[admin]

I just saw that another website has a "snack exchange". People can enter their details and on a set date get a match. They then must ship some goodies (sbacks, local food, chocolate, etc.) to the address of their match.

I always wanted to do something like that myself on here. What kept me from doing it is 1) privacy concerns and 2) the potentially high shipping costs.

So what do you think about the idea? Would you take part in such an event?

Regarding concern 1): The participants could choose if their user name gets revealed to their match or not.
I pondered about the privacy of such an event a couple of times before. The only solution to minimize the privacy concerns would be to centrally route all packages. That would probably be too expensive to do.

Regarding 2): Members could choose if they are willing to ship globally or only locally.
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[Reverand McJizzbags]

Wouldn't it be easier to go to the shop ?

[bbw mel]

I think its a good idea! I mean we cant travel and try it and shipping is cheap they offer flat rate now. I didnt know we could mail food tho!

[jennay1213]

I think it's a cool idea. Question though, would this only be prepackaged foods? I would just have a concern of having anything homemade sent.

[Becca]

Sounds fun!

[admin]

Originally Posted by Reverand McJizzbags

Wouldn't it be easier to go to the shop ?

No. It would not be a surprise then.
And you probably can't go into a shop and find everything. I for example would like to try the Australian vegemite and TimTams, but I can't find them anywhere.

Originally Posted by bbw mel

I didnt know we could mail food tho!

There are restrictions and they differ from country to country. If your match lives in another country, you will have to research the restrictions. Many countries for example don't allow products with nuts. I have sent chocolate care packages to the moderators and they all arrived fine.

Originally Posted by jennay1213

Would this only be prepackaged foods? I would just have a concern of having anything homemade sent.

I could let you chose if you want to receive homemade stuff or not. And your match would do the same - so that you can decide if you want to make a homemade product or not.

Shipping costs may vary. The German post has dropped the international shipping costs considerably in the last year. I used to have to ship the BBW calendars for 6 Euros. But now, I can ship envelopes of up to one kilo (I believe) for only 3,50 Euros.

[Blooze]

My sweet tooth is twitching with excitement

[Blooze]

Maybe even some soft drinks too, I was in the Christchurch recently and the US military were loving our L & P.

[admin]

Originally Posted by Blooze

Maybe even some soft drinks

I could let the participants make a wishlist and let them chose what they are interested in and what they do not like. I for one am not interested to receive soft drinks.

I think it would be most interesting to send local sweets and goodies.
But the general idea is to make a person somewhere else happy.

[Dizzydeelicious]

i really would love some condiments i can't get here in the UK,i.e. Gewuerzketchup(in all it's variations)!nom nom nom....the one thing i really really crave....

[maxwell123]

Originally Posted by Dizzydeelicious

i really would love some condiments i can't get here in the UK,i.e. Gewuerzketchup(in all it's variations)!nom nom nom....the one thing i really really crave....

You only crave one thing?


Sounds like a good idea but I would be cautious about giving personal info unless I know the person beyond posts on this forum.

[hurrykissme]

I know that in the US, you can send any kind of food you want, as long as it is non-perishable. Except for homemade candy, this would pretty much exclude other types of homemade foods.
I send food packages to my son overseas every few weeks. The only thing the post office ever asks me is if there is perfume, lithium batteries, perishables or or liquids that are non-factory-sealed. So, I'm assuming soda pop is OK, as long as it is still sealed from the factory. Although, it is heavy, so I don't recommend it due to shipping costs. I do send him nuts. I don't think thats prohibited here in the US, but I can see how the US or other countries may not allow fresh, raw nuts to be received, due to the possibility of insects.

I would be interested in participating, simply because of my extreme fondness for Violet Crumble candy bars!! Nom nom nom...

[admin]

How much and what to ship is up to the sender (although you would be able to enter your preferences).

We would probably need a limit of how much a package can contain. In Germany, this limit is 22 Euros. If the value of the package is above, then the recipient will have to pay taxes and custom fees. A few treats will be far less than 22 Euros, though.

