10 Surprise Items

When are you no longer a newbie?

smilingsassycat

Why can't anyone new join? just because I found this site today doesn't mean I'm any less than older members.

The reason for not allowing newbies is because so many of us have gotten burned by newbies. Some swap hostesses will allow it and some won't. Once you have sent and been rated on several swaps, your newbie status won't be so prominent and you will be allowed to join more swaps. Just be patient and don't have a poor attitude. Having a poor attitude will make your time here very frustrating and won't be fun for you at all. Just have patience and remember that this is suppose to be fun!! Just including my two cents!! Jennifer O, BtW, I do allow newbies in my swaps as long as you have a filled out profile. You are more then welcome to come and join any of my swaps.

I just wanted to comment on the newbie status/frustration factor for those who are asking...Smilingsassycat, I think for this swap the hostess is considering a member with 10 or more swaps to be eligible/no longer a newbie.

ohhemgeeitstina, I know I felt the same way about one particular swap when I first started, there was one that I desperately wanted to participate in, but couldn't because it would have been my first swap...let me reassure you, there are about 700+ other swaps that you CAN participate in, and will definitely enjoy just as much, and can be used to build up your "street cred", so look around and window shop, and I know you will find some other swaps that you will love. In fact, after my first couple of swaps, I couldn't remember what the one was that I had wanted so badly to do...so, have fun, and I hope we will get to swap!! See you soon...

'candigirl'

PS...I was flaked by a member who has done over 100 swaps (and turned out to be a NOTORIOUS FLAKER, and she has been fullly suspended), so sometimes you can't be sure who will flake..! You can't judge a book by its cover...

Candigirl -- thanks for clarifying about the swap for those newbies. I think that is fine and provided an opportunity to open one up for the newbies only. It is great to have "parents" to follow foot in. We apreciate you and will keep watching. Thanks again,

Candigirl -- thanks for clarifying about the swap for those newbies. I think that is fine and provided an opportunity to open one up for the newbies only. It is great to have "parents" to follow foot in. We apreciate you and will keep watching. Thanks again,

In my swaps I definitely like to give newbies a chance but having a good profile about your likes and dislikes to me look like you are really interested in swapping. Once you screw up and flake then the who community will find out and oust you.

Hey guys,

About all this newbie stuff, I do consider newbies to be people that have done fewer than ten swaps, and in some swaps I allow newbies. The only reason I said no newbies for this one is because it is a rather large swap. I know that any swapper can flake regardless of how many swaps they've done, but I just like for people who sign up for the big swaps that I host to feel comfortable and one way to raise comfort levels is to ban newbies. Since there's a good bit of interest from new swappers, I'll host a round two after this swap is completed that will be newbie-friendly. I hope that will resolve some of the frustration.

fantastic idea... and it looks like a lot of other people think so too... great stuff!!! thanx for organising this!!

This sounds like a really cool swap. Its too bad Im a newbie. :|

Sounds like something I'd ADORE doing! infact it took me a while to realize that the "non newbie" acheivement is ten or more swaps having been done. oh well. Maybe the next one!

As a newbie I appreciate where seasoned swappers/coordinators are coming from and respect it.

My best advice? As was said - find the swaps that allow newbies [I found and was allowed to sign up for FIVE my first day, I now have a nice rating] - fill out your profile to the best of your ability - really fill it in! and find swaps that you can complete and send out in the timeframe - postcards, cards, letters, surveys the like.

Get used to the system first! Read the comments,check out the forums - it is a fabulous way to learn.

Relish in your first "5" rating - dance around the house when it actually comes with a heart because you were thoughtful enough to understand it is about making your swap buddy smile extra big...then do your next swap - do it correctly...and in less than a month [maybe] you could no longer be considered a newbie.

I hope that helps. I have enjoyed the swaps I have done so far. I have gotten a huge kick out of the mailbox and the ratings and I can't wait to continue.

Newbiehood doesn't last forever. Really! :D Happy Holidays everyone.

i wanted to do this one, too, but can't since i'm not allowed. :(

WAW....I just noticed....you have 2 months to send the swap........ (what for???). I'm not going to wait so long. I hope I'll send swap a week or two after I get a partner.

The long swap time is due to the holidays. With Thanksgiving and Christmas here, I wanted people to have time to enjoy their families and send a good package instead of throwing something together at the last minute because they've got holidays on the mind.

I'd like to send my package soon, so my partner can open it for Christmas :)

Hi guys,

I don't know if you've noticed yet or not but they've made changes here on swap-bot, and there's now a 20 swap limit, and since I'm already in over 20 swaps, I have to wait until my number gets down below 20 before I can start the newbie friendly swap. So hang in there guys! I'll get it started soon!

Sounds like fun! I can't wait to see who I get so I can get started shopping!

I'm actually glad that I wasn't the only one who was sad when I couldn't participate in certain swaps. I just found newbie friendly swaps and got my rating up. I also asked the organizer (a different swap) about my profile being filled out and she gave me some tips on what to include on my profile. This is such a fun place and I've always enjoyed it even when I was a newbie!

I like the send date in January so I won't have to be too frazzled during the Holidays and then there is something really nice to look forward after the Holidays when there is kinda of empty space.