2008 Updates to Swap Guidelines

[Crochetville LLC]

We've made a couple changes to the swap guidelines for 2008. You can read the complete 2008 swap guidelines here (http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73213), but the changes are:


To prevent problems when members become overwhelmed by signing up for too many swaps, you may now participate in only TWO swaps at the same time.
Due to many problems with extremely slow delivery or loss of international packages (which is very disappointing for swap partners who are anxiously waiting to receive their packages), non US-members and US members shipping outside the United States (when delivery confirmation is not available) must complete and submit a CUSTOMS FORM. This completed form allows us to access enough information to determine that the package was actually shipped, which serves as proof that the swapper has fulfilled his/her swap commitment.

[MadeJust4You]

Could you please tell me why I can't read the guidelines? Just wondering. Thanks

[marikamum]

Could you please tell me why I can't read the guidelines? Just wondering. Thanks

The guidelines are on the swap board and you have to be a Villager (have been a member for 30 days + made 30 or more posts) to get access to that board.

Cheers,
Marika

[wildthing1058]

If I have fufilled my swaps that I am in and another one starts that I would like to join can I sign up for that even thought the other swaps are not done even though I have sent out my packages fufilling my swap or do I have to wait till it closes?

[kookaloo_starr]

Can I just say that in the UK a customs form is just a sticker that goes onto the package being sent and there is no way of keeping track of a parcel by using the customs declaration.

I haven't been in a swap on C'ville but I swap on a regular basis on another forum and we keep a copy of the postal receipt which has the date/time/destination/weight of package and a space to fill in the recipients address and use this info as proof of postage. Would that be acceptable on C'ville?

[Shell]

Can I just say that in the UK a customs form is just a sticker that goes onto the package being sent and there is no way of keeping track of a parcel by using the customs declaration.

I haven't been in a swap on C'ville but I swap on a regular basis on another forum and we keep a copy of the postal receipt which has the date/time/destination/weight of package and a space to fill in the recipients address and use this info as proof of postage. Would that be acceptable on C'ville?

Same in Aus, it's just a little sticker with no tracking. Not many options to track international post from here.

I've kept the receipt and scanned it for eBay sellers/buyers before as it has the post code (zip) and date, time, cost etc all on it. Not sure if it would be the same for international. When I've posted overseas I have been sure to request a priority postage, which typically isn't Australia Post based, they're more like agents for it.

[AmyS]

If I have fufilled my swaps that I am in and another one starts that I would like to join can I sign up for that even thought the other swaps are not done even though I have sent out my packages fufilling my swap or do I have to wait till it closes?

The important thing with the swap limitation is to make sure that people don't get overwhelmed with too many swap commitments at the same time. I think that if you've fulfilled your end of a swap, and you can provide a delivery confirmation number (or other proof that you've sent your package) to your swap hostess, you should be able to go ahead and sign up for another swap.

You can just ask the hostess of the new swap to contact your old hostess for confirmation that you've mailed your pacakge.

[AmyS]

Do your customs forms have a printed customs number on them? You could always copy that down on to your receipt if they do.

As long as your receipt shows the zip code to which you're sending a package and the date it was sent, that should be good enough to serve as confirmation you mailed your package.

The point in asking for this documentation is to protect our international swappers in the event a package goes missing. We want you to have something that will serve as proof that you mailed your package. As long as you have something to show us that will confirm you mailed to your partner (a customs code we can get info on or a receipt that shows the zip code so we know it's not a package that was sent somewhere else), then everything should be just fine.

With a dated receipt showing you sent a package of a certain weight to a certain zip code, if the package goes missing, we would not end up asking you to reship the package. We'd instead try to get some rescue angels in so you wouldn't have to pay double for the swap when you did what you were supposed to do. :)

[AmyS]

Okay, I just updated the swap guidelines to reflect that, for international customers, use of a customs form OR dated receipt (with weight of package and recipient's zip code shown) can serve as your proof that you mailed your package.

If the post offices of any other countries provide any other documentation that can serve as proof of mailing, please let me know. I can add that info to the guidelines, too. I just don't know what all is available in all the other countries out there.

Remember, the purpose of the receipt is to protect the shipper in case a package goes missing. Hopefully, you'll never end up needing it!

[kookaloo_starr]

hi Amy, thanks for updating the swap guidlines for us foreigners ;)

UK customs stickers don't have any identification numbers. Postal receipts don't get post/zip codes printed on, there is just a space for you to add your mailing info if you wish after the destination/weight/cost but before the "this is your proof of posting" etc.
Here's a picture so you can see what I mean

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25203233@N08/2453853241/

In about 30 swaps over 2 years (fingers crossed) I have only had two packages go astray and wouldn't you credit it, they were the two I couldn't find receipts for! I'm more organised with my paperwork since then *lol*

[AmyS]

hi Amy, thanks for updating the swap guidlines for us foreigners ;)

UK customs stickers don't have any identification numbers. Postal receipts don't get post/zip codes printed on, there is just a space for you to add your mailing info if you wish after the destination/weight/cost but before the "this is your proof of posting" etc.

In about 30 swaps over 2 years (fingers crossed) I have only had two packages go astray and wouldn't you credit it, they were the two I couldn't find receipts for! I'm more organised with my paperwork since then *lol*


Well, if your postal service doesn't give you ANYTHING that can serve as proof that you mailed a package, you might be in trouble if a package goes missing. :( Without any proof that a package has been mailed, you'd have to reship it if your swap partner didn't receive it.

I suppose in that case one option would be, for those who have digital cameras, to take a photo of the package at your post office after it has been canceled by the postal worker.

So international members who are unable to get any proof of shipping to a particular location, it may just be that swap participation will have to be "at your own risk." Meaning that if your partner doesn't receive your package, we'll have to ask you to reship it. But I don't think we really have many problems with packages getting lost in the mail. Most problems are just because a package hasn't actually been sent.

[AmyS]

Here's a picture so you can see what I mean

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25203233@N08/2453853241/

Actually, in this case, we could probably accept that receipt as proof. It shows the package weight, and the country it was going to. Seems like that should be sufficient to me.

After all, are you really going to be sending many packages of a similar weight outside your own country when you're in a swap? :)

[kookaloo_starr]

Excellent news!

[sorefingers]

If your mailing from Canada, the best way to go is Express Post with Canada Post. It's cheaper than all the other services. They provide you with a receipt that has a tracking number on it. You go to this site: http://www.canadapost.ca/segment-e.asp and enter the tracking number (left side, bottom of "I Want to" box) and it will tell you where it is.

Sore