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maybe a rule of only requesting "xx" amount of specific name brand detailed items! as those tend to be EXPENSIVE and I have seen as a conductor of several trains many people listing over 10 of these items
just makes it hard to send a "big" looking package when you have a budget and it is blown on these items
Hmmm.........my thoughts. I am definitely "newer" to the package trains......technically I've only rode the Advent one and the Valentine's Day one......but most of the package train gals know me because I come to chat in every one, since I'm not currently riding any till I pay off my debt loan.
I understand people's feelings about a budget. That's a hard subject though. Obviously there should be a minimum amount or minimum number of items for a package, but I think it's too hard to put a max on it when certain riders can stack or have big stockpiles that they can easily add items from, or just don't care about a budget and want to spoil their buddy. On the trains I've rode, when I start shopping, I have somewhat a budget in mind, but I always go over it. LOL
I think the timeline between package trains and how much time from when it's posted to when mail day is......well that's another tough one too. Lately the trains have all been back to back.....mostly because a lot of the same riders ride the trains, and hey if you are able to ride them all, awesome! For people who are more on a budget or just super busy, I think it's hard to ride back to back trains, so to have a list of upcoming trains would be really nice (like the list is maybe 6 months of upcoming trains?) so you know what ones you can pick and choose to ride on according to your budget, time of year, etc. Also.....I don't know, for me, when I've watched the trains being posted and seeing how the mail date is only a couple weeks away, that's tough for me. I live in a small town and HAVE to go out of town to shop for my buddy. It was nice with the Advent train being posted so early that we practically had like a month and a half to shop I think? But obviously that one needs more time, I understand that these trains need to move and some people don't need weeks to shop like I would. So I don't know... lol
Requesting riders. I think randomly picked would be best......because I know of the past few trains, that obviously some felt special because they were requested, but others felt left out because they weren't requested. BUT.....with that being said, I know there's certain people I would LOVE to get a package from......and there's also certain riders that I would love to shop for because I've seen their answers/wishes and they'd either be fun or easy to shop for.
I understand that we all have a life outside of SC, but I do like the requirements about posting. It's not fun to have a buddy that isn't answering buddy questions or is rarely online. It's always nice when you feel like you're really getting to know your buddy (and everyone else) through answers and daily posts/rants/etc. As well as pictures being mandatory, because it's always nice to see everyone's pics to get ideas for next trains or to see that your buddy's kids/pets are wearing something you bought them, etc etc etc!
As for wishlists, having an example for newer riders is always helpful. Catergories seems like a good idea too. With my wishlists, I try to make them as big as I can possibly think of so my buddy has lots of options. In some areas, I may be vague and just say "any toys/clothes/etc for Jackson" where other areas, I may be more specific because you want a specific item from a certain store. Like say you only like soaps from "Lush" or "Bath&Bodyworks" or other specific stores....then state that.....it doesn't hurt to try and you never know what someone might be able to buy you!! I try to make my list with a good variety of cheaper, dollar store type items and also more expensive/specific items. I usually include a little "write up" about me and my family and our likes/dislikes in my WL.
As for train ideas, some different ones other than holidays would be nice too. I know there's a kids train along with the advent train, but to do a kids train at a different point of the year would be nice too. I don't have pets, but a pet train would be fun for all the riders that do!
Anyways, that's all I can think of at the moment.... :P
My issue which has kept me from ever joining a package train is that I have no idea what to spend. I'd like to see a spending limit just so that I have a rough idea. I'm the type of person that does much better with more rigid guidelines. I like to know what my "goal" should be so that I can follow instructions to a T :p
I like the idea of having a sticky of the upcoming package trains so we can all pick and choose which one to jump on. Also, would be able to plan around them (since we all have lives, responsibilities, etc.)
I don't mind the no budget issue because I use coupons, look for deals, or use from my stockpile to "add" to the package. So it's not a personal issue of mine. I'd be ok with either a budget, or none at all.
