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Read Thread: Just curious how most of you handle this...

Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Sep 1, 2010 6:18am
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In regards to a single postal, I've been reading and researching and I see that people typically do it one of three ways.

Either they mail the postal to the first person on the list, and then have them respond that they received it, then give them the next person's address

OR

They put a list of addresses in the postal envelope and have each person responsible for marking their name off and sending to the next person.

OR

They have each person be responsible for AQ'ng the next person in line for their address.

I haven't yet decided how to proceed with my postal and I am looking for feedback from others.
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541893 by DaisiLou
Sep 1, 2010 6:27am
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Easiest is to put the list of addresses in, then you're done. However this provides no safeguards if people "drop out" of postaling in between when you do the list and when the postal gets to them.

Most common practice these days is to have each person contact the person below them on the list to make sure they are ready, and to make sure they have the most up-to-date address. It takes the surprise out of it for receivers, but provides more safety.

Having the owner provide an address to each responder provides the most owner control, but can get tedious if you have a lot going on.
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541893 by DaisiLou
Sep 1, 2010 6:31am
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I'm one who probably isn't your best resource for an answer as I've only done a few postals. However, I had one "A Tribute to My Dad" that I wanted to travel to as many people as possible so that I could give the logbook to my Dad for his 60th B-day.

I wanted it to attend gatherings as well as be mailed to as many people as possible. I collected all the addresses of those who wanted the postal, letting them know first, that I would be shuffling their name around. I tried to have it visit one state at a time and then move on -- this cut the time between sender/receiver greatly.

I can't remember now, but lets say I had it start in Maine . . . then down to NY, PA, NC, GA then FL before heading westward. It mostly worked out, with a couple exceptions for Live & Breathe and BABE gatherings where I had to send it cross country and back again.

hx6
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541899 by Hart x6
Sep 1, 2010 6:54am
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It's also a good thing to request alternate emails from each participant. That way you have another way to reach a black hole to try to retrieve a lost postal.
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541893 by DaisiLou
Sep 1, 2010 7:51am
Thread (disabled) Board
I would like to add that it might also depend on how large of a tracker you might be opening. If you keep it small, about 12 and under, then it may be safer to add the addys in there than it would be on a 20 or so size tracker. Now-a-days I prefer to have addys and have people contact on the list before mailing to make sure they're ready.
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541897 by Force of Five
Sep 1, 2010 8:40am
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Easiest is to put the list of addresses in, then you're done

Not too sure I like this idea. If I provide my address to the tracker owner that's one thing I can accept. If I provide my address to the person on the list above me that too is another acceptable situation. But for the owner to provide my address on a list inside the postal so that every one that gets the postal will have my address (or at least be able to see it) - well I think that's wrong.

I would hope an owner will mention they are doing such a thing beforehand so I can opt to drop or not sign up at all.

Just my 2 cents worth.
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541931 by BBStacker
Sep 1, 2010 9:25am
Thread (disabled) Board
Not too sure I like this idea. If I provide my address to the tracker owner that's one thing I can accept. If I provide my address to the person on the list above me that too is another acceptable situation. But for the owner to provide my address on a list inside the postal so that every one that gets the postal will have my address (or at least be able to see it) - well I think that's wrong.

I would hope an owner will mention they are doing such a thing beforehand so I can opt to drop or not sign up at all.

This is how it used to be done more often than not. So, if you are uncomfortable with it, I'd be sure to mention it to the owner when you sign up. Then you can drop if they are doing that particular method.
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541950 by Force of Five
Sep 1, 2010 9:27am
Thread (disabled) Board
The other thing is that sometimes the owner will provide actual labels, so that you just need to take the next one and tape it on. So, once your address is used, it's no longer in the envelope.
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541931 by BBStacker
Sep 1, 2010 10:41am
Thread (disabled) Board
Not too sure I like this idea. If I provide my address to the tracker owner that's one thing I can accept. If I provide my address to the person on the list above me that too is another acceptable situation. But for the owner to provide my address on a list inside the postal so that every one that gets the postal will have my address (or at least be able to see it) - well I think that's wrong.

I have started to do ALL my postal singles this way but I ALWAYS mention that in my tracker page so people know right up front that their address MAY be exposed to everyone else in the ring. I usually print out address labels so you can just peel it off and stick it on...but still the first person to get the package sees all...

To be honest, I do it that way because I'm a bit lazy. :) I also don't like to have people who are ready to ship it out waiting on someone who has yet to get back to them. For some people, THAT is that pet-peeve of a single postal...waiting on an address. I don't see it as any more of a security hazard than those of us who send the entire mailing order in an AQ mail to everyone on the tracker.

But everyone does it differently and there are plenty of choices for everyone to get their postal fix within the confines of their own comfort zones.

Wyvern
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541969 by Wyvern
Sep 1, 2010 2:04pm
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I don't see it as any more of a security hazard

Not a security hazard, but maybe treading just a tad on a person's privacy. Bottom line; it's the owner's postal so their rules prevail. I enjoy receiving postals and the only things that will stop me from signing up is a full tracker, one I don't want (rare), or an owner publishing my address to everyone on the tracker.
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541951 by Force of Five
Sep 2, 2010 7:51am
Thread (disabled) Board
I had 22 people. I put the labels in the postal as I am used to doing round robins for my post card groups. I organized it to travel by state so it should go quickly, but I had a newbie young un who kept it for 2 months and it took a phone call to her house to finally get it moving. If I hadn't kept her address it may have been lost forever. I looked her up on whitepages.com! If I do one again I will limit it to AQ member only and 12 people.
Re: Just curious how most of you handle this...
Board: Postals
Reply to: #541893 by DaisiLou
Sep 2, 2010 12:43pm
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I appreciate the feedback.

I think what I've decided to do is provide an address to someone once they've logged the find. At least that way I know where it is, and who should be getting it soon.

And I also think it's a great idea to do it geographically! I probably would have never thought of that!