PBS: Low Postage Etsy Surprise Swap (USA)

The idea for this swap came from a collaborative string of messages between a PBS group member and myself, due to her very understandable dissatisfaction with high overseas shipping costs which far exceeded the price of gift items. If it's a success, I will be happy to host more like it in the future!

All those goodies you've been scrolling through and ♥favorited♥ but can't quite justify buying yourself-- here's your chance to have some of them magically show up in your mailbox. :) It's also a fun chance to go shopping for someone else and KNOW that they'll absolutely love what you get them, and be excited by the surprise.

Like our regular Etsy favorite swaps, this swap is for an inexpensive Etsy surprise. Unlike our regular Etsy favorite swaps, it contains an additional challenge and financial incentive.

Before Partners are Assigned
Update your etsy wishlist! You MUST have a minimum of a dozen items on your Etsy wishlist which are from shops located within the USA, in order to avoid the high costs of international shipping. This is the "challenge" part. These items should be within the price range (or within a single shop, they can cost less but add up to the price range) specified in this swap. To make it easier on my swap partners or any RAK-ers, and because it was fun, I created a separate list on my profile ("In the U.S. + $10 or less"), but a separate wishlist is not required. I will check to make sure everyone meets this requirement before assigning partners, so please take the time before the sign-up deadline to update your lists (I know, asking you to browse etsy and add to your wishlists is SO CRUEL of me)!

Once partners have been assigned
You will go to your partner's profile page and click on the link to her/his Etsy wishlist. Now, you get to go shopping for your partner! The item(s) you choose for your partner should total $5-$7 BEFORE shipping costs. You can often get a bargain on shipping if you buy more than one thing from the same seller. Etsy sellers will almost always agree to ship directly to your partner, and add a note if you request it.

Please let your partner know once you've ordered, and do let your partner know if more than one item is expected, though you can keep the items themselves a surprise.

All group members must maintain well-filled-out profiles and meet the requirement of at least a 4.98 rating to join. In the unlikely event that it's necessary, I will angel this swap after you have attempted to contact your partner and honestly rated a "1" for a no-send.

In order to receive a 5, you must send your partner an item or items totaling at least $5-$7 before shipping which you have chosen from your partner's Etsy wishlist. Items must be purchased by the swap send-by date, and you should let your partner know when you have purchased them.

Please rate anyone a 5 as long as they meet these criteria. Hearts are of course at your own discretion.

There will be plenty of time to update your wishlist before partner assignment, and a good two weeks to shop once partners have been assigned; however, please do not sign up if you can't make your purchase by the send-by date.

Please feel free to contact me via PM with any questions or concerns. Have fun swapping! ♥

p.s. The "E" logo in the swap image is from etsy.com