calling all VWT CONDUCTORS - speak up!

[couponandoff]

CONDUCTORS ~ I need the wealth of your experience!
I'm almost ready to run the rails! I'm planning on conducting my first VWT soon, but I would sure appreciate your *tips*warnings*advice*
Please post anything - no holds barred - be honest!
thankyou!

[bargain_hunter_lola]

Make sure people follow the rules. Seems like a no-brainer but it's amazing how many conductors dont actually go through and verify coupons/expiry dates. It sucks getting an envie back with coupons you wont use.

I'm sure there's tons more but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[CouponLadybird]

I use to always include a paragraph in the rules for my trains stating to keep your list reasonable. I haven't included it in my past couple -but will be for all future trains

It is amazing how many people have lists that are nothing but unicorns, HV and FPC (and others people won't part with)

A list of nothing but unicorns and HV are impossible for people to fill, and leaves everyone unhappy about the train -those sending because they can't fill the person's wishes without costing them much valued HV, and the person with the unreasonable list because they get a train back with nothing but stamps

[peachblush]

i so agree with you CouponLadybird.

[ashokia]

Another thing that I find really annoying is when a conductor asks everyone to list at least five online coupons, but doesn't verify that they are still available! I can't tell you how many times I see people listing online coupons that haven't been available for months.

If someone sends an envie full of coupons that are not exact wl coupons or have a bunch of early expiries, don't be afraid to send it back with their boarding pass, so long as you've posted advance warning of the consequences for doing so.

[couponandoff]

I am considering eliminating WL must include x amount of online coupons because
- I find many those coupons don't meet the expiry criteria for VWTs even though I just received them.
- I typically don't want most of them, and seriously don't want to receive another Royale coupon ever! LOL

*It's my perogative to eliminate common rules, right?

[pumpkin9211]

You can make your rules anything you wish

Some people like the online coupons. I personally love the $3.50 Dog Chow and $1.50 BusyBones........ but some of them, I would NEVER use.

Everyone has different coupon needs

I'm sure you will be a great conductor!!!

[bargain_hunter_lola]

I am considering eliminating WL must include x amount of online coupons because
- I find many those coupons don't meet the expiry criteria for VWTs even though I just received them.
- I typically don't want most of them, and seriously don't want to receive another Royale coupon ever! LOL

*It's my perogative to eliminate common rules, right?

Yep. Your train, your rules.

I do agree, I never put online coupons as a requirement because a)I never know whats current & still available and b)I dont use most of them. I hardly ever order from websaver or save unless they have something I really want (ie, $2 J&J or $2 Royale).

WL's are getting hard though, perhaps it's just the time of year? Not much out there right now.

[couponsrule]

I just sent of a points train that I'm on and one rider had FPC listed on the 3 point level. As if! It totally should be on the 5 pointer. Annoying! I would'vd sent stamps but I ran out. Totally sucked!

[Squints67]

I have never ran a VWT, but I have also been thinking of starting one in the next couple days. The only thing I have to add is also in regards to the online coupons. Yes, please verify that they are still available, and that they actually ARE online coupons. I saw a wishlist (can't remember where) the other day, and the person just added websaver, ect after coupons that they had listed, that clearly were not online coupons, and I doubt they ever had been or more people would be requesting them. This really ircked me...

[nat77]

Yay! You're going to conduct a train! Here are some helpful pointers:

1.) You should reserve a seat for Nat77.

2.) For my first 3 or 4 VWT's I limited it to 7 or 8 people, just so I wouldn't be bombarded with too much while I was just getting the hang of everything.

3.) I like to offer a prize for the MOST GENEROUS TO OTHERS....because if people send in 4 or 5 coupons (on a train that requires 3 coupons), there will be a better chance that they will have 3 of the RIGHT coupons, thus making your job easier. The prize can be an extra envie of coupons or BP returned. I personally would jump through hoops for an extra envie of coupons. It looks like I'm being nice, but really, I'm being totally selfish.

4.) People, myself included, sometimes have trouble reading the rules. Make them short and sweet. Don't go on and on about Aunt Mabel's coupon collection back in 1933.

5.) Don't scare people. If a conductor states in their rules that they will leave negative feedback if the rider does A, B, or C, I get all panicky and, really, couponing shouldn't be that stressful.

6.) You will be an awesome conductor! You NEVER make any mistakes on my trains, which means you are careful and aware of what is going on .

Good luck!

[Squints67]

HA!!! Nat77's first point is awesome

[Tweetybird999]

Don't be afraid to PM people if their lists don't meet the criteria and get a revised list. If you get an envelope with a mistake in it, send a pm to the person and see if they will fix it.

[Jody22002]

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!!

[Carla54321]

I agree with everyone.
In my opinion I wouldn’t hold up a train for someone to send a replacement envy. I would either send the envy back or just fix it (if there were just a couple mistakes). I understand that conductors want to give people a chance to fix their mistakes but if there are that many mistakes maybe the envy should be sent back to them. It makes the riders who sent the proper coupons frustrated when you have to wait a month and a half to receive their envy back.