Has moving the swaps to their own spot hurt them?

[vtvixen469]

I see such a low sign up for some fun sounding swaps and some poor participation ( :twocents: ) so it has me wondering, usually over 100 people are looking at the "whats on your mind thread" and about 5 checking out the swaps.
Do you think moving the swaps to their own spot has hurt them?

[OKgirl]

Just my opinion, but it might be because of the poor economy? High gas prices, high food prices, etc...people might just not be able to justify splurging to do a swap right now. I've only been in 1 swap here before, I'd love to be in more but they require pretty steep prices for my budget. Plus I keep hearing how many times people get screwed over and that also keeps me from participating in swaps.

[luckysll]

Well, I actually suggested putting the swaps in their own forum because I kept loosing them when they were in with the other threads.

I can only speak for my own experience, but I love doing swaps and have had some excellent and some not-so-excellent results, but I'll keep doing them. I've run a couple of swaps and I agree there has been a lot more dissatisfaction with them lately. It's a lot of work running a swap and it's just as upsetting for me when someone doesn't follow through.

For me, swaps are great because I get things from the US that I can't get here in Canada and I love sending Canadian stuff south of the border. While I enjoy receiving parcels, I really enjoy shopping for my swap buddy. I hope people who haven't done a swap will try at least one. I don't sign up for every swap that comes along and I don't expect anyone else to either, so just be selective and have fun.

[Joyful_Sweeps]

it certainly hasnt kept out people who dont fulfill, as since it has been moved i have not received from 3 different swap buddies. im pretty disgusted and dont participate anymore.

[jeane87]

I think I agree with the other posts thus far. I don't think it is the location (moving them all to one place was a good idea in my opinion). I think there are simply too many swaps going on at the same time, the cost can be expensive and then there are those who ruin it for others. :twocents:

[Light474]

I really like having the Swaps in one section. Unfortunately, it always seems like there is one person that doesn't care to follow the rules and either doesn't send anything or sends a bad package. That's just the risk that people take signing up but perhaps enforcing strict rules on each swap will help deter people from attempting to screw over other OLSers.

[minera]

I actually agree with you OP. I very rarely come in here to check out current and new swaps. I used to participate regularly in them, but because i would happen upon them in the regular forums in areas I do frequent more. I often skip right by this section, not sure why I even clicked this time, probably because your title caught my eye. :goofy:

[PAbound]

When I first arrived at OLS, I remember only the Holiday swap...maybe Easter/Spring swap. Swaps were something very special then.

Now there are sooooo many different swaps going on at one time. They don't seem to be that special anymore & you certainly can't afford to enter them all!

I've never been cheated out of a package, but have received some really nasty stuff that went straight into the trash can. Yes, that's the chance you take when you sign up!

I don't think the location is the problem....if someone wants to sign-up, they'll find the right place!

[Miki]

If I didn't look in here, I would have never known the DVD swap had been moved. I think it's a good idea to have a seperate area for them though.

[Adrianita]

I think there are too many and that's why it seems not a lot of people are doing them, when it was only once or twice a year everybody used to sign up for those.

[Red Sox Girl]

Hi~

I don't think location is the problem, in my opinion, I think it's great all the swaps are in one place. I think it's easier for people to find the swaps.

As least there is a badlist for people who don't follow through with swaps or MOC's.




:smile5:

[rangerxenos]

I like the swaps being all in one place, it's easier to find them.

[straycat]

I cannot afford them at this point.
I've checked out a few, but I think with raising prices, I can certainly understand.
I think having em in the same spot is great though.

[jolee62]

I like having them all in one place. You get to see all the available swaps and can decide if you want to participate or not. :smile11:

[hawkshoe]

I like the swaps being all in one place, it's easier to find them.

Me too.

