The preceding comments by O. Cairon, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2012, 14, DOI: 10.1039/c2cp40963, question several aspects of our perspective article on the nature of cationic adsorption sites in alkaline zeolites (P. Nachtigall, M. R. Delgado, D. Nachtigallova and C. O. Arean, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2012, 14, 1552). Questioning spans from experimental details, through methodology and to the very concept of dual and multiple cation sites in zeolites. While acknowledging that questioning constitutes an excellent method to foster understanding, we hope that the answers given herein will help to clarify the relevant points under discussion.