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Everything you always wanted to know about France |
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Rentals-France Newsletter October 12 1999. Number 9. We are here to help you find the perfect spot, from one day to a lifetime.http://www.rentals-france.com/ This week.
1. Tell it how it is.
======================= We always adding to links on our pages with useful information. There is a page of links on : http://www.goto-france.com/links/ All the pages have been checked by us and we only add links where the content is interesting useful and relevant. Please let
us know if you know of any other sites which can give help and
advice to visitors to France. It is said that when Oliver Cromwell (the famous English 'Lord Protector') was asked how he would like his portrait painted, the replied "Paint it how it is, warts and all". Part of the magic of Internet is that there is no limit on the amount of words or pictures I can use to describe the properties you can rent. Buying advertising space is expensive so the usual way to advertise is write only the best and most flattering copy to sell the product. Advertising has become a convention of exaggerated claims and fantasy images. The cigarette industry highlights this with their beautiful abstract and evocative images, with the small print telling you that smoking can kill you. Many of you come thousands of miles to visit this important and beautiful part of the world. To find a dingy and damp cottage when you get here with few facilities and inadequate furnishings at an astronomical price is not usually what you wish to find. I am slowly changing the pages on our sites to give quicker and much more comprehensive information. Carole and I have our own home which has accommodation next door for up to 9 people and we advertise and let other selected properties here. We in fact turn down more than 3 out of every 4 properties we are offered to put on our site as not being good value. However, I still tend to write only about the positive things for each property. I use words like "charming", "comfortable" and "historic" where I could be meaning "small, old and damp". I don't, but I would say that wouldn't I ? I state at the beginning of this newsletter that it is you who is our client, not the property owner. This is our policy and we will be adding more details and photos for the properties so you can really see that you are getting the best value on the market. We will be adding a comparative listing, if possible giving every property a "quality" rating and a "value" rating, this can only really be subjective, but we hope it will give some guidelines to help you choose. Another suggestion is to add a "comments" page to each property where guests can write their findings and observations about their stay. Many of you have agreed to help with a questionnaire we are sending out which will help us ensure the best service for you. I am receiving a lot of helpful advice as to what I should ask in it, so every time I am ready to send it, I change it again. Thank you for your patience, I really hope to have the final draft this week.
I hope to get your attention and to give good accurate
information "Warts and All".
Dear Carole, Tony and Family, |