YorkieTalk Gift Exchange - Open for Suggestions!

[admin]

As our current Gift Exchange is over (with just a few packages yet to be delivered), we are now looking for suggestions and or feedback on how we can improve our future Gift Exchanges.

Here's a few ideas we have been thinking about:

- Create a maximum spending amount of $50 for the gift you send and raise the minimum spending amount to $25. If you hand-make items, it would just be the cost of the materials which would count towards the $50. If you purchase a $20 item on sale for $5, then only $5 would be counted towards your spending amount.

- Require pictures to be posted in Thank You threads.

- Require the thank you threads to be posted within two weeks of receiving the gift.

- No "complaining" or public posts of not receiving gifts allowed until after two or three weeks after the Gift Exchange deadline has passed, as there are senders who send from overseas in most GE's and those take a bit longer than domestic shipments.

Feel free to comment on our suggestions (good or bad) or write your own suggestions as well. Thank you!

[annamalyssa]

I think those are great ideas, I don't think there should be a limit on spending because some like to spend more. I think we should all just send over the $25 minimum and if we'd like to go over that then feel free ...

Require Pictures YES
Require Thank you Threads within 2 weeks YES if not there needs to be action taken.

I suggest gifts should be required to be recieved within 2 weeks after the exchange ends as that seems reasonable. If after that you have not gotten a gift go ahead and contact admin.

I think members should be
1. ACTIVE (not sure how we would work this)
I.E Log in once a week or have over 1 post per week on average etc.

2. REQUIRED TO AT LEAST PM YOUR BUDDY WITHIN 48 hours to let them know you got your gift so they don't complain to admin.

-- I'd like to suggest that all members THINK about their home situation and if you think you MAY be too busy .. don't sign up as it will affect everyone involved. --

Now I know that cannot be a rule, I am only suggesting.

[QuickSilver]

Honestly, I thought for almost all the participants this time, it went really well, and in the few cases where there were problems, people were able to work them out.

I think taking pictures is nice, and I'm glad my buddy did it, but I don't know if I'd want to force people to take pictures if for some reason they didn't want to. It seems to me the GE relies a lot of good will, and as annamalyssa said, some forethought about what your schedule will be like.

I thought the current rule set worked very well. The only thing I would change is the deadline for gifts arriving (as opposed to the deadline for gifts being sent), since at least one gift coming from overseas spent a long time in transit.

Maybe this other stuff is more "nice to have" rather than hard and fast rules. Just my opinion.

[linda44]

I love the Ge and all the friends I have made, but I think you shouldnt put a end cap on amount spent, I totally think if you want to spend over and you can go for it.
Secondly I agree that when you sign up you should be ready to make the committment to send your gift so that it arrives on time. I mean if you get an overseas buddy then you know it must be sent earlier than a buddy thats from the states, then if a participant does not follow these rules they shouldnt be allowed to participate again without admin deciding whether their reason was justified, you know like an emergency health issue or something. I do feel sorry for those who in good faith signed up and participated in all the teasing and what not and then didnt get their gift yet and were almost ready to sign up again. It really takes the fun out, because everyone else has recieved and moved on. I hope that made sense. And admin I hope this didnt come off too whiny, I certainly didnt mean it that way and totally appreciate all the work you do to make the ge a success. I am hooked!

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by admin

As our current Gift Exchange is over (with just a few packages yet to be delivered), we are now looking for suggestions and or feedback on how we can improve our future Gift Exchanges.

Here's a few ideas we have been thinking about:

- Create a maximum spending amount of $50 for the gift you send and raise the minimum spending amount to $25. If you hand-make items, it would just be the cost of the materials which would count towards the $50. If you purchase a $20 item on sale for $5, then only $5 would be counted towards your spending amount.

- Require pictures to be posted in Thank You threads.

- Require the thank you threads to be posted within two weeks of receiving the gift.

