Very Interesting! Gently Used Gift Exchange

[Wabbit]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Perhaps it is time to regroup and start looking at the questions that are being asked as genuine need to know..... and not someone trying to discredit what you are doing.

I understand you might not have all the answers - yet - but perhaps if you started a "list of questions" and put together a panel of members to come up with viable solutions, then the tone of this thread would remain positive.

I have been involved in a couple of really neat programs (not YT) that required individuals to be honest and continue the fun. It became problematic when one individual did not follow the rules - perhaps they didn't understand or perhaps they didn't care, the results were the same. People were disappointed because there wasn't a contengency plan in place with someone to continue the process. If this happened with your idea, then not only do YT members get hurt, but YT's reputation is hurt as well.

Very well said....You will need to direct all questions to QUICKSILVER this has been her "baby"...I was just trying to support it...

I"m out...but hope it works out.....it is a great idea.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by Gypsy & Me

Donations to YT and then running it from YT would actively involve YT. Would people then hold YT responsible if something goes wrong? Would they ask for compensation/donation back if they if they donated to YT purely to take part but then didn't get something?

What happens if a member receives the box and there is NOTHING in the box that they want, like or need? Do they then just ship it back out again? Do they still add something? Does the box get shipped back to them at some point and HOPEFULLY there will be something in there that they would like? Who pays for the extra shipping costs for that member?

How do you determine it to be fair? Say in the box there is a couple of nice items of clothing and a few cheap toys... someone takes the clothing and adds a couple of other cheap toys in... then the sends the box on, the next person gets some cheap toys maybe adds some nice things but then pays $10 or whatever for maybe something that was worth $5 and "used".

These ARE good questions, and I have been thinking about them!

All feedback is good. I'm a computer programmer, and when you are building new things, you need people who are enthusiastic and build on the idea, and you need people who think "defensively" about potential problems.

Wabbit is right that this IS in the talking stages and might not even happen. It seems pretty workable, so I'm hopeful, but it's not like it will be in place tomorrow.

The first person will only put things IN the box. However, they will receive it when the last person in the chain sends it on, AND if we have multiple chains, they may be in line on another chain!

I hope that the primary idea behind this is generosity, not the idea of being fairly compensated. I think when people take stuff out of the box, it would be nice to take pictures of their dogs using it. So the main joy will be that you can see your stuff making another dog across the country happy. If you happen to find stuff in the box you like, great.

Just like with Gift Exchange, you might spend $100 and weeks shopping for your SB, while the person who has you takes 2 days to shop and spends the minimum $20. Similarly, someone who just got a new dog might need a bunch of things, so they might take many things out of the box, but put just a few in. We need givers AND takers. I think this would be things for YOUR yorkies, or MAYBE a friends yorkie, but it would be poor form to take something and sell it.

I think the rules would be you always have to put at least one thing in the box (and post what it is), and you can take as much out of the box as you want, as long as there are, say, five items left.

I think if there's nothing you like in the box, you put your stuff in and send it along. Hopefully on the next round, you'll get something special! If you aren't happy, you can drop out, no hard feelings.

[QuickSilver]

Once I've verified the shipping will work, I will send a proposal to admin about how I see it working. I have thought about different issues, like what if someone doesn't send the box along, or people take longer than allowed to send it on or whatever. At that point, hopefully admin can vet the idea further and we can set it up. Or admin might decide it won't work for one reason or another, no harm done.

[QuickSilver]

Also, while we can't assume that a GUGE will be the same way, it IS a really encouraging sign that everyone has gotten a gift in 15 GEs(!) and it's actually a good sign that the gifts have gotten very lavish, because it shows that people are giving a little more than they expect to get each time. If people were joining GEs just to get stuff, you'd see it go in the opposite direction, with gifts getting cheaper and cheaper. It says a lot about the community that such basic GE rules have gotten such a great response.

So if the requirements are a little stricter here in terms of time spent on the boards and posts, I think it's likely that the same spirit of generosity would shine through.

