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We all know it: the internet is a fantastic but rather impersonal medium.
Who is hiding behind all those exciting offers and numerous web-based
companies? Who guarantees that I get for my money what was promised to me?
We know the problems and understand the reservations you might have. Of
course we are not able to give you fool-proof guarantees either, unless by
forgoing completely the undoubted advantages of internet commerce (low
overheads and hence good prices, to name just one). Of course you might be
much happier if you could deal with us face to face. Well, I am afraid, but
unless you live really close to us (which is rather unlikely), this will
not be possible. So let us at least tell you a little bit who we are:
I, Mark R. Siegrist, started Ridéf or the "Réseau international
d'échange de foyers"
(international network for home exchange) in 1996. The idea was not based on a
brain flash, but rather the result of long reflections. Starting up was difficult:
how can you convince people to join an exchange service if you don't have anybody
to exchange with as yet? I first acted as an agent for an American based company,
offering my language knowledge and "europeanness" as special benefits. This
worked for a while, but not for very long. When we separated, I nevertheless
had some listings of my own which made it easier to team up with another
company: Internet Home Exchange. At present we run this business independently.
Meanwhile we have grown significantly and are able to offer a broad choice
of exchange homes for all new members. We also strive continuously to improve
our services in all possible ways and are open to all suggestions you
might put forward!
Nevertheless, the volume of new members enlisted together with the price
we ask for the service does not allow us to live off this endeavor. I am
in fact a fully employed physicist at one of the two technical Universities
in Switzerland and spend only evenings and weekends to deal with Home
Exchange. Despite that we strive to offer a rapid and reliable service, as
all of you, we hope, will be able to confirm.
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