grover
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2000
- Messages
- 3,111
Hi Ladies!
I "scraplifted" this off another board that I visit- thought I might post it here as we are holding more swaps here!
I don't know who originally wrote it so I can't give them credit! Happy Scrapping
Grover in Winnipeg
I borrowed this from another group but feel it is very well stated and because
we are a swapping group I feel it appropriate to post this message...thank you
Swap do's and don'ts:
As a Participant:
1. Please read and reread your rules. Don't sign up in the first place if
you are going to bail out. Understand what is expected in that particular
swap.
2. Save the rules email and PRINT it off. We all know computers crash and
emails get deleted by accident. Avoid the problem by having a hard copy
handy.
3. Highlight the due date! Put it also in your day planner or calendar!
It is a firm commitment.
4. Start early! If it is an intricate layout or piece you are making many
of, start very early!
5. Do not participate in more than 4 or 5 big swaps a month. It is too
much! And you had better be very organized and dedicated to do even that.
Be realistic. Do not overcommit. You being a nervous wreck is not the goal
here, no matter how nice the swapping loot!
6. Have a tote or Bin just for each swap in progress. All your stuff will
be together and no useless searching for bits or having to redo lost ones.
put a note on the front of the bin with the name of the swap and the due
date.
7. Send things on time or earlier. No one likes to wait. You do not want
to be the person to hold up a swap for many others. The only good excuse for
bailing on a swap is a family DIRE emergency or severe illness.
8. Thank the hostess. If a hostess gift was specifically requested, send
one! I do not require them for my own swaps but they sure are nice! Just a
nice thank you online or card tucked in with your swap kits is wonderful!
Hostessing is harder than you think!
9. Send the right amount of postage. Self address your own envelopes.
Allow up to two weeks after the hostess has sent swaps out for you to get
them.
10. Have fun!
As a Hostess:
1. Never hostess a swap if you are not going to have at least 3 free hours
to supervise that specific swap. Even a ten-person swap entails reading
emails, replying, answering questions, sending idea sites, going to the post
office, making your own pages, and swapping out the kits.
Do not volunteer to hostess if you are having any time crunch or personal
stresses. The minute any problems develop that keep you from fulfilling
your duty, it is your responsibility to notify each swap participant
immediately!
2. Decide how big is too big before you start. If you are new to
hostessing, just start with a 6 or ten person swap. Sure it is flattering
and tempting to just keep letting gals sign up..but it can be too much work
if you allow too many in your first swap.
3. As you get gals signing on, print out each gals email when they commit.
You will then have a hard copy with their email and the date right on it.
Place these in a file folder just for this swap!! Even if you have a
computer crash or other emergency, you will have the paper record.
4. Keep a list of who is in your swap and their email addy for easy
reference too. I hand-write mine on the file folder of the swap where I
keep the emails from #3.
I also keep an address book for swapping pals. I place their postal
addresses in it as I get their envelopes here.
5. Use the bin system. Each swap I hostess has it's own bin. Label the
bin. As swaps come in to you , check them off the list (# 4) and put them
in the bin.
6. Swap them all out in a timely manner. If you are waiting on "one more
gal", let the WHOLE list of participants know so they do not worry. DO NOT
wait more than 7 days past the due date to send all swaps out.
7. Send out the swaps yourself. Then you know it got done. This is your
responsibility.
8. If you have a problem with someone for some reason, email them directly
first. Then look them up and CALL them by phone if you need to. If both of
those do not work, then ask generically and NICELY on the lists where that
person is at...someone else may know.
The only good excuse for bailing as hostess on a swap is a family DIRE
emergency or severe illness. Even then, you should send ALL kits back
within a month and appologize publically.
9. Thank everyone for participating...You can send a little note or goodie
(like a sticker module) if you want to...
10. Have fun!
I hope this helps all who are involved in swaps to make them a happy
experience!
I "scraplifted" this off another board that I visit- thought I might post it here as we are holding more swaps here!
I don't know who originally wrote it so I can't give them credit! Happy Scrapping
Grover in Winnipeg
I borrowed this from another group but feel it is very well stated and because
we are a swapping group I feel it appropriate to post this message...thank you
Swap do's and don'ts:
As a Participant:
1. Please read and reread your rules. Don't sign up in the first place if
you are going to bail out. Understand what is expected in that particular
swap.
2. Save the rules email and PRINT it off. We all know computers crash and
emails get deleted by accident. Avoid the problem by having a hard copy
handy.
3. Highlight the due date! Put it also in your day planner or calendar!
It is a firm commitment.
4. Start early! If it is an intricate layout or piece you are making many
of, start very early!
5. Do not participate in more than 4 or 5 big swaps a month. It is too
much! And you had better be very organized and dedicated to do even that.
Be realistic. Do not overcommit. You being a nervous wreck is not the goal
here, no matter how nice the swapping loot!
6. Have a tote or Bin just for each swap in progress. All your stuff will
be together and no useless searching for bits or having to redo lost ones.
put a note on the front of the bin with the name of the swap and the due
date.
7. Send things on time or earlier. No one likes to wait. You do not want
to be the person to hold up a swap for many others. The only good excuse for
bailing on a swap is a family DIRE emergency or severe illness.
8. Thank the hostess. If a hostess gift was specifically requested, send
one! I do not require them for my own swaps but they sure are nice! Just a
nice thank you online or card tucked in with your swap kits is wonderful!
Hostessing is harder than you think!
9. Send the right amount of postage. Self address your own envelopes.
Allow up to two weeks after the hostess has sent swaps out for you to get
them.
10. Have fun!
As a Hostess:
1. Never hostess a swap if you are not going to have at least 3 free hours
to supervise that specific swap. Even a ten-person swap entails reading
emails, replying, answering questions, sending idea sites, going to the post
office, making your own pages, and swapping out the kits.
Do not volunteer to hostess if you are having any time crunch or personal
stresses. The minute any problems develop that keep you from fulfilling
your duty, it is your responsibility to notify each swap participant
immediately!
2. Decide how big is too big before you start. If you are new to
hostessing, just start with a 6 or ten person swap. Sure it is flattering
and tempting to just keep letting gals sign up..but it can be too much work
if you allow too many in your first swap.
3. As you get gals signing on, print out each gals email when they commit.
You will then have a hard copy with their email and the date right on it.
Place these in a file folder just for this swap!! Even if you have a
computer crash or other emergency, you will have the paper record.
4. Keep a list of who is in your swap and their email addy for easy
reference too. I hand-write mine on the file folder of the swap where I
keep the emails from #3.
I also keep an address book for swapping pals. I place their postal
addresses in it as I get their envelopes here.
5. Use the bin system. Each swap I hostess has it's own bin. Label the
bin. As swaps come in to you , check them off the list (# 4) and put them
in the bin.
6. Swap them all out in a timely manner. If you are waiting on "one more
gal", let the WHOLE list of participants know so they do not worry. DO NOT
wait more than 7 days past the due date to send all swaps out.
7. Send out the swaps yourself. Then you know it got done. This is your
responsibility.
8. If you have a problem with someone for some reason, email them directly
first. Then look them up and CALL them by phone if you need to. If both of
those do not work, then ask generically and NICELY on the lists where that
person is at...someone else may know.
The only good excuse for bailing as hostess on a swap is a family DIRE
emergency or severe illness. Even then, you should send ALL kits back
within a month and appologize publically.
9. Thank everyone for participating...You can send a little note or goodie
(like a sticker module) if you want to...
10. Have fun!
I hope this helps all who are involved in swaps to make them a happy
experience!
