Quick and Safe Swap for Newbies!

WOW - I have hosted swaps and I screen as best I can as likely other hosts do. No host can guarentee no Flakers - yourself included, It was a great idea without the insult to hosts who try our best. I hope you have a successful swap. I wont be joining

@GrammaSherry I don't see why you're offended with this swap. I'm also a host of number of both public and group swaps, and I'm not offended by any of things Terry stated above. The fact is, that there are many host who don't screen participants before assigning partners, nor do a follow up to see if there were flakers in their swaps. I have never been so far in any of swaps you hosted, as I can remember, but I looked at your profile and swaps you hosted in the past, and don't see you as a bad host. And, I'm pretty sure Terry's comment wasn't about you, or me, or any other host who does his job in responsible manner towards people who join.

@TerryF On watchlist for now. I'm full. ;)

I consider myself a good host, and I'm not offended by it, as I see the fall out from those who have joined swaps and then been let down by their host, as many do no checking what so ever! there's been no naming of names here..... I'm quite happy to swap with newbies and help answer their questions, so you can count me in!

Thx @MichelleWillow and @klittenred !

GrammaSherry, I did not say that every swap host out there is unreliable, or that I could guarantee no flaking - that would be ludicrous because the vast majority of swap hosts here are excellent, and I have no magic ball to identify every flaker. The only swap hosts I may have insulted are the ones who are flakers themselves, or who have let people who have already flaked into their swaps, or do no screening of participants, and/or look the other way when their swappers are flaked on.

This swap is really about giving newbies a safe swap to join in order to get some good ratings. The last thing they need is to be lulled into a false sense of security by bad swap hosts. I wish I had had someone looking out for me when I was a newbie 7 years ago. (I shall ascribe the offence you took at my comments to your newness here on SB.)

Good swap, Terry, and I don't see anything offensive in it.

I don't either Terry-- you're trying to welcome newbies. Anything I can do to assist count me in.

It is an awesome swap Terry. As I said before (and shall say again)...you ROCK! - G

TerryF thanks for hosting such a welcome for newbies. I remember when I started no one wanted to let me in their swaps because I was new. I was overjoyed when I was finally let into a swap... but then the hostess flaked on me so imagine my disappointment. When I told her I did not get anything she said it came back to her and she will resend. Well I was here 7 months and she has not even contacted me to let me know what happened. All the best and many happy returns with your swap.

I didn't find it offensive either and I've hosted probably close to 100 swaps. I've also been flaked on by the hostess. Talk about extra offensive. And she didn't guarantee no flakers but promised to angel.

Thx so much for your support ladies! And thx for showing the newbies that there ARE many, many wonderful swappers --- and swap hosts ---- here!

Does it matter what the note card or post card has on it for a picture?

It is totally up to you as the sender, but here's a little tip for anyone new to swapping: If you really want to make your partner happy, read their profile and send them a PC or notecard with a theme (or colour scheme) that they like. (";)

TerryF did not guarantee no flakers. She said they would be angeled if they were flaked on. People need to s-l-o-w down & read before spouting off.

I'd join, but I have a "1" from 2009 from a user that would not deal with any explanations of postal mishandling or offers to re-send. It's unfortunate that people in my situation are outlawed! All the same, best of luck in your swap!

I'm a newbie :)

I'm a newbie and I'm excited to be joining this swap. I love getting mail. I've been in swaps , but not here, and its been a while. Thanks for doing this for the newbies, its gonna be fun.

I found her description delightful and encouraging to join. I host many swaps and look carefully at who tries to join also, and took no offense either. In fact the opposite, it makes me feel safer to swap when a host is caring and makes it known she is caring.

Lets just say that was not necessary to say and leave it at that.

I think it is great that TerryF is willing to angel it takes allot of time to host a swap, check profiles etc let allone angle if they have a flaker. I am fairly new only a few months I didn't even have to tell the hostess I was falked on she kept track and found out that the person I had recently flaked on another swapper and she just sent me a message that she was going to angel me. One question I have is (I don't plan to let it happen to me) if you get a one by some one will it never go away and u will never be alloud to swap again? There are things that happen that you can't control when dealing with the post office.

When do we get our assisgned partners?

sherig47 : In normal circumstances, if you get a 1, it is because your partner did not receive their swap. You may have sent it, but it never arrived at its intended destination. If this happens, the best thing to do is communicate immediately with your partner to let them know that you did send the swap and that you will be happy to e-send it. (Swappers living in the US can purchase delivery confirmation cheaply, and that is one way to prove that you have sent a swap.)