- No "complaining" or public posts of not receiving gifts allowed until after two or three weeks after the Gift Exchange deadline has passed, as there are senders who send from overseas in most GE's and those take a bit longer than domestic shipments.

Feel free to comment on our suggestions (good or bad) or write your own suggestions as well. Thank you!

I think all of these would be good new additions to the existing rules to make it more fair.

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I thought the current rule set worked very well. The only thing I would change is the deadline for gifts arriving (as opposed to the deadline for gifts being sent), since at least one gift coming from overseas spent a long time in transit.

If it's mine you were referring to, (there was only 2 overseas gifts and one was received fast), then my tracking information clearly says it was delivered on the 10th but my buddy didn't post and still hasn't posted to say it was delivered.

[TOY]

Personally I think Admin would be inviting all kinds of problems to put a maximum spending on the package. I purposely didn't choose to add up what I spent because I spent in "categories." I can tell you though that when you start comparing items totally purchased to just the cost of materials, you are forcing a major difference in the packages that can be purchasaed within a set amount. Then where will it end? Will there need to be a sales receipt to confirm what we spent?

I generally subscribe to the notion that if it "ain't" broke, don't try to fix it. Personally I did not observe anyone unhappy with their gift boxes as far as contents go. The only problem I saw was in delivery and I'd venture to guess that over 95% of those problems were not at the hands of the yorkietalk participant. There are too many factors in shipping anything anywhere for it to be an exact science. (I have literally waited over 3 weeks for a "next day" delivery newspaper from where I used to live to be delivered.) There is already a "ship by" date and if folks follow that rule, any delay after shipment is beyond their control.

Based on my observations for more years than I care to mention, the more simple you can keep a process, the more it is enjoyed. Quite frankly, it appears to me that enough rules are iin place if they are fairly implemented. For instance, I thought it was a "rule" to send the tracking number of the package. I tend to take everything literally because I worked with kids. In their world you'd better not say it's a rule if you want it to be an option.

We are adults. Personally I don't think we need to regulate the pleasure out of the experience. I would hope we all would approach it with the intent of a not-so-random act of kindness toward a fellow Yorkietalker and their pet. As I've said before, none of us are going to have our greatest fantasy or dreams realized in a box shipped from someone else...not at a maximum of $20, $50, or even $100. It's the excitement and expectation of the box you pack and send as much as it is the one you open at your address...if not more so.

Admin, I think you word it well when you place a minimum but no maximum except to say your expectation should not be above the minimum. I also think folks should honor the rule to send a tracking number if for no other reason than to provide Admin the means to reassure a recipient that they have not been forgotten.

Perhaps tighten the rules you already have in place but don't muddy the waters with even more. In my opinion, your whole process is already well thought out and fairly so. Just enforce what you're already set forth and I think you'll continue to have a group of happy campers. I don't think more rules will improve the process. You set it up well when it was first "hatched."

[TOY]

Sorry but I have one more thing to say...LOL

Some either do not have digital cameras and/or are tech challenged. Perhaps rather than requiring the recipient to take/post photos causing an undue hardship on some participants, you might suggest a photo op from the giver prior to shipment. (I thought that was a great idea that Gucci's Mama did.) Then if the recipient doesn't post photos and the sender wants to share, that option is available.

I'm just afraid that with rules involving posts requiring uploads and photos you are going to push out some who really get a kick out of the process. It's the rest of us that enjoy the "peeping tom" experience. I doubt that Emily Post "revised" would require a thank you to have photos.

You just don't want to regulate those without up-to-date skills out of the experience. I'd rather see the circle of participants enlarged instead of drawn smaller.

[TeresaM]

Originally Posted by TOY

Personally I think Admin would be inviting all kinds of problems to put a maximum spending on the package. I purposely didn't choose to add up what I spent because I spent in "categories." I can tell you though that when you start comparing items totally purchased to just the cost of materials, you are forcing a major difference in the packages that can be purchasaed within a set amount. Then where will it end? Will there need to be a sales receipt to confirm what we spent?

