CO+K Swap-Bot Group

Isn't it great to be able to talk about making changes and move forward together.
Rach-the same could be said for me and the Newbie swap.I'd love to know why so many fail but I'll get back to that.I really like Dessah's current scheme.
I actually think we do need to keep a way of seeing who is not completing swaps and I am so pleased that Dessah has the skills and time to make the changes to both end survey guide and Newbies swap.

End Swap Survey
There is no way that I know of hiding thread for hosts so keeping it free for all to view is important.We could choose to use this thread as a reference place.

Newbie Swap
I had a waking thought that maybe we should add a rule that this swap could be time limited to two months.We could put this in the rules.The Vet could then ask that the person be removed from the list and transfered to the End Swap survey after this period of time.Recent experience leads me to want to able to move away from that long list of incomplete newbie swaps

I'll happily help host either of two threads.We are moving forward and I really hope this crafty community can keep going.Currently I think it may become "endangered"

I think keeping the list up for everyone to see is important too. Then again, if only the hosts new of the individuals who weren't reliable swap partners, they can just ban them from their swap(s) and then the others wouldn't have to worry about being partnered with them or be antsy about joining the swap if they see they have joined.

But again, this thread was started to see who may be interested in doing swaps on swap-bot where you don't have to worry about monitoring who's doing what when the site does it. So then you can just concentrate on having fun doing the swap.

I know! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hijack it! lol

Oops...sorry, I missed Deb's message. One more off topic post, I'm sorry!!! ;)

I'll change the Newbie rules. 2 months sounds like a good amount of time to me. When you say move them to the survey thread, do you mean that you'd like me to just add them with a note that it was a fallen through Newbie swap? That way no one would have to feel bad about filling out the survey? Or will the offended partner still be doing their own survey?

I don't want to just start adding names unless I'm specifically asked (on the thread or by PM) because I don't know if partners get together outside of the threads, of if a partner doesn't want their newbie to be listed for other reasons. Did that make sense? lol

To get back to the original topic, I checked out swap-bot. On the one hand, I like the idea. On the other, I really want to wait and see if Tom is going to make swapping easier for us on here. It just seems more personal here. But, then again, I've not met and grown to <3 any of the members there yet like I have here. ;)

I also agree that the list of flakers should be kept up for all to see...if you don't want to be on it, you know what you should do.
I would like to keep the swaps here, I've had some great swaps and I feel this is a smaller, more friendlier community than swap-bot.
The flakers I have had fall into two categories...the newbies that join, immediately sign up for the newbie swap, and then are never seen again...I don't know what can be done about that,and I don't think they are bothered about being on the list as they never return to the site anyway.Perhaps it should be a condition of the newbie swap that they have been a member for a certain length of time, and made a certain number of board posts before doing a swap?

Then the worst type, and the only one I reported after long consideration, and several unanswered messages, who just decides they're not doing it any more yet still continue to post on the site, list projects, blogs etc. and completely ignore their swap partner...there's no excuse for that, and they deserve to be on the flakers list.

There are a lot of great swappers on the site and I'm sure we can all work together to keep our swapping a happy and rewarding experience. We also want to give the newbies help and encouragement to work towards a successful swap.As far as I'm concerned, the site should be about making and sharing, and hopefully learning from the skills and experience of the other members.

I completely agree with Nora's second paragraph, which is what I mentioned before.

Dessah, I don't mind all of the input because everything said here is relevant to what I'm suggesting. And to make this clear again, only CO+K members will be allowed in the group, so we will be swapping with the same people and newbies without having to track everyone's activity in swaps. It's just that nobody's really answering my question.

Am I not saying it plain enough that I would like to get back to having fun swapping instead of worrying about who's doing what and who's not? With all of the talk of flaking and having to start threads to track them is not happy and rewarding when it comes to swapping these days. The site "is" about making and sharing, and it's only giving us a platform to swap but not with security.

When I joined this site two years ago and started swapping, flaking wasn't a problem, at least it didn't seem like there was. I know some of you don't like that word, but if the shoe fits...But now when we talk of swaps it's mostly about who's not sticking to the obligation of a swap. Call me crazy, but that's not fun. I have also read posts from long time members (people that have been here longer than I have) of this site that literally said that they stopped swapping altogether because of flakers or someone getting upset about something in a swap.

So Dessah, wouldn't it be nice to be able to swap and not have to worry about listing someone in some list and them getting hurt feelings? You sure wouldn't have to feel conflicted or guilty of doing that, when personally I don't think you should. I'm sorry to keep singling you out, but I would like to see you swapping more rather than watching people who are bad at it. This can't be fun for you, am I right? Most of us here that do swap are old enough that we shouldn't need somebody reminding us of swaps that we have committed to.

Like I said and a couple of others have said, if you don't want be labeled as a bad swapper then don't do something that puts you in that category.


