Small Package Swap

WOO HOO!!!! Let's get this STARTED!!!!

Do you really think it needs to be a flat rate box? I can easily think of five of the items you listed which would fit in a regular priority envelope and probably cost less than tthe $496 to mail priority? I'm putting this on the watch list. I hope you'll consider amending the mailing instrucions.

@plaidgiraffe - I'm sorry, I was unaware that you were hosting a swap similar to this one. But I feel that this could have beenhandled a little differently. I would have appreciated it if you had messaged me to express concerns rather than be openly snippy.

@junemoon - I appreciate your input and will consider your request. Thank you.

Watching this!

Plaidgiraffe - you're not first one that's thought of putting items in a flat rate box. This one is pretty different than your swap, and I'm sure its not keeping anyone from joining yours.

@Plaidgiraffe I would say the only thing keeping people from joining your swap is the rating requirement. Thanks to @AisforAmy to hosting a newbie friendly one :)

Thank you for posting a newbie-friendly swap! ^^

Do we have to use the small flat rate box? I would prefer to save money and not use it if the shipping total for regular first class is cheaper.

It would be useful if someone's sending a lot of heavy items, but for things like tea, a fancy art marker/pen, etc. five of those (or more) probably wouldn't be ~$5 to ship.

@Plaidgiraffe i couldn't join your swap because it isn't newbie friendly.

but i'm so glad this one is!!

I would love to join but too risky spending $10-15 and having the chance of being flaked on because of no rating requirements. If you do another one count me in. Love the idea!

This is so cool, but I agree with NickysNickNaks, even though I'm a newbie (and I hadn't thought about this until now) I'm nervous about people without ratings. But I could always leave an "honest" comment!

It is frustrating to find a great swap like this but then realize Canada isn't included, oh well, I understand you have to have some limitations from time to time, no hard feelings, Cheers!

Just a reminder that newbie or not, you need to have a rating of at least 4.9. We've got 4 days left before the deadline ends. Let's work on this because I really really want people to be able to participate! :D

I am waiting on the postage decision also. This is my first post, but I love to do swaps. Already know what I would send, I think it would be cheaper to mail in large enevelope.

@Penny There are currently no plans to change the rules regarding the postage. If you find this unacceptable, I would suggest finding another swap to participate in.

Yes, I think I too am going to have to drop out because of the postage situation. These paper items do not cost that much to send unless you are sending over-seas. Thanks for hosting this swap, it is a wonderful idea.

i'm fine with using the flat rate box but what if it doesn't fit?!?! Can I use a bigger box? :-) Like if I want to send a book, but some books won't fit in there!

@renees If a bigger box is needed, that is perfectly fine. It is a lot of fun to get an actual box in the mail and not just an envelope which is why the guideline is in place.

I like the idea of this swap - watching until the deadline is closer. I too think its nice to get a box/package instead of envelopes and have the chance to get something other than pcs & paper.

Excited to join ... and looking forward to putting together an AWESOME package for my partner!!

Hi I signed up for this swap because it sounds like fun. But this is my first one and Im not sure how this works. Any help would be appreciated.

picked up my flat rate box at the post office yesterday... it's the PERFECT SIZE!!! I love it!! GREAT SWAP!!! I'm so excited!!! <3

Hi, I'm new here. I just found this site and I am SOOO excited to start swapping!!! I know I have no rating yet but don't worry, my partner will be thrilled with the box!!!

This one is still too risky, I'll join next time when you must have a rating- thanks though! :)

Thanks to AisforAmy for a great swap - and altho i'm a "seasoned" swapper and have hosted many myself, I appreciate people taking a chance on newbies. I also appreciate your sticking to your guns about the guidelines. If people are not comfortable with the parameters that are set, then there are many, many more swaps they can join - including "fill a padded envy" swaps, or host one for themselves!

I'm looking forward to it :0)

I am a newbee to this swap thing, my daughter-in-law told me about it and I told my sister and she joined also. As a newbee I am really looking forward to this swap and the other two I have joined and have already started picking up a few things to put in the box. Can we add more than five items? I am really excited about this and can't wait to get my partner.

extra items are always ok, going above the swap requirements tends to be a sign of a good swapper and MAY earn you hearts. Hearts show that you put extra love and attention into your package. You wont always get hearts for extra items but most of the time, if you make sure they are nice items that your partner will love you will get one. You may also get a heart if you dont add extras, it all depends on how well you read your partners profile and tailor your swap to them. I have gotten hearts for a simple PC (postcard) swap just because I took the time to find a card that fit their likes and wrote about something in my life that related to theirs as well.

