Group swaps, and such....

If you become part of a swap group, realize your commitment!

I have, of late, I've experienced a trend here.

Someone in the group always seems to lose out! Either the project is never acknowledged, or NEVER received after months. Or there's NO direct communication with the chairperson. (LIFE happens, I know it, I 'Get It' ....Just let your leader know)

It's just LAME, LAME, LAME!

If someone sent me something in a swap, and I didn't acknowledge it, consider me BRAIN dead. Or 3/4 of the way there. TOTAL dementia, something of that nature. I must surely be in a BAD way, if I don't acknowledge a gift....

It may be time to 'herd up' the young ones, Blondie and Sandy!

JAYZEE!
What has happened to common courtesy?

Honestly, I hope someone is keeping a list and a member that doesn't fulfill their obligations (because that is what it is when you join a group and say you are going to participate) not be allowed to join in any other swaps. It takes all of 2 minutes to log on and let someone know there is an issue and to drop out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by K. McEuen

Honestly, I hope someone is keeping a list and a member that doesn't fulfill their obligations (because that is what it is when you join a group and say you are going to participate) not be allowed to join in any other swaps. It takes all of 2 minutes to log on and let someone know there is an issue and to drop out.

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ME TOO! I put a lot of thought and energy into the Secret Santa swap, for instance.
If someone doesn't follow through with a commitment, without a message to the chair, within a month, OFF the Secret Santa LIST. Sometimes we get a bit ahead of ourselves. As a NEWBIE, I can relate.
And LIFE does happen.
But a commitment is a commitment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by K. McEuen

Honestly, I hope someone is keeping a list and a member that doesn't fulfill their obligations (because that is what it is when you join a group and say you are going to participate) not be allowed to join in any other swaps. It takes all of 2 minutes to log on and let someone know there is an issue and to drop out.

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Sounds like a good plan to me.

I just had another thought..........what about.......close to mailing time of your swap item.......the head of the swap post a notice on the forum and ask if they are still participating like Blondie did awhile back. She ask everyone to post their name and info if they still wanted to participate........gave them a deadline........and if they did not respond they were taken off the list. If they don't respond then they don't get a swap item mailed to them. Not a perfect fix but at least you don't send a gift to someone who is no longer active.

I know we have a like button, but can we get a love button, because I LOVE this!!! As the leader of the mug rug swaps, it's VERY disheartening when you have members miss out or wait forever and a day because someone decided to flake out. Any member(s) that flaked out for the last swap, I sent PMs to all of my fellow swap leaders with their name(s). Be warned that if you're a part of my mug rug swaps and you flake out on me, your name WILL be mud.

I've tried to keep this to a minimum because I ask that all members contact me with their address and anyone that hasn't contacted me by the deadline date gets booted out of the group completely, but this can only work to a certain extent. I still have had a flake or two, and I still haven't received something from a swap I was a part of back a few months ago. It totally sucks both being the leader and having a flake and being the person who sends something out and gets nothing back.

Please don't be that flake!

I agree with NewYork Sue.... I really do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by K. McEuen

Honestly, I hope someone is keeping a list and a member that doesn't fulfill their obligations (because that is what it is when you join a group and say you are going to participate) not be allowed to join in any other swaps. It takes all of 2 minutes to log on and let someone know there is an issue and to drop out.

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I agree 100% percent. getting no acknowledgement so you don't know if your recipient got your item is worse then getting a half done in a rush slap in in an envelope its done item. whether you like your item or not common curtesy is to acknowledge it and post a pic for all to see.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pcbatiks

I just had another thought..........what about.......close to mailing time of your swap item.......the head of the swap post a notice on the forum and ask if they are still participating like Blondie did awhile back. She ask everyone to post their name and info if they still wanted to participate........gave them a deadline........and if they did not respond they were taken off the list. If they don't respond then they don't get a swap item mailed to them. Not a perfect fix but at least you don't send a gift to someone who is no longer active.

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This is a great idea ! A week or so before send out time make everyone report in if they are ready for send out day. If you get no response then you remove them. I am sure most people know when they join a swap if they have plans(vaca etc) they either don't join if thier are conflicting dates or send early or later with leaders acknowledgement.

