Banning: If you receive notice that you have been banned from
swapping on the PP board, this means for good. There's nothing to do to be "reinstated." This will not come as
a surprise as you will have been warned by the CLs prior to being banned. Please also consider that this page serves
as a warning, as does the Swaps Rules page.
Hostessing problems in more than one swap and/or outright failure to complete hostessing duties may result in a ban.
Repeated failure to follow all swap rules as a participant may result in a ban.
We expect our swappers to treat us and their fellow swappers with courtesy and honesty. For this reason, hostility
toward the CLs and/or swap hostesses and/or other participants will result in being banned. If you wish to argue
the conditions of your probation or ban, please do so using the stated rules (here and on the Swaps Rules page) and
not your own emotions. When doing so, please list how we have failed to follow procedure in dealing with your case.
Participant Probation:
The problems which may result in a participant being put on probation include but are not limited to:
1. Late package without prior okay from the hostess and a CL.
2. Repeated instances of insufficient postage included in the swap package.
3. Repeated instances of lack of following the swap rules.
4. Items not meeting the swap specifications unless prior permission has been obtained from the hostess.
We feel that if you cannot or will not meet the swap requirements of a particular swap, it is best if you don't join that
one. This goes for the "spirit" of the swap along with the stated rules. For example, we all know that tags
require, at the minimum, an eyelet and fiber. If the swap states further embellishment, that will be in addition to
the basic tag items. We expect you to understand what is
required of you in each swap BEFORE you sign up to participate. If you have any questions, email the hostess before
signing up.
5. Sending in torn, dirty, worn, or "used" items. All handmade work MUST be your original work, unless the
swap specifically states otherwise.
6. Poor or lack of communication during the swap.
In all cases, the hostesses have included the necessary guidelines on their site before the CLs will post
their swap. If you have a question about anything or feel you must deviate from the hostess's stated rules, email the
hostess BEFORE you join (or at least before you mail) the swap and resolve the matter then. If the CLs are hearing
about participant problems, that means it has reached a point where the hostess is frustrated and no longer feels in
control of the situation.
We realize that many will come to our board and are new to swapping. As is usually the case with rules, these apply
to the unwilling, not the newbie. That is why it is important for hostesses to communicate with the CLs and let them
know not only what the problem is, but who it is. A managing decision for a person who's been swapping awhile and knows
(but ignores or is hostile toward) the rules is going to be different than for a newbie who is simply overwhelmed with her
first swap and doesn't quite "get it" yet.
During a period of probation, any subsequent participation problem will result in a 4 month revocation of swapping privileges.
Following that period, another 4 month probation during which you can only participate in one swap at a time and during which
you may not host.
Not completing a swap without proper notice to the hostess and a CL will result in a 4 month revocation of swapping privileges.
Hostess Probation:
A hostess may be put on probation if she fails to communicate effectively with her swap participants during the swap.
A significant participation problem, short of outright failure to complete the swap, results in a 4 month revocation
of hostessing privileges (during which time you must complete 2 swaps as a participant, without ANY problems).
During a period of probation, any subsequent participation problem will result in a 4 month revocation of swapping privileges.
Following that period, another 4 month probation during which you can only participate in one swap at a time and during which
you may not host.
Concurrent problems in multiple swaps at or about the same time (whether as a participant or hostess) will result in hostess
probation.
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Following any period of probation, a swapper should seek approval from the CLs before returning to swapping.
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Each time we add new rules & guidelines to the swaps pages, we think we have covered any possible situations that may
arise. However, we have found that people continue to surprise and amaze us with their resourcefulness and creativity.
We feel this creativity could be put to much better use by simply making great swap items correctly and following rules, but sadly,
others may not share our view. So, this list is not comprehensive and the CLs reserve the right to review each
situation individually. Just because it's not spelled out completely on the
Swaps Rules & Procedures page or on this page, does not mean that we can't ban you or put you on probation for a non-stated offense. As always,
the vast majority of swappers and hostesses need never worry about banning or probation but we refuse to let the minority
ruin the swaps for everyone. Parentsplace WILL shut down the swaps if we do not monitor them properly.
Obviously, there are times when emergencies happen and/or computers fail. That is why we tell the participants
and hostesses to print out a hard copy of any swaps they are involved in. YOU are responsible for YOUR swaps. If
your computer crashes, it is up to you to notify the hostess or a CL, or if you are the hostess, to notify the CLs (who can
then post to your participants). Our phone numbers are on the Swaps Rules & Guidelines page. We take into
account emergencies but in our experience these have been few and far between, and rarely the case for someone not communicating
for weeks at a time.
If you need to drop out of swaps you have signed up for, for any reason, you should do so sufficiently in advance and
find your angels (or ask the hostess if she would prefer to find angels) to take over your spots. In the event
of a true emergency, notify your hostesses and the CLs right away. We will assist you in any way possible if we are
properly notified of your need for help.
We can't stress enough the importance for proper communication. In nearly every case, there has been a lack of
communication or a lack of HONEST communication in which the process broke down. When you tell a hostess that the package
has been mailed (or will be mailed on such and such day), please make sure that you are being honest. If you simply
could not get to the post office when you said you would, let the hostess know.