The important thing is to work on re-sending as soon as you can - most people here are quite understanding and will usually re-rate a 5 when they receive your re-send. But sometimes, they will rate a 3. In any case, the 3 is definitely better than the 1. Also, make sure to put a complete explanation in your response to the rating as well. If there are unusual circumstances, people (like swap hosts and group founders) need to know. This is the only standard way to "get rid of a 1".

As for swapping again, there are swap hosts here who do not screen people and will let anyone into their swaps. But do you really want to swap with a lot of people who already have bad swapping records? So take care of those 3s and 1s right away.

As a swap host and group founder, as a general rule I do not let anyone with 1s into my swaps or groups because they should have been able to re-send and get them changed to 3s in most situations. If there are special circumstances though (like your partner all of a sudden stops logging in and you cannot reach her - but this would have to be right after rating you a 1, not 6 months later), I will reconsider if you send me a full explanation.

nanabarb57 : Technically, I have 7 days after September 8 to assign partners but, obviously, this will not work for this swap! lol I will assign partners tomorrow (right now it is still September 8 here in Canada).

PLEASE NOTE: The above info is just a quick Coles Notes - if you are new to Swap-bot, I strongly encourage you to:

• read all of the info in the various links at the bottom of the page to understand how this site works
  AND
• ask to join the Newbies Mentoring Group run by @Amigirl - there you will be paired with an experienced swapper who will help you navigate this wonderful place and answer your questions

Newbie Mentors Group

Partners have now been assigned. To find out who they are, go to the top right box on this page and click on "See the partners you send to". A new box will open with your partners' mailing info.

Don't forget to include your Swap-bot name and the name of this swap on your PCs so your partners can rate you.

does it have to be a postcard? hehe. thanks!

@dongwoo As Terry is probably asleep, being in Canada... Swap description says: Send a note card or postcard with a friendly message to each of your 3 partners. So you can pick between note card or postcard. It might be a good idea, though, to check your partner's profile and see if she collects postcards, in which case she would probably prefer it. But, still, this is sender's choice swap. Meaning, you'll be rated with 5 if you send either note card or postcard.

I think this is a great opportunity to give newbies a chance I am not a newbie but here to help out , mine are on their way to my new friends !! Welcome to Swap-bot !!

Thx for handling dongwoo's question @MichelleWillow !

Thanks Terry, this is gonna be fun.

postcards on their way! hope they reach my partners quickly! warm regards from costa rica :)

OK...my notes are on their way.....a big hello from Georgia. I hope they dont take long.

I just wanted to thank @TerryF for allowing newbies into this swap. I am an experienced crafter and swapper, but am new to the site, so I appreciate the opportunity to join in the fun while growing my rating! Thanks again!

I had a lot of fun with this... I made handmade envelopes to go with the cards :) And they're good to go :)

Little note cards are in the mail!! Happy Swapping everyone!

I loved this swap! Thanks so much for doing this one for us "newbies"! :)

I recieved a wonderful postcard from Mcovey today. Thank you much and I did rate you. And a wonderful note card from stormsong52. Thank you so much for the stickers. Loved them. The card and envelope was beautiful. It's so much fun getting this fun mail. Thank you so much for helping us newbies get our ratings started.

I got my first heart...yeaaaaaaaaa.....lol

I'm still missing a rating from the newbie partner :-( I've been rated by the other two partners so I know they got it, or its been lost in the post.

Glad to see it has all been sorted now, kittenred. (";)

@Red Star has not clicked sent or logged on since Sept. 18, so I have reported her to FOPS. .

I will angel @tigerbunny (she has rated her a 1).

I have pmd @Alison66 and @Carinne (her other 2 partners) about the situation.

@Paige1900 has offered to angel some people if needed.

Sent follow-up email to everyone.

The lovely @Paige1900 will angel @Alison66 (she has rated @RedStar a 1).

@Carinne has rated @RedStar a 1 - I have contacted a potential angel and will confirm here once I hear back.

The kind @Alison66 will angel @Carinne .

Thank you for helping out, angels! (";)

Mailed angeled card to @tigerbunny .

Thanks for having a swap for newbies. It helped get me started. I recieved all my mail and have rated everyone. Thank you and all my partners. Looking forward to more swaps.

Hello, I am interested in this, Could I have some info please, I just signed up and was to start swapping and getting my ratings Thanks.

I left a message on your profile. (";)