I'm sure I'm better off not knowing what's going on lmbo But being on the road for 10+ days traveling while part of at least 2 groups, I don't post in them often (I'm busy trying to make things :-) But, everyone should check in their groups to see what's going on with the project, swap dates etc! It's called a GROUP Swap! Not the person or people running it making ALL of the items and I really LOVE to see what other's have made and swapped --- even when I wasn't in the group - those photo's are precious knowing others care enough to make creative goodies and do what they signed up for!

So -- :icon_heh: Someone better send out what they were suppose to

*Edited - Actually I'd say have the group managers send a PM before kicking a person out and saying they were flake. Maybe they are working on it... so a PM to ensure they are still in? I don't want to see people posting about *so and so* not being allowed in groups with names spewed... Don't think the boards need that - Maybe Group managers can let new Groups know if there was a previous problem? But more on the PM side

Just don't be a:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...es_in_bowl.jpg

Okay, here's my take: If this happens to me I'm gonna bombard the swap partner with notes until I hear back and get a response . . . so watch out. Oh, and if I inadvertently miss telling someone I've received their wonderful and thoughtful giftie, please let me know!!

I am glad this thread was started. It is rude to not acknowledge a swap buddy when receiving what they've been given. I try to put effort in the things I make because I want my partner to be happy. I also look forward to seeing what everyone gets.

I didn't get anything in my last swap, the R, W, &B dresden table topper. Had I known I wasn't receiving one for the 4th of July from my buddy I would have made one for myself. Our wonderful leader sent me a pm the other day, telling me she would make one for me. I tried not to complain, though I showed my disappointment in my buddy. Although, I appreciated what our leader is doing for me, I did not and do not expect her or others to pick up the slack for another. It just isn't fare.

I do hope my partner is okay. I have wondered if something happened to cause her to "drop out".

That's why I pulled back and didn't join to many was afraid of getting overwhelmed.

I try to always abide by the rules of the swap so my buddy doesn't have to wait, and I always say thank you for what I get in return. I also try to post a pic. I feel that is the right thing to do and it really only takes a couple minutes to do. I'm sure there will always be those that don't feel the same, but I like to make people smile, not hurt their feelings. I can only imagine how difficult it is to be a swap leader and thank all of them for the work they do.

Just to clarify my comments, I contact EVERY member (multiple times!) and give them chances to let me know they're still in before I give them the boot. But if it's the day of the group closing and I've been nagging you for two weeks with no response, then I'm not including you in the swap. And I would never post their name openly on the forum, I send PMs to other leaders of groups they're a part of to let them know someone dropped out on me so they can contact this person and see if they're still willing to participate in their particular swap as well. I'm not going to sit idly by while this person disappoints multiple members because "Oh well, my swap was taken care of." If you're going to flake out on me, I'm not going to allow you to do it to someone else, THAT was my point.

I don't mind having people say "I'm sorry, I joined the group but something happened, I have to drop out/I'm going to be late" that's COMPLETELY fine! But please, please, PLEASE let your group leader know if this happens ASAP!

I agree with all of you. I don't join swaps cause I can never think of what pattern to make, which fabrics to use - etc. until the day before it's due to be mailed. (You should see me at Christmas time! I have to get all my store bought shopping done early because I am too busy sewing up a storm right before the holidays to go out to the stores). So, therefore, I enjoy seeing the photos of what others have done. And, it is no fair for someone to drop off the face of the earth and still get something in return.

Hugs,

Good thread, and it appears much needed. I find flakes on Ebay from time to time. As a seller and a buyer. Here is what I do:

After one week of no communication I will send a message saying, I know things get busy but I am waiting and I have heard nothing from you. Please advise.
Week two: 2nd notice. I know life gets busy .... blah blah blah
Week three: 3rd and final notice. I know life gets busy and blah blah blah.....

Note that you have sent them 3 messages, that gives them a chance to say "oops, sorry! Meant to reply but forgot".

Works for me everytime!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Musical_Starling

I don't mind having people say "I'm sorry, I joined the group but something happened, I have to drop out/I'm going to be late" that's COMPLETELY fine! But please, please, PLEASE let your group leader know if this happens ASAP!

