Saturday, November 01, 2008

The Life of Blog Candy

I didn't want to say anything. It's not like me to publicly complain to strangers and have it go all over the blogiverse. I usually just crab to a select few until they physically or cyberly slap me. But I need to say this before I explode.

Earlier this year I took dozens of names in an attempt to send out fun filled packages of goodies. I had previously held a random selection of a name or names based on some silly question, trying to make things fun. I also at that time would post a photo. The new way was no photo, no random draw. I just took them in the order I got them and sent a few a week.

This was not cheap. Along with the items, which were new or leftovers from my stash, the postage ran anywhere from 6 to 12 bucks, depending on which country it went to. I made smaller envelopes for the most expensive destination because, honestly, I was running short of cash but wanted to make sure all who signed up got at least a small package.


I asked for an email confirmation that the giftees got them, and many of you did, so thank you so much. But a lot didn't either. I could not afford the extra for delivery confirmation unless I printed it at home for free, but I never could get the software from the post office to work right.

So where am I going with this??? On Wednesday, I got a slip in my mail box saying I had a package from a Scholl with postage due. Since only two possible people in my family might have sent something, I contacted them both and neither had sent anything to me. So I made the trek to see what was up, all the time starting to suspect that one of the packages I sent out 6 months ago came back from overseas. But it wasn't from another country gone awry. It was one I had sent to Missouri--I won't name names--who then moved to Tennessee--and said they would accept all forwarded items. Which was false. All these months later, the large stuffed envelope made its way back to me-with postage due.

I refused it. I don't want a gift back that I had sent to someone else to enjoy. Was the envelope worth what I had paid for inside and the postage worth it? To the other end, sure. But coming back to me-no. I might have broke even. But I didn't want it, and that was the reason I had carefully packaged it up to send to a blog reader. There might have been stamps, ink pads, pens, paper, ribbon, charms, Prima's, who knows? Each envelope was unique. I know those who got them, loved them. One person even got an extra set of Nestibilities I had dumbly order a duplicate of.

Since this person has visited my blog before and after the envelope and my name was clearly on it, I only wish I had been contacted about it . It is now in the dead letter department, where it will be auctioned off along with all the other individual packages no one claims.

I won't be doing blog candy again. I can no longer afford it. Sofa Slug retired today-October 31. I rarely enter other blog giveaways either. I don't have to be coerced into visiting blogs to enjoy them. I have 700+ in my Reader and love scrolling thru them and saving my favorites in special folders-like Card Lust and Cream of the Crop. When anything you post blog wise makes my special folders, you know I will be back to visit.

Maybe someday I will have art to post, but currently my head and heart are not in it. It's been a tough 6 months in so many ways, and I need to refocus my spirit and energy in proper order of what matters and what doesn't right now. Don't forget to vote Tuesday. And give your fur children an ear rub from me and your kidlets a smile from Michigan. Be good. Life goes on......

7 comments:

  1. I am so sorry that someone did this to you! It's such a shame that your generous spirit has been crushed by someones lack of good sense.

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  2. I'm very sorry that this kind of thing happened to you. I don't understand why people would do that, mail (good mail, not that crap I get everyday) is such an occasion for celebration! Someday, maybe, I'll have a large enough readership at my blog to try candy. Or not. :D

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  3. WEll, that just sucks! I am sorry to hear that this happened to you. Your good deed should have had a happier ending.....hugs to you....

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  4. What a slap in the face!! That's one more person to add to your s**t list. Hang in there sweetie... you still have the finer ones sticking around.

    Hugs,
    Jen

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  5. Hey Jan, I haven't had a chance to check blogs in quite sometime. I feel sad that your kind spirit was not appreciated; I know that postage is expensive for all who send out blog candy and RAK's. I'll keep checking your blog when I can to see any posts that pop up. In the meantime, enjoy a break, be kind to yourself, and know that a lot of us in blog land so appreciate you. Off to go give my kitty a hug...peace, Kathy

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  6. Hi Jan,
    It is so refreshing to see your name in my comment section! I was overjoyed to visit your blog and when I started reading your post, my heart fell heavy.
    I can't understand why some people are so cruel!!!! This is very disturbing to me that grown people who should know better act so stupidly. I guess it takes all types to make the world go round. *sigh*
    Thanks for letting me know that my link to Lili of the Valley was wrong. I usually double check my links but failed to do so this time. I have since corrected the problem. I'm not too sure about the conversion rate etc. However when I received my charge card bill, the price I paid for the stamps "looked about right". lol
    I hope your husband enjoys his retirement Jan. Delphi forced my hubby to retire a few months ago. At first he was a bit up-set but now he is enjoying his retirement. I'm still trying to get used to him being here all day though...men are such BIG babies!
    At the moment I'm not aware of any new scrapbook or craft stores in my area. If I hear of a new store, I will contact you and fill you in on the details.
    I didn't mean to write a book but my fingers would not stop typing. lol
    Take care Jan and I hope to see you in blog land soon!
    Hugs
    Risa:)
    p.s. Thanks for the comment on my blog, it really made my day to hear from you:)

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  7. Hey Jan. . .I had a similar experience with my blog candy. The postage was expensive, the item expensive, and I was so excited for the winner because I thought she would like it. Weeks went by and I didn't hear from her letting me know that she received the package. I was getting a bit worried because I hated to think she didn't receive it and was still waiting for it. So.. .I contacted her and yup, she received it. . .weeks prior. Oh, well. . BTW, I never heard from her again. . arggh.

    I'm sorry for your bad experience. How ungrateful. Okay, now I understand why you haven't posted any new stuff. I totally can relate. I'm sorry the last 6 months have been rough. I hope things are better!!

    Maria

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Thank you for stopping by and sitting a spell with me and mine. I hope you take away a smile!