I really don't want to complain about anything, I've been happy with all the rules on all the package trains. I'm just happy we have the privilege to have these pkg trains, get to meet new people, and bond new friendships as well as solidifying old ones we've made on here.
Train ideas: Pet package train (although I don't have a pet of my own, other than my goldfish... I know there are many members on here who love their furry pals and it would be nice to see them get pampered too, Kids package train (for your own child, a grandchild, a godchild, or any child in your life), Summer/Beach themed package train
More thoughts about "buddy requesting". You can request a buddy, but you are not promised that buddy in the cases of multiple people requesting that person, or in the case that the buddy list needs to be more random and people switched around due to already being previous buddies before. If a person was requested, it shouldn't be posted at all anymore, so no one is feeling left out about not being requested. You shouldn't be able to request the same buddy more than twice in one year. Hmm...I don't know....being completely random would be easiest, but there's gotta be some way to make buddy requests happen too and be fair about it. I also understand it's easier to pair buddies up from the same provinces to save on shipping or ones that can hand deliver....but I think it's also neat to be paired up with buddies from different provinces, because maybe there's unique items that we have on the west coast that the east coasters don't have and would love to get in a package. :)
I try and set a personal limit, knowing we have to send so many items. I think on the V-day one it was 5 items at $5 each? something like that. Any way, I try to stick to a personal dollar amount, and still get the number of items. Some people's lists are easier than others of course! And even though there may be a min or max, it would be hard to enforce I think, in the sense that people can use stuff they already have or coupons, or sales, or whatever! I have "regifted" a few things into packages, so to me these were free items. And I have a few sitting around from Christmas exchanges and things at work that are waiting for that buddy list asking for them (nothing edible... that just wouldn't last long around here!)Quote:
Originally Posted by Bronwen
And then there is shipping :) I believe it costs less to mail closer to home, and it is also faster. Cheapest is hand delivery of course, but that's not usually possible. I think some people request certain riders because of this. I like someone close because it gets there faster lol.
I have never requested anyone though I have been tempted to. When you get a really nice package from someone you want to reciprocate, but I try to leave it random. I'm not sure which is easier for the person running the train. I will say that sometimes people in other areas may request things that are perhaps not as common oher places.
And I love the chatter on the trains, it makes me feel like I'm part of something lol. Silly I know!
an idea: a back to school train?
i dont have any in school but im sure it would be fun:)
Mom2KS is hosting that one in August! (so says that package train sticky thread...)Quote:
Originally Posted by chesterjes
From my perspective I think a budget is hard to have because like everyone says...coupons, stockpile etc
I can stack so i can get things really cheap and as for a limit of items thats hard also because somethings we add are smaller and cheap as well....i think this is a very hard decision to make.
As for the requesting riders i agree maybe once or twice a year...i never do it because i feel that i would hurt someones feelings if they didnt get a request which i believe i have never but it doesnt bother me. I like the surprise of not knowing who I am getting.
I am hosting the pampered guy train and did have a request which was honored but i did not post it so it did not have any ill feelings with anyone...i think that is how it should be??
Jezebel you do a FABULOUS job...just saying :)
I agree! When I make my wish list, I try to keep my brand specific items to a minimum.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peachykeen2007
There was a back to school one last year. I didn't ride, but people sent school supplies. I think it was a neat idea and think there should be one this year too.Quote:
Originally Posted by chesterjes
I love package trains in general and just go with the flow!!!!!! That is all......
what about a "shoebox train"
Thats a neat idea. Saves on shipping! lol. There have been times when my shipping cost was more than/equal to my out of pocket expenses.Quote:
Originally Posted by cmontario
I was on one about 2 years ago it was fun too
Quote:
Originally Posted by RSAS
I've requested buddies before, but not just because I'm "picking favourites". Sometimes it's because of geographical reasons (to save on postage). Other times it's because they might have mentioned something on a previous package train that I've been able to track down for them. I've recently had the advantage of looking over everyone's wishlist on the last package train and have a few ideas in mind of who I would like to shop for on future trains. :)