Very Interesting! Gently Used Gift Exchange

[Wabbit]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Oops, I just realized that I missed like two pages of posts!

Thanks, everyone, for checking out the shipping charges. It sounds like a smaller box is the way to go. I must admit I think like a pirate too - I want the box to be big!

I feel like I've shipped large things for less than $20, but I usually use UPS, not USPS. I'm going to try to put a test treasure box together and check the weight.

great idea....have you checked out the FLAT rate postage from USPS? I'm curious what size box that is??
I'll check with our Post office tomorrow.....if noone has found out by then...

[Breeze]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

Dont say "some" ...just say "WABBIT"..if you must continue the drama...

this subject is open for all suggestions....questions...concerns...etc..regardi ng the Gently used GE....

I'm not going to get caught up in anymore "confrontational" posts with you gals....

Do you have something meaningful to contribute Breeze? Are you interested in the Guge? Do you have some suggestions...??
Or are you simply here to call me out...in this thread too? I'm just curious...

Because we'd really like this to STAY positive...I already said my peace earlier....and apologized to whoever got offended...but I don't remember you in that discussion....

Sorry I was calling you on your drama. It's funny how you can say whatever you want but then give anyone else a hard time if they disagree with you. You say what you want than say "I'm not gonna say anymore...." to those that have their own say then of course you do.

Maybe if you want these threads to stay positive than maybe you have to be open to more than just your thoughts and ideas. Gypsy & Me did not say anything wrong, just had different opinions than yours. It's a forum it happens, you say something people respond both good and bad. I can take it.

[QuickSilver]

Topic: GUGE.

[Wabbit]

i guess she's not interested in the guge!! lol


What did you think about the PIC idea Merc??

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

With a Virtual Treasure Chest, the person who possesses the item would pay the shipping costs. Assuming that each member would contribute similar items to the Treasure Chest they were shopping from then if everyone paid the shipping when their item was selected, eventually it would even out. If someone was getting slammed with having to ship, that would mean that you should shop for their stuff 'cause it must be good! .

You would only contribute those items you feel comfortable shipping and in return you would get to shop for items of similar value.

I think this is an interesting alternative. It would be nice to have new items every few days. Here are my questions:

- What if someone would rather give than get? I have a number of very nice things for Thor, but I don't want to deal the cost and hassle of mailing to five different people. The main reason I thought of the GUGE was that these clothes are necessarily right for my local shelter, but I really like the idea of knowing that some other dog gets good use out of them. I do have a carrier that I know I'll never use, with tags, from Thor's former owner, and I'd be happy to give that to someone.

- If people contribute items of similar value to what they get, how would we agree on items' value? This seems like an area for potential contention.

- What about people who post items they say they'll contribute, but then don't?

This is not to nix this idea at all. I do want to say my thought behind the GUGE was that people would be excited about GIVING to the box, and not necessarily feel that they were guaranteed to get something they liked. I personally would be happy to send along a box that I didn't take anything out of.

I do think there's some chance that a box could end up filled with stuff that no one wants. I think there would be some box moderator for every chain (I would be happy to do this) who would periodically receive the box and check what's left. If it ends up more trash then treasure after a few months, maybe we disband the idea.

Also, just a note generally, not to chattiesmom specifically, while I spend a ridiculous amount of time on YT, I DO take a few hours off every so often. That doesn't mean I'm ignoring your questions, it just might take me more than 45 minutes to respond. I am really trying to think this through without getting overly attached to any one idea.

__________________________

I do like the picture idea! I think that makes it more tangible and exciting for everyone, and will also give everyone some idea of what they can expect to find in the box.

[Wabbit]

thanks....I think we could always start with a smaller number of people and see how it goes before it gets REALLY big too....

Or see who wishes to START the chain...there were concerns over clothing sizes....and sex...like for boy clothes and girl clothes... we could always do XXS to SM ....in one box...then MED to LARGE in another..

I know I have some XS to Small size clothing myself...

[QuickSilver]

Yeah, particularly if we aren't going to be doing giant pirate boxes, we would probably need to split the chains into male/female, S/M/L.

Maybe we start with a pilot program and go from there.

[Wylie's Mom]

People are welcome to ask questions regarding this potential program. There are many valid reasons people are asking them - partly bc we've seen things go wrong in the past. We have to think about what could go very wrong, despite the fact that things could also go right.

And play nice!

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

And play nice!

Mom??!?!

[chandracz]

I agree we all have to play nice My only concern is that there are different sized youkies... What if there's nothing in the box for my 8 lb baby, but I have a ton of stuff to contribute?

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I think this is an interesting alternative. It would be nice to have new items every few days. Here are my questions:

- What if someone would rather give than get? I have a number of very nice things for Thor, but I don't want to deal the cost and hassle of mailing to five different people. The main reason I thought of the GUGE was that these clothes are necessarily right for my local shelter, but I really like the idea of knowing that some other dog gets good use out of them. I do have a carrier that I know I'll never use, with tags, from Thor's former owner, and I'd be happy to give that to someone.

One or two ideas here - you could simply offer the items in "lots" or only offer as many items or "lots of items" that you would feel comfortable paying shipping on during a particular period of time.

- If people contribute items of similar value to what they get, how would we agree on items' value? This seems like an area for potential contention.

When I said "similar items" I was really meaning similar in terms -- take a shirt - leave a shirt --- take a carrier -- leave a carrier. The Value" would be "number of items" rather than a $$ value. After all one man's trash is another man's treasure (or should I say Yorkie?).

- What about people who post items they say they'll contribute, but then don't?

