EvergreenMike said:I've never actually been to a swap before. How does it work?
Mike, it looks like no one has answered your question. Here goes...
The NGA site has this thing called a 'swap tool'. Usually, it is used for seed swaps.
@Critterologist , aka Jill, used it for the 2016 Spring Swap. All things considered, it worked well.
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To use the tool, you . . .
1. Register for the swap. Currently, registration is set to open on Monday, 11-July.
2. Once registered, you build your own 'swap list'. This is a list of plants/seeds/bulbs/whatever that you have available for trade. You enter the name of the item and how many you have available. There is the ability to attach a photo and also a brief description or note.
3. Trading actually begins on Wednesday, July 20. At this point, all registered users start to receive tickets to call dibs on items available. Each user gets a fresh batch of tickets each day to use.
4. Once trading begins, you are able to check out the master swap list. Items are listed alphabetically, Each entry shows who is offering the item, the item name, quantity available, quantity per offer, notes, optional photo.
5. You can call dibs on an item any time, as long as you have tickets available. Again, each user gets more tickets every day.
The swap tool does all of the accounting for you. Each time someone calls dibs on an item that you are offering, the quantity available for that item is automatically reduced by one.
The system has a 'bought' list of items that you have called dibs on. It also has a 'sold' list of items that you are offering that other people want.
The swap trading is scheduled to end on Friday, 09-Sept and the actual gathering is being held on Saturday, 10-Sept.
While the swap is running, it's a good idea to check your 'sold' list daily so that you can pull everything together. That way, come the morning of 10-Sept, all you need to do is load up the car and head on over.
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I've left out some details, but this should give you an idea.
Registration opens on Monday, 11-Jul-2016.
Let me know if you have any questions.