So here's what I propose:
A group on swap-bot to be started titled CO+K Swappers where you HAVE to be a member of this site, vet or newbie, you will have to use the same user name there that you use here. You can add a link to your CO+K profile on your swap-bot profile (which will be required for verification) and I'm thinking only members that have done at least one successful swap can host their own of any kind. Once they have did that then they can be added to be able to create their own swaps. (just trying to be fair)

Besides, the really big plus is that we can list our likes and dislikes and what not so that all you have to do is check your partners profile when it comes to crafting for them. Aaaand, no more having to keep track of flakers.

The rating system looks like this: (with some modification)

Coordinator Star

Did your coordinator go above and beyond while hosting this swap? If so, you can give them a star for this swap.

This coordinator deserves a star.
This coordinator does NOT deserve a star. (I usually don't even answer this one)
Swap partner: (Partners first and last name with user name)
* 5 - I got my stuff and it met posted swap requirements.
This was an extra special package. Give a heart!
* The following two ratings will become available two weeks after the mail deadline for this swap.
* 3 - I got my stuff, but it didn't meet the posted swap requirements.
* 1 - I never got anything.
* I do not wish to rate (your partner) at this time.

Comment: (Here is where you leave a comment for your partner and they can reply)

Then this rating is listed on their profile page. Here's a link to mine to give you some idea.
http://www.swap-bot.com/user:Creativemind

And a few other things, you don't have to message each other for addresses because it's required when you register. The swaps you're in and swaps you're hosting is listed on your profile and how many swaps you've done. For the hosts, you can see everyone who's joined your swaps and ban them if you want and when it comes to partnering, you just choose to partner the participants after the sign up date has passed and the site does it for you. They will then get an email letting everyone know that they need to check to see who's their partner with their address provided. All of the swaps will be listed in the group for everyone to see. When you've sent out, you just go to click to confirm that you sent and the site will save it. And everyone that's in the swap can see who's sent with the date listed and who hasn't. I think that's all I can think of right now that they have there.

So I'm just taking a poll on who wants to try it. No obligations, because if it's a go and you find that you don't like it you can leave the group and just continue swapping here exclusively. And no offense, but I'm pretty much past the debating on this, just yes or no please.

Thank you!!

haha sorry creativemind....my last post on your swap-bot about the flakerthing

I meant that I found it a good idea for the permanent list to stay, but only for the hosts. I didn't mean I think the whole board should be that way hihi
I just said it a little bit wrong, sorry!

I just think when you have adjust all your errors, you should get a second changes.

wel creativemind, where can I find that swap-bot. I would really like to check it out and let you know what I think. (sorry I just never heard from it before you braught it up!)

No problem Jolanda, no offense or anything taken. I knew what you meant. LOL

You can go to swap-bot.com or the link to my profile page

http://www.swap-bot.com/user:Creativemind

BTW, did you get your interactive ATC that I sent to you from my ATC swap? Been intending on messaging you and Melissa about that because the thread won't let me post on it.

No I haven't received it, but it will come! the post can take forever... did you get mine?

Hm... NOW actually answering the original question!! :-P

I took a look at Swap-Bot, and it seems okay, but I have this thing about keeping myself as condensed on the internet as possible--I mean, already 5 pages come up when you Google my name, and I don't want to add to the mess of profiles and sites I'm registered to that I hardly ever use, blah blah.... Also, I'm not swapping for a while--again, due to the postal service--so I see no point in joining at this time. Additionally, I thankfully have never had a problem with flakers. Maybe I would be more excited about Swap-Bot if I'd had more bad experiences here! ;)

All in all, my answer is that I don't think that I am interested in pursuing the Swap-bot option at this time. Thank you, however, for bringing it up, as it is a viable option.

Nope, not yet Jolanda. I figured it would take a while, but I'm keeping a lookout for it.

No problem Rachie, I appreciate your answer and honesty.

Well, nothing but honesty will help, so I'm glad I was able to.

Well...no for me right now. It does sound pretty interesting though for the future. I'm in the middle of 5 swaps right now. (some are private/materials only) kind of swaps and I'm a bit busy during this time of year, but come January I should be able to start more swaps for sure. When I do I'll come check you out. ;)

Maybe you should just go ahead and make the group. People will probably start trickling in. ;)

Crap, I meant to add that I'll keep the list and guide current for now...since it wasn't really my idea and a lot of people asked for it.

I'm always open for suggestions for it though.

You're so right about that Rachie, but not everyone appreciates it.

For sure keep that open Dessah. Even if some do try swap-bot, I'm sure there are members that want to just swap here. And I thought about going ahead with it, but I wanna start with a few people first.
You are somewhat of a saint to be keeping up with swaps and such. And I would think that no one should get upset with you if their name appears on the list (however you title it). It's imperative that other swappers know of unreliable swappers if they continue to join swaps and not follow through. No one likes to be disappointed.

And just a thought, even if you join the group but not the swaps, you can at least see how it's run.