I generally subscribe to the notion that if it "ain't" broke, don't try to fix it. Personally I did not observe anyone unhappy with their gift boxes as far as contents go. The only problem I saw was in delivery and I'd venture to guess that over 95% of those problems were not at the hands of the yorkietalk participant. There are too many factors in shipping anything anywhere for it to be an exact science. (I have literally waited over 3 weeks for a "next day" delivery newspaper from where I used to live to be delivered.) There is already a "ship by" date and if folks follow that rule, any delay after shipment is beyond their control.

Based on my observations for more years than I care to mention, the more simple you can keep a process, the more it is enjoyed. Quite frankly, it appears to me that enough rules are iin place if they are fairly implemented. For instance, I thought it was a "rule" to send the tracking number of the package. I tend to take everything literally because I worked with kids. In their world you'd better not say it's a rule if you want it to be an option.

We are adults. Personally I don't think we need to regulate the pleasure out of the experience. I would hope we all would approach it with the intent of a not-so-random act of kindness toward a fellow Yorkietalker and their pet. As I've said before, none of us are going to have our greatest fantasy or dreams realized in a box shipped from someone else...not at a maximum of $20, $50, or even $100. It's the excitement and expectation of the box you pack and send as much as it is the one you open at your address...if not more so.

Admin, I think you word it well when you place a minimum but no maximum except to say your expectation should not be above the minimum. I also think folks should honor the rule to send a tracking number if for no other reason than to provide Admin the means to reassure a recipient that they have not been forgotten.

Perhaps tighten the rules you already have in place but don't muddy the waters with even more. In my opinion, your whole process is already well thought out and fairly so. Just enforce what you're already set forth and I think you'll continue to have a group of happy campers. I don't think more rules will improve the process. You set it up well when it was first "hatched."

I totally agree with this, good post Toy! This was my first GE and I must say I am completely hooked!! I had so much fun with the whole process except for my concern that I might break a rule and be banned.

I think the rules that are in place are more then adequate and simply need to be followed/enforced.

I like the Minimum Spend - not sure how you could enforce a Maximum limit, couldn't I always just "say" I bought that $20 item for $5???

I like the idea of a Ship By Date as opposed to a Received By Date simply because it's very hard to control that which we have no control over. ie: postal companies. But if the rule of sending Admin the Routing Number and shipping info is followed, then Admin would have the info on hand to provide to anyone who had a concern about not receiving their package.

I'm sad to think we'd need a rule about 'complaining' and not having been involved in any of the other GE's I don't know if this is an ongoing problem, but if it seems to be then I agree that something should be put in the rules about it. If you have a complaint or concern I think it would be best to first take it offline to Admin. Then, if with Admins help, it can't be resolved then post something.

I love to see all the photos in the Thank You posts but agree and understand that not everyone has a digital camera available to them or are savvy enough to post pictures. I am blessed with a camera (it was a gift) and I've been able to figure out how to post pictures, but just barely. I think a Thank You post should be just that, the receivers heartfelt thanks and thoughts. If that includes photos, WONDERFUL, if not I don't think we should dictate how a person says Thank You.

I love that we do this here on YT and like I said, I am completely hooked. I will be doing the next one and have actually already started planning, scheming and shopping.

[linda44]

Originally Posted by TeresaM

I totally agree with this, good post Toy! This was my first GE and I must say I am completely hooked!! I had so much fun with the whole process except for my concern that I might break a rule and be banned.

I think the rules that are in place are more then adequate and simply need to be followed/enforced.

I like the Minimum Spend - not sure how you could enforce a Maximum limit, couldn't I always just "say" I bought that $20 item for $5???

I like the idea of a Ship By Date as opposed to a Received By Date simply because it's very hard to control that which we have no control over. ie: postal companies. But if the rule of sending Admin the Routing Number and shipping info is followed, then Admin would have the info on hand to provide to anyone who had a concern about not receiving their package.

