Does Rick read the <i>Helpline</i>?

Probably does from time to time as any good CEO would but doubt if he reads it on a daily basis.

It's a bit like eavesdropping on the kids and their friends in the back of the mini van. You might hear things you don't want to, but you can't stop yourself. I vote yes.

I saw Rick speak in Atlanta last week and that was the question I wanted to ask! Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance...can't wait for the answer!!

I bet he keeps an eye on us at least occasionally!

I think Rick has "people" who bring interesting tid-bits to his attention....right Webmaster??? ;)

Steve....I think Kent means "does he read it himself...and on a regular basis." Question remains unanswered.

Yes, Norm, thank you for the clarification, what you said is what I meant. I've edited the OP to rephrase the question: Does Rick, himself (not merely through his staff), read the Helpline?

What inquiring minds want to know, is whether the Boss, himself, reads the Helpline, at least once in a while?

Maybe Kent really IS Rick?!?!?

Extracts or Executive Summary only. Probably mainly for feed-back about his tours, books, shop, etc. Probably doesn't give a hoot about endless discussions of atm's and pickpockets.

Well, I suspect he doesn't, nor his staff, very much. For example, in the guidebook corrections, and here, I noted that the directions provided for getting into Villefranche are simply horrible. He says to go down the stairs...which is quite an experience, and you then have to wander all the way through traffic to the other end of town.. Whereas, if you simply turn the other way there is a ramp all the way through the town without traffic. Guide not updated. Nor was it from other comments travelers left on other matters. But at least we have each other, and treasure one another's updates and help!

Maybe if we write something really insulting, then wait for a response...

But personally, I don't really care. If I write that I think his Germany and Benelux books are inadequate (which I do think), I doubt he would lose any sleep.

OK, I don't think I am divulging any confidential info here -- but as the OP of the Drinking Game post, I have some insight.

The webmaster sent me a private message and said he "presented" the post to Rick. The inference being that Rick did not stumble across it himself.

Michael, that's interesting.

In the past, the question has been asked here: From the point of view of Rick and his company, why even have the Helpline? That line of thinking was: the Helpline competes with ETBD consultants, who would/could provide answers to the same questions that are answered here, with equal or better accuracy.

BTW, I just now saw Elaine's post.:)Unfortunately, I'm not Rick, nor am I affiliated in any way with ETBD (in the past they've occasionally asked me to make that clear).

In the past, the question has been asked here: From the point of view of Rick and his company's point of view, why even have the Helpline? That line of thinking was: the Helpline competes with his (ETBD)consultants, who charge by the hour for advice on things now answered for free on the Helpline.

The reason ETBD has this message board is because it increases traffic to the site. A certain portion of that traffic will then go on to purchase items in the Travel Store, purchase Rail Passes, and book Tours. Rick then makes lots of money! Where's my commission;)

Michael hit the nail on the head. It's all about the money.

Kent,

I suspect Rick reads the HelpLine occasionally, but mostly in response to particular items brought to his attention by staff.

Given the many other demands on his time such as Guidebook updates, running the business, speaking engagements and of course three-four months in Europe, I highly doubt he has much time to browse the HelpLine.

I'll be interested to see the answer.

Cheers!

Elaine, sorry Kent isn't Rick.

Hmm, I suspected this Helpline was part of some business plan, but I couldn't figure out what. Don't forget, behind that smiling face, there's a cunning mind that runs a very successful business. I doubt he would go to all the trouble of making those PBS shows if his company didn't offer tours of most of the locations on the show. But I'm not complaining, I enjoy reading this helpline and I enjoy watching the TV shows.

I know Rick contributes quite some money to abused/battered women's shelter in the Edmunds area, but have forgotten the particulars. He does live his social conscience.

Although I'm often cynical and do consider when marketing plays into things, this time I'm choosing to think positively about motives.

Do you really think ETBD has the time to answer every question on this helpline?! It's self preservation! That, and bringing people into contact -- not everyone feels the same way about different places, and I like to hear everyone's input. We all have our own tastes and there are no right answers -- that's what makes it such a great resource.

One other point about the HelpLine is that having experienced travellers answer questions probably takes a lot of pressure off Rick's staff. In the "pre-HelpLine days", I suspect a lot of people sent enquiries directly to ETBD, which no doubt took a lot of time. I'm sure Rick prefers having his staff focus on the core aspects of his business, rather than answering thousands of questions.

