Question : Auto-Response Message in Exchange 2003

Hello, I am new to exchange and we have an exchange 2003 server.  We would like to have an auto-response sent to anyone requesting support from our public support email account. so if you email [email protected] you will get a message like "thanks for contacting us, you will receive a reply within 48hrs". but, what if someone else has an auto-reply on their box, i dont want my email server to send them another auto-reply in response to their auto-reply which will lead to a loop. So how can i setup the auto-reply in exchange and have it keep track that it already sent an email to someone so it does not loop?  Thanks

Answer : Auto-Response Message in Exchange 2003

Glad you spotted the flaw in auto replies. That is why I don't use them. The only mechanism in Exchange that keeps a record of the address that has been responded to is Out of Office. Auto replies will auto reply to every message.
Plus you have to allow Auto Replies globally, so there is nothing to stop a user from setting up a rule and then forgetting about it and causing an email loop.

The closest you can get is to use a rule in Outlook. When you create the auto reply, use a specific subject. Then use the rule to not auto reply to messages with that email address in the subject line.

Another option would be to auto reply from another address, which goes in to a black hole (a black hole is basically a distribution group with no members). You would have to grant Send As permissions to the user account that you are automatically replying from to the group. Also put in the message "Do not reply as this is a mailbox that is not monitored" etc.

Simon.