Who is Margo/Hello Europe

Old Jun 12th, 2000, 02:44 PM
  #1  
Ellen
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Who is Margo/Hello Europe

She may be helpful to some but why do all her answers seem to be copied out of some guide book? If I am the only one that finds this annoying then I'm sorry, but the real charm of this Forum is that people who actually have stayed in a place comment on them. If I wanted to read from a guide book I could do that myself if I were interested in a particular hotel. She seems to have no personal info to relay. What gives????
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 02:47 PM
  #2  
Ellen
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I think I answered my own question - Margo is in the travel business, either a travel agent or a writer of travel books of some sort. I just checked her webpage. Somehow I am not sure if this is the right use of this Forum. She should be promoting herself somewhere else. This reminds me of Heidi on the US Forum who was really a travel agent in Hawaii and eventually got run off the Forum by those who objected.
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 02:52 PM
  #3  
pick
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Ellen, who cares? Somebody wants to be helpful whichever way they know how. For all you and I know, Margo wrote a guidebook and the annotations are actually hers. Why are some people on this forum so picky?
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 03:07 PM
  #4  
John
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People are picky because the first rule of this forum is NO ADVERTISING. Someone in the travel business, whether an agent or a book author, has something to sell and is using this forum to sell it. That's advertising.

And as Ellen said, if she wanted a list of places, she could use a guide book or internet site. She, like everyone else, comes here for first hand experiences, not a laundry list of things to do and places to stay which financially benefit the people who suggest them.

Are you reading this Margo? Better cease and desist before you are run off this forum and forced to join MauiHeidi in exile.
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 03:12 PM
  #5  
Lesli
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Margo writes the Hello Europe books, based on her personal inspections of the hotels. I'm sure she hopes that some of us will purchase her books (I have used the Italy book with great success), but she shares info on this site free of charge. Personally, I've used and appreciated it!

Thank you, Margo.
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 03:18 PM
  #6  
Tom
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Seems to me that Margo is violating a Fodor's rule. She's promoting her books. We have no way of knowing if she gets any monetary compensation from the hotels she recommends but I doubt if she is doing this for charity. Margo - go read the Fodor's regulations about advertising, I believe you need to go the way of MauiHeidi.
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 03:23 PM
  #7  
s.fowler
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I was wondering when people would figure Margo out. I posted once, but she seems not to get the point. If you wonder about her intentions check the end of some of her "posts" - it sometimes says if you show a copy of her book you will get a discount. At least she is open. Who knows what "information" is posted here in the guise of a non-travel professional?
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 03:25 PM
  #8  
Ellen
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I don't want to start a fight here, I just think Margo is not on the up and up about who she is and what she does for a living. Fodor's needs to ask her to exit the Forum. She has a web page and she can promote her business there. It't not fair to any other travel writer and/or someone who owns a hotel, etc. if she is allowed to advertise here. As I said the charm and fun of this Forum is people's personal observations (key word is personal). We can all read books and websites but first hand knowledge from someone who was just there is wonderful.
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 03:44 PM
  #9  
Wolf
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She shares info on this site free of charge?????? How magnanimous! I can't tell you how privileged I feel when I come to Fodor's looking for first hand travel information and instead find a non-Fodor's travel book author offering biased lists and opinions! And the opportunity to visit her site AND buy her books! And all this info FREE of charge too, right here on Fodor's!!!! Wowee! How much luckier can you get?

Pitch your products and your business somewhere else lady.
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 03:44 PM
  #10  
donotadvertise
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Go away Margo & peddle your books someplace else.
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 03:47 PM
  #11  
GetLost
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She's gotta be getting something out of it, no one advertises for free folks. I doubt if all her recommendations are personal ones, she'd be a mighty busy lady if they were. Get Lost Margo
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 04:03 PM
  #12  
Wow
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I note that all of these hostile postings give neither real names nor actual e-mail addresses. While you may have a point about the advertising limitation on the site, I am rather dismayed to see such venomous postings. Lighten up, folks!
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 04:55 PM
  #13  
Ellen
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Margo is exceptionally helpful and we are lucky to have someone contribute a great quantity of information. If you choose to click on any links or investigate more of what she has to offer, that is your business. In no way does she promote her business in an obtrusive, "in your face" fashion.

To post that more information could be found in her book instead of providing an answer would be self-promoting and non-contributory.

