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.