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

[CouponingQueen]

I personally don't think that the post count really matters in regards to train riding. What if you've been on SC for a long time but just don't post in other threads other than trains and trades that much?

[slambert]

I think the elf thing might be a lot for the conductor to have to keep track of. It is already a very busy job. I think for the most part everyone riding does do their best to answer any questions asked. I think it might be easier on the conductor if the people who had a buddy who wasn't answering or posting to contact the conductor to message their buddy. IMO

[FallenPixels]

I think the elf thing might be a lot for the conductor to have to keep track of. It is already a very busy job. I think for the most part everyone riding does do their best to answer any questions asked. I think it might be easier on the conductor if the people who had a buddy who wasn't answering or posting to contact the conductor to message their buddy. IMO

That is exactly what the elf is meant to be, "helpers" who are not riding so you can ask them to ask anyone

[julesie-pie]

Jumping in here. I love the questions. I agree that it helps me l earn a bit more about everyone in the thread. Just think what we would have missed out on had it not been fir the Scentsy, gift wrap cutter, elf on a shelf or David's Tea questions. You may not have been the one yo ask the question, but so many times you've probably thought of a great "add on" or a great surprise for your buddy that you wouldn't have sent if someone hadn't asked a question.

I think it's definitely helpful if the conductor keeps a running list of all questions though.

PS - I maintain that the elf is friggin creepy.

Your elf comment made me LOL

i agree though

[bargain_hunter_lola]

Personally I dont like the current format of the package trains so I stopped riding. That's completely my choice so I'm not complaining at all, but for information purposes here are my thoughts.

I dont like having to answer questions. I'm pretty chatty but some of the questions are too personal. I dont mind answering some but having it mandatory to answer all, doesn't seem right to me. Then there's the sheer number of questions! It's just to much for some people.

When I used to host package trains they used to be small - I liked that. The conductor privately asked each rider any questions their buddy may have had.

Now there's 30-40 ppl per train and they fill up so quickly with repeat riders. It doesn't really give other riders a chance. Not to mention the feeling that new riders will be left out since everyone already knows each other. I can see how some find them intimidating.

I know why the format changed and why there's only 1 train being held at a time but I think it would be nicer to have smaller trains being held more frequently. There has been a few times where I thought: "Oh I hope a good package train comes up very soon! I have the time and the money and I miss riding". But it never seems to work out. Having smaller, more frequent trains allows more variety (of riders, of themes, of dates, etc). Not sure if it's even a possibility, just throwing my thoughts out.

For requesting buddy's - I like the idea! Obviously if people are requesting the same buddy all the time, that's a bit much. But I think it's nice to be able to shop ahead of time for someone or save on shipping if you can hand deliver.

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

I agree with Lola,I'm not fond the new format either. I would be interested in conducting a package train in the future but I can't handle that many riders... 10-12 would be my limit.

I haven't been able to afford them lately but even if I could I don't think I would ride, it's just too intimidating!

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

How about adding a list of commonly asked buddy questions to the wish list, so you have to fill that out as well when you send in your info?

And would smaller trains be a possibility?

[Jezebel]

Maybe the buddy questions are what is too much then, if everyone is answering questions that are really meant for one person - then maybe the 'elves' system would be better, the elf can ask the one person those questions rather than 30 people answering question not really meant for them?

Or all questions are sent to a conductor and at say 8am a list of questions is posted so people know to look for it and answer one set of questions each day, not many posts

It personally is easier if ppl just p'm the conductor with buddy questions as if you have to send a p'm to the buddy and wait for the answer.....

unless the elves are prepared and commited to following and reading every post..so they would get a copy of the buddy list at the start of the train....break the list of riders say 10 riders into 2 lists of 5 so if any of their 5 ppl asks a question each elf asks and forwards answers to the correct buddy..rather than the conductor having to forward every question to the elf as at the point they may as well just ask said person the question themselves ...

Maybe each rider can only ask a certain number of questions in the thread per train (say 2 or 3)? Say with 30 riders on a train, that could still be good amount of questions.

That way the other riders won't feel overloaded with answering tons of questions. Also, the riders who post questions would have to ensure that it's a question they really want an answer for, as it would use up one of their allowed question posts.


I also really like it when the conductor posts "asked questions" in a post on the first page of the thread. It's really easy to use to answer questions you may have missed by mistake.

I think if the elf system is done correctly it should cover ppl not having to worry they missed a post or question

Perhaps there could be some standard questions that should be answered in the initial list sent in? The trains I've ridden all seem to ask what people might like for or from a stockpile. I try to answer all the questions, but often wonder if they are meant for me or not lol. I do try to include a little "story" with my wish list, a bit about me and my family as more general information, so that the person has an idea of our likes, dislikes, hobbies and such. I've had a variety of lists and do use some of the answers given to help me fill it out. I have asked a direct question to the conductor to help personalize things, especially in the advent train.

I agree the standard wishlist request should include some of the regular asked questions...

Its really easy to miss questions...Plus, then someone needs to keep track of whether or not everyone answers every question and that would be a lot of work!

The Elf system should cover this

I personally don't think that the post count really matters in regards to train riding. What if you've been on SC for a long time but just don't post in other threads other than trains and trades that much?

