Ginny:

Sorry that this happened to you. There are so many wonderful people on this site that it's a shame when things go badly.

Happy gardening, Ann

I very very seldom ever send anything b4 the postage cost arrives...unless it is someone I know, or have been in touch with numerous times over the years.

Just look at the ones who respond to seeds for postage offers, and then never send the envy and stamps.

Hopefully they will come through yet...as it is a quite busy time of the year for avid gardeners...which is not an excuse...but maybe just the reason they have not reimbursed the postage yet.

Sue

BTDT and it's so disappointing. It's not a matter of money (in most cases) but a matter of principle. Sorry this happened to you.
Karyn

Awww, thanks for all your kind messages! I woke up kind of grumpy this morning, but I'm in a better mood now.

And yes, most of my trades over the years have been wonderful & every time I look around my garden, I mentally thank all the generous people who have traded with me.

Karyn, it took me a while to figure out your acronym: Been There Done That, right?

Ginny

In my opinion I think you should post on the rate and review forum. Not sending the promised postage is equal to not sending your end of a trade. The rest of us deserve to know so that we can not trade based on all the info not just those who have had good experiences.

Man that does suck. No one has to do what you all do for each other and it creates doubt in all our minds. Especially for us new people who are starting a garden and need a little help in exchange for some postage. Sorry it happened to you. Im a new starting gardner who will probably look for these kinds of trades at first, but also to you experianced gardners who help us out so much I want to just say Thank You! Pay your dues mystery people!!!

i agree on both accounts!! pay up!! that's just rude!! and i think we should start posting that we didn't recieve our end in the postage if we did send out first. man that sucks big time!!! and i know your nice!!! :')) yep, btdt!! also. WHEW learned alot my first year, always wait, if ya don't get it don't send out, people talk good games anymore. and that is a sad shame. i do hope that they pay up!! :'))

I've found that once most folks get your seeds, they've got what THEY want and that's that. No reimbursements, no acknowledgements that they received the seeds, no thank-yous. I've seen a really large swing in this direction in the past two years--of the over 100 SASBEs I sent out this past season, less than 10% of the recipients have even let me know the seeds arrived.

What used to be a special favor (sending seeds for postage) is now seen as an opportunity to get something for nothing by a lot of GW members with no strings attached.

I used to think that it was wasteful to not pass on good seeds, but now I think it's better they go in the compost heap and return to the earth than to end up in the hands of greedy, unappreciate folks who are only encouraged to go and do it again and again to others.

Kate,
Who has been burned about 80 times too many this season

Ginny, I saw that you did the one post. I think the second trader should at least get a factual type note added to the thread with all the glowing reviews and say you have an outstanding obligation from this person.

Kate, I feel bad for you, I cant imagine doing that many packages, I get overwhelmed with 2 or 3 trades going on at the same time.

Well I think it is down right crude to not hold up to an end of a bargain. I grew up with a handshake and a verbal agreement were as solid as a legal paper. Unfortunalely, those days are past for most. If you are too busy or whatever to hold up to your end of the deal, why weren't you to busy to make the deal? My view is get off the site and go back to Wal-Mart where you belong!

Gardening is a way of life for those who are serious about it. A way to clinch to the great times of past when you could look someone in the eye, shake their hand, and believe them. I am a 3rd generation farmer and still do this a lot, dependent on the situation. I just generally make the other party pull through first because of situations like yours. I am 24 years old and I don't know many people that are anything like me. Honesty. Morals. A good heart. Pride. These things are disappearing but I do what I can to continue the way things should be.

It is a shame when things like this happen- so many trades go well, but the bad deals seem to sting a lot.

I'm sure some of it is manners- or the lack of manners, some of it may well be the ego-centric thing, some might be immaturity.

Me? I wouldn't toss the seeds in a compost heap, but maybe the person who doesn't follow through will grow up someday and pass it along, or maybe someone who is needing it will get some seed from the immature one- thus continuing the pass it along philosophy either in a straight line or a crooked one.

You do what you can as honestly and fairly as you can, let the twerps settle themselves out, LOL!

In the last two weeks, I have sent postage for seeds and sent seeds for a trade to two different people. And no news from both of them. I have sent one reminder email to each of them, and no response from either of them. I am hoping this is just my beginners (bad) luck! I am going to try one more trade; if that doesn't work out either, I am going to stay away from trading on GW!

SASBE.

shonoo...you have no email link on your member page.

To set up your email link, just go to the bottom on any page here, and click on Member Pages
Then click on Edit your Personal Information, Page, and Preferences
You will then probably be asked to login in again.
Then check the box Allow other users to send you email via forms at our site.

That will place a link on your member page, making it handy for members (potential traders) to reach you in the future.

While there editing you might want to also place your state abbreviation in the one box provided for garden zone and location. (see I am zone 5/6 S In) It is beneficial info to have when trading for many reasons. Additionally, there are some traders (myself included) who often do not respond to many posts where the location of the OP is unknown....but that is especially so when trading plants, bulbs, or cuttings.

I'd think this may be an especially busy time of year for gardeners, and that it may take a little longer to get trades completed, than it might during slower gardening seasons...just my thoughts though.

Sue

Sue, thanks for pointing out about email, I will fix that right away. I was under the assumption that folks could send me an email via the site.
I will keep watching my mailbox- but with dwindling hope.