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My point exactly in saying it takes all of 2 minutes to log on and say "I can't finish or I forgot or I'm overwhelmed or my foot fell off or SOMETHING or even to have someone log on for you and say "She's sick." but to just say nothing or do nothing is inexcusable. Even if you do it 15 minutes before names are drawn, it's still ok, just do it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EnumclawGramma

Good thread, and it appears much needed. I find flakes on Ebay from time to time. As a seller and a buyer. Here is what I do:

After one week of no communication I will send a message saying, I know things get busy but I am waiting and I have heard nothing from you. Please advise.
Week two: 2nd notice. I know life gets busy .... blah blah blah
Week three: 3rd and final notice. I know life gets busy and blah blah blah.....

Note that you have sent them 3 messages, that gives them a chance to say "oops, sorry! Meant to reply but forgot".

Works for me everytime!

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Bless you Libby. Three chances is more than generous. I guess I am of the mind that we are all adults and as such we should be responsible. I hate having to remind people over and over about something they already know. I used to run into it at work and it annoyed me. Haha, probably a good thing I don't sign up as a swap leader. I guess it just really irritates me when adults can't accept responsibility for their own actions.

I agree, this is a very good thread. :D As the Swap Mom for my fabric and new quilter block swaps, I do keep a list and have since the beginning. It not only tells me what your address is (if you forget to send a return label) but it also tells me who has been naughty and who I will be removing from any future swaps.

I request that the players send me their name and address and in return, I then send mine. This does two things, it tells me that they have taken the time to read my welcome message and that they are serious about swapping. Do I get 100% participation after all of this, most of the time. Do my ladies communicate with me, yes they do! Unforeseen problems do arise in everyone's life, but when you don't respond to several emails, I start to wonder.

I do go and check the players page and it will tell me the last time they were on the forum doing anything. I had a person in my last swap sign up with two different screen names, I questioned this and was told that they wanted twice the fabric. I reluctantly said OK, and let her do this. I have had previous issues with this person, but figured that I had great communication, so I had nothing to worry about. Come swap time was another story. It was 2 days before the deadline that I started sending messages, as I do with everyone who's package I have not received, and got no response. Finally I got a response telling me that she was on her way to the post office. To this day, I have not received her package and she has not been on the forum since.

Not only was this rude and inconsiderate to the other players, who sent in extra fabric for her, but it was not fair to the other players because I held the swap waiting for her package. I always return any unused packets to the original swapper, but this was unacceptable at best.

I appreciate the messages from other swap moms and they have been very helpful. I have and will continue to remove players that do not respond to me. I look at it this way, if your not serious, why are you signing up to play? You have to know that the amount of fabric that you will be committing to is anywhere from 1 to 4 yards depending on the number of players that have signed up.

I know that the mystery quilt that I am hosting right now, I have 89 members. I know that a good number of those players have no intention of every putting this quilt together, they are just there for a freebie, but I do know a number of them will put it together.

Bottom line is this, if you sign up, please honor your commitment. It is a lot of work for the hostess, especially the way I do it, because everyone sends their swaps to me, I have to open and then redistribute the fabrics, put them all back in the envelopes and then go to the post office.

Everyone in this group accountable to the group, not me. Everyone is accountable to their swap partner, not the swap mom. If a person signs up in good faith and then doesn't send their promised item, then the next person in line is out of luck. They get burned, so to speak, because they sent their item and get nothing in return and it gives a bad name to swapping and no one wants to participate because no one wants to get burned. Does that make since?

I would hope that everyone would post thank-yous for the fabrics or blocks, but it rarely happens from everyone, just a small percentage, that is rude not to say thank you.. but I am old school and was taught to say please and thank you even if I didn't like what I got or I would get a whopping!

This is just my 2 cents :icon_rolleyes:

Swaps scare me. Who knows what life will dish out in the months between making the commiment and fulfilling it? I hate the pressure to perform at a certain level and be finished at a certain time. They just don't seem like they would be enjoyable for me. I support you all in what you do, but I won't be a participant in a swap. I'll donate to a group cause, I can commit to that, but I would hate to disappoint another forum member by not sending something, or sending something my partner doesn't like. Just sayin....

I've been on two sides of this. I was a swap leader and wasn't prepared for people that dropped out without saying anything. I even PM'd someone for advice and the answer was to drop them. lol . On the other hand I have been late and like Jean said you don't know what will come up where you can't finish on time. I told my leader so I think everything is okay and I won't get banned.

I'm looking forward to the stockings and the next mugrug, but I think that will be it for now.


