swapping etiquette

[piratesmate]

I just checked with the post office recently about this. We'd assumed that a CJ was sent & were trying to find out how to track it. I was told that the only way to track a package was via Registered mail, which starts at over $7. The 45 cent service is only for delivery confirmation - letting you know where & when it arrived. In my instance it wouldn't have helped because the package was never actually sent.

I have been so stressed about this situation (it's not my CJ that is being held up) that I've actually been getting sick. Then with an unheaval in the house (DH started moving furniture & bookcases, packing things away - including my swap/scrap stuff) I lost track of some things. And you know, when I told the hostesses that I found boxes that I thought had already been sent they were understanding. Stuff happens to us all from time to time. If we can't be honest with this warm, friendly group then I hate to think what happens in other places.

So for now, I'm going to try to stay away from the swaps. In fact, if I wouldn't miss you all so much I would just stay away from here for a while. To be honest, I'm finding this whole discussion very stressful...I guess because I'm experiencing the whole "flaking" thing in another area. I'll hate it, but I really need to do it. Hopefully life will get back to "normal" after the holidays & I can do some swaps again...and we'll that book back!

 

[bubbasmom99]

Delivery confirmation is free if you go online and print your label out at www.usps.com. But it only applies to priority mail, so if you are mailing something light, you wouldn't want to spend $3.85 on postage just to get free delivery confirmation.... True, delivery confirmation is not a guarantee or tracking tool, but since I had a swap mailer that got lost going back to the swapper (and she's stuck with no cards ), it would make me feel better to know if I can check to see if anyone else received those cards and is playing around with them.

Payment method should still be the preference of the hostess. If stamps will make your life easier, then specify stamps. I have easy access to a post office (my local grocery store is actually a postal sevice center), so it's no trouble for me to get to dropping off packages any day. I do prefer priority mail flat rate because it's easier than weighing each package and seeing if the person sent enough stamps. Cash is easy for me but I know that someone posted that postal employees might be tempted to open the package and help themselves...

 

[jenny2]

But it only applies to priority mail, so if you are mailing something light, you wouldn't want to spend $3.85 on postage just to get free delivery confirmation.

Sorry, but with all that's been going on... I would want to.

 

[piratesmate]

Sorry - you're right. At least you know if & where it has been delivered with the confirmation. In my instance I needed to know if the package was lost in transit (the working assumption at the time) & the only way to do that is with Registered Mail.

But with the MIA swap & the actual situation I was facing if you need to know if things have even been mailed, there is no way of knowing that.

The thing is that we're facing multiple problems here.

 

[angelmom]

maggie-well said. I hve done 3 swaps now and was a newbie when I did my first one. I made sure to have everything done and sent a few weeks before the deadline. In almost all of the swaps there is plenty of time to get things done. There are things in life that some up, but then it is only polite to let the hostess know as soon as possible. a few swaps have been sent out much later than the deadline and this isn't fair to the hostess or others who get their stuff in. I would hate to be the late one and hold everyone up. Not to be mean and like I said life happens and somethings can't be prevented, but being "busy" happens to everyone and you should know that when you sign up for a swap. Besides all that I have loved doing the swaps and starting as a newbie I am glad I was able to participate and learn from such a talented group of people.

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

Sorry - you're right. At least you know if & where it has been delivered with the confirmation. In my instance I needed to know if the package was lost in transit (the working assumption at the time) & the only way to do that is with Registered Mail.

But with the MIA swap & the actual situation I was facing if you need to know if things have even been mailed, there is no way of knowing that.

The thing is that we're facing multiple problems here.

I just checked the usps website using the confirmation number for a CJ I mailed yesterday and this is what it said
Label/Receipt Number: 0305 1720 0001 9682 4646
Status: Acceptance

Your item was accepted at 8:55 am on November 22, 2005 in MONTGOMERY, AL 36119. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.
I will keep checking to see if it updates more than just the delivery - if it has the stops in between. This is the delivery confirmation service - not registered or certified mail so the only thing it may end up giving is time dropped off at the post office and the time put in the mail carrier's bag.

Everything I mail priority mail I get the confirmation number for - don't know if it is a waste of money or not but it does make me feel better.

Will update later when usps website info changes.

Sandy

 

[pattyT]

I have been so stressed about this situation (it's not my CJ that is being held up) that I've actually been getting sick.

please DO NOT stress that much over this...
it is paper... it can be replaced
I wish I could restore your faith in fellow disers that we trust with our paper
But serioulsy - please don't worry about it -
I am sure that everyone else in the group would step in and redo their pages if need to to get a new one out there...
it is suppose to be fun - don't worry about it ok.

 

[Twigs]

I am sure that everyone else in the group would step in and redo their pages if need to to get a new one out there...

I have taken a picture of all the LO's that I did, and I could definetly redo mine if need be.

Also I pay the extra 40 cents for tracking, I feel it is worth the peace of mind it gives me if nothing else.

 

[piratesmate]

Thanks Patty! (And to the rest of you who have sent messages as well!) Unfortunately, it's my nature to stress over stuff, but I'm working at it. And I know the ladies would redo their pages. That's what I like about the group on this board...everyone is so sweet - with only the occasional aberration.

