Swap Boxes! Rules and Regulations thread, and Q&A

[BonBonBarbie]

This is an idea i spotted on lots of craft forums...Swap packages!
Basically, we decide on a theme for a 'swap box', and a certain number of items/price limit per box. You make a box up, and send it to your partner, and get a package back from there, full on fun, 'surprise' gifts!

For example, the theme for a swap box could be ''cute back to school goodies''. We agree on a limit of $15 and at least 3 items, which can include both homemade and store bought items (not all handmade though, as people might be a bit funny about quality, etc.) that fit with the theme, for example, cute pencils and pencil cases, or an adorable handmade bag for school with some homemade goodies.
People apply, giving details of their likes/preferences, and I will match you up with someone similar, or you can pick who you wanna go with. We will decide on a deadline posting date, so everyone will post their packages on the same day. Then, you receive your package, and post pics on Asiajam of what your lovely partner has sent to you!

Rules and Regulations:
You must agree to the terms and conditions completely before agreeing to participate. Any circumstances of people not following procedures will be followed up very harshly, and could result in banning from the forums for a period of time.

*Jammers who wish to participate must have a minimum post count of at least 100, showing you are a trusted and valued member of the Asiajam community. That way, If you fail to meet our requirements, or try and pull a fast one, everyone on Asiajam will know who you are, and your reputation will go downhill!
*We will decide on a minimum and maximum spend limit on the packages, so that noone feels shortchanged by their surprise gift (by giving away more than they receive), and so that people don't feel excluded by a too high budget.
*You will be required to pay for the postage of the package you are sending. That way, everyone receives and pays for just one package. Participants would be advised to choose a postal method which involves 'tracking' of some description, so that we can be sure the parcel has been sent on or before the deadline date.
*Your address will only be told to your partner, after they have been allocated, and you will get their address as well, to send them their package. This will hopefully eliminate any fraudulant or scamming activity.
*All packages MUST be sent on or before the deadline date. Failure to comply will see you excluded from future package trading.
*The deadline date for sending packages will be a month after your partner has been allocated. Partners will be allocated 2 weeks after the 'theme' has been introduced.
*The theme and budget for the following 'trade' will be agreed in a poll by those who wish to be involved in the package swap, a week before the theme is announced.
*Extra 'goodies' such as a cute hairclip, some sweeties, a letter, or anything really, is highly encouraged. Make it personal and cute!
*Make sure the packages contents are of a quality that you would wish to receive. Make sure your partner doesn't feel disappointed with your presents! As we will have a thread with package sender feedback, which will also help you pick your partner next time!
*A package MUST NOT consist of entirely handmade items, unless requested by your partner. Handmade items are lovely, and a welcome addition to your swap package, just make sure the person you are sending it to doesnt feel short changed.
*If you wish for your partner to be from the same country as you, or a different one, please specify on your 'I want to be involved' post.
Things you already have can be included, as long as they are brand new and fit the theme, or if you just want to include them as little 'extras'

A typical timeline of how this would work is:
Day 1: Theme possibilities and budget limits are released on a poll.
Day 7: the poll is counted and new theme is announced. You now have one week to apply to be included, by filling in a short form which will be released on this day.
Day 14: The deadline for applications.
Day 15: Partners will be announced. Deadline date is released.
You now have one month exactly before the deadline date, where you MUST send your package on or before this day. You will be required to pm me your confirmation that your package has been sent, and your package's tracking number on or before this day.
You will communicate with your partner via PM, telling them your address and other information they may find helpful.

When your package arrives: Take photos, and post feedback on a thread which will be made. Make sure to mention who your partner was, what you got, how happy you were, what your favourite things were, and how we can improve this method of arranging package swaps!



So, please reply on this thread what you think of the idea, any addition to the rules and regulations, and any ideas you have. If 10 people+ wish to participate, i will post a new thread with a poll of ideas and budget limits ASAP

[Dutchie]

This is an amazing Idea, I really like it!! it's like the chirsmas swapping gift thing we did this year if I'm right. It's so nice!! I'll deff. Join!!