Susan what a nightmare of a story :(

Now I feel like dirt. During the past few months I have received (from my daughter who thought it was important) many cards and an adorable tea holder from forum friends who were concerned. As well as many private email messages. A few days ago I logged in to see well over 40 PM's and got through about 10 to realize that my swap partner for 2 swaps didn't receive anything from me. One I was sick and never completed it and the other I sent. I haven't been able to find out what happened yet. I was the co-host on 2 swaps that have come and gone, I think.

I was back and forth to Mass General many times and if I had asked hubby or daughter to check the forum they would have thought I was delirious. I was stripped of my tablet and snuck onto my son's laptop only a couple of times because I had the chance and did let forum friends know I was sick.

I couldn't and am not the type to post about every drug, symptom or test I have but I really honestly was unable to do anything more than lay down. I am the one that makes excuses to myself why I feel the way I do until I wake up in an ER which is what I did. I am still unable to drive, do laundry, garden, pretty much anything. I am now however allowed to sew but not for more than an hour and when I did for 3 hours because no one noticed I ended up sleeping for like 6 more.

I am really sorry that I have let anyone down and that was not my intent. I will make amends and never do it again no matter what it takes. I had no idea this was going to happen to me. I am really sorry and I feel bad because before I was sick I was weeks late on mailing out a gift.

I feel so bad right now because I have failed so many people lately. I have no idea where the items I have received even are besides the cards and tea holder which is adorable. My daughter will be here tomorrow afternoon and I am sure she knows because hubby has no clue. He said a few packages came for me but he told Brenna to put them away and he doesn't know where. I will find out tomorrow, have her take pictures for me and I will post them.

I am so sorry and I hope you can all forgive me.

U

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lisapc

Now I feel like dirt. During the past few months I have received (from my daughter who thought it was important) many cards and an adorable tea holder from forum friends who were concerned. As well as many private email messages. A few days ago I logged in to see well over 40 PM's and got through about 10 to realize that my swap partner for 2 swaps didn't receive anything from me. One I was sick and never completed it and the other I sent. I haven't been able to find out what happened yet. I was the co-host on 2 swaps that have come and gone, I think.

I was back and forth to Mass General many times and if I had asked hubby or daughter to check the forum they would have thought I was delirious. I was stripped of my tablet and snuck onto my son's laptop only a couple of times because I had the chance and did let forum friends know I was sick.

I couldn't and am not the type to post about every drug, symptom or test I have but I really honestly was unable to do anything more than lay down. I am the one that makes excuses to myself why I feel the way I do until I wake up in an ER which is what I did. I am still unable to drive, do laundry, garden, pretty much anything. I am now however allowed to sew but not for more than an hour and when I did for 3 hours because no one noticed I ended up sleeping for like 6 more.

I am really sorry that I have let anyone down and that was not my intent. I will make amends and never do it again no matter what it takes. I had no idea this was going to happen to me. I am really sorry and I feel bad because before I was sick I was weeks late on mailing out a gift.

I feel so bad right now because I have failed so many people lately. I have no idea where the items I have received even are besides the cards and tea holder which is adorable. My daughter will be here tomorrow afternoon and I am sure she knows because hubby has no clue. He said a few packages came for me but he told Brenna to put them away and he doesn't know where. I will find out tomorrow, have her take pictures for me and I will post them.

I am so sorry and I hope you can all forgive me.

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oh my gosh, Lisa, we knew you were not able to do anything but sleep and try to heal. I sure hope your swap partner understands, I am sure she does. We were just all so worried about you when we didn't hear from you. I'm glad you are able to get back to doing some things. We hope to hear from you soon.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones, I've only belonged to one mug rug swap and I sent mine to my partner and I received mine. I'm now ready to join another one!

Hi Lisa..............I think a most of us saw the post awhile back saying that you were very sick and could not do anything except rest. Sounds like you are still recovering.......take care of yourself and don't worry about this. We've missed you. :)

We all knew you were sick Lisa. I think it was Wendy that let us all know. If your swap leaders didn't take that into consideration and remove you or at least let your receiving partner know that their item may be months late, that is on them.

Lisa, Poor thing...we all understood and we all know how sick you've been! We have all missed you as well. I am glad to hear from you and can't wait to have you back regally.

