Discuss New Rules for Package Trains & Win a Gift Card :)

[army_girl29]

Famaily fun indoors package train

[julesie-pie]

ahh but that is where it gets tricky

example - coyote's package on the Mother's Day train - to most it looked like I spent a fortune but in reality I didn't

I stacked for almost 1/2 of her items for free, plus I ordered tons of stuff off of amazon.ca with my swagbucks so again no money out of pocket

I see your concern though Kim - everyone has a different set budget

I agree & vote no to $ limits

Train theme - Family Fun Night

ooo...I like this idea

Maybe instead of a budget limit it should be a max of items sent?

if there is too be a limits this is better IMO. Though would that be before samples & stockpile fillers. I keep a bag in my closet of various goodies etc that I find on clearance, sale etc & throw them in as extras!

Package Train Idea - Summertime Fun at the Beach

im in, love this idea!

I will say that when I rode my first package train it was super intimidating. I found I had to do a lot of digging in the package train thread to find more information. Like a sample wishlist...I forget what page it's on now but it's hidden somewhere in there. If it could be moved to the first page to help newbies get an idea of what would be on it, I think that might help and/or attract people to the package trains.

I don't think anyone should be able to request a buddy ever but that's my personal opinion. I like the element of surprise, and it doesn't leave anyone feeling left out. I know it can save people on postage if they get someone nearby and can hand deliver it but not everyone has that option and/or know that a buddy can be requested. I know some people have requested people wayyyy in advance too which I don't think is fair either.

I agree with GwennaD, I like how the Pampered Ladies train was split into categories and one item from each was the requirement.

I don't think you can really set a minimum or maximum $ amount because it's really hard to tell what people actually spent on items oop. Especially because we all use coupons when we can. You don't know if your buddy can stack, doesn't happen to have a coupon for some items they bought, and the price of items range from province to province. I think it would be better to just go with a minimum and/or maximum # of items.

i have requested people on a few trains & have done so because I have received a package from that person & want to thank them by sending the a package in return!

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...)

i am really looking forward to this one as my DD starts nursery school in the fall

what about a "shoebox train"

this sounds like a great idea!

[Jezebel]

I have not been able to participate in any package trains yet (so close to getting my Trading Score to where I need to be ) but I agree that from watching them I liked the Mother's Day where their were categories.

We always make exceptions I have added that to the sticky Just p'm myself or Pixels should a train come up where anyone may not meet the requirements as that doesn't automatically exclude anyone...we want more new ppl to join in and have fun

I totally agree with this one unfortunaly I don't have a stockpile or many coupons for that matter. but I do like riding the package trains and hope what I send the person really likes too

we will work on this and try to include some set price limit Trains

I will say that when I rode my first package train it was super intimidating. I found I had to do a lot of digging in the package train thread to find more information. Like a sample wishlist...I forget what page it's on now but it's hidden somewhere in there. If it could be moved to the first page to help newbies get an idea of what would be on it, I think that might help and/or attract people to the package trains.

I don't think anyone should be able to request a buddy ever but that's my personal opinion. I like the element of surprise, and it doesn't leave anyone feeling left out. I know it can save people on postage if they get someone nearby and can hand deliver it but not everyone has that option and/or know that a buddy can be requested. I know some people have requested people wayyyy in advance too which I don't think is fair either.

I agree with GwennaD, I like how the Pampered Ladies train was split into categories and one item from each was the requirement.

I don't think you can really set a minimum or maximum $ amount because it's really hard to tell what people actually spent on items oop. Especially because we all use coupons when we can. You don't know if your buddy can stack, doesn't happen to have a coupon for some items they bought, and the price of items range from province to province. I think it would be better to just go with a minimum and/or maximum # of items.

I will post an idea list on the front page of the sticky

I agree if a rider is requested as a buddy it will not be posted ...this has led to hurt feelings before and I am sorry.

I just rode my first package train--pampered ladies, and I loved it so much fun. Great all the posts getting to know everyone.
Now I am on pampered guys as well DBF is so excited as I was looking forward to my package and fun buying things for someone.
I think it is your choice whether or not you decide to ride, so spacing them out is not an issue for me.
I set a budget for myself and stuck to it for the last one and now that I am building up my stockpile it will be easier to spoil my buddy.
Also now that I am comfortable on this type of train--was too scared to join in the past--I find myself looking for things on discount racks and on sale that I can put aside for a future buddy.
Super glad I decided to ride the pampered ladies train to get an awesome first experience on a package train.

Glad it was a good experience !!

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

It is the responsibility of the rider/conductor to send back lists that are to limited /full of name brand or expensive items ..if any conductor does not want to do this they can p'm me the list and such and I will p'm the rider

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

We will work on this topic and try to include some very specific limit trains

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 am keeping a list of buddies to try and avoid ppl recieving the same buddy....again if a rider does get a person they have bought for before ...p'm myself conductor right away so we can fix the issue

an idea: a back to school train?
i dont have any in school but im sure it would be fun

Momto2k's is hosting a back to school train

From my perspective I think a budget is hard to hard 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

Thanks

what about a "shoebox train"

Yes we can also incorporate this possibly into some up coming trains .

[K8's Fate]

I think the pkg trains are run really well.

I browse old threads from past pkg trains to get ideas for WL items and for amounts to spend on my buddy. I keep my WL and remove or add items depending on the train (it's much easier this way).

I don't think that there should be a limit. I like the freedom to purchase or my buddy what my own personal budget will allow. Sometimes having a limit adds a lot more pressure (with a deadline) to find items.

