OP
OP
A few responses to some of the comments and inquiries in this thread...
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1. I do "require" tracking, but I can't begin to count the number of people who don't send it. I mean, the gift they send shows up, so at least they didn't stiff anyone?
2. I have tried to push for two categories for years. I want US Only and International, but I get tons of complaints that people can't commit to FULL international but would be able to do a few countries or within their territory. And then people will complain if they live in the US and get paired with someone in London but get a gift from someone in the US. So that turns into a whole thing. I may just have to suck it up and tell folks that those are the only two categories this year, and if you cannot 100% commit to it, please do not sign up.
3. Elfster was nice because it automated the process, but too many people sort of just "ignored it" after a while and made things extra difficult. Sending things manually is fine, but the PM time gate makes the process SLOW and cumbersome.
4. Similar to tracking, there is NO backlash for NOT sending a gift outside of not being able to participate in future exchanges.
5. Handling back and forth communication is also super difficult. I know you wouldn't think so, but let's use an example to illustrate the issue...
The use of helper elves has been definitely a big help. But it doesn't actually FIX the biggest issues of making managing this a full time job. Which, I don't actually mind doing (hence why I've been doing it for years).
So I'm looking for a better process to handle that sort of back and forth. If anyone has any ideas, I am ALL ears!
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My plan is to put a signup out on 11/1/2019 and close it 11/22/2019. I will work to have matches out that weekend because I will be out of the country for two weeks shortly after. So I won't be able to do much unfortunately from 11/29 - 12/16. I will HAVE to have someone else handle communication at that point, unless there's a solution yet to come.
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1. I do "require" tracking, but I can't begin to count the number of people who don't send it. I mean, the gift they send shows up, so at least they didn't stiff anyone?
2. I have tried to push for two categories for years. I want US Only and International, but I get tons of complaints that people can't commit to FULL international but would be able to do a few countries or within their territory. And then people will complain if they live in the US and get paired with someone in London but get a gift from someone in the US. So that turns into a whole thing. I may just have to suck it up and tell folks that those are the only two categories this year, and if you cannot 100% commit to it, please do not sign up.
3. Elfster was nice because it automated the process, but too many people sort of just "ignored it" after a while and made things extra difficult. Sending things manually is fine, but the PM time gate makes the process SLOW and cumbersome.
4. Similar to tracking, there is NO backlash for NOT sending a gift outside of not being able to participate in future exchanges.
5. Handling back and forth communication is also super difficult. I know you wouldn't think so, but let's use an example to illustrate the issue...
- A sends to B and B sends to C.
- A has a question about what B likes/wants so they message me. Here is a typical conversation log:
- A: Hey Saint Nic! Can you ask my Tiny Tim if they like chocolates? Thanks!
- Nic: Sure! Who is your Tiny Tim?
- A: It's B. Oh and also ask if they would want some <strange goo>!
- -I send a message to B. I get a response two days later.-
- B: Thanks Nic! Tell A I like only like milk chocolate - none of the dark or white chocolate trash! lol Also, I wouldn't say no to <strange goo>! Hey, since I have you, can you ask my Tiny Tim if they have the following X1X games or PS4 games? <Game1, Game 2, Game 3> Happy Holidays!
- Nic: Sure. Can you remind me who your Tiny Tim is?
- B: It's C. Please check if they have a Coleco Vision, too! I have a few extra games I'd love to send them!
- Nic: I'll see what I can find out!
The use of helper elves has been definitely a big help. But it doesn't actually FIX the biggest issues of making managing this a full time job. Which, I don't actually mind doing (hence why I've been doing it for years).
So I'm looking for a better process to handle that sort of back and forth. If anyone has any ideas, I am ALL ears!
=============================
My plan is to put a signup out on 11/1/2019 and close it 11/22/2019. I will work to have matches out that weekend because I will be out of the country for two weeks shortly after. So I won't be able to do much unfortunately from 11/29 - 12/16. I will HAVE to have someone else handle communication at that point, unless there's a solution yet to come.