I'm sad to think we'd need a rule about 'complaining' and not having been involved in any of the other GE's I don't know if this is an ongoing problem, but if it seems to be then I agree that something should be put in the rules about it. If you have a complaint or concern I think it would be best to first take it offline to Admin. Then, if with Admins help, it can't be resolved then post something.

I love to see all the photos in the Thank You posts but agree and understand that not everyone has a digital camera available to them or are savvy enough to post pictures. I am blessed with a camera (it was a gift) and I've been able to figure out how to post pictures, but just barely. I think a Thank You post should be just that, the receivers heartfelt thanks and thoughts. If that includes photos, WONDERFUL, if not I don't think we should dictate how a person says Thank You.

I love that we do this here on YT and like I said, I am completely hooked. I will be doing the next one and have actually already started planning, scheming and shopping.

yours and Toys post are great. Sum up everything well. ok when do we sign up for the next one, hee hee Im ready

[celstu1]

I don't think it's fair to require pictures. I mean I posted pics ... but some don't have a camera, nor do they know how to do it and they should not have to learn to do things or buy a camera to be in the GE. Just my honest opinion on that one.

I do think a max and min spending limit is good, and with the price of items being so high, it's extremely easy to hit the $20 minimum with just 2 items. Maybe instead of a min & max, just one value. $50. You spend $50 on your gift and thats it. (not including S&H)

I don't think that people really complained they hadn't received their gift yet, just stated it, some were concerned but noone really complained. I think if people want to post that they did not receive theirs yet thats fine.

Honestly I think the GE is GREAT as it is. It does not need a million rules to run smoothly, it did run really smooth I think for the most part. Also its not uncommon for things to get lost in the mail and not make it to their destination for awhile.

I hope I helped a little bit. Now if I can think of other ideas I'll be sure to post them!

[chattiesmom]

I am very appreciative of Amin and Moderators for the opportunity to participate in this fun event. If members aren't comfortable with the GE format, then we must remember, that the GE's are optional. The gift exchanges are a wonderful fun social opportunity for individual members to get to know two other members better -- from the aspect of giving a gift and the receiving of a gift. I do believe that the rules in place are well thought out and for the most part are sufficient. We all need to remember the spirit of giving and receiving. I have participated in 10 gift exchanges, so I have lots of experience --with that said, here are my thoughts.....

I believe that trying to put a spending cap on the GE would be difficult -- the GE is a fun social activity for YTers and is based on the "honor system". I don't believe in having rules that are not enforceable and I don't know how that type of rule could be enforced.

I also think that threads complaining about not receiving a gift should never ever be allowed. If a member has not received their gift within a reasonable time AFTER the mailing deadline then they should handle the situation privately with Admin. There could be any number of reasons that a package is late. AND I am one who generally mails their package out on the last day. As the sender of a gift, it would be very hurtful to read that your buddy is complaning about not having received their gift -- especially prior to the mailing deadline.

Being a vendor and mailing 20 - 30 packages out per week, I know the trials and tribulations of the postal service. I have had packages that traveled the scenic route to their destinations, traveling 1,000's of unnecessary miles before finally arriving two or three weeks later . The Delivery Confirmation requirement should confirm that a package was shipped in a timely manner.

I do like the photo thank you requirement. Most members either have cameras or have friends who do have cameras. I thoroughly enjoy looking through the thank you's and seeing all of the pics.

I agree with the post by TOY -- if it aint broke, don't fix it.

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by TOY

I generally subscribe to the notion that if it "ain't" broke, don't try to fix it. Personally I did not observe anyone unhappy with their gift boxes as far as contents go. The only problem I saw was in delivery and I'd venture to guess that over 95% of those problems were not at the hands of the yorkietalk participant. There are too many factors in shipping anything anywhere for it to be an exact science. (I have literally waited over 3 weeks for a "next day" delivery newspaper from where I used to live to be delivered.) There is already a "ship by" date and if folks follow that rule, any delay after shipment is beyond their control.

