:thumbup: Yes, if you arent going to be around sit that one out.. If you can't be 100% in then wait until you can.. I understand things come up, at that point inform people :D That easy!

I am really sorry that you are Riley are done now. :( I hate that because the GE is such a fun thing most of the time. I am only doing one a year. Maybe consider only doing certain ones? Just a thought.

The last GE I was in I was worried about receiving my box and not being home. So, I sent Admin a quick note to send to my GE buddy. It took 2 minutes max. I gave an alternate address for them to mail if it was going to arrive on certain days of the week. Needless to say my buddy was amazing last time and we had no problems at all.

:thumbup: Ya thats all it takes!! When I was in the GE DH and I were moving, I was so stressed I was going to get my box after we moved out of the Apts, so I sent Admin a PM and gave them my new house address and gave them the time we would be moving. It all worked out I got my box at the apts... :D

But you're assuming. Not everyone has or wants a smartphone. From earlier posts I took it as you all wanted a thank you with pictures ASAP and were unhappy with the response time in the past. You just clarified and now I know I misunderstood what you said. Simple misunderstanding. :) See, we're just discussing and things can be misunderstood. Imagine when there are gifts involved. :p

:p Well I am pretty sure everyone has or WANTS a smartphone LOL. :rolleyes:

Maybe we should include a phone number?? So if something does come up and you are not around a computer, or smartphone- You can call or text your buddy :D

I have one, and no I did not want it. I'd be happy to trade in my iphone for a much simpler phone. I hate paying for internet on my phone that I hardly ever use. It's such a waste of money to me. I would trade it in if the quality of all the other phones I tried wasn't lacking. HA! Sorry for the totally off topic rant. :p

Thanks for saying what I was thinking but in a much, MUCH, better way. :)

Oh I love my smartphone. I have an amzing deal- one they dont even have anymore so Im sticking to it! The data charges are crazy now! When I am on YT I am 99.9 % on my phone I use sooo many gigs or whatever they are a month, but I have unlimited- :cool: Yes I love my 8mp camera too

Just going to put my two cents in from my previous experience with the GE.
First of Riley and Theresa, I hope you guys still participate in the GE again, it really stinks that you guys didn't get a smilebox, and hopefully there's a reasonable explanation as to why. Especially, from what I saw, your buddy was in the previous exchange and seemed to not have any problems. I pray there is nothing actually wrong with her or her family;s health or emergency wise.

With that being said, I think many times this is the risk that we take in doing these type of games. I know that I loved personalizing my stuff for my buddy (made by me and YT vendors), and loved getting the wonderful custom made outfits for Gizmo. However, I know FedEx issues caused my worries with my buddy getting my gift, and I failed miserably at making a smilebox the first time that showed my SB's amazing gifts she made for Gizmo (that's what I get when I let my husband take pictures) .

I guess what I'm saying is, with these type of things despite new rules, capped spending limit, membership limit, can not change a mean person from doing something mean or unfair. My fear is that the more rules that are in place, the less people will sign up, like in this case, and the GE will disappear because some people screwed it up, big time.

I think, and this is from my experience, that the GE is somewhat intimidating and even though the rules are explained, I think we on YT have created a "culture" with the smile boxes and what not. I mean I felt like a total idiot with some of the ways I handled things, so maybe the mentor idea would be a good way to prevent "rule making" but ensure GE fairness.

Wow! That sounds good! My friend has the newest iPhone, with all the whatchamacallits, but pays over $150 for herself and her husband. Mine is the slightly older one, and we pay $200 for 4 lines. I have unlimited everything (only 1500 anytime minutes though :() She has a limit to her internet usage and minutes. It's a bargain in comparison. The minute limit doesn't bother me either since I hardly ever use the phone. I'm a total weirdo!! I only use the phone for texting. That's it!

I dont know why people get so intimidated by the past GE's. Yes some people do spend more than others and others make beautiful toy boxes, beds, blankets, dresses etc etc. Not everyone can do that, this is understandable. I dont think that should be an excues. All you have to do is give it 100%, put your heart in it and I am sure your buddy will love and appreciate what they get- In the end that is all that matters.

You and Me, Both!! I am on Verizon and have unlimited.....everything. :thumbup: They are no longer doing unlimited for new contracts but since I have been with them, for years, as long as I stay with a Smartphone, mine is unlimited. And I don't plan on changing from my Smartphone!! :)