Thread: My greatest fears in a Pen Swap

To all the member that signed up for the swap and especially the ones WE (Thomas and I) are suppose to swap with. At this time, we have not sent out our pens to anyone. Reason being that we have had family problems (health and personal) that come first. We have in no way forgotten our responsibility to the swap and the members we have heard from.
As someone has already said, somethings are out of our control. Somethings have to come first. And the quality of our pens need to be to our satisfaction before we send them out.
So far, everyone has understood what has been really our problem.......They have given us their approval to have more time to send their pens to them. And we personally have decided to make it worth their wait. We just hope that in the end, they will like what we are doing.

We have not taken anything here personally. However, sometimes not having the facts means that someone is jumping to conclusions that are not warranted.
This being our first year in the swap. And, because of personal matters. We are running late. Thank you for your understanding.

Thomas and Wayne

Thomas and Wayne, I dont think anyone here would have an issue with a swap partner either not completing there swap or as in your case delaying the swap for any genuine reason, the issue is not reciprocating and/or failing to communicate with their swap partner. I am sure that your partners will be very happy with what they recieve and that it will be worth there wait as you have done the right thing by communicating the facts to them and they are happy with that. However the fact remains that there have been some swappees who have not done the right thing by there partners by either not completing there promised swap or not acknowledging that they have received their swap.

Thomas and Wayne

I understand stand what u are saying and atleast u have done the right thing and communicated with urs. One of my partners was tdrumnut and it was awesome to have him as swap even have his number now and I have since spoken to Trev on the phone about other pen stuff and I would have him again any day same with my partners I have I the past never had a problem and the communication has always been there so Thankyou guys for that BUT my OS partner this year failed to communicate and thats what set me off. It's not that hard with today's technology to send a email or text to say

"hey mate having a bit of some issues atm my swap will be late but I will keep in touch"

Its as simple as that and I am sure most of us would have been fine with that. But I got nothing I sent several emails that went unanswered even had to get Scott involved to get hold of him which he did we communicated for a few emails and then nothing again left it for awhile sent a email got a couple of responses and got told my stuff was leaving on Monday ok no worries that was this Monday that it was happening and still no response so COMMUNICATION should be the key as far as I am concerned so having said that I am about to cut my loss

Well done Thomas and Wayne for the awesome communication and keeping them in the loop and I am sure when they get ur pen it will be worth the wait

Ian

From my personal experience I have only been involved in two swaps and both times have been great to receive something.

BUT that is not why I joint the swap as I have the opinion that it is better to give then to receive.

If I do not receive confirmation message where to send the pen I would not be able to post the pen and that would just make me feel very sad.

Originally Posted by Christos

From my personal experience I have only been involved in two swaps and both times have been great to receive something.

BUT that is not why I joint the swap as I have the opinion that it is better to give then to receive.

If I do not receive confirmation message where to send the pen I would not be able to post the pen and that would just make me feel very sad.

Hey Christos

I agree with u on the giving bit mate ;-) BUT

Commuication is also a big part of the swap and with today's technology is not that hard I would be more then happy to wait with a little bit of communication

Yes I do like to receive as I like to the story of were the pen came from and about the swap aswell but if I dont there not I can do about it hey

Ian

I reckon it's pretty easy - the opening preamble states:

"Please, keep in contact with your swap partner regularly. Delays do happen, so communicate if there is one. If something occurs where you cannot complete your swap (stuff happens), PLEASE contact your partner and myself and I’ll arrange another swap partner."

When there is communication there is no angst. When people go off air without any further comment than that creates the problem.

In this day and age with instant internet communication we expect an instant reply. I'm not sure that is really an appropriate expectation, but a reply within the week is probably appropriate

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

I reckon it's pretty easy - the opening preamble states:

"Please, keep in contact with your swap partner regularly. Delays do happen, so communicate if there is one. If something occurs where you cannot complete your swap (stuff happens), PLEASE contact your partner and myself and I’ll arrange another swap partner."

When there is communication there is no angst. When people go off air without any further comment than that creates the problem.

In this day and age with instant internet communication we expect an instant reply. I'm not sure that is really an appropriate expectation, but a reply within the week is probably appropriate

What he said.

I have received and sent both of my pens, long ago, but I am having a time getting confirmation that one was delivered. It is frustrating to me as I was pretty happy and excited to send them off and I have sent multiple emails asking if they arrived w/ no reply. I also tried to include some nice US blanks and some cast blanks. Even if they don't post pics just a nice email saying "Hey got the pen and its junk and I will use the blanks to start the pit tonight" would work for me.......

If someone got left out I'm happy to step up and do a swap. I've missed out on pen swaps and glad to do one with someone if they like.


Regards

Dave.

Originally Posted by PenTurner

I think just plain good manners should be enough concerning the acknowledging of a pen received; it is a pen swap, the blanks are up to the individual, I think I have usually been given more blanks than I have sent!!, The blanks are just icing on the cake, MMMM!!! give me more icing!!! , if someone is genuine they will acknowledge and answer immediately if possible. However, sometimes it feels like "oh, well, got my pen, that is what I was after, back to my little no manners pig sty, see what I can scrounge out of someone else!"
By and large, there are many great people out there, it is the spirit of giving and the spirit of thankfulness; Thanks to all who have given from their hearts, Amos

Maybe the recipient died.

Interesting post started by Amos and one I missed initially. A lot of good suggestions and some well rounded debate. I hinted in another post that following up the organising is a nightmare (organising is easy). When I took over the organising the emphasis was on numbers members rather than quality. I'm going to start another post with some suggestions for the 2014 pen swap. Watch this space

(Please don't respond to this reply unless it's on Amos's original post, the new thread will give you a chance to reply to some of my suggestions).

Originally Posted by justturnin

I have received and sent both of my pens, long ago, but I am having a time getting confirmation that one was delivered. It is frustrating to me as I was pretty happy and excited to send them off and I have sent multiple emails asking if they arrived w/ no reply. I also tried to include some nice US blanks and some cast blanks. Even if they don't post pics just a nice email saying "Hey got the pen and its junk and I will use the blanks to start the pit tonight" would work for me.......

This just proves what I've said before (both here and elsewhere) that the communication aspect is all important

LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING!

yes I know I was shouting !!!

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

This just proves what I've said before (both here and elsewhere) that the communication aspect is all important

And yet...