Why does this bother me so much? Vent...
 

I have gone to sign up for the GE probably the last four times. I haven't done it yet. I always read through the sign-up thread, get really irritated reading seeing a huge list of instructions, for lack of a better term, and never end up signing up. I feel so offended when someone says "don't buy this, this, this, this, this and this." I only feed holistic, natural treats. I don't like certain toys, and there are some styles of clothes I don't care for. However, I can't imagine signing up with a huge list of "dont's." I am afraid I would end up getting a SB who has made such a list, and I wouldn't have fun shopping because it just seems really ungrateful.

I understand the food allergies, Ranger has an intolerance to turkey, but some of these are just extreme. Really makes me not want to participate :( To me, if you get something you don't like, donate it to a shelter or re-gift it to someone who will use it. I just don't see the need to be so picky for something that is supposed to be so fun.

There's my vent of the day. Does anyone else feel like this or do I just need to get over it?

I think your feelings are valid,because that is how you feel.

It doesn't bother me,it takes away the nervousness of buying something they don't like or use.I look at it this way I would prefer to know what not to get because I would hate to buy gifts for someone and they don't like them and either give them away or donate them,makes me feel like I wasted my money.I also hate to keep gifts I hate so the giver will feel good,I think the way the GE is set ,EVERYONE participating has the chance to love most if not all of what they get,and to me that is the point.

Amanda, we could exchange with eachother. I've always been easy to please when it comes to my dogs, their treats, clothes, and even with my beautician.:)

I understand the food allergies, Ranger has an intolerance to turkey, but some of these are just extreme. Really makes me not want to participate :( To me, if you get something you don't like, donate it to a shelter or re-gift it to someone who will use it. I just don't see the need to be so picky for something that is supposed to be so fun.

I agree with this! If you don't like something donate it!

I have never done the GE because I am not a donating member:rolleyes: I need to sign up and donate already but I feel kind of the same way that you do... or that someone would not be happy with my gifts! Maybe I just need to get over it already!:p

ok you've just started something ! can i get in ?????? i haven't been a member long enough to do the ge nor have i donated yet! :animal-pa

I can totally see how that would aggravate you! I guess some are just picky or OCD! I just think that they don't realize how it comes off listing all these do not's and what not....lol I would hope being a gift exchange that they'd be happy with whatever they received, but of course its not a perfect world... oh well

I signed up! This will be my first GE! I'm excited!

I'm more frustrated when there isn't enough information listed about the dogs... I'd like to have at least 1 guideline or like for the dog otherwise I'll go crazy!

I know what you mean. The questionaire was designed to be helpful - not a list. If your baby can't have certain items it's helpful to know that prior to sending a gift. I certainly don't want to send things that will be thrown away. But... I've noticed that some tend to get overly exclusive about what they want for their babies. I don't know if they mean to come off like that - I think some are just trying to tell you what they need or would like, but I have seen where they'll even tell you where they want stuff from - and some are not soo cheap!

But I wouldn't let that stop you from joining in. I met one of the nicest ladies through one of our GE's! It can be a really "good" thing, too!

Thanks ladies. I am going to try and get over it and sign up. We'll see. I am just such a confident and well-practiced shopper ;-) I get offended when I see directions such as those. I guess its probably how my husband feels!!

I think that venting and being validated it helpful though, so again, thank you!!

This totally feels like a "SLAM" against all of us that have joined the GE'S ...well at least the last 4...that You speak of!

I have read thru your so called "list of instructions" from other members and I find it hard to understand how you can be so rude and negative........most if not ALL say at the bottom that "this is just guidelines"...and that their "baby would be happy with ANYTHING you get them"...how do you take offense to that?

Rather than ridicule the process....why not try to see the "positive"? I'm sure NOONE planned on coming across.....the way you are portraying them....

I'd personally rather not "waste" my money on things they don't need or won't allow their yorkie to have! :rolleyes:

I have to admit I'm wondering if mine is one of the "turn offs". I do find myself listing a lot of stuff, and some of it might be from expensive places, but it really is just to give people ideas. I would never expect someone to buy Thor something really pricey, but maybe they'll see something similar, or there will be a sale. I guess I think it's more fun to find specific items. Like my SB asked last year for a pink leather charm collar of a certain length and width. I didn't even know what a charm collar was. I looked EVERYWHERE before I found it. It was like, score! And it was very cool to see the photo of her dog wearing it. I like giving people gifts they will really like and since we don't know each other well, we'll probably need a lot of direction.

I appreciate the don'ts - like some people have been specific about what types of bows they like, which is great, because I know NOTHING about bows, and it would not occur to me that a dog might wear barrette bows, but not rubber bands.

I do try to give used toys and such to my local shelter, but I don't know if they need hair bows. :p "Ungrateful" to me would be if someone posted about their gift and said "this is not what I asked for", and I haven't seen anyone do that. Everyone always seems really happy with what they get.

It seems like no one wants raw hides or greenies, so maybe we should just all take it as a given not to buy those.

I agree with the last two posters.

We all have so much fun with the GE, let's not put a damper on it all. It's everyone's choice to participate or not. We do because it is really a blast. If you like giving gifts to others, that much the better.

We all who have joined in the past have loved everything we have received. Let's just leave it at that and keep it a fun, happy time.

~Kathy:animal-pa

Unfortunately you don't qualify for the GE this time...You must have been a member by March 1...to join...but there will be another GE in 3 months....so get your posts up and make sure to DONATE...and you will be eligible to join us then!!! Look forward to seeing you!!!


And Like Kathy said...Let's keep it POSITIVE!!! That way it will continue to be fun for EVERYONE involved!!! :D

i feel ya- we dont' do GEs anymore for a totally different reason but when we did i also felt overwhelmed by the lists. Like Ranger, Layla has health reasons that she can only have some treats- but everything else was fair game. I liked to help my GE buddy out by saying what we DO LIKE but tried to keep the- we don't needs... to a minimum...

I will admit to not joining the GE fun because I am on of those who has a list a mile long of things my babies can't have. I felt like I was being rude by saying you can buy my baby A and B, but absolutely not C, D, and E.

In my particular case, S'anah does have allergies, and I DO have OCD and I am so picky I get on my own nerves with it sometimes. I wouldn't want to offend anyone or appear unappreciative.

I DO want to say that I thoroughly enjoy reading the threads and seeing what everyone got though! :D

Please don't let any negativity keep you from joining the GE!!! It's a total blast...and we really don't look at people's sign-up sheets...that way!! If your baby has allergies or things they can't have...that is the PURPOSE of the sign-up sheets...

NOONE wants to spend money on things that your yorkie cannot have...COMEON Join in!!! Sign-up!! You will love it!!

You won't see any negative comments from people that have actually participated in the GE'S!! :D