(((Hugs)))) Lisa!! Gosh I pop in sometimes too much, then disappear busy sewing but I knew how sick you were - illness and healing MUST take over for you now - not to worry about a missing anything. My father used to say it's just "stuff" (his father was a fireman and really it IS all just "stuff".

I've ran one Group - we didn't swap anything thank goodness, but it was such fun in November I'll host it again!
I've joined a few groups and for me the "pressure" of thinking of cool items each month - or finding a different Mug Rug pattern that other's found helped me get er' done.

Very excited about the into the Light Project Fabric is hosting *Whooo hooo*!!!
I do get sometimes busy sewing for my business and fall behind, but knowing how much work the Group managers put into this, they do deserve to see items sent out or sew up :-) Mine will get done - Anything Black and... well I'm very excited about the colors too.

It is heartening to hear that most swaps go ok, but a shame on the others so sorry for those Group Managers! Dee I remember my 1st Swap I joined was your Mug Rug! I even offered to send some extra's in case ppl flaked out - No it's not the Group's manager or another member to do this Agree!!! But I also didn't want someone to not get one, when I made up so many extra's :-)

It's all good and I hope more folks do join in - but please Know - the other folks are counting on you!!

and I want my swap stuff too hehehe

Well, being new around here, I certainly intend to do my best to make a good impression and NOT flake on the B&W Charm swap I just joined by Fabriclvr!

My other passion is scrapbooking and a couple of years ago I was very active on a scrapbooking site where I hosted swaps and started/participated in Circle Journals and I know from experience it can get overwhelming very fast. I was much more experienced with scrapbooking when I got involved online so I was always able to just get it done. Still we had people flake on their responsibilities. If it was a swap, as the host I would always try and make it up to the jilted person, but a journal? That was always heartbreaking if someone didn't follow through. Especially if it had already been half way around the circle! Unless you are physically able to go to the person's address and find out what's going on - there is really nothing you can do about it. Thankfully that didn't happen often.

Since I am not that experienced a quilter - I do not intend to sign up for everything under the sun. I'm doing the B&W charm swap because I really want to do something in those colors (with a dash of purple!) and I have my mat and rotary cutter handy. What I DON'T have handy right now is my sewing machine, so as much as I can't wait for the next mug rug swap - it would definitely be better for me if it didn't start next week. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sew Perfect

I am glad this thread was started. It is rude to not acknowledge a swap buddy when receiving what they've been given. I try to put effort in the things I make because I want my partner to be happy. I also look forward to seeing what everyone gets.

I didn't get anything in my last swap, the R, W, &B dresden table topper. Had I known I wasn't receiving one for the 4th of July from my buddy I would have made one for myself. Our wonderful leader sent me a pm the other day, telling me she would make one for me. I tried not to complain, though I showed my disappointment in my buddy. Although, I appreciated what our leader is doing for me, I did not and do not expect her or others to pick up the slack for another. It just isn't fare.

I do hope my partner is okay. I have wondered if something happened to cause her to "drop out".

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It's wonderful that Theresa is 'making up' for the flake out. I was going to chair a 'Big Star' topper in Oct/Nov, but bowed out because of these issues. Hope I'm not deemed a flake-out for doing so...
I am not about to chase after flakes, nor make 'good' for them. We are all adults, no? I just have no patience for this behavior. I deal with enough of this behavior at work. It's not entering my home.
I may continue to participate, now and again, but I'll know going-in I may get burned. I would never expect a chair to pick up the slack. It is what it is...
That said, I think it's a good idea to have a point person that keeps in charge of the flake-outs. Let's face it, some put a lot of time and effort into the BIG DADDY 'Secret Santa Swap'. Okay, it's not the chicken pinnie swap, BUT if you can't manage that, you're off the BIG list. Are we to expect Blondie and Sandy to make up for the flakes? I don't think so.
If you have a serious health issue, or you're in over your head, message your chair!
The kicker is the topper swaps are challenging and have made me gain confidence. I was scared to death to try a Dresden. But I did it! I wasn't ashamed to send it. It's not perfect by any means. But it's a N.Y Sue original! lol
My template came late, I messaged my chair before the deadline because I wasn't going to make the deadline, and she paired me up with someone who had the same thing going on.
Lucky me!
Ilive2craft (Lisa) sent me this beauty!

Attachment 51157

Won't say if I'll never participate in a swap again, but I probably will. As the saying goes. a sucker is born every minute. I trust everyone, to a fault.

