Exactly.

The difference between an actual poster, and someone posting SPAM about contiki (or any other tour etc.), is quite obvious.

I saw the post but decided to leave it at the time. It sounds like spam but it could be a legitimate post so I gave it the benefit of the doubt.

With 2 replies now I think we might as well leave it.

I’ll leave it up to you guys. Just keep an eye on the user.

I put a warning to the poster in the thread on "transport." These Contiki testimonials seem to come in waves every few months and are frequently from 1 time posters or folks who are active for only a short period of time….

tnx for letting me know oldlady.
I hadn’t realized that yet.
Will pay more attention to them from now on

I noticed the exact same thing, hence why I noted it as SPAM right from the beginning.

Everytime there is a person whose "life has been forever changed" by this one contiki trip, it’s their one and only post. They never seem to have anything else to share.

1 time posters like that = SPAM

I’m going to contact Contiki today about this since they are a legit company that must have some sort of policy against spam.

I bet I’ll get a better response out of them than if I tried to call the ‘hack gmail/yahoo’ guys.

I searched a couple of forums and here’s what I’ve found…

From Emilybourne, a one-time poster:

As a female who’s traveled alone internationally three times, I’d like to say that first of all don’t let your uneasiness stop you from traveling. You’re going to have the time of your LIFE!
If you are feeling a bit uncomfortable being on your own though, I’d recommend trying group travel.
I’ve done two trips with a great company called Contiki. Traveling with them makes everything a bit more worry free because you don’t have to worry about how you’re getting from city to city, lugging your suitcase around subways, etc., but it’s SO independent! You can do what you want to do in each city, and you travel with a lot of amazing people from all around the world and create some really lasting friendships. Plus, everyone is young and ready to have a good time!
So if you’re a woman traveling alone and feeling nervous, check out contiki.com.

From KMC a one-time poster:

I just got back from a trip to Europe with Contiki Holidays.. and you really sound like the perfect candidate for Contiki! Contiki really does take the hassle out of traveling — it’s a travel company for 18-35 year olds so it would be great for a trip right after your graduation. Since you don’t know exactly where to go, going with a travel company would definitely allow you to see more for a better price. I had an unbelievable time. I met amazing people and was able to visit 6 countries in two weeks. Everything was taken care of for me so I didn’t have to worry about where to stay and what to do. Instead I spent my time just enjoying Europe and ended up having a lot of fun. Their website is www.contiki.com Let me know if you end up choosing Contiki or want more info on the trip I took!

This from Monica1236 who posted twice:

Hey,
I just went on an amazing trip with this travel company called Contiki. We went through all of Europe for 14 days. They have a bunch of trips, different locations, different lengths, different days.. etc.. — but all the same quality.
They are amazing. It really changed my life and how I feel about travel.
You get an awesome tour manager and coach driver. Both of them become family. I really respected mine, they were both awesome. I am already missing them among the other people I have met.
You get an amazing roomie, who I miss so dearly. Its for people 18-35, and is just soooo much fun. You could do it alone or with people. It’s just an amazing opportunity and I really want to share my amazing experience.
If anyone has been on one, please post here.
If you have questions, please feel free to post them here as well and I will try to answer all of them.
Here is their website: www.contiki.com
If you want to hear more about my trip check out:

Here’s Monica1236’s 2nd post – posted the same day as her other one:

Hey,
Has anyone heard of Contiki? I just went on this amazing Europe trip with this travel company called Contiki. They changed the way I feel about travel and about my life.
I love them so much and I am looking forward to doing another trip with them.
I wanted to see if anyone here has heard about Contiki? — or if anyone has been on one?
If you have any questions please feel free to ask me.
Check out their website: www.contiki.com
Monica

And here’s the lastest from Lauraxy — another new poster

Hey everyone!

I just returned from an amazing trip with Contiki Holidays and I just wanted to share my experiences with everyone.

Please feel free to read my blog and look at my pictures and more importantly ask me any questions about this trip!

http://laurascontiki…

Oldlady, lauraxy has made her way over to Etrek, where I pointed her out and she made the rare 2nd post. We’ll see what happens.

I sent my findings on how to identify most Contiki Field Marketing interns to Nivid and Cil. I think it would be best not to post these findings publically since I imagine they could make the info private.

Thanks Kahunna

They’re back. In Favorite Places. I’d link it but the hyperlinks aren’t working right for me.
I’ve left it alone for now. What do you all think?

Well, a contiki testimonial shouldn’t be in fav. places anyway. I would delete it.