The 2 recent swaps I've meistered weren't so "crowded"...
Would you like to do other swaps in the future? What themes would you suggest? What occasions? Valentine's? Spring? Summer?
Tell me all you ideas and comments please, thank you!!;)

I really miss the days where a lot of us enjoyed swapping. The big swap every year was always the Halloween Swap that Blackrayne would usually host. Aside from the Halloween Swap, I've not really been interested in most of the other themes that have been done.

What I miss the most, is when people would post photos. Swaps were fun when trustworthy members were involved, and people didn't get screwed over, and packages were not mailed out late, or forgotten about, etc. People used to really put a lot of thought into their swaps around here, and it was always so much fun to see the photos of what people got. Now, all you see is a short one-liner... "Got my package, thanks!" Hmph. It really takes the fun out of it.

As for themes... Maybe think of some new ones that aren't holiday related? Halloween is a given, really. (This is Goth Auctions afterall! Hehe) I think a Dirty Santa Swap would be fun in December, but maybe do some others that aren't holiday related? One year I hosted a Pringles Can Swap, which I thought was fun. You empty out a Pringles can and fill it with things your partner will like, and the price range was only $10.00 to $15.00, so most could afford it. I know Jenny (AgonysDecay) hosted an Etsy Swap on here a long time ago if I am not mistaken. We each purchased an item from our partners Etsy favorites list. I suppose it is not very supportive of Goth Auctions though, shopping on another site LOL, but it was a fun swap, and also affordable. I think a horror or zombie themed swap would also be fun! A lot of us are into different things, so I think a lot of ideas that people would be into around here just have not been mentioned, which may be why a lot of people have not participated. I also think that posting photos of your loot should be mandatory, and it would probably be a good idea if long-time/active members were hosting the swaps, so no shady members were allowed to join. Sometimes I don't think it is enough to just say "Must have 10 or more positive feedbacks", etc... I personally am only comfortable swapping with people I know would never screw me over, and I think those types of people are the ones who should be allowed to swap. If a new member with very few feedbacks wants to join, who I have never once seen post on the forums, for instance, I wouldn't feel comfortable letting them join. Or... If a long-time member who is known for being a selective deadbeat wants to join, I also wouldn't feel comfortable letting them join, even if they are active, when there is a good chance they may vanish and their package would never get mailed, or would be mailed very late. I remember the old "Deadbeat Swappers" post that used to be on this forum, and most of the users who were mentioned there, I had never even heard of. I just think being an active member and your history as a member should matter just as much as your feedback score.

-Aly-

i agree!! the last couple of swaps (for me anyways), we fun, but have turned out to be more of a stress, instead of being TONS of fun like they used to be! and oh man, a horror/zombie swap would be SWEET! XD also about posting pictures, i'm guilty of not posting pic of my "loot" on here, for some reason the forums will never upload my pics correctly, i'm not lazy, i promise! LOL ;P

lol Are you sure you are posting them correctly? You have to use UBBCode, not HTML. You have to have the images uploaded somewhere else, like www.PhotoBucket.com, and then click the button below that says "Switch to Full Reply Screen". Then, click the button that says "Enter an Image" and a drop-down menu will appear. Just click on "Insert a non-floating image" and a box will pop up where you enter the direct URL link to the image.

I don't think I've even posted an image since the forums were updated, so uh... I'm gonna try it first, before I assume it works. LOL

Testing... 1...2...3:



^

I just remember one swap I participated in several years ago. I got partnered with someone who was an active user, but who had a habit of being a flake and vanishing from time to time. The spending price was $20.00, but by the time I was done shopping I had spent a little over $70.00 on her swap package. A long time went by and I never heard a word from her. She finally responded one day saying nothing more than "Thank you" and something about being busy. I dunno... just kind of spoiled the fun for me. :\

-Aly-

well, that's why my pics don't work..i never think to upload them on photobucket anymore! maybe i should! ;P
and that REALLY sucks about that swap! i think in the last one pantheraven's parner flaked out on her, and she's the same way with her swap packages...i got one from her (i think it was supposed to be a $20-$25 package) and it was WAY more than that..she'll hook a gal up on swaps! LOL i just don't understand how some people can do that! i couldn't even imagine flaking out on one of you gals! oO

I miss the old days of swaps too!! I think that the international money crisis can be felt also in swaps...fewer people, less money.

I have been organizing and partecipating in swaps since 2003 (see my feedback/swap history), not only here but also on the old gothicauctions site, on alt.gothic.fashion, on livejournal, on bpal.org and I've always had a great fun, it was great to choose the things, wrap them...I loved doing it and I still do.

Calling all good swappers and people who love swaps...where are you?:) Please reply here;)

I understand that money can be an issue with swaps along with shipping problems and miss the previous fun times. Personally it seems recently ppl have been dead beating others on swaps too which takes all the fun out of it.

I rarely post pictures myself mainly because of time. Every site has different ways to post stuff too which for me is confusing. But I do try to say thanks and describe what was sent to me.

Would love a horror/zombie or maybe vamp themed swap. I remember some of the best ones I've enjoyed have been Halloween- big surprise,lol- the art swap, fave things, and a few of the Val. day ones. The pringles can one was fun too. Miss being able to shop for gifts for swap pals.

I think that a "fave things" swap would e appreciated!
Or maybe a "fave themes" swap? That is "tell me what you like, a theme, or something you collect or choose a theme for stuff you'd like to receive".

This way it would please more people...this way we could have more partecipants, as this swap isn't linked to a single theme set by the meister, but every partecipant will choose hers!

What do you all think?

I like the idea of a fave thing or themes swap. I agree it would appeal to many ppl.

Great!:) The next swap will be "Spring-fave things"
lol I'm so original with swap names!

In case you haven't noticed...the spring swap is open!;)
click me