Hey, I am in Italy right now with a wonderful guide. During our planning, we discovered that Comcast is blocking most of the replies from the hotels, guides, etc. in Italy kind of randomly. To fix the problem, the Italian you are writing needs to fill out this form: http://www.comcastsupport.com/forms/net/BlockedProvider.asp. So if you are having problems getting replies, and you use Comcast, it is probably a blocked domain server.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19238 posts
Isn't this only a problem if you are on Comcast?
I guess this is just one more reason I'll never use Comcast.
Posted by
North Shore, MA, USA
59 posts
I have been waiting for a reply from a small hotel in France. I asked for room information and to book for 5 nights. I thought it was strange that I have not heard. Do you suppose this is why? Is there a way I can find out if Comcast is blocking my reply?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
511 posts
I had this problem when I was booking about 6 weeks ago with Battlebus for our Normandy tour. I got their initial reply, but then no confirmation. I e-mailed them back, and got a reply from one of their personal e-mail accounts that their e-mail had been blocked by Comcast. I ended up having to use my work e-mail to finalize my reservations with them.
I also had trouble with a few hotels not responding to my Comcast e-mails, so I sent them e-mails from my work address, and they replied promptly with available rooms. Unfortunately, I think some of the time, they may not have rooms available, but it's also sometimes their replies are being blocked. Unfortunately, who knows which one!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19238 posts
A second issue is, in what language did you send the email? I don't think you can just automatically assume that they will understand English. Now, in Germany, a hotel with three or more stars HAS to have someone on the staff who understands English (DEHOGA requirements). But, then, I don't want to stay in a hotel with three or more stars. I always send my emails in German, and I have never had any trouble getting an answer back, no matter how small the establishment.
Posted by
OP
Renton, WA, USA
2 posts
Hey there,
In my case, I wrote in both Italian and English. This particular person called me on my cell phone from Italy which is how I discovered the problem. I then tried writing everyone else from my hotmail and discovered they were all having trouble with Comcast.
From what I can tell, the only person who can tell is the person who is trying to write to you. (They will get a °mail denied° error.) So, if you are having trouble hooking up with people in Europe, use any email except Comcast.
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
I had this problem last year. You might try creating a free email account with www.gmail.com. I used it this year to make several European reservations, and had no problems.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA
206 posts
You can also create a free email account with www.hotmail.com. with easy access sending/receiving worldwide.