I believe that question was asked before and there was considerable conflict regarding the question. Someone has to "be in charge" and ready and willing to step up to the plate and "fix" the wrongs committed by others. If someone didn't play fair, then they should be eliminated FOREFERMORE from the GUGE and then the one in charge cough up some similar goods. Remember we are trying to get rid of our unwanted stuff. Maybe the GUGE Guru could have a team of people waiting to contribute.

This is not to nix this idea at all. I do want to say my thought behind the GUGE was that people would be excited about GIVING to the box, and not necessarily feel that they were guaranteed to get something they liked. I personally would be happy to send along a box that I didn't take anything out of.

I understand that there are no guarantees, that is a risk you take, BUT safeguards need to be put into place so that some don't get "rich" at the expense of others. Part of having a physical box circulating is the "fun of not knowing". On the other hand a Virtual Pirate Box would allow members to look, lust, get excited and have fun bantering back and forth. Both ideas sound like fun - maybe like you said the GUGE could consist of both. Admin and Moderators would definately need to be behind this 100% to "handle" problems - whether it was physical or virtual. I see that it could put a LOT of extra work on our already overworked Moderators and Admins. Would they get some "extra" turns to help compensate?

I do think there's some chance that a box could end up filled with stuff that no one wants. I think there would be some box moderator for every chain (I would be happy to do this) who would periodically receive the box and check what's left. If it ends up more trash then treasure after a few months, maybe we disband the idea.

No need to disband the idea. There are always MORE GOOD HONEST people than dishonest and evil. The problem so far has been the few members who get who get their dander up every time a different view is suggested or a potential problem is brought to light. Quicksilver, you have always been open to suggestions, and ideas, and have tried to field questions.

Also, just a note generally, not to chattiesmom specifically, while I spend a ridiculous amount of time on YT, I DO take a few hours off every so often. That doesn't mean I'm ignoring your questions, it just might take me more than 45 minutes to respond. I am really trying to think this through without getting overly attached to any one idea.

The problem was that others jumped in and got all bothered by members asking legitimate questions.__________________________

I do like the picture idea! I think that makes it more tangible and exciting for everyone, and will also give everyone some idea of what they can expect to find in the box.

Thank you for taking the time to ponder my post and to respond. This is how a "think tank" should work - asking and answering questions even though they are contrary to the way you thought things should work. I sincerely appreicate your efforts to continue on with this idea. I replied above in blue

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Mom??!?!

You behave Deborah Middle-Name Last-Name!!

[twalla]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

And play nice!

Ugh... well since I know now that I have to play nice.... no way am I going to get involved. You just sucked all the fun out

[Robin Lodal]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

Not to mention the fact that my girls LOVE getting gifts...boxes...whatever...and I really think that all those that can't afford to join the GE would really like to get a box their way...and get something that doesn't cost them a fortune...and share with others too.....I'm attatched to this idea too Merc!

Which is ME! I donated to YT for a couple of reasons, one big one is to participate in the GE. Then after I donated, there was a thread that was started about the costs of actual GE gifts. The minimum is $20 so I assumed anywhere in the $20-30 range but when I learned that everyone honestly expects you to spend more than $50 (upwards toward $100), I was VERY bummed out. That is something I can't afford right now... I'm a teacher just stuck subbing b/c of the economy and my husband's a cop so we aren't exactly sitting on gold. Not that I wouldn't LOVE buying so many cute things for someone else (one of my love languages is gifts)... we honestly can't afford to be spending an extra $100 right now (and I'm not going to be irresponsible and put it on a credit card w/o being able to pay it off). I don't feel comfortable signing for the GE now b/c there is NO way I could afford to spend lavishly and I won't want to be "that person" who jips someone who spent a lot of money....So anyway, I really like this idea.

Maybe the categories could be

Large female (>8lbs)
Small female (<7lbs)

Large male (>8lbs)
Small male (<7lbs)

Does that make sense? I have a 5-6lbs male (so I would sign him up for SMALL MALE and I have a 8-9lbs female so I would sign her up for LARGE FEMALE.

The only thing with this way is that you couldn't move your box to a new chain... This is ONLY a suggestion.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Robin Lodal

Which is ME! I donated to YT for a couple of reasons, one big one is to participate in the GE. Then after I donated, there was a thread that was started about the costs of actual GE gifts. The minimum is $20 so I assumed anywhere in the $20-30 range but when I learned that everyone honestly expects you to spend more than $50 (upwards toward $100), I was VERY bummed out. That is something I can't afford right now... I'm a teacher just stuck subbing b/c of the economy and my husband's a cop so we aren't exactly sitting on gold. Not that I wouldn't LOVE buying so many cute things for someone else (one of my love languages is gifts)... we honestly can't afford to be spending an extra $100 right now (and I'm not going to be irresponsible and put it on a credit card w/o being able to pay it off). I don't feel comfortable signing for the GE now b/c there is NO way I could afford to spend lavishly and I won't want to be "that person" who jips someone who spent a lot of money....So anyway, I really like this idea.

Maybe the categories could be

Large female (>8lbs)
Small female (<7lbs)

Large male (>8lbs)
Small male (<7lbs)

Does that make sense? I have a 5-6lbs male (so I would sign him up for SMALL MALE and I have a 8-9lbs female so I would sign her up for LARGE FEMALE.

The only thing with this way is that you couldn't move your box to a new chain... This is ONLY a suggestion.

The flaw I see in this is that while you may want things out of the 8-pounder box, you may have things to contribute to the smaller clothing box. For example, Joey's around 5 1/2 pounds, I have a few puppy shirts (that I can't bare to part with) that don't fit, and even some larger shirts that don't fit, if we do it the way you suggest someone like me would have to order several boxes just to get rid of a few things, also many items are unisex, I really think you will have more success, if you start out with one box, different sizes and sex for it.