Well how would we know if they are active or not if a person doesn't post on SC also we never excluded posts from other sources on SC as an exclusion for riding Pkge Trains

I think the elf thing might be a lot for the conductor to have to keep track of. It is already a very busy job. I think for the most part everyone riding does do their best to answer any questions asked. I think it might be easier on the conductor if the people who had a buddy who wasn't answering or posting to contact the conductor to message their buddy. IMO

If done clearly it may work but there could also be the choice to use Elves when conducting as the conductor could choose to ask the questions of the riders themselves..

That is exactly what the elf is meant to be, "helpers" who are not riding so you can ask them to ask anyone

Personally I dont like the current format of the package trains so I stopped riding. That's completely my choice so I'm not complaining at all, but for information purposes here are my thoughts.

I dont like having to answer questions. I'm pretty chatty but some of the questions are too personal. I dont mind answering some but having it mandatory to answer all, doesn't seem right to me. Then there's the sheer number of questions! It's just to much for some people.

When I used to host package trains they used to be small - I liked that. The conductor privately asked each rider any questions their buddy may have had.

Now there's 30-40 ppl per train and they fill up so quickly with repeat riders. It doesn't really give other riders a chance. Not to mention the feeling that new riders will be left out since everyone already knows each other. I can see how some find them intimidating.

I know why the format changed and why there's only 1 train being held at a time but I think it would be nicer to have smaller trains being held more frequently. There has been a few times where I thought: "Oh I hope a good package train comes up very soon! I have the time and the money and I miss riding". But it never seems to work out. Having smaller, more frequent trains allows more variety (of riders, of themes, of dates, etc). Not sure if it's even a possibility, just throwing my thoughts out.

For requesting buddy's - I like the idea! Obviously if people are requesting the same buddy all the time, that's a bit much. But I think it's nice to be able to shop ahead of time for someone or save on shipping if you can hand deliver.

We had more than 1 train running at a time and we couldn't get riders for the 2nd smaller trains...these smaller trains had pre-set limits or limits chosen by the riders of the smaller train ,we had no limit smaller trains and we were lucky to get more than 6 people as they wanted to join the larger trains instead..

We could look at doing this again....Maybe we should try newbie package train ?

I agree with Lola,I'm not fond the new format either. I would be interested in conducting a package train in the future but I can't handle that many riders... 10-12 would be my limit.

I haven't been able to afford them lately but even if I could I don't think I would ride, it's just too intimidating!

I am sorry you are feeling this way . I think it may be an idea to open a train up for boarding and then the riders are chosen by a random generator..kinda like picking names from a hat but using a number generator prevents anyone claiming ppl playing/picking favorites....those not picked automatically get first choice on the next train...

How about adding a list of commonly asked buddy questions to the wish list, so you have to fill that out as well when you send in your info?

And would smaller trains be a possibility?

yes I think I covered this in my last few answers

[Jezebel]

Until things are worked out a bit more I am not updating the sticky LOL As I type in a change and then we ditch it so I am keeping a list of liked changes and will talk with Pixels once we figure out what changes need to be added/ deleted ect.....Some changes have already been made though like required number of posts and trade rating requirements

[Jezebel]

One change that will be made is if you are conducting a train as long as postage is kept under 4 stamps or $3.00 it will run as a regular train NOT a pkge train

[Peachykeen2007]

I don't understand how it doesn't give other rider's a chance - I don't think anyone ever thinks that 1 package train will get 40 rider's but that is what happens on some trains as boarding is left open for anyone to join. New rider's that don't meet all the requirements are almost always paired with another new member or one of the seasoned memebers who vouches for them.

We were all new to the package train at some point and unless they want to come out of the hiding and join in the fun not much else can be done, there is many of us that are here to help.

We want new rider's!

Requesting of buddies just needs to be a little more thought out, yes it is nice to save on postage and what not but it is NOT fair that these rider's have NEVER had to send a package out of their own province because they keep requesting the same people where as the majority of us send across the country almost everytime - I don't mind as I already know that postage at its max is $30

Now there's 30-40 ppl per train and they fill up so quickly with repeat riders. It doesn't really give other riders a chance. Not to mention the feeling that new riders will be left out since everyone already knows each other. I can see how some find them intimidating.

For requesting buddy's - I like the idea! Obviously if people are requesting the same buddy all the time, that's a bit much. But I think it's nice to be able to shop ahead of time for someone or save on shipping if you can hand deliver.

[Peachykeen2007]

I don't like the thought of the Elf system, not too sure who these people would be but I am not willing to be apart of it - why do these things have to go to someone outside not riding the train

I know from conducting I have always gotten personal questions or questions that require a immediate response from a rider to ask their buddy and I will forward it

[Peachykeen2007]

I like this idea but not for every train

I think it may be an idea to open a train up for boarding and then the riders are chosen by a random generator..kinda like picking names from a hat but using a number generator prevents anyone claiming ppl playing/picking favorites....those not picked automatically get first choice on the next train...

[Peachykeen2007]

how about a train with lets say only 20 rider's

10 seasoned riders & 10 newbies

then each seasoned rider is paired with a newbie

[Momto2Ks]

I like some of these ideas. I am trying to figure out a way to run the Back to School Train to allow everyone to participate (whether they have kids or not)