I personally don't mind back to back pkg trains. I've been riding many back to back this year, but am taking a break from the current train, as life got a little hectic. I like the option though to ride a current train or not, rather than having to wait for a train to start.

I'm excited or Christmas in July! As I'll won't be teaching and can take more time to spoil my buddy. I'd also love if it was set up like the Advent Train, with 25 days/items in July to spoil your buddy. Just an idea

[Peachykeen2007]

a challenge!! I would second that kinda train - hmmm how much can you fit into a shoe box

what about a "shoebox train"

[Jezebel]

I think the pkg trains are run really well.

I browse old threads from past pkg trains to get ideas for WL items and for amounts to spend on my buddy. I keep my WL and remove or add items depending on the train (it's much easier this way).

I don't think that there should be a limit. I like the freedom to purchase or my buddy what my own personal budget will allow. Sometimes having a limit adds a lot more pressure (with a deadline) to find items.

I personally don't mind back to back pkg trains. I've been riding many back to back this year, but am taking a break from the current train, as life got a little hectic. I like the option though to ride a current train or not, rather than having to wait for a train to start.

I'm excited or Christmas in July! As I'll won't be teaching and can take more time to spoil my buddy. I'd also love if it was set up like the Advent Train, with 25 days/items in July to spoil your buddy. Just an idea

we have discussed 25 days in July but felt it may exclude some ppl as they may have family vacation weeks /camping ect so we thought maybe by making it a bit shorter would allow more people to participate....but nothing has really been decided yet....

[MrsSunshine]

a challenge!! I would second that kinda train - hmmm how much can you fit into a shoe box

that train could get very interesting.. esp. after seeing the Pantaloons train results. LMAO!

[Peachykeen2007]

I think the biggest thing to remember that a lot of us "seasoned" rider's have a package train goodie box

I personally know I will always ride certain trains i.e Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Halloween and the Advent Train

The best time to get certain items for the Hallmark Trains is the year previous after that holiday

You wouldn't believe how many sales and awesome deals there are to be found at 75%+ off

These items are stored in a plastic bin with a lid that I can randomly throw in a package the next year if on my buddies wishlist - no sense in paying full retail when they clear these items out every year due to overstock

[cherielake]

I have only been on 2 package trains, I do check out all the ones posted, but the no limits trains scare me off every time. I mean yeah sure some people get to stack coupons to get items for others and it doesn't cost them much. But not everyone has that option.
The 2 trains I was on before were $20 limit trains and I really like them. I understand others may not because its not that much money, but after factoring in the cost of postage it does take a good chunk out of the ole wallet.

I kinda like the idea of 1 item per category, seems fair to everyone but, I always have that thought what if its not enough, what if they dont like it, what if what if what if lol. I have done them up to the "hey I'd like this if I got it" standard, but seeing some of the gifts from others its just one of those, oh man I suck feelings..
but this is just my 2 cents

[K8's Fate]

What about a "Simple Pleasures" train? - and no, get your mind out of the gutter...it's not that kind of train hehe!

Each buddy would send a regular WL for the sender to choose from. However, in addition to a set minimum number of items from the buddy's WL, the sender also sends a set minimum number of "simple pleasure" items that the sender currently enjoys, craves, or finds useful in their daily lives. It's a way to introduce your buddy to some awesome new items that you enjoy in your own life.

[Peachykeen2007]

NO ONE should ever feel that way, like you said some of us can stack and what not

the problem with the limit trains I have found is that we have fully discussed this over and over and over and when we proposed a set limited amount of $$ spent trains that ran alongside a no limit train EVERY SINGLE person who wanted a limited train rode the no limit train one and the the limited train got a bare 6 riders! We tried it for a few trains and over and over and over again and without fail it didn't work - so that is why the no limit was set - you could spend what you wanted as long as you follow the rules of the train. That being said when you see a package that someone has sent over and beyond no one should be upset as Jezebel tried to be fair to everyone and in the end it didn't work

but seeing some of the gifts from others its just one of those, oh man I suck feelings..
but this is just my 2 cents

[Peachykeen2007]

I will also say that I myself have been on both ends of receiving a smaller and larger package and honestly to me it DOESN'T MATTER as no matter how big or small the package is that person hand picked those items that I wanted off my wishlist that I didn't have and I APPRECIATE every single thing I have ever gotten from anyone one on here!

It makes me feel special no matter the size I get that someone I don't know made the time to do so

[SassyAshley]

Ideas for trains:

Crafters Train - Homemade items/crafts as well as craft supplies

Recipe Train - Include some of your family's favourite recipes/cookbooks and some non perishable ingredients for these recipes as well as small things for the kitchen (kitchen tools, baking items)

Night in Train - Could be anything from pampering items for yourself, movies & snacks for a night in, games

Fun in Sun - Gardening items, BBQ items, items for relaxing on the deck/patio

[MeShell]

I loooooove the idea of a shoebox train, I think it would be really neat to see what people can stuff into a shoebox!!

For me with these package trains, (and no offence to any of my buddies that sent to me!), but I find it way more exciting personally to shop for a buddy and put together their package rather than receiving one. Of course, I will like anything my buddy sends me, but for me, I do them because it feels good to do something super nice for someone you don't really know. For the advent train.....(and of course I LOVED my package Pumpkin ) but it made me feel so proud and excited when my buddy, MrsSunshine, would come online everyday to post how much she liked her daily item or how perfect it was, etc etc. :D I could care less what I spent on her package at the end of the day because it made her smile and that's all that mattered to me in the end

[Venuila]

I love the shoebox idea! And the Recipe/Pampered Chef kinda theme.