calling all VWT CONDUCTORS - speak up!

[pumpkin9211]

I agree.....with all of it!!

Some things that drive me bonkers...

1. Conductors that don't go through the riders coupons and check expiry and whether it is the right coupon or not.

2. Impossible WLs. That includes an entire WL that is all baby/HV/call ins or WLs that still have Dec 31 coupons or the train rules state "Expiries after March 31" and all the coupons on a WL expire Feb 28th.

3. Trains that ask for a GC or a FPC as a Boarding Pass.

4. GCs on a wishlist!!

omg!! I forgot that.

I don't allow gift cards on my trains. But, I have seen people ask for "left over giftcards count as 1" and they were looking for the cards that have .13 left. NOT $5.

I will say that those who put HV coupons as low points.... irritate other riders. eg. J&J Replacement = 1. C'mon folks. Not nice. You will get stamps.

Oh, and we can't forget the wishlist that said 1 P stamp= .25

[meli829]

Yikes I have a $3 Walmart gc on my wishlist that I added when I was more of a newbie and did not remove. I didn't realize it was frowned upon. :Hides:
In my defence me reasoning was that because I saw others with $3 or $5 Tim gc on their wishlist, I thought well I would not use that but for Walmart I would so I put that instead. I also thought Amazon.ca $5 codes etc were no different but I see I am wrong. My bad but lesson learned and I will make sure to remove that from future lists.

omg!! I forgot that.

I don't allow gift cards on my trains. But, I have seen people ask for "left over giftcards count as 1" and they were looking for the cards that have .13 left. NOT $5.

I will say that those who put HV coupons as low points.... irritate other riders. eg. J&J Replacement = 1. C'mon folks. Not nice. You will get stamps.

Oh, and we can't forget the wishlist that said 1 P stamp= .25

[nat77]

I'm not a big fan of the GC on the wishlists either. I recently added it as an option for the Boarding Pass.... But, I also had the option of stamps or CT money. Someone suggested to me to give people options as a boarding pass. With the exception of a few people, I'm still getting 4 stamps as a BP---Which is TOTALLY great.

The only time I'll part with a gift card or an FPC is if I've traded with the person before AND they continually give me great coupons. However, these people usually don't have GC's listed on their wishlists anyway.

[coyote00]

The hardest thing I have found is having to return trains home before I have received an envie(s). If you don't you will jeopordize all riders from receiving their coupons with sufficient time to use them. This has happened on two of my trains where envies haven't shown up weeks after everyone elses.

So be prepared to make that call , it sucks.

You will be a wonderful conductor! Save me a seat

[ErinsMom]

Get creative! I have loved making out little cards with riders names on them (hope others are enjoying them too). Gives the envies a personal touch

One thing I noticed since I started conducting some trains...boy it's so much easier to check what riders have sent when wishlist are alphabetical. I never realized it until I was going up & down lists trying to find a coupon, so time consuming. Thanks to everyone who keeps an organized wishlist

[bargain_hunter_lola]

Get creative! I have loved making out little cards with riders names on them (hope others are enjoying them too). Gives the envies a personal touch

One thing I noticed since I started conducting some trains...boy it's so much easier to check what riders have sent when wishlist are alphabetical. I never realized it until I was going up & down lists trying to find a coupon, so time consuming. Thanks to everyone who keeps an organized wishlist

You know, I've hosted sooo many VWT's and I've never even thought of that! lol.

I'll try to keep my wl alphabetical from now on.

[nat77]

Get creative! I have loved making out little cards with riders names on them (hope others are enjoying them too). Gives the envies a personal touch

One thing I noticed since I started conducting some trains...boy it's so much easier to check what riders have sent when wishlist are alphabetical. I never realized it until I was going up & down lists trying to find a coupon, so time consuming. Thanks to everyone who keeps an organized wishlist

I love your little home made cards, Erinsmom! But, I have to say, Couponandoff is THE QUEEN of homemade envelopes. If you haven't received some yet, you will soon. They are just adorable!!

[Tweetybird999]

I agree.....with all of it!!

Some things that drive me bonkers...

1. Conductors that don't go through the riders coupons and check expiry and whether it is the right coupon or not.

2. Impossible WLs. That includes an entire WL that is all baby/HV/call ins or WLs that still have Dec 31 coupons or the train rules state "Expiries after March 31" and all the coupons on a WL expire Feb 28th.

