How do you send your trades?

[mhmartel]

I got one of your envies with the flyer and it made me smile but then it went in the recycle bin. I do like it when the sender includes some kind of greeting/way of reminding me of your username. For my own mail, I'm still experimenting, but recently I've just put in a small colored post-it (free from work!) with a handwritten thank-you and my name.

In answer to your questions:

1. Do you send your coupons loose, clipped, or covered, and why? Loose. I use security envelopes and usually include a brief handwritten thank-you on post-it note.
2. Do you decorate your trade envelope with stickers or stamps. No, but if I got some cool stickers for free I probably would.

3. How often do you send/receive trades? Averaging about 5 a week, so far.


4. Should I continue to send out thank-you cards/flyers with my trades? Does anyone appreciate it? Notice it? I notice, and it's fun, but a simpler thank-you or none at all would also be fine.
5. Is the medium the message? The message is the message. (Fun to imagine what Marshall McLuhan would say about his thesis being the subject of a forum poll!)

[RandiL]

wow! thanks for all the great responses so far!
its been super interesting to see how other people send their trades, and is definitely encouraging.

i personally dont have a preference on how people send their trades to me, just that they do! (lol!)

i still hope to hear from more people about the topic.... i wish i could have made this into a poll or something.

[niro_anan]

I just started trading not to long ago and at the start I think I put a note saying thank you , nothing special.... on a piece of paper, then moved onto decorating the piece of paper when i get time with markers [yes it is childish but I only get those few chances of being creative :D ] , We have whats in my house which I try to make useful whenever I get a chance, now I've moved to a funny dog card which I bought years ago and really treasured because I am loco for anything dog related . But after seeing it in a box for several years not being used I thought why not send them out instead,.. they are the size of small notepad stickies and fit perfectly in the trade envie.

I have however seen some extravagent stuff when I open my envies.... business cards.
I think the only one i've seen was bagain_hunter_lolas and ...to be honest it looked so nice, I kept it and still have...
I have recieved a christmas card aswell from Anna ( which was much appreciated!still have that too)
its really surprising when you get an envie with extras btw ... they are little surprises that make you smile randomly that day. I however try to include extras whenever i can from their wl but dont usually have ones that would be of use off their wl

[momgoneawol]

1. Do you send your coupons loose, clipped, or covered, and why?
Normally wrapped in paper in either a security envelope or plain envelope. To protect the coupons a bit and so no nosey person can see what's inside.
2. Do you decorate your trade envelope with stickers or stamps?
No, but I make sure any curled edges are taped down so they don't get caught going through the sorting machine.
3. How often do you send/recieve trades?
Average of once a week, tends to go in batches of 4-6 then nothing for a few weeks.
4. Should I continue to send out thank-you cards/flyers with my trades? Does anyone appreciate it? Notice it?
I usually include a small 2x2 or 3x3 little card (I sell these in my etsy shop so I always have lots on hand, shop sellers include them with all their orders and they work great for trades too. I trade these for coupons if anyone is looking for any.)
I include extra coupons if I have any from their wishlist. Have never sent stickers but would if I knew they had kids.
5. Is the medium the message? Honestly if the right coupons get to me before they expire I am thrilled. Extras are wonderful but not expected, decorating the envie or insides are nice but not necessary either.

[gracesmommy]

i always write a thankyou note and i usually add stickers. i too like it when i get mail that's been dolled up...my kids are my helpers at the mail box and they get really excited when they see envies that have stickers on them.