[DebraE1972]

I can't afford to be in the swaps right now. I was so disappointed with the Christmas swap that I only do the book swap these days and sometimes the dvd swap because it's cheaper. :smile11:

[gracepap]

I like them in one place but I stopped doing them as well. I like to send the very best that I can but lately $$ has been an issue. I don't want to do them if I can't do them right. :heart:

[kbsocial]

I think too many people have gotten screwed in swaps it becomes a sore subject. I know after the last Holiday one that Karen and I are still debating if we will even host again. After awhile it leaves a bad taste in your mouth:(

[DebraE1972]

I think too many people have gotten screwed in swaps it becomes a sore subject. I know after the last Holiday one that Karen and I are still debating if we will even host again. After awhile it leaves a bad taste in your mouth:(


I couldn't agree with you more. :smile10:

[daskds]

I think too many people have gotten screwed in swaps it becomes a sore subject. I know after the last Holiday one that Karen and I are still debating if we will even host again. After awhile it leaves a bad taste in your mouth:(


I agree that SOME people are making the swaps seem a risky deal, but PLEASE don't stop doing the Holiday swap!! It is my favorite one of all!!

Maybe it should be limited in some way to reduce the number of spoil sports.... Not sure how tho.

[PAbound]

I think too many people have gotten screwed in swaps it becomes a sore subject. I know after the last Holiday one that Karen and I are still debating if we will even host again. After awhile it leaves a bad taste in your mouth:(

That is heartbreaking to think that you guys might not do the Holiday Swap....it is absolutely the best run swap!!

[HamsterLady]

I would like to be in a swap, as long as it's okay to send small items because I don't have a lot of money or a ride to the post office. So please keep doing them!

[TaraB12]

When I first arrived at OLS, I remember only the Holiday swap...maybe Easter/Spring swap. Swaps were something very special then.

Now there are sooooo many different swaps going on at one time. They don't seem to be that special anymore & you certainly can't afford to enter them all!

I've never been cheated out of a package, but have received some really nasty stuff that went straight into the trash can. Yes, that's the chance you take when you sign up!

I don't think the location is the problem....if someone wants to sign-up, they'll find the right place!

I agree with this. Having a swap each season was much easier than the tons that are going on now. I rarely come in here and have not done a swap in a long time, not because I was cheated, but rather, it just doesn't seem as special.

I love the Holiday swap! I hope it doesn't go away.

[autumnj]

I use the search engine to find new swaps, haven't seen any new ones for months now. I love these swaps.

[daskds]

I like having them all in one place. You get to see all the available swaps and can decide if you want to participate or not. :smile11:


Exactly. I can't afford to do them all. So I pick the ones I like. I don't think the number of swaps makes it any less enjoyable. I think it is the people that don't follow thru that make them less appealing. I personally think we should list at the end of each contest who failed to follow thru. But that would never happen.

[milo]

Exactly. I can't afford to do them all. So I pick the ones I like. I don't think the number of swaps makes it any less enjoyable. I think it is the people that don't follow thru that make them less appealing. I personally think we should list at the end of each contest who failed to follow thru. But that would never happen.

Excellent idea!!! I've been disappointed in a few swaps, been overjoyed in several, but the one that didn't comply with the rules, i.e. I didn't receive a pkg. and they didn't provide the required tracking info still bugs me the most - probably because it was the Pet Swap and Milo is like my child, lol. I can handle disappointment but don't hurt my baby. :laugh:

I also pick and choose the swaps for which I know I can put forth my best effort.

I have a question for you swappers: I sent a 21 lb. package to my swap buddy in the last Holiday Swap. I got just about everything on her list and then some and spent several times more than what was required. The pkg. had delivery confirmation but the USPS lost it. I couldn't afford to spend another $100 on replacing everything but I felt very bad by things that were done and were posted afterward. Anyone have any suggestions for that situation? (Swap buddy, you did nothing to hurt my feelings but others sure did.)

Halloween is right around the corner!!! :)

[inspiringmind]

I hope not, I am HIGHLY looking forward to a X-Mas card swap!!

[astromynx]

I do like having them in all one place. I don't think putting them together in their own spot has affected them, but lack of follow-through by participants has. I occasionally participate in the never-ending dvd and book swaps. I rarely do other swaps anymore.

Like others, I have been burned in the swaps area. I am actually still waiting for a dvd from last year and have been told repeatedly that it is on the way.