Hi Maggie, There is a lot of different wording when it comes to trading and sasbe, etc. The Special Instruction link is broken, but I just reported it and also posted them on the Exchange (Discussion) side. The wording in the Special Instructions is not good in my opinions, as it says this, which would lead one to believe that sase and sasbe offers thus were not permitted. This forum is for the purpose of exchanging material, there should be no need to mention money in any postings. If one is 'offering' an sase/sasbe, of course somewhere there must be mention of the amount of postage that will be required for seeds to be sent from the 'offerer' to the receiver. So...just to make a short answer long. No, trading for postage stamps is not permitted. Neither are additional costs (boxes, supplies, gas to the PO)...say if one was sending plants. The person offering' the seeds must just try and make an educated guess as close as possible to what the 'actual' cost would be to send the seeds to the member. This can be a tough call, if one is not very familiar with what seeds in what quantities, weigh how much. So, in offering seeds up for SASE, SASBE, POSTAGE, BEAP (my term Bubble Envelope and Postage), one can only 'guess' what postage might need to be asked for. I am sure others can chime in here. Small seeds, in small quantities if kept under 1 OZ, are to be charged 80 cents. Many members just say 2 (41 cent) stamps to keep it simple. Members have also asked for 3 stamps if they know their PO was going to charge them $1.13 for the first ounce. (please see or do a search on other threads here on the Conversation side for 'postage' and what they are supposed to now be charging for a 1 OZ envy, if it fits the correct dimensions, and is not BULGING, and is contents are evenly distributed (TAPED DOWN) and kept under 3/4" Big bulging, non evenly distributed over 3/4" thick would be 1 OZ--$1.13 2 OZ--$1.30 3 OZ--$1.47 4 OZ--$1.64 5 OZ--$1.81...etc Now if a bigger (height/width) envy is used (which is often best) and the seeds are evenly distributed, taped down and not shifting, and the thickness is UNDER 3/4 " The correct charge SHOULD be 1 OZ--$ .80 2 OZ--$ .97 3 OZ--$1.14 4 OZ--$1.31, etc It would be hard to keep heavier weights under the 3/4" non bulging (PO) rule. Bigger seeds= higher weight if very many are sent....example hyacinth beans, peony, canna, wisteria, corn, peas, beans of any sort. In my humble opinion, it is not cost effective to trade more commonly found veggies of corn, peas, beans, unless one is just wanting a few...say 5-20 seeds. So did that answer things for you, or did I just talk all around the question. Sue

Please send me an e-mail, due to health probs I can't make it back to this site often. Am really interested in the cedar berries, a LOT interested. Want to start some baby trees again!

Perennial seeds wanted : lungwort spiderworts blue lobelia japanese primrose globeflowers bugbanes goats' beards common thrift coreopsis liatris salvia sedums lamb's ears

I'm only starting at this pepper thing , all though I have gardened/farmed or a long time but I do have some extra seeds. E-mail me and we can discuss what I have an if you are interested I will gladly send you some. Larry