Frequently Asked Questions and DO's and DONT's:
Question: What do I bring?/ What do I not bring?
Answer: CLEAN, freshly laundered, gently used items for babies and kids ages 0-14. PLEASE make sure your items are things that YOU would want to take home - Clothes, shoes, books, movies, small toys, baby stuff, walkers, bouncers, highchairs, portacribs. Email me if you have any questions! I can't stress to you enough how important it is that you WASH your stuff before you bring it! We take stuff for donation after the swaps and we can't donate stuff that is dirty and yucky (nor would I want to). So, DON'T bring clothes with holes or large or very bad stains, don't bring games that don't work or toys that are broken..in other words.... don't bring your junk :) - it will not be accepted. Try not to bring stuff out of season - I am not going to turn it away, but remember, each swap has only one or two moms in charge, plus some very dedicated volunteers - & charities don't want bathing suits and shorts in December - and we end of having to store all of this stuff after each swap. At this time, no cribs (although you can post those online here). If you have things that are stained or have holes in it - throw it in a bucket in the garage and use it for rags. There is a point when clothes wear out! :)
Question: How does it work?
Answer: There is a drop off time on the day of the event- go to your local event page for times. You drop your stuff (preferably from a REUSABLE bag (not plastic shopping bags), sign in and pay the $5 per swapper admission fee. You will then get a ticket and be entered into our raffle (keep your 1/2 of the ticket you will need it to get in to the kid's swap- this is how we know who brought stuff to swap & paid admission). All clothing items should be clean and in good condition and on hangers - except for pants, shorts & skirts sized 0-18 months - (if you can't get hangers - we have extra & you will be responsible for hanging your items when you arrive). When the swap starts, show your ticket & go in (with your own bag) & collect what you need from the swap. It's that easy. Hopefully you find a bagful or more of stuff to take home ~ take hangers too if you brought them with you (or you can leave them with us until the next kid's swap).
Question: What's the benefit to volunteering?
Answer: The main benefit is that you will get free admission to the swap and get to preview items that are coming in. Some swaps might have different shifts - so you are only being asked to help for a short time. Also, there is usually one maybe two moms producing these events - and they do it to help their communities, they need some dedicated, responsible volunteers that have the same vision as they do.
Question: If I volunteer, can I take stuff while I am sorting?
Answer: Unfortunately no. To make it fair for everyone, we will all start at the same time. However, volunteers DO get FREE admission.
Question: I am interested in volunteering, do I just show up?
Answer: No, you must email us first and let us know you want to volunteer (and at what swap) so that we are expecting you. Each swap is a little different, some have different shifts etc., so you much sign up first. It's awesome to have the extra help, but gets confusing when people are helping and aren't on the list. Other moms start asking questions, and we can't really have anyone sorting and helping unless we are expecting them.
Question: Can I bring my kids while I volunteer?
Answer: It really isn't productive and we prefer that you don't. It kind of depends on the age and demeanor of your kids. It's best to check with the mom(s) that are organizing the swaps to see how they feel about it.
Question: I can't make it during the time of the swap - can I come early to get stuff?
Answer: Unfortunately, no. It's not fair to the other moms waiting. The swaps start at a certain time and no entry will be permitted into the swapping area (except for volunteers in order to sort and hang) until the swap begins. Everyone that brought stuff to swap will be allowed to enter at the same time. People who did not bring items to swap will be allowed to enter 45 minutes after the swap begins - this gives priority to the people who brought stuff to swap.
Question: I don't have anything to swap, can I come?
Answer: If you are a new or expecting/first time mom you are welcome to come if you don't have anything to exchange (you obviously wouldn't yet... but you will!) - you can pay the $5, and there is plenty of newborn stuff to go around. Other than first time moms though, we give priority to families that bring stuff to swap. However, you are still welcome to come after a certian time and "shop" and take home what you need - as long as you pay the admission, and come at the designated times (usually 45 minutes after swap starts). If you want to come regularly, I suggest just making sure you have a few things to bring to each swap - with my girls, I know I can always open their closets and find a few things to bring to the swap every month.
