Another poster suggested that Fodors might consider creating a section on its website for individuals to advertise their PRIVATE, NON COMMERCIAL properties for holiday rental.

My opinion is, that it would be fine with me; however, it might prove tricky to guard against commercial advertisers sneaking in, disguised as private individuals with private properties.

What's your opinion?

I don't see much difference between commercial advertisers and private individuals. If a property is for rent for money, then it's commercial. However, I don't have a problem with anyone publicizing a rental property, as long as it is in a separate section. (It's up to Fodor's to decide if they will try to collect fees for this section.)
The tricky part is distinguishing between recommendations from individuals (which most of us consider invaulable!) and advertisements disguised as recommendations. I'd rather see Fodor's take a generous stance on this and permit recommendations that may look dubious, since someone may benefit from the posting, rather than ban anything that *might* be advertising and thus lose a possible personal recommendation.

I think the REAL ricky part might be separating the opinions of usual users from the "opinions" of people pushing their properties/commercial interests hoping for some sort of ground swell that is going to pressure Fodors into changing the current policy.

I say, charge a little bit for it. Let all commercial ventures, even private rentals, pay their own way. Plus, requiring payment might discourage or at least flush out some of the unwanted business advertising. At any rate, do keep it entirely separate from the other boards.

Just rental properties? Is there a particular reason why rentals should handled differently than those advertising car services, walking tours or itinerary planning?

Then again, you have B&Bs, small hotels...

Either you have an edvertiser, and a Fodors advertising staff to deal with them, or you don't. I notice that Fodors is using an external service for their web space advertising now, so I'm guessing they don't want to mess with it.

Personally, as long as they aren't pretending to be a customer making recommendations, it doesn't really bother me. If I can see what it is, I figure most people can, so I don't see that the cost is. But I respect the Fodors owns the site and should have every right to choose the policy it wishes, within their bounds of customer service.

No. No. No. No. No.

This is supposed to be a forum where people report their honest opinions and experiences.

There is no way that a person with a proprietary or fiduciary interest in properties, goods or services can present an honest, disinterested opinion.

I'm with Ira on this one.

The term "PRIVATE, NON COMMERCIAL properties for holiday rental" appears to be an oxymoron to me. If an established exchange is set up so that it renders economic benefit to one of the parties, it is commercial. I would be completely opposed to having that throw in the mix of a travel forum.

Good point Maira,

I guess you're conducting commerce as soon as they collect the rent payment. I hadn't thought about the non-commercial aspect.

I think it would be fine for Fodors to set up a separate board for advertisers, which they should then charge money for ads on it. Maybe that would help them keep up the site.

There is no such thing as a private, noncommerical property for holiday rental; I agree with others in that regard. Anyone who rents is running a business, whether it is one property or a lot. It would only be noncommercial if it were free.

I would never want to see advertising allowed on this board. I realize sometimes it sneaks in, blatantly or someone pretending to be making a recommendation, you can't help that but be vigilant. If advertising were allowed, the board would become swamped with that and it would take up a lot of room and users would have to spend a lot of time wading through ads. Why should Fodors give away server space for free, as well as the IT labor to manage the board, to advertisers? If you've ever been on a board where advertising is allowed or cannot be controlled, you would realize what would happen (like the old Usenet groups--they may still be around but I stopped using them years ago because of the ads on them).

Thanks for picking up on the idea, Brimham. It might work if there were a separate forum for travel property ads. Could it work like the VRBO site, with private individuals offering their properties for rent? I think it works well on the SlowTrav site. I wouldn't want to wade through ads on the other forums (Europe, US, etc.), either.

Yes, perhaps I should have worded that differently.

I think what I meant to say was individual properties, as opposed to B&B's, hotels, that sort of thing. But then even that doesn't make sense.

I'm hoping you guys know what I meant, even if I don't, LOL.

But the point about ANYTHING for rent being a commercial enterprise is a good one. One thing I really like about Fodors is the fact that there aren't any pop-ups or ads bombarding me while I'm trying to research, or share, travel information.

So perhaps I shouldn't have even started this thread? I really was just curious about your opinions. Good points, everybody. Keep 'em coming, if you wish.

Hi Brimham

>...perhaps I should have worded that differently.

I think what I meant to say was individual properties, as opposed to B&B's, hotels, that sort of thing. But then even that doesn't make sense. <

Ah, you have recognized the problem. We can't let only some people advertise.