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New Traveling Box - ideas/feedback

Spider

"The Cadre Constable"
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Hello All!

As many of you had seen/participated in the past, I hosted a mystery traveling box. This box was full of goodies that you could sample, and then take what you wanted, and then add things that you had. If this is new to you, check out the previous thread here: The Mystery Traveling Box

Now, I had intended on starting this back up earlier this year, but then 2020 happened.......

So now, I'm getting ready to start this up again. And I have a few questions to get your input to see if I can make it any better.

1) When do we start?
With the holidays coming up, I think it's probably a good idea to wait until after Christmas/New Years to start, since most extra money is tied up at that time. So I"m thinking mid Jan to start? Noting that the round trip on this will be a few months to several months depending on the number participating.

2) Anonymity of new items into the box?
So, the way I set up the box in the past, was that any new items put into the box would be a surprise. I know that on other forums, in other passes, everyone posts a pic of what they included. I thought I would do it differently. The "puts" into the box, were sent to only me, so in the end, when the box was received, nobody knew who put in what. This served a couple purposes. #1, there was no tracking/anticipation prior to box receival. I know in other places, I was able to track what was in the box the whole way, and knew, pretty much, exactly what would be in the box when it got to me. This way, it's almost a complete surprise. And #2, there is no expectation on anyone to put into the box any certain number of items or certain value of items.... so making it anonymous takes the pressure off those who can't put in as much as others. (I only ask for the added items be sent to me, so I know who added them, in cads anyone down the road has questions about them). So, does this make sense? Do you want to do it this way or differently?

3) Geographic relativity?
When I do my pass boxes, I like to organize the list in generically in numerical order of zip codes. This makes shipping times as little as possible, since one member will basically be shipping to the next nearest member, and at times, allowing one member to hand the box off to another member (if it is discovered that they live near enough to another member). In the grand scheme of things this may save a day per each movement, and maybe a week or two in the overall pass timeline...... so, is this worth it? or would you rather just see the list completely randomized?

4) If you participated before..... or if not, if you read the rules of the pass from the first post, that I posted above, if there anything else you would do differently, or anything you want to suggest as I plan this new passbox?

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to getting this going again!
 
I really liked the format of the first traveling box. I don't think I would change anything, except that the box needed to be larger. Fitting everything back into the box took some effort.

Also, mid-January sounds great to me.
 
except that the box needed to be larger. Fitting everything back into the box took some effort.
Well, we already used a Large Flat Rate box. I don't think there's any way to use a larger box without it costing a whole lot more to ship. Flat rate shipping is the best option. The problem is, folks are just to dang generous!!!! Most folks opt to put more into the box, than they take out..... which causes issues of space down the road. People who are in the pass, need to not be afraid to take stuff out, regardless of what they put in!
 
This was one of the most joyful items I participated in last year. It was well worth the 15 bucks spent to re mail it.
I love the fact that I was able to smell items I would have never had a chance to. In fact I purchased maybe a handful just because of the passaround.

As for anything to improve been thinking?? The only thing I noticed is there were quite a bit double items? Not a problem but?

Have you thought of asking artisans if they would add samples to be added. Many of times samples I tried have been purchases?

The only thing I can think is maybe split it up?? I was overwhelmed. Maybe 2 smaller boxes. Both with various artisans or scents??

By no means do I want to be critical of this. It was fantastic. And you should be acknowledge for starting this.

Hope this helps?

Take care.

GO BUCKS!!
 
This was one of the most joyful items I participated in last year. It was well worth the 15 bucks spent to re mail it.
I love the fact that I was able to smell items I would have never had a chance to. In fact I purchased maybe a handful just because of the passaround.

As for anything to improve been thinking?? The only thing I noticed is there were quite a bit double items? Not a problem but?

Have you thought of asking artisans if they would add samples to be added. Many of times samples I tried have been purchases?

The only thing I can think is maybe split it up?? I was overwhelmed. Maybe 2 smaller boxes. Both with various artisans or scents??

By no means do I want to be critical of this. It was fantastic. And you should be acknowledge for starting this.

Hope this helps?

Take care.

GO BUCKS!!
Hey, @gobucks5485 ... Are you thinking of the soap sample pass-around? There was a previous mailing separate from that pass-around, which was not soap dependant (or even shave dependant, I'm guessing).
 
Unfortunately, I was not around for the last box pass, but I am definitely planning on getting into this one. I am half way threw last years thread and this looks like a fantastic idea and looks like everyone enjoyed it and it went well. Thanks @Spider for setting this up again.
 
Also, the wide variety of items in the box was great. I liked the felt razor pouches. Those were cool.

I still love the Gillette Single Ring that I pulled from the box.

I am really looking forward to this. There are a couple of things that I want to purchase for the box along side the handful of things already on hand that I want to throw in.
 
Mid January sounds great and like others have said, I loved the way it worked last time.
 
I was not active during the last pass around but would love to participate this time. Sounds like the original process was liked by most, so I'd recommend keeping it the same with an emphasis on participants being willing to take something out as they put things in. Thanks for organizing this, Spider.
 
I am definitely in for this and have a few nice items to this in for sure.
 
I loved participating in the last box. I got my new favorite handle from inside that box. I'd love to do it again. @Spider , you run a tip-top ship, so I know any rule changes are cool with me. I'm in.
 
Just spent the past two days going back through the first Travel Box thread. Its magical. If you missed it or want to relive it....Spider posted a link to the thread in the first post. Its hilarious to read through and the anticipation I felt for The Fake Box I got to experience all over again. Plus it took me back to my experience of opening the real box. Such a generous group we have here. So much great stuff. And its was so hard to pass on so many amazing items. If you didn't get in last time, I highly recommend you get in on this next one. Lots of fun and so cool.

And lets give a huge round of applause to @Spider for putting this together previously and in the near future. We're not worthy of your coolness but we'll take ya....worts and all.
 
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