Did you know-Posting Pictures is NOT required for feedback?

[alteredmommy]

While nothing replaces a thorough reading of the Swap Info Guide, the swap mods would like to review a few things that both swappers and organizers may not be aware of.  We encourage everyone interested in swapping and/or organizing a swap to take a look through the Swap Info Guide for all the rules of swapping on Craftster!  For experienced swappers/organizers if it has been some time since you have read the Swap Info Guide, please take a look to refresh your memory.


There will be updates regularly on this thread with a new "Did You Know..." topic, some of which will review certain Rules of Swapping (all of which have been in place for quite some time) and some of which will be handy tips to make everyone's swapping experience easier

Did you know-posting pictures is NOT required for positive feedback? (swap rule)

We all know that pictures of what you have received are one of the funnest things about swapping but for whatever reason (no camera, no time) sometimes a swapper isn't able to post pics.   But posting pictures is NOT a requirement for Positive Feedback and in fact organizers should not hold be holding back on feedback updates for this reason.  From the Swap Guide:

When a participant's package is received, as long as that package meets the swap requirements, they get Positive Feedback.

The only requirements to receive Positive Feedback are that a package was sent (ideally on time) and that it meets the size/time requirements as outlined in the particular swap sign up. 


Handy tips covered so far:

Did you know-all swappers must post in the swap thread at least once upon joining a swap (swap rule)

Did you know-feedback must be opened immediately!  If you are an organizer as soon as you post a new swap you should open feedback for yourself.  (swap rule)

Did you know-you can make swap member names clickable on your swap list  (helpful tip)

Did you know-secret partner swap lists should be sent to the Swap Mods  (swap rule)

Did you know- you can post swap items you have made in the appropriate board after your partner receives  (helpful tip)

Did you know- you should use the Help Desk for feedback mistakes! (helpful tip)

Did you know- swap send/receive lists need to be updated right to the end of the swap!  (swap rule)

Did you know-organizers can move their own swap threads (in fact you can move any thread that YOU start )  (helpful tip)

[alteredmommy]

Did you know-all swappers MUST post at least once in the swap thread
The swap thread is the main source of updates and information for every Craftster swap and a very important Swap Rule is that everyone who has signed up for a swap must post at least once in the swap thread.  Although this is a basic part of swapping, organizers should send a reminder if they notice that one of their swappers has not posted in the thread. 




I keep a check list on my swapper list of who has posted on the thread so I know who to send a friendly reminder to

[Leslieshappyheart]

I keep a check list on my swapper list of who has posted on the thread so I know who to send a friendly reminder to

I do that too!

[alwaysinmyroom]

I like this rule!  It feels a bit safer to swap when your partner engages in the thread...part of the fun is to get to know people a bit and to give compliments and support to your fellow swappers...thanks for the reminder!

[doulakk]

I am new here and really want to swap Smashing/ Junking/ Paper items with others.  Do a lot of these occur and are most swaps "themed"?  Thank you for your time.
Kelly K

[MareMare]

I make sure to post in the swap thread before I send my swap sign-up in.

I keep a check list on my swapper list of who has posted on the thread so I know who to send a friendly reminder to

I do that too!

I'm lazier than you guys, when I organize, I just require people to post before I approve and add them to the thread lol!

[wendiek]

I like that rule!

Isn't it more fun to swap when people post more often? I know I like it that way! You might even consider a rule that a swapper (read wendiek) isn't allowed to post MORE than once a day, hahaha 

I know I get a bit nervous when my partner hasn't posted yet, I agree with alwaysinmyroom that part of the fun of swapping is the encouraging words, compliments, getting to know your fellow swappers a bit better. BTW I like to give compliments when ever I get the change!

@ doulakk: check out the organized swap board and find out!    And you could always ask people if they are interested in such a swap by asking that in (on/at, I don't know) the idea-board.

[alteredmommy]

Did You Know- Feedback must be opened immediately!  If you are an organizer you must open feedback for yourself (and your co-organizer if you have one) right after you post your new swap on the swap board.  Once you have checked the profile of any potential swappers to make sure they are eligible, you need to open feedback for them and add them to your swapper participant list.  If they are on the swapper list, they should have your swap open in their profile.

This is an important habit to get into as an organizer!  Post your swap, open your own feedback. It is surprising how many people forget in the excitement of posting a new swap!

[MareMare]

Did You Know- Feedback must be opened immediately!  If you are an organizer you must open feedback for yourself (and your co-organizer if you have one) right after you post your new swap on the swap board.  Once you have checked the profile of any potential swappers to make sure they are eligible, you need to open feedback for them and add them to your swapper participant list.  If they are on the swapper list, they should have your swap open in their profile.

This is an important habit to get into as an organizer!  Post your swap, open your own feedback. It is surprising how many people forget in the excitement of posting a new swap!

Great reminder! I try not to start a swap unless I know I'll also have time to open my own feedback at the same time. I don't want to get in trouble with the swap mods!

[alteredmommy]

Did You Know- you can make member names clickable on your swap list! 
This is a handy tip for swap organizers which is easy to do.  When adding your new swappers onto your swap list (right after you have checked their profile for eligibility and opened feedback for them of course) you can make their names clickable by using the button above the smilies that has a little guy in pink on it before adding the name OR highlighting the name then clicking the Insert link to member button.

Code:

[member]alteredmommy[/member]

Making your swappers names clickable on your swap list makes it much easier for you to access their profile to check if the swap shows up, for partners to access profiles and for swap mods to check for necessary information as well.

This is a great tip for organizing your swapper list