[hurrykissme]

Is that limit imposed on all packages received in Germany? I know in the US, as long as you mark "gift" on the customs form, there are supposed to be no fees for the recipient.

[Dizzydeelicious]

Originally Posted by maxwell123

You only crave one thing?

well,if you put it like this...no!!

care to slap a stamp on your delectable behind??

[Red Zeppelin]

I shipped lots of chocolate bars to my pal in Texas once....and the box was so heavy that the shipping came to about £40.

So be warned folks!! It ain't cheap.

[CyrenDivine]

I think that's pretty fabulous, but unfortunately cannot do it right now.

[admin]

Originally Posted by Red Zeppelin

...the box was so heavy that the shipping came to about £40.

Yes, shipping may be expensive. But I would allow the participants to choose the location they are willing to ship to. If you only want to ship domestically, then you would get a domestic match.
Also, the shipping costs depend on the weight and size. You don't have to send a heavy package - just some sweets in an envelope would do as well.

[Red Zeppelin]

^

True that. Yes. Small packages are the best idea. But if somebody is feeling generous then the shipping does get expensive. I think the cost of the chocolate bars I sent came to about £20 so the shipping was twice the cost of the goods haha.

[d.mick63]

Originally Posted by admin

No. It would not be a surprise then.
And you probably can't go into a shop and find everything. I for example would like to try the Australian vegemite and TimTams, but I can't find them anywhere.

+1 for TimTams, they're great and I can get some locally hehe. As for vegemite, you'll love it or hate it due to its weird bitter taste but Ive got friends who eat it like no tomorrow lol

[ArtofDesire]

I think a snack swap sounds like a fun idea! I trust enough to participate.

For those leery of giving out a home address you might consider renting a post office box for a short time and use that address.

Here is a link that allows you to search for a U.S. post office box online and determine rental rates since they vary by geographic area.

https://poboxes.usps.com/poboxonline...landingPage.do


In my case the rental rate would be $23.00 for a 3-month period or $39.00 for 6 months.

There are also mail services at the local UPS (United Parcel Service) pack and ship stores. You might be able to rent a box at one of the UPS stores for a single month but you might want longer since international mails can sometime 6 weeks or so arrive.

Just an idea for addressing privacy concerns.

[admin]

Yes, international shipments can take five weeks or even longer.
In Germany, you can rent P.O. boxes for free (since the post office will save on transport).

[Sir Geek & Lady Freak]

Some friends and I have been doing this for years. A friend from Australia sends me Tim Tams....oh how I LOVE Tim Tams!!! Another friend from the UK sends me Yorkie Bars and different candies from England.

I will talk to the Sir and see if he would like to participate.

[Kat Destruction]

Originally Posted by admin

Yes, international shipments can take five weeks or even longer.
In Germany, you can rent P.O. boxes for free (since the post office will save on transport).

You can't receive packages at a P.O. box in Germany though.

[admin]

Originally Posted by Kat Destruction

You can't receive packages at a P.O. box in Germany though.

Well, no. But if the package is too big to fit into your P.O. box, it will get delivered to your home address.
Germans also have the possibility to use one of the packstations as address.

[taikimami]

sounds interesting idea, also i look for one specific snack about 5 years, if it is exist i want to eat it, also i think snack is evolute since i was kids and will find good joy!!
i will open to this idea and totally join the event!!

[chaosbleedsbtvs]

this is a pretty good idea

[bigbillmrbill]

sound like fun let do it

[Reverand McJizzbags]

Amazon have the amazon lockers in the UK. instead of being sent to your house, it's sent to a locker and you pick it up. You would obviously have to buy through amazon, but they do sweets.

Anyone want to do a pube exchange ?

[admin]

Originally Posted by Reverand McJizzbags

Amazon have the amazon lockers in the UK. ... you would have to buy through amazon, but they do sweets.

That would be another option, though a less personal one. Does that mean you would participate?