Swap Organizers, how do you feel?

[xmelinda]

In theory I like the karma idea, but I worry that it might be intimidating.  I know there have been some people just getting into swaps who already feel intimidated, and I feel like hey, we were all new at some point.  I've noticed there just *is* a sort of "karma" that comes from participating and doing a good job.  Those of us who swap regularly already sorta "know" who is trustworthy, who does good work, who is considerate and thoughtful, etc.  Some have even been intimidated just because the swaps have evolved quickly into a thing where people usually send multiple items and the idea of what's "expected" seems a bit higher than it was even earlier this year.  I just wouldn't want someone to be afraid to join the swaps because he or she is afraid not making enough stuff would affect their "karma points" or whatever.  That's just one example.

It's a good idea, I just think it would have to be very carefully thought out.  But I'm sure you know that.

Melinda

[Lia]

Oh definately. I believe that we would state clearly that Karma only has to do with the final outcome of the package, did it arrive? It has nothing to do with the contents. It would basically take the place of the bad swappers list because this would be a LOT easier to update.

[PinkMafia]

I think that a rating system is an excellent idea. It would be great if the organizer could rate everyone in the swap. Then future organizers have the option of allowing them in the swap.
For me things come up, I ruined one of my swap partners items and will be a week sending out but I let her know. 3 weeks late is another story as well as not returning emails. I think that simply stating this in the How To area would be a good idea so people realize the commitment it takes.

[PinkMafia]

I remember another thing that I know is a problem because there's an entire thread on it. I had someone from one of my swaps say she knows the person got the item and hasn't gotten a response. Is it ok to make it a requirement to acknowledge they received the partner? You don't have to like it to be gracious and its really nice to give feedback when someone put energy into it.

[midnightsky1686]

I think that a rating system is an excellent idea. It would be great if the organizer could rate everyone in the swap. Then future organizers have the option of allowing them in the swap.
For me things come up, I ruined one of my swap partners items and will be a week sending out but I let her know. 3 weeks late is another story as well as not returning emails. I think that simply stating this in the How To area would be a good idea so people realize the commitment it takes.

Though this wouldnt really answer the swap organizer being a  problem, or them not responding.  (I like how over on glitter, i think it is glitter anyways, how they just have the list public but locked and it shows people who have fallen through multiple times. 

I remember another thing that I know is a problem because there's an entire thread on it. I had someone from one of my swaps say she knows the person got the item and hasn't gotten a response. Is it ok to make it a requirement to acknowledge they received the partner? You don't have to like it to be gracious and its really nice to give feedback when someone put energy into it.

Generally its good to respond to someone that you got the item.

[mayerlove]

i dont think i can organize a swap for this exact reason

[Goddess]

organizing is quite a challenge! hawaiilove has done fabulous work with swaps thanks for asking these questions!

[PinkMafia]

Thanks Goddess,

I just feel terrible with people flaking and lagging and wasn't sure if it was my job to send everyone an item. I'd love to help one person but multiple flakes is hard. Thanks everyone for the feedback and maybe we can get a rating system going in the future.

[veludo]

I think that a rating system is an excellent idea. It would be great if the organizer could rate everyone in the swap. Then future organizers have the option of allowing them in the swap.

i agree but i also agree that the organizers should be rated also.
i'm in a swap that i feel it's been bad organized, there's no list of who's sending to whom, never received a pm of the organizer to ask me what's happening and why haven't my swapee received the package (it seems that the two package i sent the same day are late or something) and then my name cames out in public as a not sender.
i feel bad about this and i'm sure that there are more people that might feel the same in other swaps.
i'm surely not against swap organizers, until now i had no complains about none of the organizers of the swaps i've been but since we are debating this i thought i would write my opinion.

also i think that the organizer would have to be understanding when rating someone, i've sent late packages because sometimes in our lifes happens things that make us get a bit late in doing the crafts and that should understandable (at least i feel this way, school projects sometimes takes more time that we thought and other things get behind)

[alison]

also i think that the organizer would have to be understanding when rating someone, i've sent late packages because sometimes in our lifes happens things that make us get a bit late in doing the crafts and that should understandable (at least i feel this way, school projects sometimes takes more time that we thought and other things get behind)

i've been late in a swap or two, and i think any organizer is understanding as long as you communicate that you are going to be later and why you are going to be late.  we all have things that come up in our lives that make swaps less important.

MY problem is with people who are late every time (or at least a majority of the time).  Everyone is given adequate time to make a craft, and it is not a receivers fault that their crafter waited until the last week to start the craft only to have something else "come up".  Often people are involved in so many swaps at the same time that they only have time in that last week to make the craft.  Again, this is not the receivers fault, so don't flake out on them! Start a swap when you receive the name....

I also have a HUGE problem with people saying any of the following:

"i gave it to my mom, my sister, my cat to bring to the post office, i dont know why they didnt send it yet"
"i can't get a ride to the post office until next week"
"i can't get the supplies until i go home from school and thats not until next week, month, etc"

i think you get the idea.  crafters need to take resposibility for their packages and that swap is not over until YOU are sure your swapee received the package.  The organizer gives you your swapees name, so send them a PM.  give them the confirmation number too.  if you know you are going to be late, contact them as well as the organizer.  APOLOGIZE.  Make it up to your swapee...This is your fault and you did something wrong.

and, in conclusion: DONT JOIN OR ORGANIZE A SWAP UNLESS YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THE TIME TO DO IT