e - mails

[Neil Roberts]

While browsing this site I've noticed a few references to the fact that e-mails sent to addresses on Tobago are "occasionally" not replied to. I've been trying to get a response from the Blue Waters Inn over the last week with no success: is it likely that the messages are simply not getting there? Neil Roberts.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Neil

Sadly, this is the truth. In many cases, it is simply that establishments have simply not moved into the current century. Smaller establishments possibly only get one or two emails a week. Larger establishments are so used to dealing with the package tour operators that they don't give email much emphasis. Believe you me, e-commerce standards generally are terribly poor over there.

The Blue Waters Inn is one of the few places that is normally "on the ball" with emails. I suspect that Duanne Kenny, the manager, is not around or I'm sure you would have had a reply by now.

The biggest problem, however, is the national telecom provider TSTT. They could even teach BT a few lessons about inefficiency and customer-contempt and that's saying something. They had improved this year, or so I thought, but last year I was regularly receiving emails that took anything up to six days to clear the TSTT servers (you can check the header of any incoming email and see where it's been and how long it's taken). With the spate of complaints that we're getting at the moment, I am starting to strongly suspect that TSTT might be going through one of it's regular 'spasms'.

[Neil Roberts]

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. From what you say, I guess I just keep trying! It reminds me of a trip to Greece a few years back. It 's never a surprise to get home before the postcards, but that year we beat the e-mails back as well, by several days! I suppose that's why we go really isn't it? Be lucky, Neil.