I'll bet Rick does personally read the helpline occasionally. He seems very hands on and my guess is he scans through the questions at least once in a while. His company isn't that big and his name is on the door and I'm sure he's familiar with everything on the website.

As for Kent being Rick, great thought but why would he pose the question?

How about it, Webmaster?

I've found a lot more information on the Helpline than I've gotten from the ETBD people. Usually the questions I have are about things and places NOT in the guidebooks, which isn't their forte. I've found that his staff knows Rick's chosen places well, but you have to look elsewhere to find information about other places.

Hmmm. So Kent denies he is RS. I wonder. We all know there was another guy with a name of "KENT" and he denied that he was Superman. Maybe Kent only wears his glasses when he turns into RS. If there is a telephone booth close to his house I would be highly suspicious.

I just love the way this helpline makes me smile. Hi, Rick.

"As for Kent being Rick, great thought but why would he pose the question? How about it, Webmaster?"

This is Kent.I'm really not Rick, honestwish I was!But thank you for the compliment

Dear travelers,
I'm flattered that you care. I've enjoyed reading this thread. But, actually I rarely read our Helpline because I work all the time and, frankly, I'm maxed out. The major consumer of my time is traveling around the USA giving talks, producing our weekly radio hour, writing and filming our TV series, keeping 20 guidebooks up to date, keeping our webmaster in line, and trying to run a travel business of 80 employees in challenging times. Right now my main concern: getting all my ducks in a row for an 8 week research and TV production trip starting in early April. (I appreciate the smart help from my staff when it comes to grooming forums like this.) Ciao! Rick

It's a nice message! I can only imagine how hectic Rick's schedule must be--it's great that he took the time to post!

That was a lovely message from Rick. Big thanks to the Webmaster too, for forwarding our messages on to Rick.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that Rick comes to Frankfurt on this trip!

Well, I hope the post from Rick (see bottom post of 1st page of this thread) puts an end, once and for all, to the "Is Kent really Rick?" rumors.

Rick says he read the entire thread, so he would have read my denials that I'm him; and he didn't deny my denials.

Therefore, the application of deductive logic indicates, clearly, that Rick is not me.

I'm glad we got that cleared up.

I think "Kent" is really "Samantha Brown"--in reverse drag.

:)

I buy a lot of Rick Steves' but not because of Travelers Helpline. He has good products and less expensive than some sites.

I bought his 1st book when it came out in the early 1980's and was hooked. Because he pointed out that one could do Europe in a less expensive way.

I am proud to say, I was one of his early fans.

Rick wasn't the first to teach budget travel, I remember "Europe on $5 a Day" back in the late 60's and all the ones that followed that one.

Ah yes, Susan! But Rick's way is the BEST!!! (Ok, fine, I'm biased!)

I'm both glad to hear from RS and at the same time concerned about his company after reading his post conveyed via the webmaster. I'm not a business expert but in my line of work a lot of trouble 1st-line managers run into is trying to do too much; they often got promoted because they were good at the job, but as a manager they are supposed to work THRU other people and not do the work of 7 people themselves. I understand times are difficult for all businesses, and especially for one that depends on travelers spending discretionary dollars. But I wonder if RS has over-extended himself if he doesn't have a free minute. Maybe that's the danger if you're the franchise; people half-expect RS to have personally inspected all the rooms in his guidebook, eaten the food at the recommended restaurants, etc. So I don't have any great suggestions for how RS can handle his filming, radio shows, manage the business, etc. and do it all the way he's doing it now. But I will say this; it won't scale. If he's happy with the company the size it is now and the way its run now I'm not one to criticize, but it does imply a few things. First, it can't handle 2x or 5x the number of travelers and guidebooks it does now. Second, the franchise ends with Rick; when he retires or whatever the company is done. Which is one model for the small owner-run company. But there are plenty of other models out there; the 1st one that comes to mind, ironically since I'm not a lawyer, is the corporate law firm which starts with a few partners but can scale to hundreds of employees and multiple cities. Ray Kroc didn't cook every burger but managed to get his philosophies spread; I hope RS can find a way to do the same.

Rick, you forgot to include in your duties "impersonating Kent."