Fairness

[crafthaven]

Another issue several people have brought to me is the issue of fairness.

What if someone donates some items, gets their vouchers, and then can't find anything they want to trade for?

Here are my thoughts, but as always, this is open to debate, suggestions etc.

Maria suggested the possibility of letting people pay for vouchers, and also allowing them to cash out unused vouchers, but to be honest I really don't want to involve money in Crafthaven at all. Especially as this puts me personally at risk for having to give people money if more people want to cash out than buy in. And as I've said before, while I'm willing to put lots of time and energy into this, I'm wanting to put in as little money as possible while still making it awesome. (I also don't want to set up a feel of buying/selling--this is really meant to be a big, friendly swap, where people can get some new crafty stuff without spending money.)

I'd like to write up some disclaimer wording about things you bring being DONATIONS--which is to say, we give you value back by giving vouchers, but we do not owe it to you that you find something you want. Ideally for those that don't find things they want, they could use their vouchers to "buy back" what they brought, if someone else has not claimed it. Alternately, they can keep their vouchers to use at the next swap event. But I don't think Crafthaven as an entity (or more specifically, Crafthaven volunteers) should be responsible for making sure everyone leaves with a trade they wanted, because there's no way to know what will be brought or what people are looking for.

DISCUSS.

Comments

Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith]

I agree that exchanging money goes counter to the swap-meet principle.

The simplest approach is, as you said, to declare items as donations.

However, if you get a LOT of demand for another option, you could offer that -- but make people pay for it. Frex, they could put their stuff on a "hold" table while they look to see if there's anything they'd want; if so, their items get run through, and if not they can pick them up and go home. Funds from the hold table would go toward defraying costs for the event. Charge $1 if you want to encourage participation; $5 if you want to discourage people from doing this. It's a way out for somebody who's bringing a LOT of stuff or a fairly valuable item, without creating a flood from people who are just bringing odds and ends.

Re: Hmm...

[crafthaven]

That's an interesting idea, and it could definitely solve a few problems in one go. I think the deciding factor after we have run an event or two will be a) demand, like you said, and b) having the volunteer power to manage it.

I am so glad you found this! Your problem-solving skills are awesome :D

Re: Hmm...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>I think the deciding factor after we have run an event or two will be a) demand, like you said, and b) having the volunteer power to manage it.<<

*chuckle* You want volunteers? Recompense them for their time/skills with craft supplies. In this economy, a LOT of people have more time than funds! Figure out a fair rate, like 1 voucher/hour for basic work (like sorting donations) and 2+ for skilled work (say, if an experienced web designer volunteers to build the site for you).

>> I am so glad you found this! Your problem-solving skills are awesome :D <<

*bow, flourish* Happy to be of service. I'm a wordsmith by trade, but this is actually one of my auxiliary functions: a sounding-board for ideas. I can do it with a lot of different topics, though I'm best in an area I'm already familiar with, like crafts. I've also helped a bit with event organization before, so I know some useful approaches. And while I can't code a website, I'm plenty good at conceptual design and content writing.

[amazonvalkyrie.livejournal.com]

Totally with you on the whole "we don't guarantee a trade." Vouchers should, of course, carry over between swaps. I think this will keep most people happy--especially if you're clear in the legalese that once you accept vouchers for your donation, the donation becomes the property of Crafthaven.

Also, a "first come, first served, first dibs" rule would also be the easiest/fairest to enforce. If you see something you want, grab it. I know you'd talked about membership and allowing people to "claim" items between swaps, and while this has merit, I think on actual swap days, there should be a one-hour time frame at the beginning to pick up held items, then once the official swapping time has begun, there should be no "holding" of items until the end of the meet. (At which point, if you want to put a hold on something for next time, that would be alright.)

Might also want to type up all of these things in an FAQ flier to hand out, once they're finalized . . . random thought.

As far as bringing money into it, I do see your point of wanting to make this a "freecycle" type place, and I totally agree with that philosophy. Buying/cashing out vouchers was more a brainstorm idea than anything else. I'm fine seeing it go.

[amazonvalkyrie.livejournal.com]

Erm, this is Maria, BTW ;-)

[crafthaven]

Hee, I guessed that :D

[crafthaven]

Buying/cashing out vouchers was more a brainstorm idea than anything else.
Yeah, I mostly put that in there to kind of let folks know what ground has already been covered in email discussions :)

I definitely think you're right about imposing a time limit on between-event holds...it's not fair to hold an item aside for someone who never shows up. I think that would be part of both the holds page and the reply email that would confirm a hold--"You must show up by [Bla time] to claim this item, otherwise it will go back into the available trades."

once you accept vouchers for your donation, the donation becomes the property of Crafthaven.
That is actually perfect wording--I was trying to figure out how to make it clear without making it really verbose.

[(Anonymous)]

This is Jillian! I could totally talk to you about this tomorrow, but I want to comment in your shiny blog.

I do agree with everyone else, and you, that you don't want to bring money into it, because really, who wouldn't want a little extra cash for unwanted craft supplies? The nice thing about Crafthaven would be getting new supplies, guilt free!

And really, I think if you're controlling what is accepted as a donation, you aren't going to take stuff that someone won't want. It's like any donation or thrift, it's not about getting rid of your junk - at least it's not supposed to be - it's just about liberating things you can't or haven't been using but someone else will. You wouldn't want to donate something you would never want, and you've a keen enough eye to only accept what is going to find a new home.

[crafthaven]

I guess my concern is less having things that nobody wants, and more that people won't find things they specifically want. I mean, in several of our craft swaps I've gone home with less than I brought, just because nothing necessarily struck my fancy. And that's okay, I didn't feel cheated or anything because I didn't go into it assuming I would leave with the exact equivalent of what I brought, but I'm afraid some people might.

I do want to encourage the culture that we had in our swaps--like you said, bring things that are good but you just don't have a use for, and get things that are useful (and new to you, if not actually new) in return. I just know that I can't control whether everyone sees it that way.

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