What Lavender2 said!!! >>>>

All traders have the option of posting their conditions and requirements for trades in their trade lists.  If we post regulations as to specific conditions we will also be responsible for enforcing and possibly dealing with individuals trades more frequently. 

My opinion, options for shipping methods should be the responsibility of the traders involved, just as all the other conditions of the trade.

 

DizzyD %-}                   

  Lavender Poppy

DLF.... Daylillfanatic "Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration." ~Lou Eri

I'd say you can ship seeds in a bubble envelope if you want but you dont have to unless there very fragile. just write garden seeds please hand cancel do not crush on the outside of your envelope.

What if we were to have traders suggest some guidelines? We could call them something like "Guidelines for ensuring a successful trade." Connie has a very good point about the liability we'd be assuming if we were to create a rule. We do have a forum called "Best Practices" and there may be an area in there called "Shipping and Packing." It would be perfectly appropriate to post suggestions in that area. Whether or not people choose to follow them would be their choice and their responsibility, but at least we would have educated them about some good ways to send trades and ensure that they arrive safely.

Susan, the Texas Yankee, the Texas Rangerette and the Assistant Administrator

SKBeal's Snazzy Tra

All traders have the option of posting their conditions and requirements for trades in their trade lists.  If we post regulations as to specific conditions we will also be responsible for enforcing and possibly dealing with individuals trades more frequently. 

My opinion, options for shipping methods should be the responsibility of the traders involved, just as all the other conditions of the trade.

If rules are to be set, possibly there should be more input from traders.

~ Connie    ~ Zone 5    ~ MN 

I'll see what I can come up with that will ensure that our expectations are clear and that they are reasonable. Penny, the bubble envelope as a rule is a good idea up to a point, but I don't want to categorically say that all trades should be sent in bubble envelopes, because plants and seedlings and cuttings should more often be shipped in a box or something that will protect them more. I will make sure that people know that if we establish certain guidelines, that unless you're willing to adhere to them and send trades according to what we specify, you shouldn't trade at all. Likewise, if you're trading with someone for postage, and you aren't willing to pay the amount of postage they tell you it will cost (provided the charge they quote you is reasonable for shipping and packing,) then you shouldn't agree to trade with people. People who don't uphold their end of trades honorably won't be allowed to participate in special events or round robins.

Susan, the Texas Yankee, the Texas Rangerette and the Assistant Administrator

SKBeal's Snazzy Tra

 

 I agree with Penny...with starting the new site it would be great to have some rules about how we send the trades...

 

 

 

" Compost, because a rind is a terrible thing to waste !"

Now that is has come up. Could we put a rule that states to use the Bubble Envelopes for all trades that way there will not be a problem at all with the trades????  If we have it in writing this would be the benefit for old members and new memebers also.

You all bring up a host of great points! The bottom line is that the person sending the seeds has the obligation to do whatever it takes to ensure that the seeds arrive at the home of the other person in good condition. The biggest problem with a regular envelope is that you never know what kind of weather conditions the PO will face while the envelope is en route to the person with whom you are trading. You can use a regular envelope if you have the seeds in a plastic baggie and wrap it in bubble wrap. I believe that postal regulations state that anything that has to be hand stamped will require additional postage. It's not just extra postage for something that's not flat, it's additional for hand stamping it.

Know too, that your reputation as a trader is on the line when you send anything. Think about the kind of impression you want to give to other members. If you are a long time member, whether you realize it or not, even if the thought hasn't occurred to you, you are setting an example for new members. That being said, you should consider the image you are portraying of both yourself and the site.....mabye bubble enview are a good idea.

Susan, the Texas Yankee, the Texas Rangerette and the Assistant Administrator

SKBeal's Snazzy Tra

 

Hi Vanessa

 I have recieved many seeds in a regular envelop with bubble wrap, and the seeds were STILL crushed.. I have never sent them anyway other than a bubble envie...because I learned how to trade on another site that requires them.