[BonBonBarbie]

yayyyyyy thats one in then! two including me hehe
thanks for replying so fast

[phren]

i would love to participate !! o uo
this is a super lovely idea ~~ thanks bonbon ! : D
i love the idea of cute xDDD although guessing if you don't like cute stuff so much you get paired with someone similar?

one thing (i sound like such a spoilsport u __u ) are we allowed to choose preferances to where we send stuff to, eg. within europe.. because if people have a postage 'budget' that is more fair as i've discovered recently sending parcels abroad is pretty expensive x __x;;

[BonBonBarbie]

yep when we have decided on our theme, people ''apply'' to participate. So there would be a 'requests' bit where you could say (for example if the theme was cute) ''i love cute things with strawberries on'', or ''i hate cute things with skulls on'', or ''I only want to trade with people in europe'' , as itll give me a better idea of who to pair you with, as i will be pairing people with similar requests/people who like similar things, based on posts in the forum.
Obv, people can have the option of requesting to be paired with someone else, but i'll only let them do that if the other person agrees, and if they havent already been paired off with someone else.

[phren]

ohh, awesome C:

i really hope this'll happen ! > u<

[BonBonBarbie]

me too!
we'll just see how many people show interest, and see what happens from there, but as long as we get an even number of people, we could always do it on a smaller scale. I just think it would be way more fun with lots of people,but either way, we could make it work!

[redpixie]

This is such a cute and well thought out idea =) I would so join if I wasn't off to uni in 2 weeks but I'd still be interested in seeing what others got in their boxes! Looks like you've covered everything in the rules too, maybe distinguishing between male and female boxes in some way now, seeing as theres been an increase in male activity lately?

[BonBonBarbie]

thats a good idea
i think people will be able to work smth out if they get a boy as a partner, but what if noone wants a boy?! :P
hehe, im getting a bit ahead of myself though, no boys have said anything yet!

[redpixie]

I wouldn't mind a boy. I mean, I'd say I've got some experience with buying for males :P and I would guess that they would be slightly easier to buy for maybe? lol

[urban.star.dust]

This sounds like a wonderful idea BonBon!
As for the handmade part, I think it would be nice to make or bake items. Haha, I'm a baking fanatic. I bake food, but don't eat it...go figure lol.


I'm particularlly busy at the moment with school work, but would love to do it at a later time.

It's like Christmas and Birthday's all at once ^_______^!

[Ch0x]

This looks like a lot of fun!! Like the Spirit Boxes we did for cheerleading

But the thing is.. I dont really know how to send a package?? And I'm not so sure my mom will send me to the post office. xD So I probably can't participate T_T (Also I'm flat broke... lol)

[lisa2237]

Sounds like such a great idea...I'd really love to take part..but..my post's are not up to 100 yet...I have paid Laura-aap via paypal before if you'd like that information..so you got my address etc...?

[tsaefen]

i loveeeeeee this idea it seems so cute ^_^




count me in :]

just how do i "apply" ? should i pm you or post it here?

[BonBonBarbie]

Well, now a decent number of people have applied, i will post a poll of ideas and budget limits. There people will have a week to vote and when its announced, you will have another week to apply.
Natfall: There is 2 weeks until the deadline application date, and then youve got a whole month before you have to send anything so there will be no rush or stress
ChOx:You probably would need to go to the post office but its really easy. You just wrap up your package and take it in and tell them where its going to and they sort you out completely its rly easy

[hunny_loo]

i wanna join this!
it sounds fun :3

[Nattfall]

Woohoo, this sounds so cozy and fun! I don't have a lot of money, and I'm not really good with making things, but I guess if the minimum price isn't too much, I'll manage anyway I'm in so far! But... I don't know how to track packages :/ And what kind of items will we be sending? Do we send small things like rulers and bracelets, or bigger things?

[xsakurahanax]

:O! This sounds fun!