The Swap Forum is Now a User Group!

[SDiegoGal]

Starting Monday, May 18th, you must be a member to host and participate in swaps. Please read this entire thread for more information. Until then, you can post to threads, but not start them.

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The Admin and Swap Forum Moderators are happy to introduce the new and improved swap forum! Most of the rules are the same, but we have made a few changes that will help make your swap experience more enjoyable.

The biggest change is that the swap forum is now a user group. Here are some guidelines to help you understand what this change is all about.

How is a user group different from how things were?
Why are we now a usergroup?
How will the change improve the swap forums?
How do I become a member of the swap forums?
What can I expect during the transition from the old forum to the new user group?
Now that I’m a member, how do I maintain my status? (AKA What are the rules?)
Someone I was in a swap with did not adhere to the rules of the forum. What do I do?
Questions?

[SDiegoGal]

When the swap forum was an open group, anyone surfing on to Splitcoaststampers could view and post to the swap forum threads. The threads in the swap forums are still open for everyone to view, but now you must be a member to post in the swap forums.

[SDiegoGal]

Splitcoaststampers has over 100,000 active members. A large number of these members use the swap forums. The swap forum has been changed into a user group to offer some protection of our members' time and materials and to avoid the disappointment of late or never returned swaps.

[SDiegoGal]

We are hoping the changes to the swap forum will reduce the amount of swappers that fail to complete a swap. It is also expected to improve the turnaround of swaps back to their owners.

[SDiegoGal]

To become a member of the swap forums, you simply need to apply! This is a two-step process!

Please be sure to read through this entire thread before applying.

STEP ONE:

• Click on Welcome, yourname to get to your profile
• Click "Edit Your Details". (See Quick Links below if you are having trouble finding it.)
• Scroll down, then fill in details (Name, Address, City, State, Zip and Phone). Don't forget to click "Save Changes" All information is required. Any incomplete applications will be denied.

Please note that the information you provide in the application is kept strictly confidential and will only be used if we need to get in touch with you regarding swap issues.

By providing this information and applying to become a member of the swap forums, you agree to adhere to the rules of the swap forum. You understand that your membership to the swap forums may be terminated as indicated in the rules.

STEP TWO:
On the left hand side of your User Control Panel (same page as the form), click on "Group Memberships". This should bring you to the Group Membership page. Click on "Join Group" for the swap forum. (See Quick Links below if you are having trouble finding it.)

Quick Links:
Step One: Edit your details
Step Two: Group memberships

This completes your application process.

[SDiegoGal]

Please note that the moderators will tackle applications as soon as possible, but due to the number of applications, the initial round will take some time to process. Please be patient while we transition to the new forum format.

All ongoing swaps will automatically be included in the user group. You must apply to the user group to continue with your swap.

All new swaps will be posted in the user group as usual. You can begin posting new swaps and replying to threads once your application to the user group is approved.

[SDiegoGal]

In order to maintain your membership status in the swap forums, you must adhere to the swap forum rules.

Hostess rules:

• Hostesses can only hold five (5) open swaps at any given time. Any swap above the five will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be removed from the Swap Forums. (If you are a hostess that has more than 5 open swaps that were started prior to May 12, 2009, you will be allowed to finish up those swaps.) Please note: A swap is considered "Open" until all the swaps have been swapped out and mailed. In other words, once the swaps leave the hostess's home, the swap is closed.
• Hostesses must be firm on due dates. In fairness to those that turn in on time, refrain from holding up the swaps to wait for late swappers.
• Hostesses that fail to return swaps in a timely matter (within ten (10) days of the due date) more than three (3) times will only be allowed to have one open swap at a time.
• Hostesses that fail to return swaps will be banned from the entire Splitcoaststampers site.

Swap Participant rule: Swappers that fail to complete three (3) swaps without first attempting to inform the hostess will be removed from the swap forums.

The guidelines set forth in the “So You Wanna Swap?” forum are still in effect.

[SDiegoGal]

Although the moderators review threads and posts, the sheer volume of posts prohibits us from catching every problem. Hostesses and swappers are asked to notify us of any problems they encounter. Hostesses should contact a moderator if a swapper fails to complete a swap without any kind of contact. Likewise, swappers should contact a moderator if a hostess fails to return swaps.

If you need to contact a moderator, please give us as much info as possible so that we can look into the situation. Here is a sample form to help you out:

User Name:
Swap link:
Reported because: (Pick number from list below)

1. The swapper failed to complete a swap without contacting the hostess first.
2. The hostess failed to return the swaps in a timely manner.
3. The hostess cannot be contacted and the swaps were not returned.
4. Other - please explain.

[SDiegoGal]

If you have any questions, please post them in Swap Forum User Group questions thread. That thread can be found here.