Hi Countrycarolyn, hmmm...it really depends upon what you are sending bare root, and where you are located (state) and where the other member is (state), and what time of year it is, and what maybe members prefer and agree to. That is one reason why I always encourage members to put their state location in the one box provided for the garden zone. See, I am zone 5/6 S IN I suggest you ask on the Conversation side of the forum, and there will hopefully be several who will see it and give you their take on things. The link to (off topic) Conversations is found just above the list of threads here on page one of the Seed Exchange. I think that would be the best place to be seen, as Conversations on the Plant Exchange doesn't seem to get as much traffic. Sue...resident busy body

150 posts - This thread needs to be regenerated. :)

Well, I have to say that I feel the rules of the exchange forum should be obeyed. Even if that woman doesn't work for GW, maybe she was getting fed up with people NOT obeying the rules, and/or not reading them at all. Maybe she got sick of getting so many mooching emails from strangers. There are moochers everywhere who will take advantage, and are not shy. It can get to a point where it is downright rude and disrespectful. I agree you should be able to post if you are looking for something, but should have something to trade in exchange. If a postage paid offer is up, it is that person's right to do that if all they are asking is postage so be it. That's how they want to do it, and I see it as fair. BUT if they choose to say no to someone, say because they don't know them and don't know if they can be trusted to pay, I also think that is their right. On the other hand I don't think they should be rude to newbies just because they are newbies. Good way to chase people off the forums. Then where would we be? Can you imagine no new people to enable? No new people to talk to? This just goes to show that the brug forum is by far the best and friendliest forum to be. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we are like family here, & I love it! I have never been asked by anyone for anything like others have, and honestly I have a hard time even asking if I can have something that is being offered up for postage when we post here. I just feel like I am being greedy and rude. I usually have to go back & look at the post 3 or 4 times before I get the nerve to ask if I can have one of whatever it is, lol. Just not how I was raised, but I know noone is going to be pyschic and know what I want, or may be looking for. And you can bet your butts I will be offering up stuff and soon as I have some to offer! I can't wait to share with you all. I feel like I can't even repay those of you who have shared with me, no matter what or how much I send you. You all have been so nice & thoughtful..OK by now you all know how I can go on & on, so I'll shutup now, lol. I think you get the point. But with all that yapping..I don't even know if I actually got my original thoughts out there. Mike, I can understand how you looked at that and it got you ticked off. Happens to me all the time, lol. That's what hard about this..there's no tone, you don't know exactly how people mean things sometimes. Could be meant a few dif ways. Maybe they are just sheep over there, and just wanted to seem like they agreed with her, who knows. I am glad you posted your thoughts though. Maybe they didn't realize how it was being taken? As for this 'rule'; * All exchanges are restricted to users from a particular country, region or state. If it isn't indicated otherwise, the exchange is restricted to residents of the U.S. To find an exchange for your location, check the the exchange index* OK I can agree with the country part, but region & state??? What kinda crap is that? Just my thoughts on this. Daniella

This is such a great thread for newcomers as anything we can do to help get them on their way to being great traders in the long run is good for all of us. Because some newcomers may not have seen the "special instructions", I'm adding the "special instructions for the exchange" directly into this thread as newcomers may see it here incase they didn't click on the link to it before. The first and the last of the "Special Instructions" from Garden web are highlighted below in blue to help keep our newcomers from getting an accidental 'trip to Disney' (aka being barred from posting at GW) by the website owners. I think it might be confusing to newcomers but members can offer up this: HAVE:SEEDS FOR SASE but cannot ask for this: WANTED: SEEDS FOR SASE... (as this is considered breaking rule #1 - asking for something in exchange for postage) and doing so can result in an unexpected and unwelcome 'trip to disney'/being barred.) Here's exactly what the special instructions state so we don't loose any of our newcomers who may have missed these special instructions: Special Instructions for the Exchanges: * The exchanges were created to facilitate the arranging of trades of plants and seeds between members. Please do not use them to solicit donations, ask for free plants or seeds, or ask for items in exchange for postage. All requests must be in the context of arranging a trade. If you have nothing to offer at this time, please wait until you do. * All exchanges are restricted to users from a particular country, region or state. If it isn't indicated otherwise, the exchange is restricted to residents of the U.S. To find an exchange for your location, check the the exchange index. * Each post must have a type of trade, subject and a message. * Trading is done at users' discretion. GardenWeb has no control or resposibility over trades arranged here. Keep in mind some traders may let you down, so it might be wise to keep your initial trade with someone limited to smaller items. * Messages addressed to or meant for particular users should be sent via email and are not allowed in the exchanges. * If you have trouble with another person coming through with their end of a trade, you must deal with it privately. It is the consensus of the forum users that this type of thing be kept out of our forums. Any public accusation in this forum, or elsewhere at GardenWeb, will result in the accuser being banned. * To avoid problems when shipping across borders and some state lines, it is best to ship plants bare-rooted and to label the container as such. It is up to the users involved to determine what is legal and what is not. * This forum is for the purpose of exchanging material, there should be no need to mention money in any postings. If money is mentioned, the posting will be considered an advertisement and the poster will be banned. Happy trading!