a hint: In the past when there was an important message it was 'pinned' at the top of all the travel boards. Few people look at the Help Forum (well a few are today --because of all the spam. ;) But normally no almost no one looks at that board)

Thanks janisj. So far I've been told that it's only possible to do that in the help forum, but I've just asked them to see if it's possible to do that in the other forums!