Exactly, I don't think it's fair to set a date the packages have to be received by. I sent my package by airsure which is 3-4 days, priority handling in the UK and the US, but it still took just over a week. I know people are going to say "well then you need to ship it earlier to meet the deadline" but then you're taking away time that we have to shop which is also unfair if you're waiting on certain items.

Originally Posted by TOY

We are adults. Personally I don't think we need to regulate the pleasure out of the experience. I would hope we all would approach it with the intent of a not-so-random act of kindness toward a fellow Yorkietalker and their pet. As I've said before, none of us are going to have our greatest fantasy or dreams realized in a box shipped from someone else...not at a maximum of $20, $50, or even $100. It's the excitement and expectation of the box you pack and send as much as it is the one you open at your address...if not more so.

Some people have gone above and WAY beyond the minimum though several times. It's nice that people can and want to spend that amount but not everyone can and I know on a previous thread about this people have stated that they feel their package wasn't enough when they see everyone elses. I know everyone says that it's not the receiving it's the giving part but I can't help but feel sometimes that that isn't the case and sometimes people have sent very little themselves but then posted their thanks but seemed a little put out at not having received much themselves. I'm not talking about any specific GE, I've participated in all but 2 GEs since I've been a member and I've seen this numerous times.

Originally Posted by TeresaM

I like the idea of a Ship By Date as opposed to a Received By Date simply because it's very hard to control that which we have no control over. ie: postal companies. But if the rule of sending Admin the Routing Number and shipping info is followed, then Admin would have the info on hand to provide to anyone who had a concern about not receiving their package.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by TeresaM

I'm sad to think we'd need a rule about 'complaining' and not having been involved in any of the other GE's I don't know if this is an ongoing problem, but if it seems to be then I agree that something should be put in the rules about it. If you have a complaint or concern I think it would be best to first take it offline to Admin. Then, if with Admins help, it can't be resolved then post something.

It is sad but I think there does need to be something put in the rules about this. It states in the rules that if you have not received your gift 2weeks after the ship by date then you are to PM admin. I know and appreciate that everyone is excited to received their gifts but when barely a week has passed and people are saying they didn't get theirs yet and others are saying how bad they feel for them, then it's not fair on the sender when it's out of their control. I think 2 weeks after the ship by date, (or maybe as long as 3), is fair enough to make sure all packages get there and the rules do state already that if you've not received it by then then to PM admin and they will contact your buddy. Posting and saying you've not got it, why is taking so long and how irresponsible it is to not be able to ship on time just achieves nothing other than hurt feelings.

Originally Posted by TeresaM

I love to see all the photos in the Thank You posts but agree and understand that not everyone has a digital camera available to them or are savvy enough to post pictures. I am blessed with a camera (it was a gift) and I've been able to figure out how to post pictures, but just barely. I think a Thank You post should be just that, the receivers heartfelt thanks and thoughts. If that includes photos, WONDERFUL, if not I don't think we should dictate how a person says Thank You.

I think the best part about the GE is seeing the yorkie you bought the gifts for enjoying them. I appreciate not everyone can upload photos but in the past we've had members email them to others to upload on their behalf. I don't think there has yet been a GE where someone who has signed up hasn't got either an avatar with their dog in it, an album of their dog or even just one post with a photo. So really there isn't any reason to not post the photos in those cases. If someone signed up and has never once posted a photo then fair enough, make an exception if they don't have a camera. I don't feel it's dictating at all. I have sent a GE myself in the past and they've not posted photos, they said thank you and listed the items but I honestly couldn't tell if they genuinely liked what I sent them or not. I'm not saying that the photos would prove they liked it by any means, but it would of shown they'd at least put the time and thought into the thank you. There's a whole lot of difference between a text post saying thank you and then one with photos... If a member is putting so much time, thought and effort into a package to send then I think it's only fair that a member puts as much time, thought and effort into saying thank you.