Question: If I bring 10 things can I only take 10 things?
Answer: I thought about implementing a "take what you bring" system, but if you think about how time consuming it would be to count everyone's stuff on the in and on the out - I don't know if it would be worth it. Use your best judgement- everyone is on their honor system. If you bring 2 things don't take 8 bags of stuf home with you :) If your kid is 2 years old don't take size 4 stuff just because it's "cute" or a brand name you like. Don't hoard stuff. Only take what you need. Bring it back when you are done. Don't take things for other people. The bottom line is we really want this to be about the community, about moms getting together and trading items of like value with other moms. If somebody really needs something, let them have it. I truly believe all of us, we have enough stuff to go around. We just need a place to meet and exchange! This being said, every once in awhile there is that one bad apple in the bunch & don't think we aren't watching. There is really no room in this organization for hoarding, taking stuff that you don't need and/or "aggressive" shopping/swapping - and if we encounter any of this behavior we will ask you to leave.
Question: I brought stuff but I didn't see anything I wanted - can I take something at the next swap?
Answer: I would be willing to bet that by next swap, you already have another bag of stuff to bring - but if you truly aren't happy, I would be happy to give you your $5 back and give you free attendance to the next swap.
Question: I would like to start a peace. love. swap kids swap in my community - can you help me?
Answer: We would LOVE to!! However, first read over the entire website, to see if we are on the same page- are you interested for the right reasons? Do you have the time to get one going? Can you put one on every month or every other month? We will help you start a successful p.l.s event in your area, but you or your mom's group has to be willing to put in some time and be able to run it on your own and really make it your own event. If you think you are interested., Let's talk - EMAIL ME so we can chat about the possibilities.
Question: Why peace. love. swap?
Answer: There are many options out there for swapping (trading/exchanging) your stuff. Simply put - nothing compares to a p.l.s event. You could host your own swap at home - but it's not that much fun trading stuff with 10-15 people. You aren't really going to find much to take home. Plus, it's not an ongoing event. I have stuff that my girls have grown out of almost every month. Home swaps are quaint and fun to hang out with friends, but not really useful. There are online swap sites... not sure if you tried these. Take pictures, post things, wait for someone to want your stuff and trade them for stuff that you might want. Or, some sites give you weird online "credits" that you trade in - worse yet, there is actually site that you send your stuff to and then get some random box of stuff back! Totally time consuming (you have to send everything and receive it in the mail) and confusing. And then there is the HUGE consignment sale events.. out of everything these seem the best option - they do have tons of stuff - however, they only happen twice a year. With a p.l.s event - it's easy, you show up with the stuff you don't want, you get "offline" and out to play with your kids and socialize with other moms in our kid friendly venues while we sort and organize, then you take whatever you need. You know you are helping others, because after the swap leftovers go to charities and families in need. It's fun, it's green, it's philanthropic - and it's coming soon to a town near you!!
DO's and DONT's
DO:
- Have Fun
- Bring your kids - but keep keep an eye on them - the gym doesn't provide free daycare, but they are welcome to play if they follow the rules.
- Wash your items before you bring them in
- Put fliers up at your kid's daycare center/school, supermarkets etc.. and tell your friends.
- Bring your own bags if possible - try to bring re-usable bags
- Come back often- there is always new stuff & new moms and dads
- Join the Yahoo group and post wants and sale items online
- Become a fan on Facebook
- Support the sponsors that sponsor the events :)
- Be a sponsor yourself, or be a vendor - or donate to the raffle
DON'T:
- Don't bring in junk - We can't take heavily stained items to charities - heavily stained clothes make great rags!
- Don't hoard Stuff, and don't take stuff that that is too big for your child - let someone else have it, they will bring it back when they are done
- Don't be aggressive - if someone else wants it, let them have it. peace. love. swap is about getting rid of stuff and sharing
- Don't sell items you get at the swap - - you won't be able to come back if we find out this is happening
- Don't bring items from home that your kids might set down - it might accidentally mistaken for a swap item - if they take their shoes or sweaters off, keep them with you at all times.
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