So many people are unbelievably hypocritical on this forum. I'll bet if Margo answered your question/inquiry with such detail and promptness, you'd be delighted.

Perhaps all you negative, poor contributors should leave the forum if it bothers you so much.
Ellen
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 05:02 PM
  #14  
Ed
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Anonymous poison pen letters.

Personally, I'd thank Margo for her contributions, and ban anonymous participants.

This forum has suddenly become less than civilized.

Ed
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 05:05 PM
  #15  
Kelley
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Many of us who prefer to find our own way and search out a special place to stay are extremely grateful for all the detailed info so generously provided by Margo. One can't help but wonder if complaints are the sour grapes of disgruntled travel agents.
Many Thanks, Margo. Keep up the good work. Please, Fodors, let her stay.
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 05:14 PM
  #16  
sickofthose
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Hmmmmm......Ellen's post has a familiar ring to it. Let me see if I remember all the things one is supposed to say in defense of someone who posts here for their own gain:

1. Point out to everyone how HELPFUL that person is! Lists of links to the hotels that offer a travel book author or travel agent free perks is very, very helpful to everyone.

2. Remind everyone that the poster is just doing it "out of the goodness of her heart." Oh, wait, that was MauiHeidi. The Friends of Margo mantra is that she doing us all a great big favor, and free of charge too.

3. Point out that the advertising isn't blatant or "in your face." (Oh, I guess the rules on Fodor's say no BLATANT advertising...or do they?)

4. Tell everyone if they don't like it, don't read the post. Ooops, wait, that was MauiHeidi again! Friends of Margo suggest that everyone just leave the forum altogether (but to whom would Margo promote her business if we all left?)

5. Suggest that "everyone" on this forum is just pleased as punch with all of the poster's delightful information! Why, she should even start her own monthly column here! Doh! MauiHeidi AGAIN!

Margo and friends, take a hike.
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 05:54 PM
  #17  
how
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Geez, Margo, what on earth were you thinking by trying to give someone helpful travel information here?! Didn't it cross your mind that you just might be detracting from the "...real charm of this Forum..."? (The capital 'F' alone should portend the sanctity). And don't tell me you didn't know this week of June is when the covetous PAC membership forms are mailed to those showing exceptional aptitude. It's well known there are several openings in the cyber-policing (technical division) department. If you are not familiar with them I suggest you search for the word 'pompous' and read the blithering chat-roomesque fodder that is sanctioned as worthy of unchallenged "charm". The original poster of this thread has clearly stated she didn't "...want to start a fight here..." so that alone assures me that her only awareness of the word 'troll' is from childhood fairy-tales. That being said, why don't (double-dog dare) you respond here to this pantheon of aggrieved travelers?
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 06:54 PM
  #18  
Donna
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Yes, Margo does post excerpts from her book. And, I would definitely agree that her link may, technically, be "advertising" here on this board. As a "regular" here, I was, at first, put off by this. HOWEVER, the excerpts she provides are in direct response to the inquiries, provided generously. Based upon my extensive research through all the guides and websites, her "excerpts" are far more comprehensive than those I've seen anywhere else. She responded to a post of mine similarly over on the AOL travel boards several months ago. When I e-mailed back for additional details, she provided further information. I can very well understand how some of you are put off by Margo's posts here (as I was also at first). But, in my opinion, she contributing by providing the information requested with a very, very subtle link to her publication(s) which everyone is free to ignore. I would mention, though, that I inadvertently stumbled over Margo's book on Paris accomodation last week at the bookstore a few doors from my hairdresser. I was very much impressed and would highly recommend it. Much more detail than one finds in most hotel descriptions in the vast array of tour guides. I'm sure Fodor's recognizes that there's competition out there. On the other hand, most folks do not limit themselves to just one resource when planning a trip. In my observation, most folks post questions here without having first explored the enormous resources within this Fodor's website - where one can check on restaurants, hotels, seeing and doing, etc. Moreover, Margo posts with her REAL name and e-mail address...
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 07:00 PM
  #19  
betsy
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Ditto, Donna

I knew about Margo's books before I saw her post on the Forum and was delighted to see her share her info here. Her books are wonderful. I do not think that she is promoting herself at this site.
 
Old Jun 12th, 2000, 07:19 PM
  #20  
Deena
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I think Margo has provided the forum readers with valuable and insightful information. She does offer this free of charge. She never asks us to buy her books. I'm grateful she takes the time to add her input to the forum.
 

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