3. Trains that ask for a GC or a FPC as a Boarding Pass.

4. GCs on a wishlist!!

Yes, those are the primary reasons I haven't been riding trains in a while. And when conducting I got very tired of asking people over and over for a WL that complies with the rules...sigh...and people who won't stop asking to send substitutes/early expiries...

[bargain_hunter_lola]

I love your little home made cards, Erinsmom! But, I have to say, Couponandoff is THE QUEEN of homemade envelopes. If you haven't received some yet, you will soon. They are just adorable!!

YES! Best envies EVER!!!

Yes, those are the primary reasons I haven't been riding trains in a while. And when conducting I got very tired of asking people over and over for a WL that complies with the rules...sigh...and people who won't stop asking to send substitutes/early expiries...

I just enforce the "absolutely NO early expiries or substitutes EVEN if a rider agrees - I WONT accept is as the requirement for the train". It's just too hard to try and verify what is okay and what's not. So much extra work.

[Jody22002]

Thought of another one....

Don't use a train name/game idea without asking the original creator. There are people on here who go to extra mile to make their trains extra fun and original. Lola, pumpkin, and coyote come to mind. Don't copy a train idea without asking.

[jezz]

ok...here's my thoughts...

I did this on one of Coyote's trains and I thought it was brilliant!! instead of pm'ing the conductor with the agreement I printed it out and included it with the coupon (with a note asking to remove it once verified), this would save you searching thru pm's....which must be a HUGE waste of time. You just see it...check...throw out..done.

I like sending people the coupons they really want on their lists, maybe ask for a rlf or a top 10 so we get more of what we really want and not the fillers

and I also love most generous to others mystery gift coupon bag...what's in there...ohhhh...can't wait to see...

and how about early expires allowed as extras...who wouldn't want to get rid of a few coupons if someone else could use them!

ps...save me a seat! or I may have to hunt you down!

can't wait for this train!! and I love Erinsmom and couponandoff's envies...soo funny!

J

[bargain_hunter_lola]

Thought of another one....

Don't use a train name/game idea without asking the original creator. There are people on here who go to extra mile to make their trains extra fun and original. Lola, pumpkin, and coyote come to mind. Don't copy a train idea without asking.

Yes, another excellent point!

So annoying to work a long time on a train, making it just right and then have someone come along and copy & paste everything. It's not right. Sure, some ideas are awesome and of course can be borrowed but not copying the whole darn train verbatim. Total pet peeve of mine. lol. Get creative peeps!

Although, after seeing couponandoff's envies etc. I know creativity isn't a problem. lol. Have I told you how much you rock???

[theguyz]

Make sure you states current WL( or clause if expired on WL you are kicked out ), you would be surprised on how many trains i have looked at joining and people have 50% dec 11 expired coupons on WL and remaining HV, I just pass train as even conductors just bypass and post no matter what..

[DianneS]

Guidelines as to what qualifies as a 2 or 3 point coupon would be helpful. It us annoying and frustrating when one or two riders out of ten assign a 1coupon value to coupons that everyone else on the train is valuing at 3 coupons. I also echo the sentiments expressed regarding lists that contain almost all high value coupons accompanied by a list of FPCs. My feeling is that there can and should be trains for experienced traders with big stashes but most of us are not in a position to fulfill those types of wish lists

[couponandoff]

This is ALL so usefull to me - THANK YOU!!!
I have been so fortunate to have many positive role models as conductresses! I admire the way you have handled contraversey and kept the group of riders well informed.
I can't see myself running a points train - the value of a coupon seems too personal of an opinion -
The games have been AMAZING! A notch above for certain! I couldnt commit that to that level of effort... and promising to do something at a certain time doesnt roll my mojo. I would never copy someone elses train - I am rather posessive of my own concepts too.
I have no problem challenging someone on the reality of a coupon's current existance. Like the game Scrabble. "DEFINITION?!" Now prove that word exists!! I question my ability to leave a negative trade rating... that's a tough senario for me.
I agree a small train would be best.

Keep the advice coming!!!! Especially some words of wisdom regarding leaving a negative trade rating for a rider.