And I have a funny story about

it is paper... it can be replaced

About a month ago I was mailing a swap or CJ & I was questioning the postal worker about how we could track things that had been mailed. He was having a hard time wrapping his brain around the idea that I was concerned about a package already in the system (so I thought) rather than one of the ones I was sending. I thought we finally had covered the subject completely & started the actual transaction.

He then asked me the usual questions: "Anything perishable?" "Any additional services?" Well he really seemed to dwell on the insurance issue. He almost insisted that I needed it so the item/s could be replaced since I was "having problems with the address". So I said I had no idea how to place a value on it & he nattered on a bit more. Finally I said I guessed I could guess at a value & he acted like I was trying to steal something from him!! "Oh no! You'd have to prove it's worth - with receipts & all! And of course they wouldn't reimburse you for your time..." I finally got out of there after another round of "you really should protect your investment" - I felt like I'd just been through a tornado or something! (You know, spinning around & around - I was almost dizzy from talking to him. )

 

[bubbasmom99]

OMG Piratesmate... that is FUNNY!

Can you buy an additional homeowners insurance on your albums? Can you imagine the insurance claims.... yeah, right..."it's just paper" my A$$.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Issues like what have been described here are why I quit swapping on my local yahoo board, scrapbook addict, 2 peas, and a few other sites. I lurked for quite a while here first and thought everything would work out. Everyone here is so nice and seems to be organized. And with all the talent here I really wanted to participate. Now you all have me terrified!

I finally signed up to participate in one swap finally and now I am having personal issues that is making me later than usual (still a little ways out from the due date) and I am worried. My best friend's DH had a horrible life threatening accident and then as we were dealing with this at the hospital the next day her 19 yr old only DS (my "lil brother") was tragically killed, so I am overwhelmed. I didn't want to have to back out since it is my first (on the Dis), but the swap has been giving me a break from real life (when i have actually been able to get a few min to work on it) and I will have mine done and mailed on time, as long as nothing else happens this week.

I agree with what others have said and communication is the key. I have no problem with giving my real name/snail and email addy/phone number to the hostess or others. A weekly check in has worked for other boards, so maybe we could try something like. Another thing that worked with another group I was in, was that to be a hostess, the swapper had to have at least 2-4 other swaps as a swapee under her belt before she hosts. Of course swapping is always up to the swapees/host and you can just choose not to participate if you want, but I'd hate to see yet another board stop swapping.

 

[jennz]

Now you all have me terrified!

I really really think that the swapping future here on the Disboards is safe. I don't think I'm being Pollyanna about it. I have participated in over ten swaps and have only had problems recently and I'm pretty sure they're connected. I think you probably have a feel for people and their personalities if you've been lurking. Don't be afraid...there are some very talented folks here.

 

[TPCShauna]

I agree with what others have said and communication is the key. I have no problem with giving my real name/snail and email addy/phone number to the hostess or others. A weekly check in has worked for other boards, so maybe we could try something like. Another thing that worked with another group I was in, was that to be a hostess, the swapper had to have at least 2-4 other swaps as a swapee under her belt before she hosts. Of course swapping is always up to the swapees/host and you can just choose not to participate if you want, but I'd hate to see yet another board stop swapping.

PirateGirl007 - I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My swaps were one way I dealt with losing my grandmother in Hurricane Katrina so I understand exactly where you are coming from.

I know that most of this vitriol is in response to one particular swap but I have to say that these guidelines would mean that I couldn't host the swaps I am right now. I have tried very hard to keep everyone updated on the swaps that I am hosting. I had a series of horrible things happen to me shortly after I started both of my swaps but I tried to keep everyone in the loop the whole time and think that I've kept everyone updated quite well since. Yes, it is hard to host your first swap but not everyone should be punished because one person causes a problem. I agree that some things should change but I also think that a lot of us are under stress right now from several different sources and things will start to look better after the holidays are over. I know that I will be happy when January arrives.

 

[scrapcreator]

I think communication all around is the key here. It is no fun to be late on the swaps (been there, done that) and I hate having to post that my life is out of control and my swap will be late. But it is important that the swappers and the hostess know what is going on.

One of the boards I'm on has a flakers list, another doesn't let people swap until they've been members for a while and then they can't host until they've successfully been in 3 swaps. Every board is different.

Jeanne

 

[bigsis1970]

Thanks for reminding us all of the rules and responsibilities of a swap. I wanted to let you know I mailed late on the Epcot ones due to life in general but have gotten all my others in on time.I am grateful that I wasn't banished for my tardiness this one swap and hope nobody holds it against me in later ones. I for one won't be participating in ones around the holidays - I started during the summer so this was my first time trying the holiday time - and I won't be doing the ones larger then about 8 people ( I find making 4 embelished squares times 12-15 people just awful!! but do not know how to make some of the other grander things like paper piercings) I think these 2 things will help me greatly! I have the pollyanna syndrome too and don't think swapping will go away. LY/MI (famous words of Delswife) Michelle

 

[GrayFal]

I agree with what others have said and communication is the key. A weekly check in has worked for other boards, so maybe we could try something like.

I am going to take this to my CJ Yahoo Group....we mail once per month...maybe a mid month post could be implimented on that forum as it is 'private' - CJ members only......Good idea!