Swaps on CO+K

Crafterella: Yeah I had a list, only of about 3 swaps right at the bottom of my "About" section. These have disappeared but nothing else has...

In a ranking system, I think it would be good if it was ranked purely on the basis on having the items recieved and stuff rather than the quality of work as some people will be newbies or learning/trying out a new medium or technique on someone.

I think we should have a 3 tiered rank like

1) Recieved
2) Not received -- had contact with swap partner
3) Not received -- no contact with swap partner

I don't know... I'm just throwing ideas out there. I think ranking would be good to try and weed out flakers but I get Nora's point also. It's a very difficult position...

Luckily I've never been flaked on but I can imagine how awful it would make you feel. I'm with Ruby I don't get the whole piccie/project thing.

Also the automated partner pairing would be difficult as Essex Debs said people's considerations need to be taken into consideration. Not everyone is able to afford to send out internationally all the time, as well as skills and other such stuff.

the ranking system sounds good to me

Aw sorry to the folks who thought I meant that the grading system would be on the quality of the work done. I am soooooo not meaning that at all. I love being a teacher so that i can motivate and encourage my pupils. Anything that is created is of a huge value to me. I meant for the grading system to reflect the swapping process - so if it was recieved on time and communication was good and it had met all of the swap criteria then it would get a 5 or 5 stars (like on ebay).
No one would want a black or red bar at the top of their profile - that way you could easily spot the flakers plus prevent people from flaking. x

I've only done one swap and it was a brilliant experience. I've sort of been put off doing more because of the issues that have been raised about flakers and crafters expectations not being met.

I like Lolly Bot's 3 tier ranking. It's simple and says what it needs to say without commenting on personal crafting styles that my not be agreeable between swap partners.

Sorry to read that your a bit antsy about swapping Sheila, but also glad to know that you did have a good experience with it. It is a lot of fun participating in, but like a couple of people have said, the flaking was mostly with the newbies. I for one did give a few of them more chances than I probably should have, only to have them flake again on a known good swapper, and it bugged me to no end that they had to deal with that. Though some don't mind that they don't receive from their partner, but it still doesn't make it fair.

I am fairly satisfied with the posting of teasers of items made for partners, but it's no fun crafting in advance before you know who you're crafting for, because again like some have mentioned, we craft specifically to our partners likes/dislikes or preferences, unless it's a theme specific swap. And by no means should there ever be rating of what you received from your partner for obvious reasons. BTW Selina, I knew what your meant.

I don't know exactly how much has improved with the swaps going on here on CO+K as far as the flaking problem because I just stopped swapping here with maybe one or two here and there. So if the end swap feedback is working, then just to continue to go with that, but of course if there is still too many people joining swaps and not fulfilling the obligation then yes, by all means come up with something that will deter the behavior.

Honestly, I like swaps here better than swap-bot because they are more personable and you actually make friends, where as on swap-bot not so much. Don't get me wrong though, I've never been flaked on...yet (knock on wood), but there you join, you swap, you get some pretty neat stuff, you rate and on to the next one. The site is about swapping, but people put a lot of emphasis on the low tolerance of flaking so it's almost like that's what the site is about--not flaking. So I want to get back to having more fun with swapping.

Phew! I am most definately on here to make friends all over the world with the same interests I didnt want to go upsetting people

I am an ickle bit worried thoug as I am still a newbie - I really want to get rid of that label as I will never flake on anyone I just want to make people smile big cheesy ones
hehehehe!

We also have to look at it from a newbies point of view. With all this rating stuff would it put them off signing up to swapping do you reckon? Too much hassle? Want to fit in and not get a black dot next to their name?

Sorry for misunderstanding Selina, I get ya now ;p

And 100% agree with the girls - it's no fun if you have to make before you even know who your partner is or not make it personalised :| I made some great friends on this site through swapping as you need to keep in contact! Without that I'd feel there is no point :S Hence why a few have opted out of the swap-bot idea (option 2) because we probably aren't on there. Like Creativemind said also, as she is a member there, it's a lot more personal here

I do hope all this feedback is worth something. I don't want to just slate everything you've suggested lol, sorry!

Lol, I was writing as you posted Selina :p I'll smile a bit Cheesy grin

One other thing or maybe a couple, maybe there could be button or section where the swaps would be listed for people to see and read the rules what the hosts put as requirements for the swap, including if its international or regional, and you can click to join the swap so it automatically signs you up for it, and will show on your profile what swaps you are in.
These are not my ideas, just some things that are on swap-bot, and I don't mean to copy them per se, but again just to get some ideas.
For those of you who are not familiar with swap-bot, here is link to my profile page to show you the way they have their rating system set up and a list of swaps you're in or hosting:
http://www.swap-bot.com/user:Creativemind

and a visual of one of my hosted swaps now in progress: (this is not the exact look of what's on swap-bot)

Supernatural Door Hanger Swap
Number of people in swap: 2
Location: International
Last day to signup/drop: January 10, 2011
Date items must be sent by: January 19, 2011
Number of swap partners: 1

Description:
I thought it would be cool to have a Supernatural-themed door hanger swap!

For this swap, you will make one door hanger that is Supernatural related for your partner. It can be any character, quote, episode etc.

You can either make your own or buy one and decorate it, but it should be sturdier than a sheet of paper so that it doesn't rip or tear (if making your own) and make sure the hole is big enough to fit around a door handle.

Let's get creative with these! You can use anything to decorate them... paint, marker, pencils, papers, ribbons, buttons, confetti, tissue, digital images, anything you want as long as it is something you would like to receive yourself, but most of all HAVE FUN!!!

And Selina, I like making big cheesy grins too!! I think most of us declare you a vet once you've done like I think 5 swaps.

And Ruby, as much as we all swear to swapping being so much fun, it might not scare them off too much to give it a try or at I least I hope not, but either that or for those of us who do like swapping and want to be more secure in joining them without fear of being flaked on to stop swapping altogether.

He he Ruby - Great minds think alike

Wow thanks for all the great feedback everyone. I'll discuss with Tom to see what's the best option for something we can get together soon - I think the eBay style feedback will help lots as well as putting together some house rules... I'll ask you all for help with that!

Thanks again

I'm back properly for my extended trip to the UK.So can finally actually use a keyboard.
Had a tiny idea?
Is there any possibly of being able to put photo collages of our completed swaps on our home pages ?
If I actually wrote a list of all the swaps I've been in over the past year it feels really long and boring.I think teasers and completed swaps would be much more fun.
Just another idea for the pot.

Oooooo I like it essex debs! I am a very visual person - as are many crafty people - that would be fab!

that sounds cool

Ya know I was thinking...when I was suggesting setting up a group for CO+K members on swap-bot for moderation of flakers and such, the rule still applies--ONLY CO+K MEMBERS CAN JOIN THE GROUP, so you wouldn't be swapping with just anyone on swap-bot. The only headache with it is that you have to register on the site and it wouldn't actually be a part of CO+K and there is nowhere on the site to post pix of the creations. Some groups have setup accts on flickr so that members can post there, but again you would have to register. Other than that, everything else would work there the same way it does here, where anyone can host a swap and anyone "who's in the group" can join them, with the only difference is that there would be a rating system already system put into place.

Just a thought if it turns out to be too much work for you guys Cat. Here's the thread where I was suggesting this alternative.

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/board/creative/swap_shop/4433-co-k-swap-bot-group/page/2