[xmasbaby75]

I agree with most of what has already been said. I think a minimum spending limit is great, but not a maximum limit. I, personally, do not add up what I spend on these gifts. I just buy and make items until I think it looks "good enough" - I definately go over the minimum, so there's no harm in throwing in a little exta if you can. I just wouldn't expect that in return.

As for posting pictures, I love to see them as much as everyone else, but It may not be fair to "require" that - especailly since some people just don't have cameras, or do not know how to resize pics and post them.

I will however, just throw out there, that if anyone has pictures, and needs help to resize them or post them - I will be happy to do that for anyone here!

[Izzy Princess]

OK my two cents..

I agree about the $25 minimum but should not put a limit on what is spent - up to you on how much you want to spend. I know I way over spend but that's my choice and I for one do NOT expect the same $$$ spent in return. Trust me - Izzy has tons of stuff and I only do the GEs to meet new people and have fun with current friends. I have more fun posting and teasing and seeing what everyone received.

However I do have a problem with people not letting the sender know that their package arrived. How hard is it to post a simple PM telling the sender they rec'd the package after all the time and $$ put into it - and thoughtfullness. I get it that sometimes you can't post pics or threads right away but for heaven's sake please people let the sender know you got their package. That's when I would say ADMIN if you can't do that then you should not be participating in future GEs. Or I have no problem if the sender says they are running late on sending and notify all parties involved like ADMIN so that they can notify the recipient.

I also feel that pics/videos should be optional...but I truly feel that a thank you thread should be done no matter what - at least you can thank your buddy and at least list what they sent.

OK - off my soap box..lol

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

I also think that threads complaining about not receiving a gift should never ever be allowed. If a member has not received their gift within a reasonable time AFTER the mailing deadline then they should handle the situation privately with Admin. There could be any number of reasons that a package is late. AND I am one who generally mails their package out on the last day. As the sender of a gift, it would be very hurtful to read that your buddy is complaning about not having received their gift -- especially prior to the mailing deadline.

Being a vendor and mailing 20 - 30 packages out per week, I know the trials and tribulations of the postal service. I have had packages that traveled the scenic route to their destinations, traveling 1,000's of unnecessary miles before finally arriving two or three weeks later . The Delivery Confirmation requirement should confirm that a package was shipped in a timely manner.

That's exactly the problem. You can send out in a timely manner but once it's past to the post office or who ever we have absolutely no control over it getting there. It's very quick to people to jump to the conclusion that a package hasn't actually been sent just because it's taking so long. I remember a UK member sending her package to the US and it went via Australia... no rhyme or reason in it at all but as you can imagine that held it up for a while.

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

I do like the photo thank you requirement. Most members either have cameras or have friends who do have cameras. I thoroughly enjoy looking through the thank you's and seeing all of the pics.

I'd be surprised if no one on this forum has access to a camera at all whether it be a digital or a cell camera.

Originally Posted by celstu1

I do think a max and min spending limit is good, and with the price of items being so high, it's extremely easy to hit the $20 minimum with just 2 items. Maybe instead of a min & max, just one value. $50. You spend $50 on your gift and thats it. (not including S&H)

Then we come back to the problem of not everyone being able to afford to spend $50 plus S&H... it's kind of a catch 22.

Originally Posted by celstu1

I don't think that people really complained they hadn't received their gift yet, just stated it, some were concerned but noone really complained. I think if people want to post that they did not receive theirs yet thats fine.

The problem is people post they are are concerned or that they haven't received it and people are very quick to post sympathy and before you know it people are accusing the sender of not mailing on time, possibly not sending, not bothering to contact, etc, etc, when really they don't know the full story. It takes the fun out of it for the sender and the receiver and leaves hurt feelings. It would be much better to wait the time and then PM admin like the rules state.