(Response from
go-abacos' webmaster)
Dear U.S. (actual
writer's name omitted for privacy purposes) ...
Thank you *very*
much for your incisive and insightful inquiry as to the quality and reliability of Go-Abacos sponsors' offerings.
To answer your
extremely valid question in a very few words ... yes, either
myself, one of my staff, or one of my contributors have checked
out each and every Go-Abacos sponsors' offerings for the all-important
quality of "dependable quality" (which includes *all*
your concerns). I have traveled to the Abaco islands for more
than 15 years, and personally know each and every one of the
site's sponsors (or, at least, their representatives). I have
personally visited (or one of my long-term friends such as _____
, _____ , _____ , _____ and others) each and every sponsor's
facility.
Go-Abacos' sponsorship
contract specifically states if more than two UNresolvable (by
me) complaints (rational complaints ... not including weather,
telephone or TV quality, power outages, beach bugs, etc.), the
sponsor is *off* the site with a partial, pro-rata refund of
monies paid for a go-abacos sponsorship.
Go-Abacos is
currently a "not-for-profit" site. I did not expect
the site to be profitable for the first 12-18 months, and it
definitely has not been. I created the site based on the following
principles:
1. Always and forever,
a minimum of 80% information and 20% sponsorship (advertising)
2. The best possible quality in sponsorship offerings
and products
I have more than
20 years' experience in regional, national and international
marketing to guide me in the development of Go-Abacos, (and)
ultimately wish to have the site become synonymous with reliable
quality. I cannot do this without doing everything realistically
possible to assure that my sponsors are not just "listings"
of offerings. My sponsors *must* offer both quality and value
or they're not on the site. I have passed up thousands of dollars
in sponsorship revenue as a result of this policy, but the site
is cost-effectively producing acceptable levels of revenue for
my sponsors.
U., I would like
to provide you with three recent examples of go-abacos' "sponsorship
scrutiny" to, hopefully, support my previous statements:
1. (Major sponsor), recently
underwent a major management change. Their service, attitude
and dependability went straight through the floor immediately
after the change. I contacted the (sponsor's management) via
a conference call, and informed them they would be "off
the site" if the less than acceptable quality of their service
did not improve *immediately* (not in a month or week!!). By
yesterday PM, a particularly offensive employee was terminated,
uniforms were ordered for all "meet the public" personnel,
and (other sponsor-specific remedial measures) were taken. This
was all confirmed by corporate memo to me, and I have confirmed
several of their actions myself. (Major sponsor) is now on "sponsorship
probation". (A competing category sponsor) very much wants
to be on Go-Abacos' site, but I allow only one sponsor per category
(other than accommodations and dining) on any given geographic
area of the site ... and that single, exclusive sponsor has to
be the best in their area of offering.
2. This last Friday and
Saturday, I had *three* (exclusive category sponsors), all award-winning
and nationally recognized, literally arguing to get on the site.
I chose the best (based on my Abaco associates' experience) and
the (other two) are now on a Go-Abacos sponsorship "waiting
list".
3. Two (exclusive category
sponsors) companies were available for sponsorship on one of
the Abacos' islands - neither were acceptable from the standpoint
of (go-abacos' quality requirements) 'till two weeks ago when
an experienced (sponsor) started a competing business. The (new
business sponsor) is now on Go-Abacos. As I stated before, I
have forgone thousands of dollars in revenue by not including
sponsors whose offerings were less than my criteria demands.
As proof of the effectiveness of my policies, Go-Abacos (as of
April 15, 1998 statistics) is out-performing (other major, long-term
Abaco and Out Island sites) by as much as 100% in terms of overall
site traffic, total monthly file transfer, total e-mail inquiries
to sponsors, and bottom line bookings for sponsors.
U., while I obviously
cannot (and will not) endorse Go-Abacos sponsors' offerings,
I think the preceding and the following extracts from the site
will support my statements.
----
From Go-Abacos'
Sponsor Policy -- Go-Abacos' "Sponsor" pages:
"Without
exception, our sponsors are well-established, respected businesses
who have achieved their success and enviable reputations through
hard work, impeccable service and by consistently providing Abacos
Travelers with just a little bit more than they expect in terms
of value, courtesy and the overall enjoyment of their Abaco vacation
experience."
----
From Go-Abacos'
"About Go-Abacos Introduction To Go-Abacos" pages:
"The development
of meaningful, Traveler-relevant content for a website such as
Go - Abacos is a relatively complex, time-consuming and costly
undertaking. All original photography contained in this site
(except as noted) has been donated by Bluewater Marketing Services,
Inc. (Go - Abacos's designers and programmers) with the exception
of certain photography in the Ocean Blue Properties' Rental site
and a few rather exceptional aerial images to soon be provided
by Wright's Helicopter Services of North Palm Beach, Florida.
Go - Abacos does
not seek sponsors based solely on their ability to provide dollars
to help support this site. Rather, Go - Abacos actively seeks
out sponsors who genuinely offer superior products and services
that are relevant to the diverse needs of Abacos' Travelers.
While Go - Abacos
can not directly endorse our sponsors' offerings, we believe
that both the quality and value of our sponsors' products or
services is superior. To assure the highest degree of integrity
in our sponsors' offerings, this site's developers (or our representatives
and associates) have personally evaluated each and every site
sponsor's offering in terms of consistent quality and superior
value."
----
Thanks for your
interest. If I can be of any assistance with your vacation planning,
please let me know. I hope to see you in the Abacos.
Best wishes ---
webmaster@go-abacos.com
________________________
