JUST MY OPINION... I am not really in favor of leaving someone a favorable comment simply because they followed through in sending an SASBE in order to get seeds. To me, it's like praising someone for coming to the dinner table and eating my food. And if we leave positive feedback for those who send out their SASBE requests, then shouldn't it follow that we leave negative feedback for someone who doesn't follow through? If that was the case, I'd be leaving negative feedback for dozens of people, as I'm sure anyone who has offered seeds for SASBE would as well. Though it's frustrating to hold seeds for someone who doesn't follow through, I don't really think it's an important enough of a matter to leave negative comments over. The whole concept of posting comments regarding SASBEs has other drawbacks. Last spring I offered a lot of seeds for SASBE, and one in particular stuck out. When I had looked at the person's want list, I saw she was looking for hardy geraniums. I found a few odds and ends, small amounts of several varieties, so I packaged them separately and included them as well thinking she'd be happy with the additional surpise. I was quite taken aback when she emailed me after receiving the SASBE and told me that I needed to read the FAQs, that "10 or 12 seeds was not considered a sufficient amount of seeds" and she would be leaving me negative feedback. I was stunned. Fortunately for her, she didn't leave the comments, or I would have responded with words including "ignorant", "selfish", and "ungrateful"... (Can you tell I'm still a tad steamed, LOL...) I think the sample comments for negative reviews are very good ones--Jack Webb of Dragnet would be happy with the "Just the facts, Maam" attitude. However, there are a few gray areas I am wondering about. What do you suggest regarding feedback if the trader sends mismarked seeds (ie, agastache instead of lavender); unviable seeds (such as sunflower seeds that were flat, white, and bendy, obviously underdeveloped); or a trader who waits until he/she has received the other person's seeds to tell them that he/she is out of several of the seeds they wanted and that they need to pick substitutes. I've always handled these matters privately. I know honest mistakes happen as in the first two cases--but the third example has happened to me a few times now (twice with the same trader--not going to trade with her again) and is starting to bother me as I feel it may be a bait and switch tactic. Still I'm not sure I'm comfortable about leaving negative feedback even in that situation. I'm sure it sounds as though I am focusing on the bad side of trading/SASBEs, which I am, but it's only because good trades and positive feedback are pretty self-evident. Kate

I just got a request for free seeds from my Trade list. atticville, Are you sure the email was from a GW member? Cold emails often come from non-members, or previous members (now maybe banned). If they emailed you via GW, did you get the member name? Sometimes it shows to the receiving party and sometimes it doesn't. I don't correspond with anyone much about anything, until I find out a member name, and look at their Member Page. I just got the "want" list of what I have to trade... "Everything"! I kinda saw that coming. You'll learn to better word things like maybe pick 'some' or a 'few', or 'up to X number of packs' instead of leaving yourself wide open. I have heard of a few others that make outlandish requests at the expense of a sharing member's generosity. So, assuming they provided their valid GW member name, how are you going to proceed? I think I'd be tempted to say that I really didn't have the time to do such a HUGE (I see you have 33 items listed!) Postage Offer and instead steer them to the many Seeds for Postage offers on the Forum. If they find that cold emailing works with you and they get seeds, they will likely be cold emailing others begging as well. Newbies or newer members might not realize that it isn't the 'norm, for people to be cold emailing them asking for free seeds, and they might 'cave' and send free seeds, even picking up the postage...sigh. hmmm...maybe a thread covering 'cold emails', with no member name provided, or nothing to trade is needed...think? Sue

Hi! Just wanted to let any newbies know that there is a page where you can review (and rate) exchanges with GW exchangers and members. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/raterev

Hi! Just wanted to let any newbies know that there is a page where you can review (and rate) exchanges with GW exchangers and members. Just FYI. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/raterev