⬆️THIS⬆️
Have seen the Same here!!! Customized to each attendee along with transportation to a beautiful catered event & venue. The hosts never said a word, but there were a few of us who definitely noticed and we were heartbroken for the hosts.

I don't host "fancy" events, but I've mostly given up printing clue books for people, mostly because of no-shows. My worst was 55 sign-ups as of the day before, about 3 cancelations last minute... and a total of 9-10 people actually attended!

Now people can print their own clues and only print them myself if the event absolutely requires it. I generally expect 1/3 to not attend, either dropping or not, and consider anything better than that a great turnout.

😳 Wow that’s terrible! That’s like a 80% no-show. Can’t help but think I’d be so scarred, I’d never host another event. I’m so sorry that happened to you. But also happy you didn’t let it get you down and you continue to host events.

Long ago RSVP was usually respected. And thank you cards were hand written and sent out after a big event. It's a shame we have lost this social structure. Even though we have moved away from paper based communication sent through the mail, the same polite norms should still apply. No postage is required now, so can't complain about the cost! Updating your RSVP using online tools is so easy it's not an excuse, and it's rude to ignore this obligation. Taking 15 seconds to type out and send a thank you after the event is also not asking too much. Or is it?

Can’t say I don’t agree with you there? The last several years of baby, birthday and wedding gifts we have sent were never even acknowledged much less thanked for. We hear that’s common.
But law knows that’s another beef for another thread for another day!

You are very much correct though, it’s just so easy to accomplish these tasks for absolutely 0 money and minimal time online.

So now that we’ve talked at length about how inconsiderate it is to your host to be a no show for events; what can we do to streamline the process and make it simpler for guests to drop their signups?

AQ automatically sends out a reminder. If someone could remind/correct me?!?! I can’t remember but I know there is at least 1, possibly 2 reminders sent out that have clear directions for editing your signup if you are unable to attend.
Maybe that needs to be revamped?

Or are people not reading their mail?

I refuse to believe that the no-shows are purposefully being rude. Inconsiderate yes but I believe that to be out of ignorance because they don’t know.

My L’box community has some of the most thoughtful & kind folks you will ever meet. I have been the recipient of packages of stamps/gifts/cards/notes/ltcs over the years so know for a fact the we are at the top of the snail mail how to ladder. Surely a lil ole keyboard isn’t outside of one’s wheelhouse?

Digital communication is quick, it’s easy, and it’s free. Plus it’s way simpler than traveling to the post office!
Life happens, every single one of us gets that. So if you need to cancel attending an event that YOU SIGNED UP FOR, in under 60 seconds you can easily reverse that sign up and spare your host some hurt feelings, time and money.
It’s the right thing to do.

It might be helpful if AQ sent out an automated reminder a month in advance in addition to the current reminder. That might help with people who don’t read their mail often.

Sometimes - folks sign up for events when they are listed than do not check their accounts for long periods of time. I can't remember what I did yesterday - so folks with long breaks probably don't remember what they sign up for months earlier.

The perfect answer will never be perfect for everyone... like Jonathan mentioned - I no longer create event sheets that include all clues and expect folks that are attending to print clues. I usually have a couple copies with me for those traveling/signing up late.

As far as gift bags - mine are usually minimal with things I can absorb back into my personal supplies if I have extras.

sorry no help from me... let me drink more coffee.

As a host - I generally send out reminder notices to folks. The bigger the event - the more messages I send. So I'm not sure an additional automated message from the site will help more than that :)

I know you do that, mud, but I don’t think all hosts do that. It can’t hurt…

The subject of the reminder email could be, "Are you still coming?"

Based on experience I am pretty sure many people do not know they have AQ mail unless they actually go to the site and look.

They do not know that they can set their preferences to have AQ mail forwarded to their regular email.

Or if they can simply be notified at their regular email when they have new AQ mail.

You are correct, there is no perfect answer.
I myself personally no longer do events where a rsvp matters in terms of wasted time or money.
But every event & host is different and this soapbox I’m on right now is for them and future events where a rsvp does matter.

.

Yep.
Rather than a generic title line perhaps something titllating to catch the eye that would encourage further inspection and possibly opening the email.

How about “Brad Pitt will be attending the event you signed up for!” That’ll make people read it!

YASSSS!!!
🤣😂
Ur awesome!

If only to drop from the event, lol

As long as there’s no alcohol at the event, he’d probably behave. I’d just ogle him from afar, anyway!

BP will probably bring two or three kids.
No thanks.

If it said The Rock. We all have preferences. And then I would have “a rock” lol

Milo Ventimiglia (Jack on This Is Us). Yes, please!

I wonder if Ryan could add a button to the sign-up page that read something like ...

"You will be sent a last-minute reminder to reconfirm your attendance." By clicking this box [insert check box] you understand you will be expected to reconfirm your intention when the last-minute reminder is sent (event organizer chooses the drop-dead date to reconfirm). "If I fail to reconfirm I understand there may not be accommodations for me."

Event planning can be expensive for hosts. It's only polite to show your appreciation by showing up and paying it forward. How much would you spend for a full-day or weekend of family fun activities? Letterboxing is a bargain in my book.

If I understand correctly, this is a great suggestion. When you sign up initially, you have reserved a spot. 30 days or so before the event, AQ will send a reminder to either finalize your sign up, or be automatically removed from the roster. Is that about right?

Yes. That's what I was trying to convey.

I like this idea. I wouldn’t remove anyone from sign up. But I can send a 30 day reminder out. ❤️

Here's your pseudo-semi-annual reminder to check your letterboxing clue external links for accuracy.

Google drive, personal websites, shutterfly, and others can change their link script and then your links point to a dead zone of internet. Your boxes aren't found. And your stamps turn to mush!

Also, if you use Google Drive, make sure your links work for others. Open a browser in incognito mode and try following your google links. If you don't get the file (or the ask for permission google section) then you need to change your file settings.

Best,
Curtis!

Yeah, but is he going to be a no-show? That's the question!

-- Ryan

We will see. But I did let him know in no uncertain terms that if he’s a no-show, that’s it, we are done forever. Kaput. Finished. I’ll never speak to him again.

Congratulations RDHG on your latest Purple Diamond!!