Swappers Agreement/Pledge

Rachie,

I've got the first time trials of this idea going in the swap shop. It's listed as "Swap Guide/ End Survey" Check it out and let me know what you think. ;)

Also, there are a lot of comments about the rating system like on other swap sites. Would you all prefer I change the survey to the rating or keep it as it is?

I'm trying to regularly check this post and the Survey post to keep them updated properly. I guess you can all continue to make suggestions on this post so the Survey post doesn't get messy.

Let me know!

I wouldn't be comfortable rating people. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feeling if I didn't like their swap. And then they might not like me etc If the rating was anonymous I think it would be better but obviously thats alot more complex! So for now I'm not so sure rating is a good idea I think the Survey is a really good idea though

I'm thinking that there are two main issues in this thread that are linked, but essentially seperate. The first is Arty Kitkat's ideas about a swapper's agreement, and the second is Dessah's about a rating/ end survey system.

I think it would be helpful to seperate them out a bit; Dessah's has obviously been put into practice. I really like the way she left it open so there isn't a clear and cut 'ratings system'. I feel this is more positive and open to the interpretation of the poster.

But I think Arty Kitkat's original post about having an agreement is really interesting. When I first started out, I was lucky enough to have Tracy C. in the newbie swap. She was more like a mentor then just a vet! When you are just starting out, you have a lot of questions and are not quite sure of how to go about creating your swap.

Maybe an FAQ post on 'SWAP ETTIQUETTE' we could direct people to would help us newbies understand what a swap is really meant to be? It could potentially also help with the quality control issues that Creativemind was posting about. I was lucky to have such a patient mentor during my first swap. But maybe others don't feel so comfortable asking questions.

Here are a list of sample questions that I would have wanted to know before pursuing my first swap:
What do I make for my first swap?
What are the rules of the swap?
I am new to crafting; how can I be sure my items are good enough?
What happens if something goes wrong and I can't make the post out date?
I'm worried that I'm posting to another country and I don't know how long it will take to arrive!
I have my package ready; do I put in anything else?
I have recieved my partner's parcel! What do I do now?

I'm not going to create a new thread to this effect (mainly because I have only done 3 swaps and am very new to it all). I was just curious to know the questions other people would like to have on a thread like this.

This is an excellent idea! Your questions are right on, and the answers are really informative. This is what I suggest...

Since I've got a lot of people wanting to help on the survey board, why doesn't someone (preferably a veteran who's been in more swaps than me) start a new thread. They can copy/paste your FAQ and also copy/paste my tips (or re-write them) and move that into one thread. Then newbies can have a specific place to go for advice and such.

We can use my thread for the end survey and "flaker" list only. Does that sound better to everyone? We will all have to help each other keep these threads current so newbies can find them easily. And also, keep the link handy so we can refer any newbies who ask.

Who would like this task? You must be able to answer any question that might arise though, so you have to be attentive to the thread. ;)

There should be an agreement for sure. I am still a newbie to swaps (having only participated in one) but I was lucky enough to be paired with Angel who was very clear about what we were doing, how many items and the time frame.
Having an agreement beforehand is KEY. Otherwise you will end up with a whole bunch of confused people. This part seems ot have been lost somewhere in the thread but what about a requirement for site activity? I mean I just saw a swap where the partners were required to have a certain number of projects posted/board posts/etc. This may help to cull out the flakers since they would be less likely to have as many projects...
Just a thought...

I like the idea of the FAQ thread where anyone also can ask questions that haven't been asked and answered yet.

@Lydia-most of the issues on this thread (and maybe some others) weren't necessary until the flaking got out of hand. The "site activity" requirement is one of the many new additions to swaps that hosts are implying now. In most cases as far as requirements for swaps, those are up to the host and who they allow to join. I don't think some hosts will like to have that rule, or any other rule, imposed on their swap if they don't want it though I do agree that it may help to cut down on the possible flaking. And of course being that we now have the thread that Dessah started to keep track of possible flakers, at least that's part of the plan, hopefully that will encourage members to not want be known as a flaker and keep their obligation to they swaps they join.

I'm all for whatever we can come up with to minimize or altogether stop the reneging on swaps, but we don't want to scare off newbies to swaps that would like to try them. So referring back to the FAQ idea and the sponsor a newbie swap, those tools would help a newbie with their first and possibly future swaps.

So, I was waiting for someone else to start the Swap FAQ thread. Did it happen yet and I missed it?

Otherwise, I was going to copy/paste the list of questions (and the answers) that someone posted on here previously. I can't remember who posted it, but I can't find it. There is a similar post, without the answers on here.

Anyways, should I follow through with this, or just let it go? I think that the Swap Guide/End Survey would be less cluttered if I move the first post (tips) to a new Survey FAQ's thread.

Do we still want to do this? I'd be open to doing my part at keeping it at the top of the threads, but I'd need some hardcore vets to help me answer questions.

*so, who wrote that original post and where can I find it?