I just wanted to find out everyones thoughts here....In my humble opinion...I think they should HAVE to be sent in a bubble envelop....

I will be asking when I do trades, to make sure I am on the same page as the other person.

Thanks for all the opinions, and info on "how to package seeds "

 

 

 

 

" Compost, because a rind is a terrible thing to waste !"

Flwers, this is a good subject to bring attention to! We all can learn the best ways to ship trades so no one is left disappointed. I think that regular envelopes are fine as long as you protect them with bubble wrap. Seeds DO get crushed with out it! I use a regular envy with bubble wrap if it is for couple of seed packets. If it is more than just a few seed packets the best thing to use is a bubble envelope. I agree with Dizzy that it is best to let your trading partner how you plan on sending your seeds so there is no misunderstandings.  

Sincerely, 

Vanessa aka Acacius48

Acacius48's trade list

flwrs, excellent question!! Thank you for bringing this up and out where we can all respond! I have a soapbox and am bringing it out for this!!!

I too have received those scraggly smushed envelopes that look like the postal gremlins did a stomping dance on them! 

   I don't blame the PO though!

There are no "rules" for using bubbles or not, but the only way I would send seeds NOT in a bubble is if they are tiny seeds, like petunia or coral bells. And I would still use bubble wrap or tissue to protect them. The PO will not hand cancel without extra postage being applied - doesn't matter what you write on the envelope, they charge 17 cents for this. Homemade bubble envelopes are fine with me.

For those of us in zones with more weather extremes, bubble envelopes also help protect the seeds from weather dangers, such as rain, snow, hi/low temps, direct sun.

Personally, I don't see a "savings" in receiving crushed, dead seeds. I would perfer to send a SASBE of my extra seeds to someone, and just go buy the seeds I KNOW will be viable - than waste my time, money and postage on a trade where I end up with a crushed mess and feeling like I am out my end of a trade! Even if the seeds are sent again and replaced, I still end up with lingering doubts about doing future trades with this trader. The thought has surfaced: "If someone is going to be this neglectful with seeds, what are they liable to skip when shipping plants?"

It is listed on my trade page as the only acceptable form of travel for trading seeds with me. If someone specifies it, you should honor this, and if you can't send a bubble, you should at least let them know before finalizing the trade, so if they don't wish to complete a trade without it, you'll both know before hand, instead of someone being disapointed.  Again, homemade bubble envelopes are fine!

I could just donate my extra seeds to various projects, but one reason I am willing to do so many seed trades for postage, is so that other traders will SEE first hand the proper way to ship seeds. It takes time to keep all this sorted and organized, mailing and posting - and time is a valueable commodity for me.

What are you really saving by not using bubble envelopes? With the price of a packet of most desirable seeds in the stores, if you mail 2 packets, at even first class PACKAGE rates, you are STILL saving money over the stores! And you are building friendships while you do it. And don't forget, this contact by mail you have with others may be their only "real" impression of you.

My 2 cents (no change given!)  *climbing down off my soapbox*    

DizzyD %-}                   

  Lavender Poppy

 

If I am sending a small number of seeds then I send them in a card or an envelope but protected with bubble wrap.  I try to always write on it to hand cancel for the P.O. When there are several packages of seeds then yes I use bubble envelopes.

Grannyrose

Come trade with me

 If you place a small amount of seeds in an envelope/card, the envy will be machine cancelled, many times crushing the seeds.  Envelopes that are fatter than 1/16" must be hand cancelled.  This includes bubble envys and envys with bulky objects inside.  I, too, have received some crushed seeds, and prefer to use some sort of protection for the seeds, and pay the extra postage.  Bubble wrap in a regular envy works just fine though.

~ Connie    ~ Zone 5    ~ MN 

I myself,preffer the bubble envy..i recieved seeds in a regular envelope today,and a few of the seeds were crushed! i didnt like that at all..so i preffer the bubble evy's..or even if they are in regular envies,i preffer them wrapped in small piece of bubble wrap.

 

  :0)  HOPPY GARDENING! :0)