Seed Swap Poll; rules for the Vine

[Hazel at the Hill]

Possibly a combination of time as a member and number of posts would be an alternative or maybe if the regulars wait for the newbies seeds to arrive first before returning the favour, that could be an answer.

Yep

As stated previously, on Freecycle you have to give first before asking for something.

Yep.

I agree with the above, and a lot of the suggestions made here, but it's gut feel and common sense at the end of the day. I've had my good nature preyed on before, which is wrong, wrong, wrong - and may seed baggers fall into a bear pit or something.

However, that's the way of the world to a very small degree, and I'm not going to change my enjoyment of seed swapping or lose too much sleep if they turn out to be a cad - I will of course I will report them to our excellent Mods and no doubt they will be banned and that's that - and they have to live with themselves, I don't.

[Gwen11ian]

If you do set some number of posts.. what's going to stop people from posting gibberish just to bring their total up?
'
Then the mods will have to go around policing people who copy/paste the same message 50 times in various threads.

[Pumpkin Becki]

If you do set some number of posts.. what's going to stop people from posting gibberish just to bring their total up?
'
Then the mods will have to go around policing people who copy/paste the same message 50 times in various threads.

From what's been said, the Mods won't get anymore involved 'policing' as such, but it will help Swappers establish how commited a member the person is, and the Swapper will then be able to go and look at the quality of the posts that person has made and make a judgement for themselves.

[Bigmallly]

If you smell a rat, you can always filter the grape using the S****h facility to see what involvement they have had.

[ladylottie]

They do - and it will be an option to explore maybe rewording that with links to some of the chat and seed swap guidelines when they do....well spotted!!!

I have voted for 25 because as others have already said, 10 posts can be achieved very quickly. Can't remember how many posts I put in before I got involved in the seed swapping, but it can't have been very many.

Obviously the posts would be monitored - and if they are all on the seed swap site well there's a clue to what they're joining for!

Links to guidelines when the email is sent to new members sounds like a good idea.

[pipscariad]

When I first saw this poll, I thought I'd go for the 50 answer, then once I'd read the replies from others, I realised that for some it might take almost a year to have that many, and that others could probably manage that in one day of concerted effort on General Chat! So I went for 10, as personally I feel that a combination of that many or more posts and a specified time as a member would be a better combination. Ultimately it's up to the person offering the seeds to do a bit of homework about the person enquiring,and if they feel happy, then that's fine.

I know I felt cheeky anyway the first time I enquired about seeds, even though I'd had quite a lot of posts and been a member for almost 6 months (I think). The responding Grape was dear Flummery, who not only sent me some crimson flowered broadies, which were fab, but didn't ask for an SAE either! It really set the tone of the Vine for me.

[zazen999]

If you do set some number of posts.. what's going to stop people from posting gibberish just to bring their total up?
'
Then the mods will have to go around policing people who copy/paste the same message 50 times in various threads.

We'd soon spot things like that; and I daresay we'd get 'look at this poster, do you think they are trying to get their post count up to swap seeds' and we'd keep an eye on it and see what happens. There are quite a few very sharp Grapes with eagle eyes that tip us the wink when they feel unsure about people already.

Also, if Grapes do a post s****h [which will be in the guidance] and see gibberish, then I'd hope that they'd use their common sense and not send....

I still think not seeing the seed swap until X posts in is the best measure, as they won't know about it until they are already joining in genuinely.....but not sure if the powers that be would agree to a change in the board set up for something like this.....but if you don't ask.....

[Bigmallly]

I know I felt cheeky anyway the first time I enquired about seeds, even though I'd had quite a lot of posts and been a member for almost 6 months (I think). The responding Grape was dear Flummery, who not only sent me some crimson flowered broadies, which were fab, but didn't ask for an SAE either! It really set the tone of the Vine for me.

And unfortunately it's grapes like Flum who are targeted.

[jackyspratty]

This was my experience too!(I mean regarding flums generosity!) Often by just asking about the best type to by or tips for looking after stuff, other grapes not only share their experience with you but also offer to send seeds and cuttings, again often at heir own cost!It set the tone for me too. I hope that one day I can share my experience but also offer the same re cuttings and seeds. I think you are either inspired to do the same, or you are not? Shame really cos its a fantastic feeling

[Florence Fennel]

I'm a blue meanie too. I voted 50.

[SueA]

Are you going to stick to the results of the poll? What if all the 'scammers' just log on & vote for 0 posts so that gets the majority of votes?

[RedThorn]

Voted 50, however I do think it should be length of time on the vine related...

[pipkins]

Voted 50, however I do think it should be length of time on the vine related...

I second RT!

[planetologist]

I'd say that lots of chatter does not guarantee anything. I try to spend more time in the garden and less in forums.

[zazen999]

Bumping for a few more comments/votes before the poll closes.