But the thought of chairing makes me a wreck....

Hi friends,

I can see both sides of the issue. I am currently waiting to receive my mugrug, so I am guessing that I am receiving one from one of those who were late in being able to post. Realizing that there are a lot of medical and otherwise hardships going on right now for some of our sweet quilty sisters, I can be patient. I know holidays with no mail service can upset the timing of the mail by several days too. I just today finally received my 1930's DD charms and it's been a couple of weeks since I ordered them, I chalk that up to the holiday. So I am hoping that in the next day or so that my mugrug will be waiting for me. By the same token, I REALLY appreciate and respect the time and effort the swap moms put into making these opportunities available for us and making them work out so well. It is NOT fun to think that you were forgotten. I wonder if some of those who have not responded with a thank-you and a picture, just haven't received their package yet. I would hate to think someone thought me ungrateful for not having posted yet, just because I am still eagerly awaiting it's arrival.

Lisa-We all knew you were sick. We were all worried about you and miss you here. Take it easy and rest a lot so you can recover fully. Don't over do it , I know its hard at times but please rest.

As far as the rest I think we need a list for the people who host them. Being on the end of NO acknowledgement sucks. I am not really sure if my topper made it and was not liked and thrown in a corner, or made it and just never acknowledged or maybe it was lost in the mail. It was only going 4 states from me and has been 25 days with no word, or is my buddy sick? or on vacation. I put a lot of time and effort into what I make and try and personalize for my buddy if I can. Would hate to see others get hurt after the hard work we do to make things. Also want to say a hats off to our swap leaders, Dee and Teresa and who ever host these things. You do a great job Thank you, I love the swaps its a lot of fun and the ideas from others pictures is priceless.

For anyone who I am ever swap partnered with: I haven't been able to post photos here for quite a while due to my "vintage" computing equipment. I imagine that others may have the same problem. I do say thanks and have had others post photos for me on occasion.

I have been in some interesting swaps and have found some are just not for me.
The worst as far as "flakeage" was the one we did around the world. We made a starter block and mailed it to the next person who made a block to complement it and sent it on to the next. The idea was that at the end, each bee member would have a quilt uniquely her own. It took us over a year and we got to meet and get to know some great ladies.
The bad part was one gal flaked out about half way through, but kept collecting the incoming quilts. She was the stop before me. After repeated e-mails and some computer sleuthing, I had my mother-in-law ready to drive over to her place and pick them up. I was finally able to speak to her partner on the phone and she said she would make sure the gal got them in the mail. I told her I'd have MIL come pick them up if getting them in the mail just couldn't happen.
I ended up with 12 quilts in one wallop. I felt so bad about the delay and the gal flaking out, I ended up making two blocks for each. It seemed like it took forever to get through them, but everyone finally ended up with their quilts.

I have been really happy with the swaps I have done on here so far. I'm just careful to make sure I don't over commit myself since my sewing time can fluctuate greatly.
Swap on!

I agree. I have had both terrific and disappointing outcomes to swaps. Last Christmas Sewbizzy (Carol) absolutely MADE my Christmas with the wonderful assortment of beautiful gifts she sent. Sadly, it can easily be a disappointment also. In either case, there is no excuse for not communicating with the group leader.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Iris Girl

<clip>As far as the rest I think we need a list for the people who host them. Being on the end of NO acknowledgement sucks. I am not really sure if my topper made it and was not liked and thrown in a corner, or made it and just never acknowledged or maybe it was lost in the mail. It was only going 4 states from me and has been 25 days with no word, <clip>.

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I like the idea of a hostess only list. This way we could exchange ideas and information about how and when and who, so we can send intelligent PM's, ones that are not generic just asking why they haven't done something or why they are not responding, that sort of thing, I for one, did not know that Lisa was sick, I am very sad to hear that as she has participated in several of my swaps and I have missed seeing her name. Lisa, I hope you recover quickly, I hate to hear that anyone is sick to the point of just wanting to sleep all the time.

When I send anything these days, I ALWAYS get a tracking number. Yes, it has to go priority mail and it costs a few dollars more than 1st class, but I have the piece of mind knowing that I can see when it was delivered. Then I know that I can rest on that package. Guess it comes from selling over 100,000 items on e-bay and people telling me they didn't get their package and me having to say 'yes you did'!