Home Exchange Scammed and humiliated. At their mercy with no recourse. Internet

I’ve been a HomeExchange subscriber for a year with 30 exchanges completed.  I’ve visited three continents.  I hosted people and earned many points.  I was an AirBnb host and traveller before this and bring and expected that level of transparency and mutual expectations.  

What I found is HomeExchange is the Wild West.  They are headquartered in France which does not have the level of consumer protection and liability that a US company does.  They make the rules and break the rules.  They took over $10,000 in points and scams from me in one month.

I stayed at a newbies house in Europe and her plumbing, electric and furniture had issues   She had no reviews.   We had proof of having no power etc each day.     We knew from the past not to complain because the only possible outcome is retaliation from the host.  Yet, she submitted bills to Home Exchange for us to fix her plumbing (just flex water tubes), replace her furniture and more.   Home Exchange demanded we pay to fix it.   We didn't.   Instead we were charged Guest Points for an unhabitable house with multiple cameras recording us indoors.   I felt violated by Home Exchange so many times.  

I’ve encountered many hosts false advertising amenities, which increases how many points they earn and gets them more guests.  When reported to HomeExchange (via email only) you are treated like a tattle tale child and can expect nothing to be done except for them to check with the host, accept that it was a “typo” excise, then a retaliatory bad review from the host and more.  If you complain you are targeted. 

I’ve had so many false advertising situations that got me there and it’s set up to support bait and switch. 

Home exchange does not honor their own terms because host are not required to keep our calendars updated further published terms, host are not required to provide heat or a habitable apartment, despite their published terms, and they do not honor their warranties and guarantees.  They do whatever the heck they want. 

If a host cancels on you and home exchange is policy says they will get you a hotel if they can’t find you in accommodation and pay for your airline tickets. You can expect them to disclose your account and keep all of the points you’ve earned for no reason because they are allowed to. Then they do not have to compensate you at all.   

I can’t even begin to explain all the abuse this French company has doled out to me.  And I love France.  But they operate completely free to do whatever they want.