[kidmuzicdotcom]

All the questions are very valid ...I'm don't know how but maybe we could make it a virtual treasure chest then the only shipping would be for an item you want and whoever gets it could be responsible for the postage...again though not sure how it would work but maybe someone else has an idea

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by kidmuzicdotcom

All the questions are very valid ...I'm don't know how but maybe we could make it a virtual treasure chest then the only shipping would be for an item you want and whoever gets it could be responsible for the postage...again though not sure how it would work but maybe someone else has an idea

That would be totally cool -- if the pics could be listed in a common photo album like Photobucket and when it's your turn you go shopping and pick out what you want, add photos of the items you are going to contribute and the person who owns the items that were chosen could ship. Neat twist..... Just think of the suspense, longiing, gazing and even some good hearted "lusting" over the items that were in the Treasure Chest... Everyone could participate and the turnaround would be quicker. There could be Treasure Seekers every few days rather than every few weeks AND the concept that QuickSilver came up with is still in place.

[QuickSilver]

I think that's a great idea for larger items like carriers. I'm attached to the idea of a treasure box, particularly for clothes, because I know a big reason I have lots of "extras" for Thor is that stuff I ordered online didn't fit quite right, or Thor didn't like wearing it. So I think it would be nice to actually get the clothes and rummage.

[Wabbit]

I was just talking with Mercury..(quicksilver)....here's another idea....she wanted me to share....(yah I know I said I was out...but I really love this idea...and I'm going to stay...positive and all)

The ones that receive the box should be REQUIRED to post pictures of what they TAKE and what they ADD....that way....it will feel like things are being kept track of....and everyone will see what has been put into the box...

I just think that would give us pics...of the recipients with their items....and the ones that donated them would LOVE that......and then others can see what was put into the box.....

I like the "virtual treasurebox idea too".....maybe that could be used for LARGE items....like purse carriers....things like that...I have 3-4 of those myself that I don't use...maybe someone else could really use them...

One question...who is paying for shipping? The ones that have the item or the one that wants it?
And how will that be managed....will they send money...or did I get the concept wrong?

[Wabbit]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I think that's a great idea for larger items like carriers. I'm attached to the idea of a treasure box, particularly for clothes, because I know a big reason I have lots of "extras" for Thor is that stuff I ordered online didn't fit quite right, or Thor didn't like wearing it. So I think it would be nice to actually get the clothes and rummage.

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!

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by Wabbit

I was just talking with Mercury..(quicksilver)....here's another idea....she wanted me to share....(yah I know I said I was out...but I really love this idea...and I'm going to stay...positive and all)

The ones that receive the box should be REQUIRED to post pictures of what they TAKE and what they ADD....that way....it will feel like things are being kept track of....and everyone will see what has been put into the box...

I just think that would give us pics...of the recipients with their items....and the ones that donated them would LOVE that......and then others can see what was put into the box.....

I like the "virtual treasurebox idea too".....maybe that could be used for LARGE items....like purse carriers....things like that...I have 3-4 of those myself that I don't use...maybe someone else could really use them...

One question...who is paying for shipping? The ones that have the item or the one that wants it?
And how will that be managed....will they send money...or did I get the concept wrong?

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.

[Wabbit]

yah I can see how that might be fun for larger items....but I wouldn't wanna put alot of small things in it...cuz if alot of different people wanted one or two items then it could end up costing alot! lol

[Breeze]

Originally Posted by Gypsy & Me

I don't consider my post to be in anyway rude at all. I also don't have an attitude. I was expressing a concern over some issues I thought could be a possibility... I don't see how that can be considered rude to then voice them and hope for a reply. You're response however was slightly rude towards me because you didn't like what I had to say.

By no means am I saying there are ALOT of members out to screw YTers, but I've been around long enough to see a fair share of things go wrong and someone be left out of pocket or emotionally hurt.

It wasn't a dilemma about the extra shipping costs, it was a question that I'm sure someone participating in this might well of asked? Would it of been such an issue if I had of said, I'm interested but if this happens then what happens? I don't believe it would be.

I'm perfectly "chilled out", I just marely asked questions that you clearly didn't like and got no replies outright other than a backlashing.

I was one. And I think some need to relax if they do not share other's opinions. Geesh, drama.

[QuickSilver]

If I may make a suggestion... let's try to have comments only on about the subject at hand, the GUGE. Let's assume that any hard words were the result of misunderstandings and move on. Again, I welcome all feedback, because if we do this, it's good to think it through as much as possible before we start.

[Wabbit]

Originally Posted by Breeze

I was one. And I think some need to relax if they do not share other's opinions. Geesh, drama.

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....

[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.