Caribqueen, you are right about positive posts from repeat guests, I have heard quite a few times before that they are not posted. We can't get too positive about hotels (according to TA) now can we? It is that selective moderating that aggravates me.
As for owners responses, when a guest posts something, it immediately goes online, but when an owner responds, it always takes more than a week before the response is displayed when not refused. When a hotel owner complains about a post, it takes them even 2-3 weeks, but the hotel owner gets no feed back - very frustrating. I know a hotel owner here who got banned for defending his property.
Diane, you are totally right about Travel Agents (and Wholesalers), TA can never replace that! That is actually what TA wants to become, a Super Travel Agent, they have already invited some properties to become affiliates and push their sales. Think about that before you go to TA!