What does angel this swap mean? Thanks!!!

I use these flat rate boxes all the time to ship jewelry to people. I have no idea how those little boxes could fit 70lbs!!! LOL Sounds like a great swap, count me in! One thing...for handmade jewelry, you should mention somewhere what kind of ears you have, pierced or not, if you have metals allergies, and if you like long necklaces or chokers. Thanks!

To Angel a swap means the coordinator promises to make up for "No Sends". With swaps as large as this one, there isn't any way the coordinator can make up the number of no sends that may take place. Out of what is now 70 people in this swap, if as few as 3 not send anything the coordinator would have to cover over $30 worth of swap with another $15 worth of postage. That is a lot of money. That is why she says she cannot Angel this swap. We also know by her saying this, that we are taking the chance that when we send our swaps out, if the other person cheats us, then we just will not be getting a package for this swap.

Did that help out your question, TheCharmHouse? Or did I confuse you more?

4.95 for a flat rate box up to 70 lbs. I Better recheck that at USPS.org. I would rather do this by sending any way I wanted as long as the five items were in it and reasonably nice. Also about the coordinator cannot angel herself that couldbe very costly. Usually as a coordinator I would ask if anyone would like to angel it. But putting that statement in is quite okay, if people are worried about it, don't join. I for one will not because of the statement of using a flat rate box.

I want to put my two cents in here also. I really appreciate the host taking a chance on all of us newbies, and letting us getting are feet wet in such a fun swap. The rules are clear and the choice to join the swap is up to each individual. If the rules are not agreeable, just don't join. Afterall, the swaps are suppose to be fun!

What if we use the flat rate box and if it's cheaper to send it at another rate just wrap the box and send it that way. You've still used the proper box just saved some postage.

@kimpe -if the post office catches you, it will arrive to your partner postage due. I would hate to do that to my partner, plus it's against post office rules. Just my two cents...

ok, so what if we use a box that is the same size if our items are light so the postage is cheaper? Would that work as long as we are sending the correct amount of items?

Guidelines on postage are in the description of the swap. Thanks.

I think the postage guidelines are fair. My daughter-in-law is picking me up the box today, and a few days after I get my partner it will be in the mail. Can't wait. Thanks AisforAmy for taking a chance on us Newbies. :D

Thanks Wiccan3! Totally get it!

Let me just say if you can take the box with you when you shop you should! I got too much stuff and managed to get it all in there but it might explode on my partner :)

@j2fabfunk - Haha! That's probably a really good idea to take the box with you! I hadn't thought of that. Tape it really well. :D

I thought the idea of this swap was to FILL a small flat rate box up with AT LEAST 5 items, not just send a few teabags and a few note cards. If you cannot afford the swap and do it properly then don't join. No one wants to be disappointed with what they receive. I promise whoever gets my flat rate box it will be filled and I will have spent no more than $15 for the contents. I can afford to do this swap, that is why I signed up for it.

Come to think of this, our coordinator is taking a chance on newbies. It was sweet of her, I can forgive a newbie for putting the minimum in because they aren't sure what to do. What concerns me the amount of people on this commenting list that are complaining about the postage. If you cannot afford less than $5 for the postage, then how can you afford $10-$15 worth of swap items? Please remember Amy clearly states to expect to spend some money. She also said AT LEAST 5 items, you can put 100 items in there are long as those 100 items are items you yourself would like to have received. No one likes to get clearance items from the Dollar store in their swaps. I trust Amy to run this swap as she has ran her others, please don't join if you don't want to stick to the rules.

My problem is that I read stuff and think I get it, send it off and then read again and find I totally f'ed it up. This time isn't any exception. I didn't use a flat rate box, and filled up another container that ended up costing me just about the same to ship.

Hey everyone, please please please, get your packages into the mail!!!

Today is the deadline and while we're doing good, there's still some unsent packages!

Thanks everybody!

Amy, your reminder arrived as I was going to the post office. What fun to come home from vacation to discover my partner enjoyed her package so much.

I've left a comment for the partner who sent to me and haven't yet heard back from her. She lists as having sent the 17th, however, when I returned home last night our house-sitter said no package had arrived.

Sadness... Seymourgranny appears to have flaked. She sent back a very short message but no follow up. I hope her life improves for her and she's able to reconnect with people again.